The Applicability of Increasing Transparency Principle within Lean Construction in Gaza Strip

Abstract

Wastes have been recognized as a major problem in construction industry in Gaza Strip, and the level of material waste is higher than the nominal figures due to managerial problems (Al-Maghony, 2006). Despite that, Lean Construction is still not applied in construction projects and limited researches have studied this crucial management approach in Gaza Strip (GS). Therefore, the basic research aim was to enhance transparency of construction projects throughout lean construction approach, which has been achieved through evaluating the current status of transparency practices, identifying benefits, challenges and success factors of transparency principle, and investigating the proper Lean tools those enhance transparency in GS. Intensive literature review was done and a questionnaire was designed and then (SPSS) was used to analyze results obtained from 130 received questionnaires out of 170 distributed copies to the target group, professional engineer work in contracting companies in GS, with a response rate = 76.5%. Results of data analysis obtained from the conducted survey showed that factors of transparency principle and LC tools are limitedly applied in construction projects in GS and 5-S tool is the most applied one. Further, there is a relationship between the importance and the application of transparency factors indicating that contracting companies in GS have a concern to apply what they believe in its importance for projects management; also they approved the benefits of increasing transparency in construction projects and its reciprocal relationship with lean construction. The obtained results of success factors and challenges indicated that projects management in GS should be supported by managers with higher knowledge and better understand of transparency principle, techniques and importance. Consequently, it was concluded that building capacities of project managers is a crucial issue to allow increasing transparency in construction projects in GS. Also, it was concluded that construction projects in GS need to be enhanced regarding the communication between different parties, and give attention to the tidiness and orderings of work place through applying LC tools; Huddle Meeting, 5-S, and Increased Visualization.