Barriers to be faced in transition to lean construction - Afghanistan

This study hypothesizes the being of Lean idea in an optimal way, suitable performance and tolerable concepts that contribute to Lean construction and explain the barriers to be encountered in transition to lean construction in a country such as Afghanistan. Lean construction (LC) is an optimal way in managing to gain the object of projects and the construction procedures by eliminating waste. For the implementation of the lean construction variables necessary determined and a questionnaire survey prepared to use the Likert scale in 5 points. The survey study done by engineering students, engineers, practitioners, and managers who are working in construction companies and actively operating in Afghanistan, where lean construction practices are not practiced, constitutes the sample group. Statistical analysis was done by applying Crosstab and T-Tests on the obtained result for this survey study. The statistical analyses identified the variable factors that prevent the enactment of Lean production culture in countries like Afghanistan in addition to the obstacles to be encountered in transition to lean construction Afghanistan, where lean construction is not yet applied despite it being prevalent in many countries. From the accumulated information data, it was found that formal training for project managers and coworkers is available in most organizations is not available. Very few organizations have some knowledge of the lean concept, but it is not sufficient for them to implement it, the managers' experience limits the usage of the lean method within the organizations. Moreover, some organizations already use some lean methods, firgure that these methods are lean methodology, however, the data indicated that the lean construction method is negligible. As well as the absence of knowledge and understanding of the lean concept, many organizations showed to be reluctant towards making any change, even if these changes will predominantly increase performance and better the quality and production standards and rules of their organization. The accumulated data suggest that organizations have resisted the new tools and techniques provided by the lean construction philosophy and in some cases, that is not applicable to their organization. This study assessed some of the main barriers which are to be faced to successful LC transition, and the respondents rated four of them as significant: 1. War and no security 2. Absence of enough lean awareness and recognition. 3. Civilization culture and human attitudinal matters 4. Senior management obligation.