STUDY ON LEAN PRACTICES IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES IN INDIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Lean is a philosophical way of working, which emphasizes the removal of wastage within the process. Lean process emphasizes on getting the right things done in the right place at the right time in the right quantity. The objective is to achieve perfect sustainable work flow, while minimizing waste and maximizing the value of the final output. In 1980s’ the Toyota Production System (TPS), has introduced the lean manufacturing concept and hence are considered to be the key originators of this philosophy. Over the years the concept of lean has made its way into many sectors and construction industry is one of them. For the successful implementation of the very same, the joint combination of technical and human elements i.e, socio technological design is essential. Lean culture can be influenced by a wide variety of contributing factors, which include, the professional and educational background of the people, the geographic location of operations, the longevity and experience of people working together and the practices adopted by the leaders within the organization towards the employees. Lean transformation of an organization includes instigating a sense of lean culture among the people of the organization. This transformation is intended to advocate a positive change in the organization. Our study focuses on identifying the factors that affect the adaption of lean culture by the employees. It also helps in understanding better about the barriers in the successful implementation lean principles. This paper also indicates that the existing organizational culture can be improved by identifying and focusing on those aspects that prove to be a hindrance in implementing lean principles. Some of the basic assumptions on which, the lean tools work are people will change when there is a need to change. It has been observed that more than 50% of change efforts fail to meet expectations, the studies reveal that the tools don’t cause failures and similarly willingness to change, also does not cause failures, however a small combination of these two lead to failure. The crux of the current research focuses on understanding the aspects that prove to be barriers in lean practicing construction companies.