A Decade of Transformation: the Role of the German Lean Construction Institute in the Construction Industry

Since its foundation in 2014, the German Lean Construction Institute (GLCI) has made a significant contribution to the diffusion of Lean Construction in Germany. During this time, the GLCI has professionalised structurally by establishing an office with full-time employees, and the application of Lean Construction has developed considerably. This paper examines the impact of the GLCI as an institution on this development and is based on a survey reflecting the perception of the construction industry in Germany. It also analyses what value such an institution must offer in order to further promote the diffusion of Lean Construction. The survey results show that conferences, networking opportunities, community building, training and further education programmes, and publications are perceived as main added values of the GLCI. The study clearly demonstrates that the GLCI exerts a substantial impact on the awareness of Lean Construction in Germany, while its impact on the practical implementation within the industry is also assessed as significant. The findings provide valuable insights for the further development of the GLCI and offer international perspectives for other Lean Construction institutions to accelerate the diffusion of Lean Construction principles and tools.