Integrating lean and green concepts: Sri Lankan construction industry perspective

Abstract

Construction industry developers and project teams usually struggle to associate the concept of Green on building projects since it is generally resulting in high initial investment cost. Although this cost of investment can be saved back through operational stage, the current building project delivery methods implemented by most project teams are often laden with non- value adding activities. Lean construction principles have been convinced to eliminate flow activities and improve construction process performance in highly complicated building construction projects. Hence, the aim of this research is to explore and develop a framework to integrate Lean and Green concepts to the Sri Lankan construction industry. At the outset, the key features and principles of Lean and Green construction were identified to build the conceptual relationship between the two concepts. Subsequently, a qualitative research approach was adopted through the means of expert opinion survey with unstructured interviews involving ten number of local expert professionals who have experience and exposure to both of these concepts. The findings were analysed through content analysis. The perception of the Sri Lankan stakeholders towards the application of integrated Lean-Green concepts is focused on a positive direction. The identified enablers to implement the integrated concept supersede the barriers by confirming the appropriateness of the application in the local construction industry. The Green concept was integrated into the activities that are implemented under each Lean construction principle. Finally, a framework was developed through the findings to guide the implementation of integrated Lean- Green application in Sri Lankan context.