Clearing the Fog: Demystifying Value and Values in Lean Construction

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a structural relationship model to study the relationship between causes and effects of poor communication and information exchange in construction projects using Smart-PLS.Design/methodology/approachThe first method of this research is to identify the causes and effects factors of poor communication in construction projects from the extant of literature. The data used to develop the model was collected using a questionnaire survey, which targeted construction practitioners in the Malaysian construction industry. A five-point Likert type scale was used to rate the significance of the factors. The factors were classified under their relevant construct/group using exploratory factor analysis. A hypothetical model was developed and then transformed into Smart-PLS in which the hypothetical model suggested that each group of the cause factors has a direct impact on the effect groups. The hypothesis was tested using t-values and p-values. The model was assessed for its inner and outer components and achieved the threshold criterion. Further, the model was verified by engaging 14 construction experts to verify its applicability in the construction project setting.FindingsThe study developed a structural equation model to clarify the relationships between causes and effects of poor communication in construction projects. The model explained the degree of relationships among causes and effects of poor communication in construction projects.Originality/valueThe published academic and non-academic literature introduced many studies on the issue of communication including the definitions, importance, barriers to effective communication and means of poor communication. However, these studies ended up only on the general issue of communication lacking an in-depth investigation of the causes and effects of poor communication in the construction industry. The study implemented advanced structural modeling to study the causes and effects. The questionnaire, the data and concluding results fill the identified research gap of this study. The addressed issue is also of interest because communication is considered one of the main knowledge areas in construction management.

PurposeCommunication plays an important role in the quality of the relationship, trust and collaboration among construction project teams. Literature suggests that effective communication is vital for achieving improved project performance. The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the barriers to effective communication in the Nigerian construction industry, using attribution theory paradigm.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires detailing 15 barriers to effective communication were administered to consultants and contractors engaged in the Nigerian construction sector. In total, 100 valid responses were analysed using mean score, factor analysis and factor score.FindingsUnclear project objectives, ineffective reporting systems and poor leadership were ranked as the most significant barriers to effective communication. Factor analysis uncovered that the principal reasons responsible for ineffective communication include: managerial and technical barriers and credibility and background barriers.Practical implicationsThe results provide information on barriers which needs to be addressed in order to improve communication in construction projects in Nigeria. There is a need to conduct post-completion reviews of construction projects so that project team members can learn and share knowledge on past experiences. Although the present study was conducted in the Nigerian context, it is envisaged that the research outcome will be widely applicable to other developing countries.Originality/valueThe study provides insights on the perceived barriers to effective communication in Nigerian construction projects. The paper presents the direction for further research aimed at improving communication in construction projects in Nigeria.

Although communication is of vital importance in construction projects, the construction industry is confronted with great communication difficulties and an ineffective use of information and communication technology (ICT) systems. In this study, the objective is to analyse obstacles and preconditions for an effective use of ICT by focusing on characteristics of interorganizational communication in construction projects. Interorganizational communication and ICT are studied by elaborating on these phenomena from the perspective of two paradigms – the traditional functionalist and the radical humanist – and theories representative for these paradigms – the agency theory and Habermas’ critical social theory. By using the method of metatriangulation, it is shown that in addition to the functionalist perspective, the critical social theory of Habermas is an appropriate theory for analysing obstacles and preconditions for an effective interorganizational communication and use of ICT. Based on this analysis, a critical research agenda on communication and ICT in construction is formulated. It is concluded that this type of research will lead to a more articulated view on the alignment between ICT applications and communication in construction projects and will show new directions for ICT development in the future.

