Abstracts – Browse Results
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Adham, A (2018) The political economy of work in Saudi Arabia: a comparative labour process analysis in two firms, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , De Montfort University.
Al Bunni, A (2020) Refurbishment of UK state school buildings: a strategy and framework for BIM-based digital twinning, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , De Montfort University.
Alhalafi, M (2021) Develop a lean project management framework for the construction companies in order to improve the time and cost efficiencies of their construction operations, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , De Montfort University.
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: construction activities; cost overrun; philosophy; construction firms; infrastructure project; investment; lean construction; monitoring; project management practice; training; project manager; Saudi Arabia; interview; simulation
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://hdl.handle.net/2086/21786
- Abstract:
This research explores how Lean management principles, tools and techniques could be used in conjunction with project management theories to develop a Lean project management framework for the Saudi construction firms in order to improve the time and cost efficiencies of their operations. It critically evaluates the applicability of Lean's philosophy in the construction industry. It also investigates the management implication of traditional project management practices and the performance-improvement potential of pro-Lean practices. It examines how the adoption of Lean's Kanban can help firms to address the problem of time and cost overruns. It uses Simio 10 computer simulation software to simulate the impact of Kanban's adoption on the time and cost efficiencies of construction activities using 54 real-life scenarios. It identifies the key drivers, enablers and barriers to the adoption of Kanban in the Saudi construction industry using semi-structured interviews and web-based survey questionnaires. This research has found that construction firms in Saudi Arabia are struggling with the management of delays and that their activities are characterised by cost and schedule overruns. Saudi Arabia has, for many years, invested billions of pounds in infrastructure projects, particularly on transport initiatives such as new roads, ports and bridges. However, not many of these initiatives have been completed in time or on budget. In fact, delays and cost overruns are so common in the country that they have become seen as the norm and as a reality that project managers should just accept. This research has also found that the principles of 'Lean Construction' and Kanban's 6 rules in particular offer a viable solution to many of the current problems of Saudi construction firms. Kanban enables construction companies to switch from push-based systems to pull-based systems which involve real-time monitoring of consumption and demand-triggered replenishment. Kanban's adoption also ensures that the capacities of upstream and downstream processes are perfectly aligned, which helps firms to reduce bottlenecks, avoid backlogs and fine-tune their processes and construction activities. Moreover, this research has found that Lean construction's success depends heavily on senior management's commitment and also on staff training and understanding of the technical requirements of Lean's systems. In fact, lack of commitment and senior managers' short-sighted investment policies are identified as the two most significant barriers to Lean construction's principles' adoption and operationalisation.
Ali, N (2018) A framework for designing energy efficient dwellings satisfying socio-cultural needs in hot climates, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Architecture, De Montfort University.
Ayodele, T T (2022) Cost-effective retrofit packages for low-middle income residential buildings in Nigeria, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , De Montfort University.
Beadle, K (2008) Analysis of the design process for low-energy housing, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, De Montfort University.
Borthwick, F (2002) The impact of the European Construction Products Directive on UK construction product manufacturers, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of the Built Environment, De Montfort University.
Gilham, A (2010) A governance framework for sustainable development in the built environment, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , De Montfort University.
Huang, J (2012) The effects of the development of Private Finance Initiatives in the UK and their relevance in the implementation of Build-Operate-Transfer projects in Chinese road and water sectors, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Business, De Montfort University.
Men, Y (2023) Investigation into sustainable solutions for improving small and medium sized museums in China, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , De Montfort University.
Moore, D R (1996) Task difficulty assessment: a contribution towards improved buildability through simplification, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , De Montfort University.
Small-Warner, K (2022) Adopting sustainable business models in small island developing states (SIDS): buildings and construction sector, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , De Montfort University.
Watts, C J (2002) In-service training for computer-aided design in building surveying, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Architecture, De Montfort University.