https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0153

Revealing Lean-aligned practices in Indonesian small contractors: a preliminary study

Muhamad Abduh¹, Budi Hasiholan², Eliza Puri³, Anang Wirdianto⁴, Hudan Linas⁵ & Patar Nainggolan⁶

Abstract

Indonesia’s construction industry is dominated by small contractors, whose operations are inefficient due to limited resources. While Lean Construction offers a solution to enhance performance, small contractors show reluctance to adopt it, as they perceive it as a new technology and complicated. However, little is known about whether Lean principles may already be present in their practices. This preliminary study addresses that gap by examining whether small contractors may implement Lean-aligned practices as internal organizational innovations. Data were gathered using an exploratory mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and site visits with 20 small contractors in Jakarta and Bandung. The analysis examined the nine types of waste, the production system, and the production processes. Observed practices were categorized into Lean-aligned (reflecting Lean principles) and non-aligned (conventional, standard, but suboptimal). The findings suggest that while most practices remain reactive, some contractors already exhibit Lean-aligned practices informally, such as collaborative planning, learning, and variability management. These results indicate that Lean principles may develop organically in a small contractor environment. Although preliminary, the findings could contribute to the Lean Construction literature by promoting Lean-aligned practices as internal organizational innovations. Moreover, future research could address regional and cultural variations of small contractors in Indonesia.

Keywords

Continuous improvement, PDCA, production system, variability, waste.

Files

Full Text

 

Reference

Download: BibTeX | RIS Format

Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Abduh, M., Hasiholan, B., Puri, E., Wirdianto, A., Linas, H. & Nainggolan, P.. (2026). Revealing Lean-aligned practices in Indonesian small contractors: a preliminary study. 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. 1016–1027). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0153

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Abduh, M., Hasiholan, B., Puri, E., Wirdianto, A., Linas, H. & Nainggolan, P.. (2026). Revealing Lean-aligned practices in Indonesian small contractors: a preliminary study. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0153