Exploring Lean-Integrated Circular Economy in the Built Environment Setting: Implications for Project Governance and Compliance

Abstract The current study establishes how lean tenets contribute to the circular economy (CE) with exploration of lean tools with circular economy core principles and framework development. While there seem to be synergies between the concepts of lean and CE, the construction management research fraternity has not fully tapped the huge research potential in this domain. To address this gap, a two-phased exploratory qualitative research design is proposed. The first phase involves mapping lean tools with 10 dimensions of CE in the context of the built environment sector through content analysis and expert validation ( n = 3 ). Continuous improvement and added value tools of lean attained maximum realization of CE dimensions. The second phase involves semistructured interviews of experts ( n = 9 ) on an understanding of the synergies between lean and CE through thematic analysis (TA). The current study identifies predominant lean tools that realize CE dimensions and develops a conceptual model of a lean-driven circular economy (LdCE) framework for construction projects. Also, the lean tenets and their allied tools enabled value optimization through effective mapping of non-value-added processes and minimizing wasteful aspects. These findings are intended to inform engineers, construction managers, and legal practitioners about actionable strategies for promoting sustainable, legally compliant project execution. This study proves to accelerate sustainable construction through a lean and CE integrated framework in developing nations. Analyzing the associativity of the lean tools in realizing the CE dimensions and the strategies of a lean-driven circular economy through models is a novel concept with this research.