LEAN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS IN SINGAPORE HAWKER CENTRES

Abstract

Lean has been embraced in numerous industries (i.e. construction and healthcare) over the past few years, however the level of lean adoption in facilities management is relatively undisclosed. The purpose of this study is to analyse the relevance and likelihood of implementation of the 14 lean management principles (LMPs) in facilities management and operations in Singapore hawker centres. These principles were explained in The Toyota Way by Liker (2004). A questionnaire survey on the relevance and likelihood of implementation of the 14 LMPs was sent out to the hawker stall operators. A total of 44 questionnaire responses were collected. Additionally, 3 interviews with the facility managers of hawker centres were carried out to acquire a greater understanding of the relevance and implementation in the work of a hawker centre facility personnel. The questionnaire findings revealed that P7 and P13 were recognised as more relevant and had a higher likelihood of implementation compared to other LMPs. However, P4 and P3 were both considered the least relevant and had a lower likelihood of implementation compared to other LMPs. The interview findings are similar as P3 was ranked in the bottom 3 of relevant and likely to be implemented compared to other LMPs. However, they differ as P12 was ranked in the top 3 most relevant and likely to be implemented compared to other LMPs. The findings from this study can help to raise productivity in facilities management and operations of these hawker centres. There are a few constraints influencing the study. Firstly, the research sample size was small, consisting of only 44 responses. Secondly, as this study is relatively new in the field, there is no fixed definition on lean, indicating that LMPs could be defined in many ways. Lastly, if similar research will be done in the future, other stakeholders that were not mentioned in this paper such as NEA and patrons to hawker centres should be considered.