Although communication is of vital importance in construction projects, the construction industry is confronted with great communication difficulties and an ineffective use of information and communication technology (ICT) systems. In this study, the objective is to analyse obstacles and preconditions for an effective use of ICT by focusing on characteristics of interorganizational communication in construction projects. Interorganizational communication and ICT are studied by elaborating on these phenomena from the perspective of two paradigms – the traditional functionalist and the radical humanist – and theories representative for these paradigms – the agency theory and Habermas' critical social theory. By using the method of metatriangulation, it is shown that in addition to the functionalist perspective, the critical social theory of Habermas is an appropriate theory for analysing obstacles and preconditions for an effective interorganizational communication and use of ICT. Based on this analysis, a critical research agenda on communication and ICT in construction is formulated. It is concluded that this type of research will lead to a more articulated view on the alignment between ICT applications and communication in construction projects and will show new directions for ICT development in the future.

Due to rapid growth of world’s population and urbanization in the world construction is becoming complex, and because of its this nature, effective communication is essential for ensuring successful outcomes in construction projects. However, ineffective communication can lead to project delays, increased costs, and disputes that may result in complicated litigation and arbitration. This literature review aims to examine the impact of ineffective communication in construction projects in Sabah, Malaysia. The review focuses on the role of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in promoting effective communication, the use of the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act (CIPAA) to resolve disputes, and the effectiveness of the PAM Contract with Quantities in improving communication and reducing disputes in construction projects. The review analyses relevant literature on the topic, including studies that have investigated communication challenges in construction projects in, Malaysia. The findings indicate that ineffective communication is a prevalent issue in construction industry of Malaysia and can be caused by factors such as language barriers, cultural differences, and poor coordination among project stakeholders. Based on the literature review, recommendations are provided for improving communication in construction projects in Sabah, including the use of clear communication channels, regular project meetings, and effective project management strategies. The literature review highlights the significance of effective communication in construction projects and provides valuable insights for stakeholders involved in construction projects in the region.

