Clean–lean administrative processes: a case study on sediment pollution during construction

Abstract

The distinct variables of time delay and environmental pollution commonly occurs during construction and often, construction processes are being held responsible for the deficiencies due to the direct cause–effect relationship between them. Linear approaches that are generally used to derive the cause–effect relationship fail to portray the critical effect of the commonly underestimated waste from the administrative process. Performance improvement approaches such as lean thinking in the construction industry has also followed suit by focussing more on improving the production rather than administrative processes. Hence, solutions for production and also the environmental measures are often end-of-pipe, rather than prevention based. Due to that, the aim of this study is to improve the administrative (distal) process inefficiencies, simultaneously enhancing also the production and environmental performance through the use of Causal Loop Diagram, Lean and Cleaner Production concept. This study employs an exploratory research approach by conducting a case study on sediment pollution during construction. Ultimately, this study provides a new perspective and approach to understand and further improve the effects of inefficient administrative processes on the production (time) and environmental (sediment pollution) variable. The collective use of Causal Loop Diagram and Value Stream-Process Map provides a new direction for a journey towards cleaner administrative processes in construction.