Mapping Lean Construction Research: A Scoping Review Based on Scopus Data

Abstract

Lean Construction (LC) has evolved from an emerging adaptation of production principles into a mature academic domain, yet a comprehensive assessment of its global structure and development remains needed. This study presents a rigorous bibliometric and scoping review of LC research using a sample of 484 highly refined, peer-reviewed documents retrieved from the Scopus database up to 2025. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and utilizing VOSviewer, the co-occurrence networks of keywords, countries, and co-authorships were systematically analyzed. The results reveal a structurally centralized research landscape historically led by the United States and the United Kingdom, though accompanied by an increasing globalization driven by emerging clusters in Asia and South America. Keyword analysis indicates growing research attention to Building Information Modeling (BIM), information management, agile approaches, and environmental sustainability within the analyzed Lean Construction literature alongside traditional operational and planning concerns. However, the literature exhibits persistent fragmentation, with over 70% of identified journals publishing two or fewer articles on the subject within specialized thematic niches. This study concludes that opportunities exist to further explore the relationship between Lean Construction and emerging digital technologies while strengthening cross-regional and interdisciplinary collaborations. These efforts may contribute to a more cohesive and globally representative understanding of the discipline and its role in improving efficiency and sustainability within the built environment.