IMPLEMENTING BEST PRACTICE IN THE MALAYSIA CONSTRUCTION

INDUSTRY BY PRACTICING THE LEAN CONSTRUCTION APPROACH 

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 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction:

In aspect of the improving the capability and sustainability to appease the upheaval of customers’
choice and satisfaction in the construction industry, application of lean construction module is
very much satisfactory. Over the world, as Rosli (2008) has prompted that the lean industry plays
the role of a stalemate in the construction field. Lean construction, more succinctly, is framed for
minimizing the waste of the materials which conducting the construction work. It also helps an
industry to cut the time that is actually required for the construction work which conversely
saves the total amount of expense that is needed to be expanding for a construction work. The
emergence of the lean construction concept enables the innovation of the lean manufacturing
concept which for a long time had not only been a new prospect but at the same time this also
allows in having the positive effect on the construction industry as well. But as Thomas (2002)
has narrated that with the approach of waste elimination in the construction project seemed to be
more effective and semantic in its approach of confinement. For an organisation, analysing the
related construction activities is the most scurrilous factor for the development of the
construction activities. The application of the lean seems to enable the responsibility of the
organizational success that led to the development of the construction project. According to the
need of the construction project, the application of the lean strategy is very much important. In a
large aspect, the implementation of lean for the development of construction activities is an
essential fact that leads to gain a profound sustainable effect.

In Malaysia, application of the concept of lean construction, still in this 21 st century is called to
be a new and sophisticated approach which in accordance to Mitsuishi et al. (2008), in the near
future will receive a great growth. Visser et al. (2010) have conferred the idea that the application
of the concept of lean industry before the globalization seemed to have been restricted in the
European and the American countries which later with the effect of globalization transported in
the other countries of the world. They have also confirmed the fact that the construction
industries now a day still is moving relentlessly in Malaysia and other Asian countries. Apart
from the Asian countries application of the lean in the other countries of the world is also not so

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much gracious in nature which has put this industry in the face of desolation and destitute.
Construction Industry Master Plan 2006-2015 has pointed to the several difficulties that the
construction industry of Malaysia is facing for a long time which, nonetheless, is cast its vicious
impact on the development of the industry as well (Puvanasvaran et al . 2010).

In this research work the researcher is going to narrate all the related facts that let the lean
industry to circumvent different circumstances which let the construction industry to attain the
intrinsic success or failure in context of Malaysia.

1.1 Background of the Study:

From the distant past several research works had been conducted on the implementation of lean
construction approach on the construction industries. Lean manufacturing, as Miller et al. (2010)
have reported had been the conceptual application pioneered by the Japanese car manufacturers;
later it was the European and American companies who seemed to have successfully
implemented the fact. He has also pointed out that application of the lean industry concept, are
highly being used in all the industrial sectors. Lean construction is called to be the most
stupendous approach that leads to gain control over the provident aspects. Some of the primary
principles that the lean industry seem to follow are:

 Elimination of the wastage

 Minimization of the cost from the actual development cost.
 Mapping of the value stream
 Assess the necessities of the customers and to set the principle in such a way not to
produce any product unless the necessity is felt.
 Application of the perfection in manufacturing the product leads to gain an advantage
which leads to an improvement.

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Figure 1: Basic principles of the lean construction

(Source: Santorella, 2011)

In the Malaysian contest the application of the lean in the construction purpose is the most
pivotal aspect that leads to an immense emergence of the improvement of the project itself.

But it needs to be mentioned that the application of the lean in the construction industry context
is not very much provident in nature. It is seen that in the different European countries
application of the lean in the construction projects seems not to have generated so much
possibilities which leads to a kind of failure. In Malaysia, as well, the lean construction seems to
be facing several difficult challenges which are leading the process not to be fruitfully adapted
by companies. Santorella (2011) in his research has shown that the concept of using the lean has
not been much popular in Malaysia yet, although the well versed employees of construction
industry are very much aware of the fact and its necessary in application in the construction
industry. Application of different technologies and newly invented methods although seemed to
have marked the new era of the lean construction but in no way it appears to be generous. More
to be added in this aspect, for a long time there had not been any ethical research had been
conducted on the lean construction (Cain, 2004). This very research has aimed to narrate all the
necessary factors that lead to the sophisticated approach of lean principles and the approaches

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that let the Malaysian lean construction industry to achieve a grand success. With continuous
improvement in the construction industry the research work will focus on the development of the
strategical approach that let the construction industry to gain an immense benefit of the market
place. In the following section the researcher will discuss all the necessary factors that the
researcher presumes to lead to the success of the research work as a whole.

