A case study in applying lean sustainability concepts to universities

Abstract

PurposeTo apply the concepts of lean and sustainability to higher education.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was developed, administered to 18 public and private universities and analyzed.FindingsThe focus in higher education is now on cost reduction or budget containment initiatives. Although these initiatives were not implemented with the knowledge that they were implementing “lean” practices, their application has often reduced waste, improved operational efficiency, and contributed to sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a preliminary study with a sample size of 18 universities in the northeastern United States. Future research should include more universities in the United States as well as in other countries.Practical implicationsThe participating universities in this study shared their beliefs about how “lean” thinking can contribute to the sustainability of higher education. Other universities can “learn from their lessons”.Originality/valueVery little past research, except in the area of green marketing, has focused on lean sustainability concepts in higher education.

Business improvement tools and techniques: a comparison across sectors and industries

“…Furthermore, even though the literature suggests that Lean techniques have been widely embraced and adopted by the service industry (Comm and Mathaisel 2005, Hines and Lethbridge 2008, Miller 2005, this study shows that the awareness levels in manufacturing organisations are still significantly higher. Perhaps one of the reasons why lean techniques still lag in the service industry was identified by Hines, Holweg, and Rich (2004) who noted that changing the organisational culture and mindset in aspects of the service industry poses considerable challenges.…”

Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma in Higher Education: A Review of Experiences around the World

“…As societies become more knowledge-based, they feel an increasing need to improve access to higher education [1]. Among the consequences of these changes are increased competition among universities [1] for continued funding of operating budgets [2], demands to improve accountability [1] [3] [4] [5] and major (often draconian) budget cutbacks [1], often leading to erosion of student-professor interactions and increased sizes of groups filling lecture halls [6] [7], increased workloads for professors and much attrition following retirement of faculty members [6]. Financing of research becomes anaemic, further exacerbating already intense competition between universities [2].…”

Embending Sustainability Dynamics in the Lean Construction Supply Chain Management

“…Key success factors for successful integration of lean and sustainability principles into the supply chain have been summarized in the the SC so that they can share best practices and improve themselves with the help of collective learning process [4], [42], [43], [44], [45] Collaboration integrating operations management and human resource management practices [17] Culture and thinking changing the company culture and a strategic approach [17], [44], [51], [57], [58], [59], [60], [61] complying with lean organisational thinking [57], [59], [60] …”

“…Successul implementation of lean and sustainability practices requires change in the company culture and a strategic approach [57], [58], [44], [59], [60], [17], [51], [61]; lean organisational thinking [57], [59], [60], [17]; and management leadership [58], [60], [17]; integration of operations management and human resource management practices [17].…”