Human-Centered Construction Organizations: Analyzing the Integration of Lean Construction Principles with Human-Centric Approaches

Abstract

The construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the advancements of digital transformation and the emerging paradigm of Industry 5.0. While these developments bring opportunities for increased efficiency and productivity, they also present challenges in integrating human-centric approaches within the digital transformation initiatives. While both lean construction principles and human-centric approaches aim to improve organizational performance, their integration and mutual relationships remain understudied. This paper examines the intersection of human-centric approaches with lean construction principles in construction organizations, focusing on the concept of Human-Centered Construction Organizations (HCCOs) advancing sustainability objectives aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of relevant CIB commissions. This paper implements a multi-step methodology to identify and analyze the relationship between lean construction principles and human-centric approaches in construction organizations. Through systematic literature review and advanced network analysis techniques; the study examines how lean construction principles support and enhance human-centric approaches. The findings reveal significant interconnections between specific lean construction principles and human-centric elements, with productivity improvement, safety enhancement, and environmental consideration emerging as central nodes in the network. The analysis identified 35 lean construction principles and 31 human-centric approaches, demonstrating dense interconnections with a graph density of 27. Key human-centric approaches, including individual cognitive abilities, problem-solving capabilities, and effective communication channels, were found to be frequently integrated within lean construction principles. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a quantitative understanding of how lean construction principles can support human-centric transformation in construction organizations, offering practical insights for industry practitioners and researchers.