Lean viewed as a philosophy

TLDR

The paper argues that lean succeeds only when viewed as a philosophy rather than a strategy, and it aims to guide practitioners and researchers by summarizing the cultural and strategic factors essential for lean implementation. The study employs a comprehensive literature review followed by a mixed‑methods approach—interviews, surveys, and participant observation—to test the authors’ PhD hypothesis. Successful lean implementation requires both technical tools and a cultural transformation across the entire value chain, yet many initiatives fail because organizations treat lean as a set of tactics rather than a guiding philosophy.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to act as a meticulous conceptual paper probing the contemporary view towards lean and illustrate that, despite its discernible benefits, the implementation record suffers as the prevailing opinion fails to encapsulate that an aspiring lean enterprise shall only succeed if it views lean as a philosophy rather than another strategy. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a thorough literature search concerning the success and failure of lean implementations and acts as a precursor for one of the authors utilising a combination of methodologies; namely, interviewing, survey questionnaire and participant observation in attempting to prove his PhD hypothesis. Findings Evidently, a cocktail of factors are needed for lean success; not only is it necessary to implement most of the technical tools but an organisation's culture needs transforming too. Furthermore, the alterations need to be implemented throughout an organisation's value chain. Lean has a major strategic significance, though its implementation procedure, HRM implications, general approach to the supplier base coupled with the overall universal conviction of viewing lean as a set of tactics rather than embracing it as a philosophy advocates that this contributes to the relatively low number of successful lean initiatives. Originality/value The paper would prove invaluable to lean practitioners through its summation of the intricacies towards lean enterprise success and academic researchers by focusing their attention towards the necessary cultural implications.