Current condition and future directions for lean construction in highways projects : a small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) perspective

Tezel, A; Koskela, LJ; Aziz, ZUH

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the parameters defining how Lean Construction (LC) is being implemented (current condition) and how LC
can be further promoted (future direction) from a Small-Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) perspective. Although SMEs constitute the largest
group in construction supply chains, LC, as an emerging phenomenon in civil construction project management, has been rarely investigated from
an SMEs perspective. Also, overlooking the more macro factors like project governance and supply chain management, LC deployments have
been mainly discussed from a production process perspective to date. After a review of the extant literature and 20 interviews with managers from
the highways sector, a list of 31 current condition and 40 future direction statements were produced, classified under the delivery, process, training,
project governance and supply chain related headings and used in a questionnaire survey with 110 responses. The current condition highlights
problems like a short-term relations structure, competitive tendering mechanisms, fragmentation, problems in engaging with SMEs for LC,
unstandardised LC techniques, and issues with convincing SMEs to deploy LC by demonstrating the business case on mutual benefits. Action
items relating to the current project delivery structure were given the highest importance by the supply chain, alongside the LC training and project
governance issues for the future of LC at highways SMEs. Additionally, a statistically significant correlation was identified among many future
action items.

Citation

Tezel, A., Koskela, L., & Aziz, Z. (2018). Current condition and future directions for lean construction in highways projects : a small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) perspective. International Journal of Project Management, 36(2), 267-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.10.004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 26, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Nov 15, 2017
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 7, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 15, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Project Management
• Print ISSN: 0263-7863
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 267-286
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.10.004
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.10.004
• Related Public URLs: http://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/international-journal-of-project-management