MApM8.900 Research in Applied Management Assessment 1 Research Method An investigation of lean management practices in the wood industry in New Zealand Student Name: Karishma Dharani Student ID: 2016003834 Introduction The following report is a secondary research on the minimisation of wood waste in the wood industry of New Zealand and particularly wood that is used in the construction of houses and other buildings. Studies have shown that the houses in New Zealand are made from wood. New Zealand Houses use wood and therefore a study as to why the houses are made of wood and not of brick is the first part to develop an understanding of the relation between the wood industry and the construction industry. The investigation carried out in this research will then talk about the aspects of lean practices that the construction companies practice. The research will emphasis on the following points. Concept map. Based on the concept map the topics that have been identified are the wood industry, construction companies and furniture companies, wastage of wood, economic contribution and growth, lean management and its practices. These topics that have been identified will give an introduction into the wood industry of New Zealand and will talk about its contribution to the economy of New Zealand and the positioning of the industry in the market. This will also include the two businesses that use wood in New Zealand that is the construction business as well as furniture business. It will mainly focus on the manufactured wood products that it uses to run the business and the future potentials that these industries have. The research will then give an in-depth analysis of the issues of wood waste and wood waste management. The strategies that the businesses use and whether the businesses feel that what they are doing is the correct strategy or is there still room for improvement. The later stage will look at the lean management strategies that are currently being practiced and how has lean management benefit and make one realize the ways in which waste can be reduced and also how it has helped these businesses to develop a better understanding as to which lean practices will help benefit the company and what else can be implemented in terms of customer satisfaction and also from the business point of view such as reduce wastage in both material as well as time, continuous flow of work and no obstacles. The research will also explain how some methods and various other ways of dealing with waste can help not only the business but the local community as well by combining to work with waste management companies. In New Zealand, there are a few wood waste management companies that deal with the waste of wood and how if companies co-ordinate work can help reduce wastage of wood. 2 Initial Investigation The main objectives of doing the research is to find out how if lean management is applied to the construction company then it can reduce waste particularly waste of wood because New Zealand house and buildings are mainly constructed with wood. It will consider the aspects of waste management as well and some of the reasons as to why it is necessary to use wood in the construction of houses and buildings. The wood industry plays an important role in the economy of the country and studies have shown in the Forest industry strategic study (2011) that it has the potential to strengthen the economy of New Zealand . First Research Paper The first paper that has been chosen to further study the research topic is a qualitative research paper this paper talks about how and why wood is used in the construction of houses in New Zealand. We know that New Zealand is prone to many earthquakes and this study has shown that wood does less damage during earthquakes. The author Buckett (2015) in his research report has used a qualitative research method by observing the facts and collecting the data for further investigation and said that houses in Canterbury withstood the earth quake and therefore has said that the construction in Christchurch have decided to have timber buildings. The use of cross lamination timber and how it can be used in the construction of house. This research paper gives us a clear understanding that the wood industry and the construction industry go hand in hand as New Zealand houses are mainly constructed of wood . Although wood is used in the building and construction of houses it must be properly treated wood. It is seen that most of the waste wood from construction sites are wood that is not treated. In 1995 when some of the building regulations changed and construction companies could use untreated kiln dried radiata pine wood and monolithic cladding to come up with a Mediterranean design which was very complex for construction but even experts and experience builders in the field saw it as complex situation found it difficult to achieve a weathertightness on these buildings. Another article by Buchanan, Carradine, Beattie and Morris (2011) also showed how different timber framed houses could withstand the Christchurch earthquake. This is a clear example as to why it is necessary to have houses made from wood and not brick. The Second Research Paper The second paper is about the wood wastage seen in the construction industry. This paper is a quantitative case study research this approach was used as case from the New Zealand construction company were taken into consideration when developing a hypothesis and collecting of information and data. The use of lean management and lean practices is the focus of the research and it tell us how by