Brisbane, Rachel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9607-7824, Merlo, Lucas and nomura, Shuichi (2026) Reigi, Kaizen and Muda Reduction: A Human-Centric Framework for Sustainable Construction Management. In: Sustainable Housing Solutions - Economic, Social, and Environmental Strategies for Resilient Living. IntechOpen, London.

Abstract

Sustainable construction management increasingly demands leadership approaches that integrate technical, environmental, and human factors. Yet, the industry continues to face persistent challenges, such as fragmented communication, rework, material waste, safety incidents, and low productivity. Drawing from post-2020 literature on lean construction, sustainability, digitalization, and human-centered project management, this chapter develops a conceptual framework showing that sustainability extends beyond materials and technology to include human dignity, psychological safety, communication quality, and collaborative learning. This chapter introduces a leadership and management framework informed by Japanese cultural principles, including Reigi (respect), Kaizen (continuous improvement), and Muda Reduction (elimination of waste, including the waste of human potential). While these principles originate from Japanese ethics, their broader cultural foundations offer valuable guidance for sustainable construction leadership in a rapidly changing post-pandemic environment. The chapter explains how Reigi supports psychological safety and participatory culture; how Kaizen establishes continuous learning; how the process improvement continuum enables radical and breakthrough innovation; and how Muda Reduction is applied to both tangible waste and the waste of human potential. Through illustrative case examples drawn from prior studies and project reports, the chapter demonstrates how these cultural pillars may enhance environmental and operational performance. The chapter concludes with a call for future research in culturally informed sustainability leadership, circular lean practices, and human-centered transformation strategies.

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