Towards an Operational Definition of Lean Construction Onsite

Through literature review and drawing from a combined professional experience of over 20 years of lean construction implementation, this paper investigates the key success factor for the automotive industry’s uptake of lean production to see what the construction industry can derive from it. The paper concludes that there exist a variety of definitions of lean, but no existing definition is yet satisfactory to describe lean construction in a rigorously testable method. This is a major obstacle to the successful deployment of lean construction especially when the industry does not have a standard benchmark of “what a lean site looks like”. It recommends a small-scale replication of the International Motor Vehicle Programme (IMVP) led International Automotive Plant Study (IAPS) in construction. This will be in aid of developing an operational definition of lean construction, in line with Deming’s understanding, in the form of a lean site assessment tool contributing to a Lean Index. A statistical study is also suggested to establish correlation between the degrees of lean application (Lean Index) and project performanc

THE ECONOMICS OF INSTRUCTIONAL REVENUE SHARING

The process of planning and budgeting for public institutions has been a topic of recent interest as budgetary constraints have mandated reduced funding for state agencies and publicly funded educational institutions. The most recent budget outlook in Minnesota suggests that funding for the University of Minnesota will be reduced significantly in the next biennium. This outlook is renewing the call for increased efficiency and cost control for publicly funded educational institutions such as the University of Minnesota. The authors have been involved with a project in which cost functions and economic relationships were examined within the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota. This paper is an extension of these efforts and attempts to address the questions relating to instructional revenue sharing.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Residential through traffic: Quantitative evidence from participant observation

Concerns about the effects of traffic levels on the life of neighbourhoods are very common. This paper uses participant observation to show how one community was able to organise and administer traffic surveys to obtain quantitative evidence of their impact, discussing the advantages and limitations of this “do-it-yourself” approach. The role of through traffic and in particular its presence in residential one-way streets merits further research

COST RELATIONSHIPS IN COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE

This paper examines cost behavior in higher education and colleges of agriculture. The authors have been involved in a multiyear project to determine how enrollment affects costs. The part of the study as summarized in the paper addresses the unique aspects of higher education that affect costs and presents three cost models based upon data from the University of Minnesota. Implications of these models related to average and marginal costs are discussed in relation to economies of size and scale.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Maine gay symposium stresses two themes: a re-evaluation of the homosexual self-image and \u27coming out\u27

Homosexuality and gay liberation are symptoms of a sexually healthy society, said activist Morty Manford at the Maine Gay Symposium here Saturday. Over 300 paying observers attended the well-organized gathering which met with no violent opposition, picketing, or demonstrations as had been feared by some UMO administrators. A team of four campus policemen guarded the affair which was sponsored by the Wilde-Stein Club, UMO\u27s gay group

Water and Wastewater Management (2008)

The purpose of this manual is to provide a resource for both new and experienced water board members and municipal officials who have little or no formal training for the job

Water and Wastewater Management (2009)

The purpose of this manual is to provide a resource for both new and experienced water board members and municipal officials who have little or no formal training for the job

Water and Wastewater Management: A Training Manual for Board Members

The purpose of this manual is to provide a resource for both new and experienced water board members and municipal officials who have little or no formal training for the job

Water & Wastewater Manual: A Training Manual for Board Members

This manual provides a resource for new or experienced water board members or municipal officials who have little or no formal training for the job