Awareness of Lean Construction Concepts in the Construction Industry of the UAE

Question: Could a lack of awareness be the main obstacle to the adoption of Lean construction in the U.A.E.? Purpose: This research aims to investigate the extent of familiarity with lean construction principles and tools among engineers in the construction industry of the U.A.E and determine whether this lack of awareness is the major barrier to the implementation of lean construction practices in the U.A.E. Research Method: The paper employs a comprehensive literature review, quantitative surveys, and a qualitative case study among the engineers in the construction industry of the U.A.E. Findings: The study found that while many engineers were unfamiliar with the specific terminologies of LC concepts, they demonstrated an understanding of the underlying principles. This suggests that lack of awareness may not be a significant barrier, especially considering the increasing awareness among recent graduates. Additionally, when implementing LC into a firm, challenges such as resistance to change and lack of motivation were identified as more prominent barriers than lack of awareness. Limitations: The paper is based on 136 survey respondents and a single case study in a consultancy firm in the U.A.E, and future studies should seek to build on and refine the findings presented here. Implications: While the engineers in the study exhibited awareness, it would be presumptuous to generalize this finding to the entire industry. Value for authors: The study underscores that challenges in LC adoption can vary based on multiple factors therefore it is important to thoroughly assess the root causes of the barriers rather than opting for generic solutions. Keywords: Lean construction, Lean practices, Lean tools, Barriers, Awareness. Paper type: Full Paper