Abstract:Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present a model for integrating Lean Principles with ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. Design/methodology: To achieve the objective of the study, the methodology used in this study is based on preliminary literature review of ISO 14001 standards and Lean Principles as well as certain case reports from various proponents and authors of ISO 14001 and Lean as noted in various articles and journals and some books. Findings: The findings of this study are a new model called Lean Environmental ManagementIntegration System (LEMIS) has been developed and leads to the creation of these measurement standards for evaluating the organization, making its environmental efforts more realistic, focused and attainable. specify these performance measures making the standard achieve sustainability and continual improvement.Originality/value: This study presents a unique approach of integrating the two main models, namely Lean Principles and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, as a single framework benefiting contemporary organizations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristic of the lean principles into ISO 14001 and to propose linkage of the lean principles and ISO 14001.

Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the objective of the study, literature survey and quantitative research method using questionnaires survey are used.

Findings and Originality/value: The findings of this study confirm that ISO 14001 certified company adopted lean production practices.  The study also proves that lean principles have positive and significant relationship with ISO 14001 EMS and the linkage can be made between lean principles and ISO 14001 to achieve Continual Improvement.

Research limitations/implications: The small sizes of the sample of the participating companies are the main limitations of this study and this research mainly focuses on the manufacturing environment and services industry.

Practical implications: This research show that all ISO 14001 companies do adopt at least one lean production practices and the main findings are lean principles has positive and highly significant relationship with ISO 14001 requirements.  This is because the integration of lean principles into ISO 14001 will serve practical methods for ISO14001 EMS to achieve the continual improvement.

Originality/value: This research is amongst the first to study the combined lean principles with ISO 1400.  Based on the current situation, there is no integration within this two management system. 

Lean principles and ISO 14001 are key business process strategies which are employed by companies to enchance their manufacturing performance and business efficiencies. The primary objective of the paper is to provide a conceptual framework through an effective integration of these two systems for enhanced business efficiency and productivity. The research methodology applied in the context of this study is based on preliminary literature review of ISO 14001 standards and Lean Principles. The findings contributed to the framing of new conceptual framework that combines the benefits of both Lean Principles and ISO 14001 principles for enhanced business efficiencies and continual improvement. This study concluded that the intergration of lean principles into ISO 14001 will serve pratical methods for ISO 14001 to achieve the continual improvement