Construction services under construction: Enabling continuous improvements of logistics services in project-based organizations

This study investigates how continuous improvement of logistics services in a project-based context such as construction can be enhanced by a “priority matrix for service improvements”. Construction services in general, and logistic services in specific, have great impact on efficiency and sustainability (environmental as well as social). However, there is a great potential for improvements in the complex coordination, inefficient processes, and waste of materials. Whilst improvement initiatives in manufacturing industry are important inspirations, they are based on continuous production processes that become challenged when transferred to the project-based construction industry. As response, this pre-study draws upon the concept of service quality as the basis for improvement initiatives – a concept based on relations between actors that last beyond individual projects.

The project is organized in the following steps:
1. Identify key characteristics of construction logistics services
2. Create a typology (categories) for construction logistics services
3. Prepare a priority matrix for service improvements

Lastly, the pre-study will create forums for discussions on possibilities for further collaborations and projects.