Defining Lean Change—Framing Lean Implementation in Organizational Development

Abstract

Problem -When lean is adopted in traditional organisations it requires a widespread organisational change and many businesses fail to sustain lean practices. Purpose -The purpose of this work was to define lean implementation based on the organisational development (OD) body of knowledge. Approach -The literature in lean and organisational change was reviewed and amalgamated to develop a novel conceptual framework. Findings -Lean implementation begins with a planned changed that is episodic. However, the ultimate goal is to develop a learning organisation where change is continuous and emergent from all levels. Respect for people, everyone in the organisations contribution, is considered key to successful implementation of lean. Implications-Practitioners should not focus on isolated improvements, but foster change from within for a sustained transformation to become a lean learning organisation. Originality -This paper provides new insights into lean implementation and its transformative effect on the organisation. A novel conceptual model is presented that frames lean transformation within the organisational development literature.

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