CHALLENGES AFFECTING LEAN TOOLS APPLICATION IN REDUCING WASTE IN HOUSING PROJECTS.

This paper identifies and evaluates the challenges affecting using lean tools to reduce/eliminate waste in housing projects in the Gaza Strip-Palestine. A deductive research approach is adopted using a questionnaire survey of 135 experienced professionals in construction projects. Exploratory factor analysis revealed five components which affect the adopting of lean tools, these are: managerial and organizational factors, financial factors, technical factors, poor project planning, and cultural and awareness factors. The political, economic and cultural conditions in Palestine, in addition to the lack of planning and weak performance of both public owners and contractors, have left their marks on the organization management. The results of this paper will guide construction companies to conduct self-audits of their current implementation of lean tools, and to assist in the development of action plans designed to overcome such barriers. The effective implementation of lean tools need sufficient funding that is efficiently and transparently distributed, and is aligned with companies' goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]