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Positive lean: merging the science of efficiency with the psychology of work

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  • Wallace J. Hopp

Abstract

Lean is a powerful management system aimed at improving efficiency and operational effectiveness. Since its emergence in the automotive industry, lean has been adapted for use in almost all manufacturing and service industries. And yet, most lean implementations fail to achieve their efficiency goals and many have deleterious impacts on the workforce. We trace both failures to a historical departure of lean practices from known principles of factory physics and job design. By leveraging these principles, we describe how lean practices can be designed to promote both operational efficiency and increased workforce satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Wallace J. Hopp, 2018. "Positive lean: merging the science of efficiency with the psychology of work," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(1-2), pages 398-413, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:tprsxx:v:56:y:2018:i:1-2:p:398-413
    DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2017.1387301
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    Cited by:

    1. Agnieszka Zdęba-Mozoła & Anna Rybarczyk-Szwajkowska & Tomasz Czapla & Michał Marczak & Remigiusz Kozłowski, 2022. "Implementation of Lean Management in a Multi-Specialist Hospital in Poland and the Analysis of Waste," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Onay, Anita & Stampfer, Christina & Missbauer, Hubert, 2023. "A behavioral perspective on workload control concepts: The influence of order release on operators’ reaction behavior," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    3. Florian Magnani & Tarik Saikouk, 2025. "La dimension humaine du Lean management," Post-Print hal-05552968, HAL.
    4. Huke, Jonathan & Siegfried, Patrick, 2021. "Finance Methods in the Automotive Sector – Business Agility in the Age of Digital Disruption," MPRA Paper 111087, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Agnieszka Zdęba-Mozoła & Remigiusz Kozłowski & Anna Rybarczyk-Szwajkowska & Tomasz Czapla & Michał Marczak, 2023. "Implementation of Lean Management Tools Using an Example of Analysis of Prolonged Stays of Patients in a Multi-Specialist Hospital in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-23, January.
    6. Verónica Gabriela Valdivia-Plaza & Vianney Judith Robledo-Herrera & Gonzalo Maldonado-Guzmán, 2025. "Lean Production Practices and Industry 4.0 Technologies Integration in Mexican Manufacturing Industry," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 15(6), pages 1-5.
    7. Danny Samson & William Ho & Zahra Seyedghorban & Diana Bevington & Sally Kelly, 2026. "Solving the paradox of Lean Management’s low success rate," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 51(1), pages 264-290, February.
    8. Florian Magnani & Valentina Carbone & Valérie Moatti, 2019. "The human dimension of lean: a literature review," Post-Print hal-03349359, HAL.
    9. Charles J. Corbett, 2024. "OM Forum—The Operations of Well-Being: An Operational Take on Happiness, Equity, and Sustainability," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 26(2), pages 409-430, March.
    10. Xue, Xingnan & Hu, Nan & Qiu, Fangjuan & Li, Gang, 2025. "Chief operating officers’ long-term orientation and corporate lean production," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    11. Tarik Saikouk & Florian Magnani, 2025. "From toolbox to sociotechnical system: 40 years of Lean transformation in the RFGI [De la boîte à outils au système sociotechnique : 40 ans de transformations Lean dans la RFGI]," Post-Print hal-05194349, HAL.

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