What Two Thought-Provoking Articles Have in Common
As I keep reading “The God of Construction,” I occasionally come across articles that really make me think. Recently, it’s been these two articles.
② The Construction Industry Is a ”Service Industry”—Are You Aware of the Client’s Perspective?
After reading it, I thought, “Even though the perspectives are different, aren’t they essentially the same?”
Article ① is about how a disaster recovery project was completed and contributed to the local community. Article ② is about how to earn the trust of the client. While people may interpret and view these articles differently, that is how the author sees them.
I think what these two articles have in common is that they are ”providing a service.”
“What does ”providing service” mean?
According to Wikipedia, a "service" is defined as "an intangible good in economic terms that provides utility or satisfaction without leaving a physical product behind after a transaction. It is a product handled by the tertiary sector."
That means,Some services do not apply to manufacturing industries such as construction and manufacturing.That would be the conclusion. However, the author does not agree.This is because the construction industry believes that, through its work, it “provides intangible goods.”
For example, in Article ①, “The North Side Restoration Route and Existing Section of National Route 57 Open! A Moment When the Civil Engineering Industry’s Hard Work Pays Off,” could we not say that road improvements not only alleviate the inconveniences caused by the disaster but also lead to the “provision of intangible benefits”—such as broad-based economic development, increased regional exchange, and the revitalization of tourism?
This isn’t limited to roads. In the case of river levee improvements, the goal is to provide an “intangible asset”—namely, protecting the surrounding areas from flood damage by reinforcing the levees. While levees are visible, the protection they offer against disasters remains invisible until a disaster actually strikes. It is only when a disaster occurs—though we certainly hope it never does—that we realize just how vital and important they are.
The recent flooding in Kumamoto Prefecture sparked debate over whether the Kawabe River Dam should have been built. Setting aside the question of what would have happened if the dam had been there, it’s only natural to ask whether the damage could have been mitigated if some kind of countermeasure had been taken. After all, the impact of such measures isn’t visible until a flood actually occurs.
Thinking About the People Who Use the Facility
The construction industry is a manufacturing business. In other words, its role is to “provide services through manufacturing.”
We build things that serve the public interest and provide convenience and safety. Convenience and safety are not tangible goods. Even when we speak of “safety” in general terms, it is not something that takes a concrete form, making it clear exactly what is safe and to what extent.
Furthermore, these factors depend on whether the facility is built, whether people use it, and how those users feel about it. How people feel varies from person to person; while some may find it convenient, others may find it inconvenient. It is not a factor that can be assessed quantitatively.
From the perspective of engineers and workers, many probably think, ”Our job is to build things.” That’s absolutely true. I agree. At the same time, I also believe it’s important to keep in mind that “there are people who will use what we build.” You might think this goes without saying, but I’d like you to take a moment to reflect on whether you’re actually putting this simple truth into practice every day.
Among engineers and workers, there are many who approach their work with the ”users” in mind. I’ve seen this at several work sites, and whenever I encounter such people, it makes me feel a renewed sense of purpose. When I spoke with them, they said, “We’re serving others by building this facility.” I remember that every time I heard those words, I found myself nodding in agreement—I simply couldn’t help but be convinced.
After all, the construction industry is a service-oriented business that delivers value through the creation of physical structures. What do you, our readers, think? We’d love to hear your opinions.
