Status quo and future development of lean construction in Hong Kong

Abstract

The current construction industry in Hong Kong faces severe challenges in relation to increasingly stringent regulations, aging workforce and skills shortages and their triggered high labour costs, and the transition of development from the fast-speed to sustainability-oriented mode. Lean construction has been recognised as an effective approach to improving productivity, hence offering a potential for the Hong Kong construction industry to prosper in the challenging circumstance. The aim of this paper is to examine the current practices and explore the future development of lean construction in Hong Kong. The research was conducted through 30 semi-structured interviews with established professionals in the industry. The results indicate a low level of awareness of the lean concept although some lean construction techniques were already embedded in practices implicitly. A wide range of benefits were identified, which were centred on reduced input, increased output and reduced impact, offering a potential for productivity improvement. However, challenges were also revealed at individual, organisational and industry levels, markedly people's mind-set and reluctance to change, a lack of demonstration of the benefits, and a weak knowledge base of lean. While some regarded lean as today's solution and therefore a must-to-have, others speculated an uncertain and dynamic future of lean construction in Hong Kong. Recommendations were identified for promoting lean construction in Hong Kong, fundamental to which was collaboration engaging government, industry and institutions.