Through rapid advancements in ICT, opportunities arise in enhancing communication between participants of different organisations in construction projects. The use of ICT in construction is, however, relatively limited and ineffective compared to other sectors such as the automotive or the aerospace industry. An understanding of the project context and the nature of communication between organisations is an essential prerequisite in analysing and designing ICT in an effective way. The objective of this paper is to analyse the alignment between ICT and the actual communication processes in construction projects. The major question is what types of action need to be supported by ICT, and those that can be supported by the available ICT applications in construction projects. The critical social theory of Habermas (1984, 1987) is used as a classification scheme for analysing the alignment of communication and ICT applications in construction projects.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia construction industry is bedevilled with many problems. Many construction projects delivered to poor cost, time, quality performances. In addition, many of the construction organisations in the KSA operate with inefficient project delivery processes and produce enormous wastes and low-value return to clients. Lean construction has been proposed as a management strategy for overcoming the problems associated with construction project delivery and organisational processes in the KSA construction industry. Despite the avalanche of frameworks for implementing lean construction strategies, the appropriate framework for promoting lean construction in the KSA construction industry is lacking. The result is the limited implementation of lean construction in the KSA construction industry. Beside the lack of an appropriate framework for implementing lean construction strategies, there is a concerning dearth of research addressing issues pertaining to the implementation of lean construction such as the barriers and critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing lean construction in the KSA construction industry. As a result, the state of art of lean construction in the KSA construction industry is unknown. Therefore, this study is carried out to promote lean construction in the KSA construction industry. The research methodology follows a pragmatic research paradigm which allows the combined use of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The quantitative methodology aspects involve the questionnaire survey of experts to obtain their opinion on the types of wastes, the tools and techniques that support the implementation of lean construction, benefits of lean construction, and stages of application of lean methods in the KSA construction industry. In addition, the questionnaire was used to gather experts' opinion about the barriers to the implementation of lean construction in the KSA construction industry. The data obtained from the survey was analysed using powerful statistical analysis techniques such as one-way ANOVA, and the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. An open-ended questionnaire combined with an interview scheme was also designed to obtain the experts' views on the CSFs for implementing lean construction in the KSA construction industry. The data obtained was qualitatively analysed using content analysis to derive a comprehensive list of CSFs for implementing lean construction in the KSA construction industry. On the basis of the list derived, selected experts were asked to complete a pairwise comparison of the CSFs through a well-designed row and column questionnaire. An ISM technique was employed to specify the interrelationships among the CSFs, as well as their hierarchies in order to develop an ISM model for promoting lean construction in the KSA construction industry. An interview with experts who have the understanding of lean construction and the operations of the KSA construction industry was carried out to check for conceptual inconsistencies, and to confirmif the model can be implemented as a lean construction framework for improving the performance of construction projects and organisations in the KSA construction industry. The investigation reveals that 'waiting' is the most pervasive type of waste in the KSA construction industry, while the level of pervasiveness of the over-processing and over-production types of wastes are different between the large and small construction companies mainly due to resource constraints. There are a myriad number of different tools/techniques that support the implementation of lean construction in the KSA construction industry, but the computer aided design (CAD) provides the most support to the implementation of lean construction. The top ranked barriers which are of greatest concern to the implementation of LC in the KSA construction industry are: influence of traditional practices, unfavorable organisational culture, lack of technical skills about lean techniques, and lack of understanding of lean approaches. In descending order of pervasiveness, the principal factors that constitute these barriers in the KSA construction industry are the traditional practices barrier, client-related barrier, standardisation barrier, a technological barrier, performance and knowledge barrier, and cost related barrier. Of these principal barriers, the client related barrier is a new kind of barrier to implementing lean construction in the body of knowledge. There are 12 CSFs for implementing lean construction in the KSA construction industry. As a result, an ISM model that specifies the relationship between the CSFs for implementing lean construction in the KSA construction industry is developed, while a further validation study confirms that the ISM model can be implemented as a lean construction framework for improving the performance of construction projects and organisations in the KSA construction industry. The ISM model comprises of 7 hierarchies (VII-I) of the 12 CSFs. The CSFs in the top hierarchy are the most important CSFs for implementing lean construction in the KSA construction industry. Those in the middling hierarchy are very unstable, whereby any action taken on one or more of them has an effect on another. Therefore, utmost care and consideration are necessary when putting in place any of these CSFs for the implementation of lean construction in the KSA construction industry. The CSF in the least hierarchy is the least important in the KSA construction industry, and to apply this CSF is entirely reliant on the other CSFs, in other words, other CSFs need to be in place to apply this CSF to the implementation of lean construction in the KSA construction industry. Overall, the study generates a new knowledge in the area of lean construction in the KSA construction industry context. This study reveals the state of art of lean construction in the KSA construction industry. In addition, this study identifies the barriers to, and the CSF for implementing lean construction in the KSA construction industry. This study also develops an ISM model that specifies the relationship among the CSFs for implementing lean construction towards the development of a framework for promoting lean construction in the KSA construction industry. In contrast to existing frameworks, the framework reflects the socio-cultural and operation context in the KSA construction industry.

Communication-related issues significantly hinder project performance throughout the construction project lifecycle. This study aimed to identify the key causes of poor communication in construction projects to mitigate communication-related issues. A comprehensive literature review identified 20 potential causes and a questionnaire survey was conducted with 106 Malaysian construction stakeholders, including clients, consultants and developers. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found five primary causes of poor communication, namely: (1) lack of effective communication between parties, (2) poor planning and coordination, (3) inadequate communication skills, (4) unclear objectives and (5) improper communication channels. The study’s exploratory factor analysis revealed four underlying factors contributing to poor communication: (1) ineffective communication and supportive tools, (2) noise in communication, (3) fragmentation and coordination problems and (4) improper planning and language disabilities. These findings provide valuable insights for construction practitioners, offering guidance on addressing communication issues before they negatively impact project performance. The study also informs researchers and practitioners on the critical causes of poor communication, facilitating the development of effective strategies to enhance communication effectiveness.

