34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) - Singapore, Singapore - 2026

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0210

Integrity assurance architectures for lean construction – the case of seriøsitet in Norway

Jardar Lohne1, Frode Drevland2, Morten Engeset-Nordanger3 & Ola Lædre4

1Research Scientist, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (IBM), Norway, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-2135-3468
2Associate professor, NTNU, IBM, Norway, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-4596-1564
3Special advisor, Sykehusbygg HF, Norway, [email protected]
4Professor, NTNU, IBM, Norway, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-4604-8299

Abstract

Lean Construction (LC) targets flow, learning, and reliable production. Still, crime and unethical behaviour can surface in LC-oriented delivery. This paper examines whether the Norwegian concept of “seriøsitet” (seriousness), and the practices grounded in it, can function as an integrity assurance architecture (IAA) enabling LC. Following an analysis of IGLC research on ethics, corruption, and crime, it explores Norwegian strategies, audits, and guidance on seriøsitet and work-life crime from 2006 to 2025. The analysis maps measures and their intended mechanisms across procurement, contracts, and follow-up. The findings indicate that seriøsitet is currently operationalised as an IAA, consisting of qualification requirements, standard contract clauses, verification routines, tier limits, and sanction ladders. The key mechanisms involve traceability of labour and money, supply chain supervision, and stronger client follow-up. However, outcomes depend on how these measures are enacted in practice, since weak monitoring can undermine deterrence and organisational learning. The paper suggests integrating seriøsitet checks into production planning and control rather than treating them as parallel compliance work. It also cautions against paper-driven compliance that adds administrative burden without improving integrity.

Keywords

Corruption, social dumping, work-life crime, traceability, dark side.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Lohne, J., Drevland, F., Engeset-Nordanger, M. & Lædre, O.. (2026). Integrity assurance architectures for lean construction – the case of seriøsitet in Norway. In Hamzeh, F., Poshdar, M., & Garcia-Lopez,, N. P. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) (pp. 1122–1132). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0210

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Lohne, J., Drevland, F., Engeset-Nordanger, M. & Lædre, O.. (2026). Integrity assurance architectures for lean construction – the case of seriøsitet in Norway. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0210

 

Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.

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