1.2 Problem Statement:

Application of the lean construction, as has already been discussed has been facing a deplorable
situation for a long time. It is also stated that as the construction industry is quite different from
the manufacturing companies’ application of same principles adapted for the manufacturing
companies are in a large aspect are not at all functional for the construction industry. On the
contrary, there are several researchers who had opposed this fact. In accordance with Montabon et
al. (2000), application of the lean in the construction industry may seem to be a bit different but
the whole concept is not at all different. He has also instigated this fact that the base of both the
industries being consequent in nature application of this concept is also very much coefficient in
nature. But in this atmosphere of contradiction, the application of lean strategies in the
construction industry has always been a matter of trouble. As construction industry is quite
pragmatic in its approaches, the dilemma remains the same. MacDonald (2005) has mentioned that
as in the construction work, the companies are needed to invest a lot which let the companies to
follow all the possible strategical approaches that let the organisational success. It seems that the
procurement and application in the strategic orientation is really enigmatic in its approaches
which let the conditional stability to be prevailed in the application of the lean strategy for the
construction development. MacDonald (2005) has added that the cultural attitude is another aspect
that stands to be a barrier for the development of the lean construction. Radical changing of the
strategy and changing of the market orientation lead to develop different market strategy for the
construction industry which in some aspects seem to be the very much strategical to make the
company developed. Lack of commitment and transparency in the manufacturing process seems
to be the most propagated fact that let to nurture different problems.

Cho (2011) seems to have pointed out the biggest reason for the denouncement in the application
of the lean strategies is of having no proper awareness about the application of the strategy for
the construction industry. For this very reason he seems to have indicated accusatively of having

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not conducting any proper research work in the past on this matter. In Malaysia, the application
of the lean strategy for the construction .works seems to have abandoned for a long time. Though
there are several marvels of constructions seemed to have been there in Malaysia, interestingly,
no any possible facts have been pestered upon. More to be added, there seems to have been a gap
in the application of the lean strategy for the European countries which in a large aspect differs
from that applied in the Asian continent (Cho, 2011). Furthermore, the application of the Lean
Construction in a large aspect seems to be very much genuine that leads to the sophistication of
the projects.

By analysing all these problems faced by this very industry, the researcher has aimed to process
the managing facts that may enable the problems related to the lean industry can possibly be
resolved.

1.3 Research Aim:

The aim of this very research work is to state the different aspect having been related with lean
construction approach in respect of Malaysia. The researcher for this very purpose aimed at
attaining the utmost propagation that will let the research work to discuss all the necessary facts
in this aspect.

1.4 Objective of the Study:

Setting the objectives for any research work seems to be very much important for the
development of the research work. By following the objectives the researcher can move forward
to gain a sustainable balance between the researcher study and the points that the researcher
actually aims to have the outcome. The objectives of the study pave the way for the researcher to
further achieve the further conditionality of the researcher work. In this very researcher work the
researcher has also cooped with the objectives only:

 To analyze the implementation of the lean construction approach for the construction
industries in Malaysia.

The application of the lean construction in Malaysia has come under the lens that in the last few
years has developed a lot and also achieved the success as well. Therefore, the research will try
to state all the remarkable approaches that in context of Malaysia have been adapted.

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  To identify the possible challenges that the lean construction industry in Malaysia faces

It is needless to be pointed out that there are different challenges that lean construction industry
faces in this current scenario. The research work will narrate all these impediments that will let
the researcher to discuss more elaborately about the application of different strategies to resolve
all these problems.

 To propose the best practices of lean construction approach by comparing with other
countries

Application of the lean strategy for the construction industry is literally adapted almost all the
countries of the world. By comparing application of lean strategy in respect of Malaysia and rest
of the world, the researcher will gain more possibilities to enlarge different facts.

1.5 Research Question:

The research questions of the research work are framed to give more potentiality to the research
work. The research questioned for a study is generated by keeping a proper connection with the
topic and the objectives that are going to be narrated in due course of the study. For this very
researcher work, the researcher has also framed the research questions which will be answered in
the course of the research work.

 How far the construction staffs are aware of the implementation of the lean strategies?
 For which circumstance does the wastage generation manipulate the construction
industry?
 What are the possible reasons that acting as hindrances in the successful implementation
and accomplishment of the lean construction?

1.6 Significance of the Study:

It is noticed that of for a long time although there had been different research on the lean industry
had been conducted but only a little research has been conducted on the Malaysia basis.
Therefore, this very research work at the first stage is having the advantage of dealing with such
a sector where only a little research has been conducted ( Roslan et al. 2009). The researcher
presumes that this very research work will pave the way for the further research studies as well

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and will let different research scholars to contribute their valuable stand for this very study. In
the Malaysian perspective application of the lean strategy for the fundamental development of
the construction industry is nothing but a gracious factor. Though it has not been largely applied,
but it is expected that in the future there will be an immense growth of this industry. In the
varying degrees, the application of the lean management lets to gain the organisational success.
Proper planning, structuring and execution are the most necessary factors for the strategical
development (Soriano-Meier and Forrester, 2002). The researcher in the context of the study will
evaluate different aspects which seem to be very much strategical for the implementation of the
strategies. This is where the success of this research work lies. Rather in the Malaysian market
the large construction works are rapidly mushrooming which are really in need of proper
propagation and application of sophistication. The strategic influence of this research work
seems to be really significant and lays the footprint in the further evaluation of the researcher
study. This very research work will focus on all the propositional aspects that let the construction
industry to be developed by applying the different lean management principles. At the same time
the research work will also highlight different potential facts that lead to the conditional
achievement for this very project.