Construction projects are complex processes that demand high communication skills of all involved stakeholders. Multiplayer Online Games (MOG) are considered to be training environments for meta skills, including communication skills. This study aims to analyze whether communication skills required for construction projects could be trained in MOGs. For this purpose, based on literature research, initially half-hour interviews with construction project experts (N = 9) were conducted aiming at elaborating the problems of communication in construction projects and thus deriving learning goals regarding communication skills. As a result, five typical challenges affecting communication in construction projects were identified from literature and eight learning goals were derived from the analysis of the interviews. The learning goals were examined in focus group discussions with players of the MOG EVE Online (N = 14) to determine whether these learning goals regarding communication skills are also in demand in the MOG and trained accordingly. As a result, each of the learning goals could be trained at least basically through EVE Online. However, as a prerequisite of successful training, players must actively participate and communicate in the MOG. Accordingly, EVE Online might be used as a training environment for communication in construction projects especially for MOG-affine stakeholders in construction projects.KeywordsEVE OnlineMMOGSerious gameMeta skillInterdisciplinary skill21st Century skill

The construction industry is known for its complex and diverse nature, involving several stakeholders. Effective communication plays a vital role in ensuring that everyone involved understands the project goals, schedules, and expectations. However, communication breakdowns can lead to delays, exceeding costs, and disputes that often result in litigation. This study aims to investigate the cause and impact of ineffective communication in construction projects in Sabah, Malaysia, and its contribution to disputes and their frequency to escalate into arbitration or litigation. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including a survey questionnaire for construction professionals and supported by a literature analysis, the research reveals challenges and proposes solutions. Leveraging mean and standard deviation, this study quantifies the causes and effects of ineffective communication in construction projects, aiding stakeholder comprehension. Survey results highlight work practice differences as a significant cause (27%) of miscommunication, with 99.12% acknowledging miscommunication issues can lead to disputes. About 82.30% stress the importance of well-defined communication protocols. By identifying issues and proposing mitigation strategies, this study empowers project stakeholders to improve project outcomes and reduces the complexity. Respondents with a good understanding of contract form and acts are slightly well aware of how to handle misunderstandings. Moreover, the research emphasizes the importance of communication tools, well-defined contracts, and collaboration in addressing these communication challenges. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2024-05-04-012 Full Text: PDF

Interface management (IM) has been viewed as an emerging strategy for improving communication in construction projects. The implementation of IM involves boundary-spanning roles across organizations. However, previous studies shed little light on how boundary spanners and IM practices facilitate inter-organizational communication in construction projects. Built on boundary-spanning theory, this paper aims to empirically investigate the relationships between different IM practices and boundary-spanning roles, and their impacts on inter-organizational communication effectiveness in construction project networks. Using data from eight large-scale construction projects in Ningxia that are managed by the same owner, a social network analysis was performed to examine the structural characteristics of inter-organizational communication networks. Results show that both boundary-spanning roles and IM practices have positive effects on inter-organizational communication effectiveness. These findings provide insights for developing strategies to improve inter-organizational communication.KeywordsSocial network analysisCommunicationInterface managementBoundary-spanning

PurposeThe construction industry is known for its complexity, poor performance and impact on the environment. This study investigates the applicability of lean techniques and processes on improving sustainability in construction projects. A total of ten key lean construction (LC) tools are analyzed for impact on 15 sustainability categories and 78 subcategories. Results are summarized for usability across the three sustainability pillars.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review (SLR) of articles published over the last 10 years (2014–2023) on lean and sustainable construction is conducted involving planning, identifying, screening, analyzing and reporting phases. Selected 41 articles are reviewed in detail. For reporting, the applicability of LC tools is critically analyzed and ranked according to impact on sustainability over two project stages.FindingsLiterature suggests that the impact of LC on economic waste reduction or social impact is likely to have an impact on environmental sustainability as well. Overall, the top LC tools for improving sustainability in construction include value stream mapping (VSM), just-in-time (JIT) and 5S. The applicability of the LC tools is more prevalent in the “construction phase” of construction projects than the “planning and design” phase.Originality/valueThis study analyzed ten lean tools through SLR and evaluated their impact on construction sustainability. By assessing the challenges and benefits associated with LC tools, the outcomes of the study support the adoption of LC by stakeholders. The paper also proposed a practical implementation strategy for LC tools to enhance sustainable construction.

