AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EXTENT OF ADOPTION OF LEAN CONSTRUCTION IN NIGERIAN BUILDING INDUSTRY

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EXTENT OF ADOPTION OF LEAN CONSTRUCTION IN NIGERIAN BUILDING INDUSTRY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Construction industry is a key sector of a nation contributing a big portion to their total employment and revenue generation. The problems facing construction are well documented such as low productivity, poor safety, inferior working conditions, insufficient quality, lack of timely communication and coordination amongst project stakeholders and rising litigation (Koskela, 2000 ). The UK Government initiated reports such as the Latham Report (1994) and the Egan Report (1998), both of which recommended the improvement of the construction industry‘s business performance. The Nigerian construction industry suffers from all the above mentioned problems. It has severally been characterized as inefficient with low productivity and lack of capacity to deliver and satisfy its clients. Oyewobi et al. (2011) attributed the drop in the Nigerian construction industry‘s contribution to GDP between 1980 and 2007 to poor performance and low productivity. Similarly,Idris and Sodangi (2007) asserted that the Nigerian construction industry produces nearly 70% of the nation‘s fixed capital formation yet its performance within the economy has been  very low. Other criticisms facing the industry are time and cost overruns (Kuroshi and Okoli, 2010; Ameh and Osegbo, 2011; Ogwueleka 2011), inadequate planning and budgetary provisions, contract sums inflation, inefficient and poor service delivery (Kolo and Ibrahim, 2010).

Aibinu and Jagboro (2002); Oyewobi et al. (2011); Idiake and Bala (2012) emphasised the need for improved performance and efficiency if the industry is to deliver value for money and to effectively satisfy the needs of the clients. However, there are several responses to these calls for flattened organisation structures, the elimination of waste, teamwork, efficient use of resources and co-operative supply chain management, continuous improvement in efficiency and productivity of the Nigerian and the global construction industry from different perspectives. The need for greater co-ordination and integration within the industry has led to the adoption of various concepts from other industries, for example; partnering (Ibrahim and Price, 2006), concurrent engineering (Khalfan et al., 2000), technological innovations in design and construction processes such as 3D, CAD and modelling (Isikdag and Underwood, 2010; Olatunji, et al.,2000),lean construction principles among other innovations in the industry.

Lean construction has been defined in several ways by different authors. The most popular definition is by Koskela. Lean construction principles are one of such innovation that brings about the much needed continuous improvement and desired change in the country. Koskela (2000), State that lean construction is a way of a design production system to minimize waste of materials, time and effort in order to generate the maximum possible amount of value.

Hence the adoption of Lean techniques to the construction or building industry eliminates non value steps. That is waste and it better meets client’s demands. It also dramatically improves Architectural / Engineering /Construction (AEC) process and product. It is critical to note that while Lean construction is identical to lean production in spirit, it is different in how it was conceived as well as how it is practiced. Adoption Lean construction principles has its benefits raped by not only contractors, a popular misconception, but the Architect and the owner as well that are set to gain a lot by this practice. However adoption of innovation such as lean construction principle usually brings about changes in business process and operational procedure of an industry or organization. However it may also be faced with some risk and challenges that may hinder its successful take up.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Construction is the key sector of the national economy of any country. It contributes a large portion to the nation’s total employment and revenue generation. Challenges facing construction industry, such as low productivity, poor safety, inferior working conditions, low quality of work done, lack of timely communication and coordination among project stakeholders, and rising litigation will be reduced to the bearest minimum with the adoption of lean construction in Nigerian building industry . (koskela 2000 and le partner 2007).

1.3       AIM AND OBJECTIVES

AIM

The aim of this research is to investigates the extent of adoption of lean construction in Nigeria building industry.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this research are:

1. To assess the extent to which lean construction principle  is adopted in Nigerian building industry
2. To indentify the barriers to the adoption of lean construction in Nigeria
3. building industry
4. To assess the barriers to the adoption of lean construction in Nigerian
5. building industry

1.4       NEED FOR THE STUDY

There has been a great concern on the need for the Nigerian construction industry to improve on its performance and project efficiency. Lean construction adoption assessment is used to improve lean construction implementation. It is conducted before the introduction of lean construction within an organization, and investigates the extent to which the organization or a country is ready to adopt lean construction. While this has been carried out in other industry sectors, it is normal for such assessments to be undertaken in construction industry.

The outcome of this research is expected to provide such information and set the scene for effective lean construction implementation in the construction industry in Nigeria. This will go a long way in improving project performance towards satisfying clients ‘needs in the Nigerian construction industry as witnessed in other parts of the world where lean construction is being practiced.

1.5       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study tries to investigate the extent of  adoption of lean construction in Nigeria building industry by selecting some building contractors in Abuja(FCT) and Kaduna state.

 CHAPTER TWO

2.0       LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

All over the world, the construction industry is continually growing. The construction industry in both developed and developing countries may be viewed as that sector of the economy which, through planning, design, construction, maintenance and repair, and operation, transforms various resources into constructed facilities (Isa et al 2013). This industry is mostly concerned with development of civil engineering works and heavy infrastructural provisions (roads, bridges, railways, etc.), residential and commercial real estate and their maintenance therein.

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