Abstract
This thesis endeavors to answer to two specific
questions. Is it possible to formulate a theory of
production? Does such a theory add to our understanding
and lead to improved performance when applied to
construction?
The answer to the first question is sought by reviewing
the history of production thinking both from the
scientific and the industrial points of view. Historical
analysis reveals that three different conceptualizations
of production have been used in practice and conceptually
advanced in the 20th century. In the first
conceptualization, production is viewed as a
transformation of inputs to outputs. Production
management equates to decomposing the total
transformation into elementary transformations, tasks,
and carrying out the tasks as efficiently as possible.
The second conceptualization views production as a flow,
where, in addition to transformation, there are waiting,
inspection and moving stages. Production management
equates to minimizing the share of non-transformation
stages of the production flow, especially by reducing
variability. The third conceptualization views production
as a means for the fulfillment of the customer needs.
Production management equates to translating these needs
accurately into a design solution and then producing
products that conform to the specified design.
It is argued that all these conceptualizations are
necessary, and they should be utilized simultaneously.
The resulting transformation-flow-value generation model
of production is called the TFV theory of production. It
is noteworthy that this same new conceptualization also
applies to product design and development, as revealed by
a historical analysis of this field.
But does this explicit theory help us with regard to
construction? In various countries, construction has long
since suffered from productivity and quality problems. A
case study and the results of prior research on
contemporary construction show that there are endemic
management problems associated with both client
decision-making, design management and construction
management. An interpretation based on the TFV theory
reveals that a significant part of these problems are
self-inflicted, caused by the prevailing, limited view on
production. Thus, the TFV theory largely explains the
origins of construction problems. When initial
implementation by pioneering companies of the
construction industry is studied it is also clear that
methods based on the TFV theory bring manifest benefits.
Thus, the TFV theory of production should be applied to
construction. The theory explains the problems in
contemporary construction, and suggests vastly improved
efficiency.
The answer to the research questions can thus be
summarized as follows. It is possible to formulate a
theory of production, which also provides a new
theoretical foundation for construction. The resultant
TFV theory, even in its emergent state, already provides
direction for experimentation and creation of new
understanding and capabilities, both regarding
construction research and practice.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor Degree |
Awarding Institution |
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Supervisors/Advisors |
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Award date | 19 May 2000 |
Place of Publication | Espoo |
Publisher | |
Print ISBNs | 951-38-5565-1 |
Electronic ISBNs | 951-38-5566-X |
Publication status | Published - 2000 |
MoE publication type | G4 Doctoral dissertation (monograph) |
Keywords
- construction management
- production
- design
- theory
- utilization
- thesis