using these lean practices in the construction industry waste can be reduced. The research paper describes the ways in which lean management is to be used firstly it says that the company needs to identify that there is a situation or a problem and it tells us how to develop improvement strategies by using what is called as ECRS. ECRS is a lean tool which means eliminate, combine, rearrange and simplify and this can be used to make improvements and reduce waste along with this what is also important is to ask the 4 w’s that is what, why, who and where. It shows how companies used this to proceed towards focus group discussions and how this got them to brainstorm and collect data. Third Research Paper Third article is a quantitative study based on feasibility and durability of the products. The paper talks about the existing wood in New Zealand market and how this native timber is used for manufacturing furniture’s, construction of buildings small and large. is also used to construct possible design buildings based on cultural and engineering techniques. The secondary use of wood is the waste that has its own value in the market. Wood waste is the byproduct, of the wood that is collected during the processing of wood into furniture’s. The Forest engineers are using Native Woods to expand its New Zealand Domestic Market and can decrease their importing of wood products. Some of the wood that are used by the New Zealand industries are Rimu that is used for making furniture’s because of its dark quality and is also stronger than any other woods. Kauri a very stable timber is used especially for carvings and tunring. Matai on the other hand is similar to Rimu has a reddish brown texture and is used in making furniture’s and gives an oil finishing. Eucalyptus is the hardwood grown in New Zealand used mainly for commercial offices, benches, bars. The article talks of the future of the New Zealand wood industry. How Cross Laminated Timber gained popularity in New Zealand community. Cross Laminated Timber are the engineered wood product which is developed for structural application. The Wood Council of New Zealand has members who have common interest in the wood industry and forestry. Members of Woodco are the Forest Owners, wood processor, farm forestry, manufacturing, contractors. The organization was formed to provide better policy to the forest and wood industry. Cross Laminated Timber was introduced with the available Native New Zealand Timber. CLT was first discovered in early 1990’s in Austria and gained popularity in western Europe and Canada and soon in New Zealand. Cross laminated Timber is an alternative approach to increase the domestic wood market in and around New Zealand. Cross Laminated Timbers are now used in making non- residential buildings. The recent building constructed is the Kaikoura District council building. The vision of New Zealand forest and wood industry Strategic plan is to construct innovative buildings with sustainability. The Cross Laminated Timber demanded in the domestic market is above 45000 by next year and has an additional opportunity to grow into the native Australian market. There are Financial and technical challenges as CLT is a new concept but research is being done to make this process more reliable and faster. As the consumers become aware of CLT the number of applications will rise hence decreasing the cost of production. There is a positive and huge opportunity in the international market as Cross Laminated Timber is one of those innovations which has prefabricated building elements that are used in construing urban environment. And it has decreased the constructing cost, saving a lot of time and rise of employment in this sector has also increased. Users will take time to accept CLT as it’s a new discovery and a lot of knowledge must be gathered to increase the commercial competitiveness of CLT. Recent study also proved that the Timber based buildings during recent Earthquakes stood strong and gained public confidence. Christchurch is a recent and fresh example of rise of timber buildings in the New Zealand Market . The fourth Research Paper The fourth paper that was chosen to conduct the research was a qualitative study the research was conducted by using a questionnaire and professionals in the construction companies in Nigeria were given these questionnaires and the paper discusses the material waste that is seen at construction sites. The research showed that the most widely used method was the recycling of timber. It talks about the benefits of waste management. This paper talks about how staff should be me aware of such a management system and must work together with the management. The management should advice all employees about the materials being wasted at construction sites . It is important for the staff to be aware of such waste management strategies and must work towards following such systems. The New Zealand construction Industry must also see the need to develop a waste management system. There are several Wood waste management companies in New Zealand wood waste management in Wellington and a waste company in Auckland. Wood waste management collects wood discarded wood and develops it into products that can be seen in parks and community centers. The lean Management techniques will not only help in the reduction of waste but will allow the construction company to get the best result. Working alongside the governments rules and regulation the construction will only get better. We have seen in the first article that wood is a primary material used in the construction of houses in New Zealand because of the country is prone to earthquakes and so we must know how best to use the wood and reduce waste. 