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Converging early contractor involvement (ECI) and lean construction practices for productivity enhancement: Some preliminary findings from Singapore

Low Sui Pheng (Department of Building, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore)
Shang Gao (School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle - Australia (Singapore), Singapore, Singapore)
Jun Liang Lin (Department of Building, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore)

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management

ISSN: 1741-0401

Article publication date: 13 July 2015

2191

Abstract

Purpose

As with many other procurement management concepts, the early contractor involvement (ECI) strategy provides an opportunity to tap on contractors’ specialist knowledge in the design stage, in order to address and forestall problems before moving onto the construction stage. Such practices have been shown to be quite successful, and are also advocated in the lean construction practice. Following this benefit, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between the operations of ECI and the principles of lean construction for productivity enhancement.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review of 11 principles of lean construction and ECI, various relationships were proposed seeking to integrate the two domains. A questionnaire survey was conducted with different stakeholders in Singapore’s construction industry to measure the strength of the relationships. Interviews were also conducted to gain an understanding of the constraints, reluctance, and possible methods for implementing ECI in Singapore with a convergence with lean construction principles.

Findings

The results revealed that, when employing lean construction principles as a yardstick, ECI does contribute to elevating the productivity outcomes of some lean construction principles – in particular, for reducing variability, reducing cycle time, minimizing steps, and increasing output flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

It is promising to marry ECI with lean construction, and that the former does appear indeed able to aid in the productivity improvements of a construction project by embracing the latter. However, it requires the building professionals to raise their awareness of both lean and ECI, so that the implementation of ECI can be carried out in a more effective manner.

Originality/value

In the context of the Singapore construction industry’s push for improvements in productivity, this study posits that productivity benefits in particular can be realized through establishing the linkage between ECI and lean construction principles. The lessons from this study can likewise be adopted by other countries.

Keywords

Citation

Pheng, L.S., Gao, S. and Lin, J.L. (2015), "Converging early contractor involvement (ECI) and lean construction practices for productivity enhancement: Some preliminary findings from Singapore", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 64 No. 6, pp. 831-852. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-02-2014-0018

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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