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Lean implementation in small and medium enterprises: Literature review

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  • Alkhoraif, Abdullah
  • Rashid, Hamad
  • McLaughlin, Patrick

Abstract

There have been many literature reviews carried out on Lean implementation (LI) in larger organisations with specific focus on the automobile industry. Lean implementation among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has not been so extensively researched. This paper attempts to bridge this gap by reviewing the literature that discussed Lean implementation in SMEs with a perspective of identifying the main challenges faced. We applied the Systematic Review Methodology proposed by Tranfield et al. (2003). This methodology allows for more comprehensive and profounder analysis along three stages: planning, conducting, and reporting. For this study, 403 papers were utilized, with their titles, abstracts and keywords separately studied at early stages of the review. These were collated from specific databases that included: ABI/INFORM Global, Taylor & Francis, Emerald, Sage, Inderscince, BSCO Business Source Premier, ScienceDirect and Scopus. The collected information was classified into four categories for more synthesis. The aim of this study is to establish the current position of global understanding of Lean implementation in SME's, including examining the main categories of Lean implementation in the context of SMEs. Next, an inclusive discussion of associated Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for Lean implementation within SME's is established that can be used as guide for SME's owners and managers. Suggestions for future research orientations are thus provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Alkhoraif, Abdullah & Rashid, Hamad & McLaughlin, Patrick, 2019. "Lean implementation in small and medium enterprises: Literature review," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 6(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:oprepe:v:6:y:2019:i:c:s2214716018301659
    DOI: 10.1016/j.orp.2018.100089
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    2. Minshull, Lauren Kate & Dehe, Benjamin & Kotcharin, Suntichai, 2022. "Exploring the impact of a sequential lean implementation within a micro-firm – A socio-technical perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 156-169.
    3. Abdul Waheed & Qingyu Zhang, 2022. "Effect of CSR and Ethical Practices on Sustainable Competitive Performance: A Case of Emerging Markets from Stakeholder Theory Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 175(4), pages 837-855, February.
    4. Asthana, Shekhar, 2022. "Twenty-five years of SMEs in tourism and hospitality research: A bibliometric analysis," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 8(2), pages 35-47.
    5. Shahsavar, Aria & Sadeghi, J. Kiarash & Shockley, Jeff & Ojha, Divesh, 2021. "On the relationship between lean scheduling and economic performance in shipbuilding: A proposed model and comparative evaluation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    6. Falah Abu & Hamed Gholami & Norhayati Zakuan & Muhamad Zameri Mat Saman & Dalia Streimikiene & Justas Streimikis, 2020. "The Influence of Contextual Factors on the Implementation of Lean Practices: An Analysis of Furniture Industries," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 22(55), pages 867-867, August.
    7. Abdul Waheed & Majed Alharthi & Sher Zaman Khan & Muhammad Usman, 2022. "Role of Industry 5.0 in leveraging the Business Performance: Investigating Impact of Shared-Economy on Firms’ Performance with Intervening Role of i5.0 Technologies," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, April.

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