https://doi.org/10.24928/2018/0428
Enabling Lean Among Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Contractors in Sri Lanka
K.A.T.O. Ranadewa1, Y.G. Sandanayake2 & Mohan Siriwardena33
1PhD Candidate, Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, +94772266488, [email protected]2Senior Lecturer, Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, [email protected]
3Senior Lecturer, Department of Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, +44(0)1512312867, [email protected]
Abstract
Lack of sufficient attention to the possible benefits of adopting lean concept has hindered the performance of small and medium enterprise (SME) contractors in Sri Lanka. Insufficient knowledge on minimising non-value adding activities (NVAA) is considered as the major barrier to implementing lean. Moreover, there is a lack of empirical research identifying NVAA, in order to trigger lean adoption in Sri Lankan SME contractors. Hence, the paper investigates NVAA, their significance and the causes, which hinder lean implementation in Sri Lankan SME contractors. A literature review, followed by five case studies were carried out, and the data were analysed using 5-why analysis. According to findings, lean construction is still a relatively unfamiliar approach among SME contractors in Sri Lanka. Some organisations follow lean techniques in an ad-hoc manner without an adequate understanding of the concept. The studyfurther identified defects, inventory and waiting as major NVAA categories relevant to SME contractors. Lack of finance, insufficient training, cultural inertia, lack of individual capacities, lack of networking and collaboration, and lack of action learning were identified as the root causes for NVAA of SME contractors. Although respondents expressed their willingness to implement lean to enhance value, they identified lack of capacities as a major constraint against enabling lean adoption among SME contractors in Sri Lanka.
Keywords
SME Contractors, Lean Construction, Case Studies, Sri Lanka
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Reference
Ranadewa, K. , Sandanayake, Y. & Siriwardena3, M. 2018. Enabling Lean Among Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Contractors in Sri Lanka, 26th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , 392-401. doi.org/10.24928/2018/0428
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