A Study of Challenges and Benefits of Lean Construction (LC) Principles in Omani Construction Industry

Raj Kapur Shah (School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University.)
Khalifa Al Shereiqi (School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University.)
Fiona Borthwick (School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University.)

Abstract

There are frequent failures in the project delivery in time and increasing the waste in Oman construction industry. Lean Construction (LC) principles which is lean thinking in design and construction process may be a possible solution. Hence, the paper is aimed on exploring the status of the LC practices and its impact on Omani Construction Industry (OCI). The paper presents barriers, potential benefits, and the measures of suitability and acceptability of LC principles. A quantitative research approach was adopted and research data was collected using an online questionnaire survey in Oman. The data was analysed and results are presented in tables and charts followed by critical discussions. The survey found that one-third of the construction professionals have a good awareness and half of then having a higher level awareness about LC practices. More than one third of the construction organisations are adopting LC principles with a high consensus on the suitability and acceptability, and they recognised that time commitment are necessary for the successful implementation and achieve benefits. The study concludes that the reduction in project delivery time and construction at site waste is the key advantage of implementing LC priciples in design and construction stages in the omani construction industry.

Keywords

Barriers; Benefits; Challenges; Lean Construction; Lean Principles; Implementation; Industry; Oman

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/jcr.v2i2.2760