Competency framework to integrate lean construction and integrated project delivery on construction megaprojects: towards a future of work global initiatives in multinational engineering organisations

Abstract

PurposeBuilt environment organisations face global challenges between business units, especially since the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has profoundly disrupted the construction industry worldwide, including the management of construction megaprojects (CMPs). This research aims to develop a competency framework, for global integrated delivery (GID) transformative initiatives and future of work (FOW) global initiatives, to manage integration between lean construction (LC) practices and integrated project delivery (IPD) on CMPs in contemporary multinational engineering organisations.Design/methodology/approach“Mixed research methods” involves a two-stage quantitative and qualitative research approach. In the context of CMPs, stage one consisted of a qualitative research methodology comprising a literature review to examine competencies, COVID-19 impacts, responses and key drivers (KDs) to integrate LeanIPD&GID; stage one outcomes propose a conceptualisation of LeanIPD&GID, a competency framework and future of work (FOW) global initiatives. Stage two involved an empirical questionnaire survey for a set of 30 KDs arranged into five-factor clusters (FCs), 226 respondents from 23 countries with an extensive cosmopolitan experience; analysis adopted structural equation modelling (SEM), descriptive and inferential statistics, percentage scoring analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and eigenvalues.FindingsIn the context of CMPs, stage one outcomes delivered a conceptualisation of LeanIPD&GID, a proposed competency framework and FOW global initiatives. Stage two concluded that the most significant KDs are “collaboration in design, construction works and engineering management,” “coordination and planning of construction work,” “senior organisational management support,” “boosting implementation of LC, and integrating project delivery” and “earlier and precise 3D visualisation of designs”. building information modelling (BIM) adoption in the MENA region is higher than LC; the second is still taking its first steps, while IPD has little implementation. LeanBIM is slightly integrated, while LeanIPD integration is almost not present.Originality/valueThe research findings, conceptualised LeanIPD&GID principles, a proposed competency framework and FOW global initiatives, provided future research streams and directions; the study has provided a competency framework and FOW global initiatives for effective practical strategies for enhancing integration of LeanIPD&GID transformative initiatives on CMPs and will allow project key stakeholders to place emphasis on boosting LeanIPD&GID KDs.

A strategic framework managing challenges of integrating lean construction and integrated project delivery on construction megaprojects, towards global integrated delivery transformative initiatives in multinational organisations

“…A number of recent research studies have discussed BIM, LC, IPD, LeanBIM, LeanIPD and LeanIPD&GID concepts, such as Evans et al (2021aEvans et al ( , 2021bEvans et al ( , 2021dEvans et al ( , 2021c, Evans and Farrell (2021). Moyo and Chigara (2021) determined barriers to LC implementation in developing countries and concluded that integration, performance, human capital management and quality are most significant barriers.…”

“…The current study is a continuation and progression of in-depth research. It critically appraises BIM, LC, IPD, LeanBIM, LeanIPD, LeanIPD&GID, competency behaviours, COVID-19 impacts and responses, GID, future of work (FOW) transformative initiatives and GID transformative initiatives by Evans et al (2021aEvans et al ( , 2021bEvans et al ( , 2021dEvans et al ( , 2021c, Evans and Farrell Lean construction and integrated project delivery (2021), Evans et al (2020aEvans et al ( , 2020a. Despite the apparent benefits of adopting the IPD approach in the USA and many countries worldwide, its implementation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces a number of challenges that limit its adoption on megaprojects (Evans and Farrell, 2021;Rached et al, 2014).…”

The new-normal challenges and IPD solutions: a Canadian case study

“…Experts with between seven and fifteen years of successful experience in the construction industry were selected, with expertise in various forms of contracts and project delivery methods including IPD, and familiarity with digital information technologies such as BIM. Their awareness of IPD, and other emerging construction technologies and techniques, attests to the reliability of their responses within the framework of meeting the new-normal challenges based on IPD adoption in construction projects (Evans et al, 2021). The interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded by the first author to understand the evolution of projects before and after the beginning of the pandemic.…”

Hospitals management transformative initiatives; towards energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in healthcare facilities

“…This program was aimed at training hospital employees and developing action plans to reduce their environmental impacts. Evans and Farrell (2020), Evans et al (2021d) and Evans et al (2021c) introduced global integrated delivery initiatives that integrate innovative construction methodologies such as lean construction concepts and building information modelling in integrative initiatives towards environmental sustainability for construction megaprojects, including hospitals. This included integration between building management systems (BMSs), innovative technologies, green procurement and integrated project delivery (Evans and Farrell, 2020; Evans et al , 2020a; Evans et al , 2020b).…”

“…Energy issues have gained space on the agenda of governments and business managers worldwide and have become an essential topic in debates on environmental sustainability, global warming and the risk of the depletion of non-renewable sources, and the significant growth per capita energy consumption and global reliance on fossil fuels are all issues that are politically and commercially sensitive (AlQattan et al , 2018; Evans and Farrell, 2020; Evans et al , 2021d). Global warming and the risk of the depletion of non-renewable sources are directly related to the production of electricity.…”