34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) - Singapore, Singapore - 2026

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0122

Catalysts for learning and innovation in Takt production

Eelon Lappalainen1, Antti Peltokorpi2 & Olli Seppänen3

1Visiting Scholar, Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-7573-344X
2Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-7939-6612
3Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-2008-5924

Abstract

Takt production (TP) emphasizes enhancing flows and minimizing inventories in alignment with fundamental principles of lean thinking. Nonetheless, the significance of slack in TP has been acknowledged. This aligns with the prevailing view of system dynamics, which underscores inventories as a stabilizing factor in addition to flow regulation. This study investigates the influence of learning and innovation on TP research, as well as the relationship between TP and inventory. The intrinsic sluggishness of inventories facilitates safer experimentation from a learning and innovation standpoint. Moreover, diverse forms of slack enhance the stability of the TP system amid ongoing improvement and learning. This study indicates that learning and innovation play a crucial role in successful TP; however, the literature review reveals that existing research has not thoroughly examined their role in this context, suggesting the need for further research. The study also categorizes six catalysts that support learning and innovation in TP: work design and production logic; feedback loops, control, and continuous improvement; culture, collaboration, and shared meaning; learning capabilities and mechanisms; digital infrastructure for learning and innovation; and structural and contractual enablers, with the latter two identified as under-researched. This paper delineates methodologies for learning and innovation applicable to TP.

Keywords

Lean Construction, Takt production, learning, innovation, catalysts.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Lappalainen, E., Peltokorpi, A. & Seppänen, O.. (2026). Catalysts for learning and innovation in Takt production. In Hamzeh, F., Poshdar, M., & Garcia-Lopez,, N. P. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) (pp. 668–679). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0122

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Lappalainen, E., Peltokorpi, A. & Seppänen, O.. (2026). Catalysts for learning and innovation in Takt production. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0122

 

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