Lean in a cold fiscal climate: the public sector in an age of reduced resources

Abstract

Reflecting on recent public sector reform, this paper examines the use of Lean during a period of financial austerity. The paper outlines several challenges for public sector organizations as they manage performance targets, and engage in service re-design. The author challenges the current use of Lean working arguing for a re-evaluation of the traditional public sector model of work and for a collective approach to co-production of service redesign.

Keywords:

• Lean
• fiscal climate
• performance targets
• public sector

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Douglas Martin

Douglas Martin is Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management in the Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise at the University of Central Lancashire, UK.