3. Research Questions The research will have 3 questions and these 3 questions will be relevant to the investigation above. These questions are research questions and are not direct yes and no questions. The questions that have been developed require a deep understanding and through research into the topic to get answers that may or may not be complete answers but will at least give a rough Idea to the reader that yes research will be needed to find these answers. The questions are as follows. Q1) When applying lean management to the construction industry what impacts it may have? ⦁ who has interest in this issue? The researcher has an interest in the issue ⦁ What is already known? Lean management concepts can be applied to any industry. ⦁ What has not been answered? The topics not answered are benefits to reduce construction material waste. ⦁ How your study will contribute to practice? It will create an awareness about how construction companies could change their business strategies for better functioning. Q2) what is the correlation and importance between the wood industry and the construction companies in New Zealand? ⦁ who has interest in this issue? The researcher and readers of the research has an interest in the issue. ⦁ What is already known? Houses and buildings in New Zealand are constructed with wood ⦁ What has not been answered? The correlation as to why the two industries need each other ⦁ How your study will contribute to practice? The study will help the future development of the two industries if practiced Q3) What are the factors that determine good wood waste management and how when combined with lean management can benefit the construction industry? ⦁ who has interest in this issue? Construction companies will have an interest has an interest in this issue. ⦁ What is already known? Wood waste is seen at construction sites ⦁ What has not been answered? Reasons for the material waste ⦁ How your study will contribute to practice? The study will reduce waste and help construction companies get a better understanding into the resource and waste management. Appendix A: Reviewer Feedback Template Please use this template to complete your analysis of the papers chosen. Name: Karishma Dharani Your comments (Enlarge width) Out of Grade Copy from Activity A2 Paper reference (APA): Vilasini, N., Neitzert, T. R., & Gamage, J. (2011). LEAN METHODOLOGY TO REDUCE WASTE IN A CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENT . Colombo: 15th Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors Congress. Paper overview ⦁ A two paragraph summary of the paper (copy from previous activity) The second paper is about the wood wastage seen in the construction industry. This paper is a quantitative case study research this approach was used as case from the New Zealand construction company were taken into consideration when developing a hypothesis and collecting of information and data. The use of lean management and lean practices is the focus of the research and it tell us how by using these lean practices in the construction industry waste can be reduced. The research paper describes the ways in which lean management is to be used firstly it says that the company needs to identify that there is a situation or a problem and it tells us how to develop improvement strategies by using what is called as ECRS. ECRS is a lean tool which means eliminate, combine, rearrange and simplify and this can be used to make improvements and reduce waste along with this what is also important is to ask the 4 w’s that is what, why, who and where. It shows how companies used this to proceed towards focus group discussions and how this got them to brainstorm and collect data. Checklist 3 1. Use a 5 point scale ( (1[outstanding]-5[needs significant work] or N/A. Explain your ratings ⦁ Relevance to your topic area (1-5) ⦁ Originality (1-5) ⦁ Clarity (e.g. readability, structure and organisation, standard of English, flow between sections): (1-5) ⦁ Appropriateness of Research/study method/methodology (1-5) a 2-the article is 90% to the topic and is well explained. b 1- the work is all original and own work. c 2- english is good but maybe less academic writing d 1- the methods and research were appropriate to the subject. Value added to the field: (Check as many as appropriate and explain your ratings) ⦁ New information ⦁ Valuable confirmation of present knowledge ⦁ Clarity to present understanding ⦁ New perspective, issue, or problem definition ⦁ Not much ⦁ Other Publication details explain – You will probably need to go to the source ⦁ Review type (Editor, Blind, open) ⦁ Publication status/rating Paper composition Context (Title, Abstract, Introduction) 4 Title ⦁ Is it appropriate, does it describe the paper? Yes the title does describe what the paper is about Abstract ⦁ Does it reflect what was done? The abstract is not the start of the introduction. It should be able to be read independently of the paper, and the paper independently of it. Introduction ⦁ Clearly states the research question and the background to the problem being researched. Justified why the research is important or significant. Yes the introduction does include a background to the problem and states why the research is important Research (Method, Results, Discussion/Findings) 4 Methodology ⦁ Identify and describe how the research was conducted. Yes Methodology is mentioned for the article Results ⦁ Do the results provide a clear description of the