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The adoption of prefabricated building systems has grown due to the need to reduce duration and cost of construction projects, as well as to improve quality and working conditions. However, the adoption of those systems requires an intense exchange of information to integrate the production of components, logistics operations, and site assembly. This is particularly important in engineer-to-order environments, in which the level of uncertainty tends to be high. This research proposes a model for planning and controlling the delivery and assembly of ETO prefabricated building systems, emphasizing the integration between site installation and logistics operations. This model was devised in an empirical study carried out in a company that delivers and assembles prefabricated concrete structures. The main theoretical contribution is a set of approaches to implement the “pull production” and “reduce variability” principles in this particular context, exploring synergies that exist between Lean Production principles and Building Information Modeling (BIM) functionalities.

Abstract:It is widely known that industrialized building systems can positively impact construction projects in terms of efficiency, duration, safety, and quality. Although the use of industrialized building systems can potentially simplify the production process on-site, the complexity of the overall delivery system tends to be high, especially in engineered-to-order (ETO) environments, due to factors such as uncertainty related to goals and methods, conflicts between different trades on-site, and interdependence between supply chain members. This paper explores the concept of modularity, which has proven to be useful in different industries as a way of dealing with complex systems. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how modularity can reduce the complexity of ETO industrialized building systems, in companies that adopt a mass customization strategy. This investigation is based on two descriptive case studies on the development of modular structural steel systems for buildings that have adopted innovative beam-to-column connections. The main contribution of this research is demonstrating the need to adopt an integrated product and process-oriented conceptualization of modularity in industrialized building systems. Moreover, the comparison between the two case studies pointed out that the management of tolerances plays a key role in achieving high productivity and short lead times in structural steel building systems. This investigation also illustrates how the adoption of a limited set of modular components can be used to decouple design decisions, and standardize different types of processes.

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ResumoAs discussões a respeito da importância do trabalho são crescentes em nossa sociedade. Ela se mobiliza a fim de atender interesses econômicos, legitimando determinadas profissões como mais importantes. Com o objetivo de superar essa concepção, analisamos ofícios que contribuem para a sociedade, mas não possuem o mesmo valor social percebido. Estudamos o conhecimento adquirido no exercício de determinado trabalho e como ocorre a aprendizagem por meio das práticas, baseados na ideia que todo tipo de ação produz conhecimento. A investigação para o presente estudo desenvolveu-se em dois salões de beleza, na cidade de Porto Alegre (RS), nos quais trabalham sete manicures, no total. O estudo foi realizado por meio de observação não participante e de entrevistas não estruturadas, no período de dezembro de 2011 a março de 2012. Identificou-se que as profissionais adaptam a maioria das técnicas ensinadas no curso de manicure. Isso significa que cada indivíduo tem seu jeito de exercer o próprio trabalho, não havendo uma única maneira certa de realizá-lo. O jeito de cada manicure desempenhar suas atividades só é descoberto na prática, quando ela aplica seu conhecimento. Tal processo produz novo conhecimento e nova prática, uma vez que as ações tanto são sustentadas pela prática como a constituem.Palavras-chave: Aprendizagem Baseada em Práticas. Abordagem da Estética. Abordagem Cultural. Manicures. Saberes no Trabalho. AbstractDiscussions over the importance of the work are increasing in our society. Nevertheless, certain professionals are legitimized as the most important ones according to economic interests. In order to overcome this conception, we analyze a profession that contribute to society, but do not have the same perceived social value. We study the knowledge acquired in the performance of a particular job and how learning occurs through the practices, based on the assumption that every type of action produces knowledge. The investigation was carried out into two beauty salons in the city of Porto Alegre (RS), in which work seven manicures, in the total. The study was conducted through non-participant observation and not structured interviews, in the period December 2011 to March 2012. It was identified that the professionals adapt most of the techniques taught in the course of manicure. This means that each individual has his way of exercising own work, there is not a right way to do it. The way each manicure plays their activities is only discovered in practice, when she applies her knowledge. This process produces new knowledge and new practice, once actions are both underpinned and constituted by practice.