Analysis of Trends from the Literature on Lean Construction Using a Systematic Bibliometric Approach

Abstract

There has been a growing emphasis on Lean construction within construction research in recent years. Presently, the utilization of bibliometric analysis has gained prominence as an effective method for synthesizing findings from prior research endeavours. This approach facilitates the progression of current knowledge and the cultivation of a comprehensive and outcome-driven comprehension of the subject matter. While numerous scholarly investigations have delved into lean construction, there is a dearth of comprehensive research exploring the patterns of publications within the context of sustainability in this domain. Consequently, this study aims to address this research gap by employing bibliometric analysis to examine the publication trends associated with lean construction. The analysis focuses on publications from 2012 to 2022, retrievable from the Web of Science database, specifically those with a "lean construction" heading. The statistical examination of published research articles was executed using Microsoft Excel 2016, VOSviewer, R Bibliometrix, and Biblioshiny packages. A comprehensive total of 872 documents published within ten years (2012 – 2022) was ascertained within the Web of Science database for the specified study duration. The findings from the analyses revealed that the annual growth rate in scientific output stood at 0.68%, with the pinnacle being observed in 2022, characterized by a total of 162 articles. Regarding authorship, Wang X and Wang Y emerged as the most prolific contributors to lean construction literature, having authored 14 and 13 published articles, respectively. Their collaboration formed a robust network within the field. Leading the publications were the journals "Construction Engineering and Management" and "Engineering Construction and Architectural Management," with 55 and 36 articles, respectively, focusing on studies related to lean construction. The outcomes of this research endeavour are anticipated to furnish researchers in the construction domain with an extensive and enriched comprehension of lean construction principles