19th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction - Lima, Peru - 2011

Lean Awarness in Australian Construction: Investigating the Extent of Lean Adoption Across Australian Construction Sectors

Brianna Chesworth1, Kerry London2 & Thayaparan Gajendran3

1PhD Candidate, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia, 2308. Phone +61 2 49215489, [email protected]
2Professor, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia. Phone +; [email protected]
3Dr, Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia, 2308. Phone +61 2 4921, [email protected]

Abstract

Lean construction, its principles, tools and strategies have been widely implemented around the world, including the USA, UK, Europe and Asia. The extent and adoption of lean strategies, principles and tools within the Australian construction industry is not widely known, despite the presence of implementation and industry awareness about lean benefits. The purpose and aim of this paper is to quantitatively explore the presence, extent and awareness of lean construction principles within the Australian construction industry, as a point of reference for further study into adoption and implementation rates. A quantitative methodological approach of a questionnaire has been utilised to investigate a small population size of 1,898 of Australian companies. The focus of thee study includes residential-building, non-residential building (commercial and industrial) and other forms of building. The study also views awareness levels from public and private construction sectors. Of the population size a response rate of 42% was achieved. Of this rate 43% were residential, 29% were commercial, 19% were industrial and 9% were identified as other. The results of the questionnaire highlight that despite the lack of awareness of lean terminology, the majority of Australian construction organisations within the construction industry sector have and are utilising some lean strategies, tools or principles within their organisations.

Keywords

Australian construction industry, lean construction, awareness, survey

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Reference

Chesworth, B. , London, K. & Gajendran, T. 2011. Lean Awarness in Australian Construction: Investigating the Extent of Lean Adoption Across Australian Construction Sectors, 19th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , -. doi.org/

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