Developing Production Theory: What Issues Need To Be Taken Into Consideration?
John Rooke1, Lauri Koskela2, Greg Howell3 & Mike Kagioglou4
1Research Fellow, HaCIRIC, School of the Built Environment, The University of Salford, Greater Manchester, UK, Phone +44 (0)161 295 6344, [email protected]2Professor, School of the Built Environment, 4th Floor, Maxwell Building, , The University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK, Phone +44 (0)1612956378, [email protected]
3Executive Director, Lean Construction Institute, Box 1003, Ketchum, ID 83340, Phone +1 208/726-9989, [email protected]
4Professor, HaCIRIC, Head of School, School of the Built Environment, The University of Salford, Greater Manchester, UK, Phone +44 (0)161 295 3855, [email protected]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to establish key issues that a theory of production should address, to conceptualize these issues and to sketch an account of their interaction. Aristotle's analyses of knowledge and causality are used, in conjunction with Wittgenstein's concept of language games, to integrate the insights of transformationflow- value (TFV) theory and the language action perspective (LAP) within a framework derived from Liker (2004). Building on Liker, we identify four language games that are necessary for production: 1. drawing on scientific knowledge to determine the best physical arrangements for the achievement of a pre-given value; 2. two value discourses which determine (a) the target value for (1) and (b) the human relations which will enable the achievement of (1) - Liker's ‘long term philosophy’ and ‘developing people and organization’, plus the Language Action Perspective; 3. a discourse of learning and knowledge with the aim of continual improvement. Four of the key concepts used in these games are identified (flow; work, knowledge and commitment) and related to the functions of management. Finally, an overall theoretical framework is proposed.
Keywords
Production Theory; Lean Theory; Lean Construction; Value; TFV Theory; Language Action Perspective
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Reference
Rooke, J. , Koskela, L. , Howell, G. & Kagioglou, M. 2012. Developing Production Theory: What Issues Need To Be Taken Into Consideration?, 20th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , -. doi.org/
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