Respect for people, understood as the active recognition and appreciation of individuals’ dignity, contributions and well-being, is a core pillar of Lean philosophy. Despite its importance, empirical research on this concept remains limited in the construction sector, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to analyze the implementation of respect for people in construction projects, identifying the main best practices, benefits and barriers, with a specific focus on the Peruvian construction context.
This research followed a three-stage methodological approach. First, a structured literature review was conducted to identify best practices, benefits and barriers associated with respect for people in Lean construction. Second, this preliminary framework was validated through interviews with nine industry experts. Third, a survey was administered to 68 construction professionals in Peru. The collected data were analyzed using the Relative Importance Index to rank elements and Spearman’s correlation to examine relationships among practices, benefits and barriers.
The results indicate that the main barriers to implementing respect for people are the lack of active participation and the absence of transparent communication. The most highly valued benefits include enhanced employee commitment and alignment with Lean philosophy, while the most relevant best practices are fostering a culture of continuous improvement and recognizing employee achievements. Significant relationships were identified between cultural barriers and key benefits, highlighting the strategic role of respect for people in project performance.
This study contributes to the limited empirical literature on respect for people in construction by providing evidence from a Latin American context. It offers practical insights for industry practitioners by identifying critical barriers and high-impact practices, and supports the development of implementation frameworks for respect for people within Lean construction.
