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Why Continuous Improvement Program Fails—Lessons from the Toyota Production System

In: Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate

Author

Listed:
  • Peng Wu

    (Central Queensland University)

  • Yingbin Feng

    (University of Western Sydney)

  • Xiaohua Jin

    (University of Western Sydney)

Abstract

Continuous improvement plays a very important role for construction companies. For construction companies to achieve flexibility, responsiveness and the ability to adapt quickly to changes within its environment, the implementation of a sound strategy for continuous improvement is essential. However, there have been a significant number of failed continuous improvement programs in the construction industry, which are caused by lack of company cultures, lack of employee involvement to ensure persistency, etc. The Toyota Production System (TPS) was developed in Toyota. As one fundamental pillar in the TPS, continuous improvement has proven to be effective in helping Toyota to achieve cost reduction and waste elimination. Through a structured survey of 136 contractors, this research identified a comprehensive list of factors that can contribute to the success of continuous improvement programs. The findings suggest that continuous improvement is not an isolated application that can be implemented in construction companies to achieve immediate results. The underlying structure of continuous improvement and its relative importance to the successful implementation of continuous improvement programs in construction companies should be well understood by construction companies before implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Peng Wu & Yingbin Feng & Xiaohua Jin, 2015. "Why Continuous Improvement Program Fails—Lessons from the Toyota Production System," Springer Books, in: Liyin Shen & Kunhui Ye & Chao Mao (ed.), Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 893-904, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-662-46994-1_73
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-46994-1_73
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