findings of the research? Identify quantitative/qualitative data collection/analysis. Yes they provide quantitative/qualitative data collection/analysis and description. Discussion/Findings ⦁ Are claims are supported by the results? ⦁ Is ethics approval mentioned and included in the discussion? ⦁ Are limitations discussed (e.g. survey size)? Reflection and Referencing 4 Future work ⦁ Does the paper identify “where to from here?” ⦁ How could you extend this research? ⦁ The research does not give a specific answer and so there is a where to from here. ⦁ By going even more further and having in depth knowledge Conclusion ⦁ Clearly describes conclusions from the findings and indicates that implications, no new information added Yes it does Referencing ⦁ Does it reference other work appropriately ⦁ Do they include/cite research important to the topic ⦁ Are the references current? ⦁ Yes ⦁ Yes ⦁ Yes 15 Please use this template to complete your analysis of the papers chosen. Name: Karishma Dharani Your comments (Enlarge width) Out of Grade Copy from Activity A2 Paper reference (APA): Dania, A. A., Kehinde, J. O., & Bala, K. (2007). A STUDY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BY CONSTRUCTION FIRMS IN NIGERIA . zaria: Ahmadu Bello University. Paper overview ⦁ A two paragraph summary of the paper (copy from previous activity) The fourth paper that was chosen to conduct the research was a qualitative study the research was conducted by using a questionnaire and professionals in the construction companies in Nigeria were given these questionnaires and the paper discusses the material waste that is seen at construction sites. The research showed that the most widely used method was the recycling of timber. It talks about the benefits of waste management. This paper talks about how staff should be me aware of such a management system and must work together with the management. The management should advice all employees about the materials being wasted at construction sites . It is important for the staff to be aware of such waste management strategies and must work towards following such systems. The New Zealand construction Industry must also see the need to develop a waste management system. There are several Wood waste management companies in New Zealand wood waste management in Wellington and a waste company in Auckland. Wood waste management collects wood discarded wood and develops it into products that can be seen in parks and community centers. The lean Management techniques will not only help in the reduction of waste but will allow the construction company to get the best result. Working alongside the governments rules and regulation the construction will only get better. We have seen in the first article that wood is a primary material used in the construction of houses in New Zealand because of the country is prone to earthquakes and so we must know how best to use the wood and reduce waste Checklist 3 1. Use a 5 point scale ( (1[outstanding]-5[needs significant work] or N/A. Explain your ratings ⦁ Relevance to your topic area (1-5) ⦁ Originality (1-5) ⦁ Clarity (e.g. readability, structure and organisation, standard of English, flow between sections): (1-5) ⦁ Appropriateness of Research/study method/methodology (1-5) a 2-the article is 90% to the topic and is well explained. b 1- the work is all original and own work. c 2- english is good but maybe less academic writing d 1- the methods and research were appropriate to the subject. Value added to the field: (Check as many as appropriate and explain your ratings) ⦁ New information ⦁ Valuable confirmation of present knowledge ⦁ Clarity to present understanding ⦁ New perspective, issue, or problem definition ⦁ Not much ⦁ Other Publication details explain – You will probably need to go to the source ⦁ Review type (Editor, Blind, open) ⦁ Publication status/rating Paper composition Context (Title, Abstract, Introduction) 4 Title ⦁ Is it appropriate, does it describe the paper? Yes the title does describe what the paper is about Abstract ⦁ Does it reflect what was done? The abstract is not the start of the introduction. It should be able to be read independently of the paper, and the paper independently of it. Introduction ⦁ Clearly states the research question and the background to the problem being researched. Justified why the research is important or significant. Yes the introduction does include a background to the problem and states why the research is important Research (Method, Results, Discussion/Findings) 4 Methodology ⦁ Identify and describe how the research was conducted. Yes methodology is mentioned for the article Results ⦁ Do the results provide a clear description of the findings of the research? Identify quantitative/qualitative data collection/analysis. Yes they provide quantitative/qualitative data collection/analysis and description. Discussion/Findings ⦁ Are claims are supported by the results? ⦁ Is ethics approval mentioned and included in the discussion? ⦁ Are limitations discussed (e.g. survey size)? Reflection and Referencing 4 Future work ⦁ Does the paper identify “where to from here?” ⦁ How could you extend this research? ⦁ The research does not give a specific answer and so there is a where to from here. ⦁ By going even more further and having in depth knowledge Conclusion ⦁ Clearly describes conclusions from the findings and indicates that implications, no new information added Yes it does Referencing ⦁ Does it reference other work appropriately ⦁ Do they include/cite research important to the topic ⦁ Are the references current? ⦁ Yes ⦁ Yes ⦁ Yes 15