1.7 Scope of Study:

The range of the research work is really vast and multidimensional. The researcher is having a
prominent scope that helps the research work to get a proper shape. At the same time with proper
analysis the research the research work seems to pave the different new dimensions that will let
the research work to gain a success. The researcher for this very research purpose has also
followed its predecessors and the previous researchers as well which let him to generate a
strategical ability which enables him to gain the advantages for this very purpose. More to be
added, for the lean construction development there had been only a few researches has been
conducted which let the researcher to attain a circumstantial potentiality. Although, there were
several challenges that the researcher has to face in conducting the research work, but it needs to
be admitted that with a successful research work paves the way for the development of further
research works as well. Rather the subject of the research work being so much unique, it helps
the researcher to attain an immense control over the several rational facts which the researcher
presumes are the driving force of the research work.

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1.8 Definitions of Different Terms:

In this section of the research work the researcher is going to discuss about some of the specific
terms that seemed to be very much important and are going to be used in the context of the
research work as well. For the lean industry application of different aspects lets the research
work more sophistical which in a large aspect is convenient in sustaining the advantage for this
research work. In the following section, the researcher is going to narrate different relevant
terms.

1.8.1 Lean Construction:

The potential aspect behind the lean production is enabling the proper creation of the work and
elimination of the non required values, for instance the industry wastage. In this context it is
needed to be mentioned that for the cycling of the wastage material for the development of an
industry is needed to be focused. Application of the new technology to gain the organisational
advantage is very much significant for the lean construction. Mitsuishi et al. (2008) can be stated
by saying that preventing the wastage of time, equipment and money are the most necessary
factor for the development of the lean construction. It appears that in application of the lean
theory, the propagation of newly management statistics is applied. Although, as it has already
been discussed that the lean strategy has not been so much popular yet in application over the
world but it is expected that in the coming days with the propagation and implementation of the
new theories, the lean construction will become be one of the most sophisticated approach in the
modern time. The scientists for a long time has been in against of the waste elimination which is
having its sordid effect on the earth, therefore, the lean construction can said to be the only
savior.

1.8.2 Construction and Supplier:

Construction seems to be the most known term that the common people seem to be highly
familiar with in this modern time. With the population of the world is getting increased day by
day, necessity of getting more accommodation is also getting hike (Visser et al. 2010). It is the
construction that let the accommodations of a human being gives more potentiality and ethical
approaches. To gain the organisational success, there are innumerous constructions companies
have sprouted up whole through the world.

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Without the suppliers, application of the construction work is in no way be possible. The
suppliers are those persons who build the base of the construction project and get it concretized.
Therefore, the contribution of the suppliers in the construction work is having the most credible
approaches. More to be added, it is the supplier who make the construction work more
rejuvenation.

1.9 Summary:

In this very chapter the researcher has discussed different aspects that are going to be highlighted
in the course of the research study. At the same time the researcher will evolve through the
research practice which will let the researcher to gain more sustainability. With the unfolding of
the facts the researcher will narrate the different related matters which cast its impact on the lean
construction.

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References

Books

Cain, C. (2004). Profitable partnering for lean construction. 1st ed. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Pub.

Cho, S. (2011). The Relation between Lean Construction and Performance in the Korean
Construction Industry. 1st ed. Berkeley, CA.

Rosli Mohamad Zin, (2008). Lean construction. 1st ed. Skudai, Johor: Pusat Pengurusan
Penyelidikan, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Santorella, G. (2011). Lean culture for the construction industry. 1st ed. New York: Productivity
Press.

Thomas, H. (2002). Benchmarking of labor-intensive construction activities. 1st ed. Rotterdam:

International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction.

Visser, W., Matten, D., Tolhurst, N., and Pohl, M. (2010). The A to Z of corporate social
responsibility for lean industry. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Journals

MacDonald, J.P. (2005). Strategic sustainable development using the ISO 14001 Standard. Journal of
Cleaner Production, 13(6), 631–643

Miller, G., Pawloski, J., and Standridge, C. R. (2010). A case study of lean, sustainable manufacturing.
Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 3(1), 11-32.

Mitsuishi, M., Ueda, K., and Kimura, F. (2008). Manufacturing Systems and Technologies for the New
Frontier. Proceedings of the 41st CIRP Conference on Manufacturing Systems, 2008.

Montabon, F., Meinyk, S.A., Stroofe, R., and Calantone, R.J. (2000). ISO 14000: Assessing Its Perceived
Impact on Corporate Performance. The Journal of Supply Chain Management, 4-16.

Puvanasvaran, A.P., Muhamad, M.R., and Kerk, R.S.T. (2010). A Review of Purpose, Benefits,
Impediments and Structure of Environmental Management System (EMS). Australia Journal of Basic
and Applied Sciences, 4(10), 4710-4716.

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Roslan, R., Taib, M., and Watee, N. (2009). Efficiency of competitiveness Priorities on Adoption of e-
Procurement System to Enhance Service Performance. Journal of Human Capital Development, 2(2), 71-
85.

Soriano-Meier, H., and Forrester, P.L. (2002). A Model for Evaluating the Degree of Leanness of
Manufacturing Firms. Integrated Manufacturing System, 13(2), 104-109.

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