Lean construction as a strategic option : testing its suitability and acceptibility in Sri Lanka

Sepani Senaratne, Duleesha Wijesiri

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Lean Construction is a concept still new to many construction industries in the world. According to Ballard and Howell (2003) countries such as UK, Australia, USA and Brazil have gained significant benefits by adoption of Lean Construction concepts. However, this concept is still new to the Sri Lankan construction industry. Lean Construction can be argued as a strategic option when implementing in a new setting, where certain tests such as its suitability and acceptability needs to be done prior to its implementation. Hence, this study aimed to explore the suitability and acceptability of Lean Construction in Sri Lanka. The study adopted an opinion survey using Delphi Method to collect empirical data. The findings reveal frequent flow activities that generate waste and their causes in the Sri Lankan construction industry. The research further finds that the domestic construction industry workforce is ignorant of these flow activities that create waste and their causes. When tested majority accept the core principles of Lean Construction and are having a Kaizen mentality, which is central to lean thinking. Thus, the study concludes that Lean Construction is suitable and acceptable in the Sri Lankan context. Overall, the study offers an approach to test Lean Construction in a new construction industry using an opinion survey.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)34-48
    Number of pages15
    JournalConstruction Management and Economics
    Volume2008
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

    Keywords

    • construction industry
    • lean construction
    • Kaizen mentality
    • Sri Lanka

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