Influence of lean construction on the performance of housing scheme building projects in Nairobi county, Kenya

Abstract

Lean Construction is a system used in the putting up of housing building units that aims at minimizing waste of materials, time; improve safety and effort in order to generate the maximum possible amount of value for the stakeholders. It is an improvement on the traditional house-building process which focuses on the uniqueness and the singularity of projects characterized by unique choices of technical solutions, a limited use of platforms, uniquely combined teams and scarcely developed logistics and procurement strategies.

The main objective is to determine how waste material management influences the performance of housing building projects in Nairobi. The main research question determines to what extent waste material management influences the performance of housing building projects in Nairobi. The study research design is correlation as it sought to analyze the degree of relationship between the variables. The study adopted a mixed-mode approach method whereby quantitative and qualitative techniques are used. The target population was the professionals/experts in the construction industry based within Nairobi County.

Study findings indicated that lean construction is a predominantly a rare practice in Kenya. There was no evidence of lean construction guidance notes among the organizations studied. A gender gap exists in the construction industry with most of the players in the sector being male. Parameters describing the overall process of lean construction are considered important determinants of the performance of housing and building projects.

Evidence from majority rating on waste management, natural environment, workplace safety, completion time and project cost indicate that players in the sector have to some extent attached some value on the importance of lean construction. A relationship exists between lean construction parameters and performance of housing scheme building projects, though in varying degrees. Waste management showed, a weak relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.112, natural environment showed a very weak relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.093, workplace safety showed and projects costs showed a moderately strong relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.579, while project costs completion time showed a moderate relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.632.

The researcher recommended an adoption of last planners system tool (a subset of lean construction) among the players in the construction industry to increase the level of effectiveness, efficiency, quality, productivity, innovativeness and profitability in the sector. An advocacy on the equal opportunities for both men and women is important in facilitating talent pool in the construction industry and consequently improve on workmanship. As a strategy towards maximising the use of lean construction, it is imperative for organizations to device strategies toward reducing injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. This could be achieved through constant work safety training for employees as well as putting in place strong regulatory framework in the sector. A further study should be undertaken on the effect of lean construction on workplace safety in the construction industry.