DRIVERS AND BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTING LEAN MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES FOR SPORTS FACILITIES IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Sports in Singapore is increasingly gaining awareness as the country moves towards an active nation. The operation of a sports facilities is not an easy one. With many stakeholders involved, the main purpose of sports facilities in Singapore is to provide a safe environment for the sports players to perform sports activities in. As the facilities management of a sports facilities is a complex one, this study recognised the intrinsic flaws that are present in the sector. While Lean is a universal tool that provides many improvements for an organisation, the knowledge of it in the sports facilities sector is still relatively low and ought to be explored for its implementation in the sector. With the resistance of the sector to adopt Lean, this study was equipped with the primary aim to encourage the adoption of Lean. The research aim was supported by eight research objectives, as set out in Chapter 1. After achieving the research objectives, an extensive literature review was conducted followed by mixed research methodology comprising of a series of quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. With a sample size of 37 survey respondents (n=37), the quantitative data analyses identified the perceived importance of Lean, the level of implementation, and the drivers and barriers of the implementation of Lean in the sports facilities sector in Singapore, which are explored in Chapter 6. The interview further supplemented on the findings of the quantitative analyses. The areas of implementation of the various Lean Management Principles were then recommended. The successful application of the Lean Management Principles together with the key findings of this study are crucial to drive the widespread adoption of Lean within the sports facilities sector in Singapore.