The lean management approach supports the ambitions of the European Union Industry 5.0 doctrine in human-centricity, adequate use of technology, and sustainability. Yet universities, the sources of scholarly wisdom, have been slow in investigating and implementing the approach in their teaching or, moreover, the university’s own processes. This study investigates one of the most frequently listed barriers to implementing lean in universities – resistance by the academics. This quantitative study unveils significant differences in the practicality of lean practices in supporting scholarly research and the university’s administrative activities. Based on the findings, we provided recommendations on the involvement of university staff in lean implementations in a university.
Adam, M., Hofbauer, M. and Mandl, B. 2019. Integration of IT into a lean basic training: target group-specific insights and recommendations. Procedia Manuf., 31, 52–59.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2019.03.009
Adam, M., Hofbauer, M. and Stehling, M. 2021. Effectiveness of a lean simulation training: challenges, measures and recommendations. Prod. Plan. Control, 32(6), 443–453.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1742375
Alves, A. C., Leão, C. P., Uebe-Mansur, A. F. and Kury, M. I. R. A. 2021. The knowledge and importance of lean education based on academics’ perspectives: an exploratory study. Prod. Plan. Control, 32(6), 497–510.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1742371
Anttila, T., Oinas, T. and Mustosmäki, A. 2021. Lean in Europe and the USA – a new dominant division of labour? In The Cambridge International Handbook of Lean Production: Diverging Theories and New Industries around the World (Janoski, T. and Lepadatu, D., eds). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 423–447.
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108333870
Cano, M., Murray, R. and Kourouklis, A. 2022. Can lean management change the managerial culture in higher education? Stud. High. Educ., 47(4), 915–927.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1817892
Emiliani, M. L. 2004. Improving business school courses by applying lean principles and practices. Qual. Ass. Edu., 12(4), 175–187.
https://doi.org/10.1108/09684880410561596
Emiliani, M. L. 2015. Engaging faculty in lean teaching. Int. J. Lean Six Sigma, 6(1).
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-06-2014-0015
European Commission. 2021. Industry 5.0: Towards a Sustainable, Human-Centric and Resilient European Industry.
https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/308407 (accessed 2024-11-06).
Gento, A. M., Pimentel, C. and Pascual, J. A. 2021. Lean school: an example of industry-university collaboration. Prod. Plan. Control, 32(6), 473–488.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1742373
Gómez-Molina, D.-L. and Moyano-Fuentes, J. 2022. Lean management in universities: a systematic literature review. Int. J. Lean Six Sigma, 13(1), 156–177.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-12-2020-0224
Ishikawa, K. 1985. What is Total Quality Control?: The Japanese Way. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.
Jiménez, M., Romero, L., Domínguez, M. and Espinosa, M. M. 2015. 5S methodology implementation in the laboratories of an industrial engineering university school. Saf. Sci., 78, 163–172.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2015.04.022
Jones, D. T. 2021. Disseminating lean across the UK: a personal reflection. In The Cambridge International Handbook of Lean Production (Janoski, T. and Lepadatu, D., eds). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 490–506.
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108333870.021
Kondo, Y. 1999. Companywide Quality Control: Its Background and Development. 2nd ed. 3A Corporation, Tokyo.
Lima, E. de S., de Oliveira, U. R., Costa, M. de C., Fernandes, V. A. and Teodoro, P. 2023. Sustainability in public universities through lean evaluation and future improvement for administrative processes. J. Clean. Prod., 382, 135318.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135318
Oversluizen, G. and Slomp, J. 2021. Use of A3-method by engineering students in industry projects. Prod. Plan. Control, 32(6), 489–496.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1742372
Radnor, Z. and Bucci, G. 2011. Analysis of lean implementation in UK business schools and universities. AtoZ Business Consultancy.
Thirkell, E. and Ashman, I. 2014. Lean towards learning: connecting lean thinking and human resource management in UK higher education. Int. J. Hum. Resour. Manag., 25(21), 2957–2977.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.948901
Womack, J. P., Jones, D. T. and Roos, D. 1990. The Machine That Changed the World. Simon & Schuster, New York.
Zighan, S. and El-Qasem, A. 2021. Lean thinking and higher education management: revaluing the business school programme management. Int. J. Product. Perform. Manag., 70(3), 675–703.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-05-2019-0215
