Abstract
This chapter explains the choice of research methodology for this study. It begins with an overview of the general approach and methods used in the research. As the focus of the research is on investigating Toyota Way-styled practices within large Chinese construction firms, the methods commonly applied to lean construction studies are discussed. The choice of the mixed research method is justified as an appropriate research strategy. The determination of the study sample and the techniques of data collection are also described.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Beijing VENCI has partnered with the CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) China to set up the VENCI-CIOB learning centre for Chinese building professionals.
References
Bryman, A. (2004). Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2003). Business research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research design: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. London: Sage.
Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. London: Sage.
Diekmann, J. E., Krewedl, M., Balonick, J., Stewart, T., & Won, S. (2004). Application of lean manufacturing principles to construction. Austin, TX: The University of Texas at Austin.
Doolen, T., & Hacker, M. (2005). A review of Lean assessment in organizations: An exploratory study of lean practices by electronic manufacturers. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 24(1), 55–67.
Fellows, R., & Liu, A. M. M. (2008). Research methods for construction (3rd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell.
Fullerton, R. R., & McWatters, C. S. (2001). The production performance benefits from JIT implementation. Journal of Operations Management, 19(1), 81–96.
Jankowicz, A. D. (2000). Business research project (3rd ed.). London: Chapman and Hall.
Johansen, E., & Walter, L. (2007). Lean construction: Prospects for the German construction industry. Lean Construction Journal, 3(1), 19–32.
Johnson, P., & Harris, D. (2002). Qualitative and quantitative issues in research design. In D. Partington (Ed.), Essential skills for management research (pp. 99–116). London: Sage Publications.
Kang, J. (2006). Strategic analysis of large local construction companies in China. Unpublished PhD thesis, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Kim, D. Y. (2002). Exploratory study of lean consruction: Assessment of lean implementation. Unpublished PhD thesis, The University of Texas at Austin, USA.
Klenke, K. (2008). Qualitative research in the study of leadership. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing.
Kumar, J. (2005). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
Liker, J. K. (2004). The Toyota way: 14 management principles from the world’s greatest manufacturer. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Liker, J. K., & Meier, D. (2006). The Toyota way field book: A practical guide for implementing Toyota’s 4Ps. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (2000). Paradigmatic controversies, contradictions, and emerging confluences. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (2nd ed., pp. 163–188). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Liu, G. W., Shen, Q. P., Li, H., & Shen, L. Y. (2004). Factors constraining the development of professional project management in China’s construction industry. International Journal of Project Management, 22(3), 203–211.
Naoum, S. G. (2007). Dissertation research and writing for construction students (2nd ed.). Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBSC). (2003). China statistic yearbook 2003. Beijing: China Statistic. Available at: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/. Accessed March 2, 2009.
O’Keefe, R. M., Balci, O., & Smith, E. P. (1986). Validation of expert system performance. Working paper (TR 86–37), Virginia Tech.
Panizzolo, R. (1998). Applying the lessons learned from 27 lean manufacturers: The relevance of relationships management. International Journal Production Economics, 55(3), 223–240.
Salem, O., Solomon, J., Genaidy, A., & Mihkarah, I. (2006). Lean construction: From theory to implementation. Journal of Management in Engineering, 22(4), 168–175.
Santos, A. (1999). Application of fow principles in the production management of construction sites. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Salford, Salford, UK
Valmohammadi, C. (2011). The impact of TQM implementation on the organizational performance of Iranian manufacturing SMEs. The TQM Journal, 23(5), 496–509.
Voss, C., Tsikriktsis, N., & Frohlich, M. (2002). Case research in operations management. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 22(2), 195–219.
White, B. (2000). Dissertation skills for business and management students. London: Cassell.
White, R. E., Pearson, J. N., & Wilson, J. R. (1999). JIT manufacturing: A survey of implementation in small and large U.S. manufacturers. Management Science, 45(1), 1–15.
Yin, R. K. (1994). Case study research: Design and methods (2nd ed.). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Yin, R. K. (2006). Case study methods. In L. G. Judith, C. Gregory, & B. E. Patricia (Eds.), Handbook of complementary methods in education research. Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association.
Yin, R. K. (2008). Case study research: Design and methods (4th ed.). Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA.
Yusuf, Y., Gunasekaran, A., & Dan, G. (2007). Implementation of TQM in China and organizational performance: An empirical investigation. Total Quality Management, 18(5), 509–530.
Zhang, Z. H., Waszink, A., & Wijngaard, J. (2000). An instrument for measuring TQM implementation for Chinese manufacturing companies. International Journal of Quality and Reliability, 17(7), 730–755.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gao, S., Low, S.P. (2014). Research Methodology. In: Lean Construction Management. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-014-8_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-014-8_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-287-013-1
Online ISBN: 978-981-287-014-8
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)