Research Questions: Q1) what are the Critical Factors that are essential for the successful implementation of Lean Construction? Q2) how can we put these factors into action to implement the Lean Construction? Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to find out the most important factors that are considered critical to successfully implement the Lean in Construction projects, and to develop a conceptual framework that represents the foundation for adopting Lean Construction. Research Method: The authors conducted a comprehensive literature review and a survey is used to collect data from local construction companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Collected data are then analyzed and used to answer the research questions. Findings: This study identified 13 Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for Lean implementation in construction projects. The factors were then categorized into four main constructs that represent the pillars of the conceptual framework: Managerial, Organizational, Structural, and External Factors. A preliminary “Staircase Road Map” is proposed to guide construction companies in diffusing the Lean techniques. Limitations: The consistency of the research results and findings is dependent on the accuracy and reliability of the collected data from UAE construction companies. Also, the study focused on local construction companies with other stakeholders’ perspectives being excluded. Implications: The study proposed a conceptual framework that represents the foundation or the building block for applying Lean techniques in construction projects. Value for Practitioners: This study will enable construction companies to understand the key requirements and factors essential for the success of Lean Construction program, allowing them to focus on fulfilling these requirements before and during the implementation, thus reducing the chances of program failure. Keywords: Lean Construction, Critical Success Factors (CSFs), Successful Implementation. Paper type: Full paper

PurposeThe number of crisis incidents and their severity is rising along with the growing complexity of technology and society. There are enumerable incidents that can interrupt progress in construction projects. The crisis response phase puts the project organization's established normal communication systems and processes under enormous and additional pressure. The aim of this paper is to make a contribution to link and extend the knowledge of complexity theory on communication management in the context of the crisis response. This paper aims to propose and refine a conceptual framework for understanding the underlying pattern of communication behavior and decisions of human systems in response to a crisis and to investigate how to enhance the organization's adaptability and resilience in the event of a crisis.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews, proposes and refines a conceptual complexity‐informed framework for effective crisis response communication management.FindingsConventional crisis response communication models and management are grounded on the linear, command‐and‐control principles of “scientific management”, that they are rather limited in describing flexible reactions to the changing circumstances and explaining the dynamic and complex crisis response situations. The paper breaks out of this mould to propose an alternative model for crisis response communication based on complexity theory.Practical implicationsThe conceptual model proposed in the paper suggests that while the behavior of these complex systems cannot be predicted all the parts nevertheless self‐organize, learn and adapt to their dynamically changing environment.Originality/valueIn terms of this proposed conceptual framework, a flexible and adaptive management approach for the construction project manager to communicate and respond quickly and effectively in the midst of a crisis is suggested.

Lean construction (LC) tools are proposed to resolve the issues of construction waste. LC is a continuous improvement in the construction processes that can manage the construction waste efficiently. The implementation of LC also will secure a better health and safety environment and accomplish in sustaining growth and profitability of an organisation. This study was conducted to investigate the availability of LC tools and its implications towards the quality of a construction product via the survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to the contractors that register with the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) underclass G7 categories in Malaysia. Based on the findings, the most LC tools implemented in the Malaysian construction industry are teamwork, daily hurdles meetings, and 5S. The implementation of LC tools can give a positive impact on the quality of the construction project. It shows that construction projects will produce a higher quality of the product by implementing LC. The findings outlined in this paper could be essential for the future framework of LC tools that can enhance the contractor’s quality of a product towards sustainable low carbon emission development.