The human dimension of lean: a literature review

ABSTRACT

Interest in lean, the managerial system exemplified by the Toyota Production System, has gradually spread throughout different industries since the 1980s. Compared to mass production systems, lean systems ultimately transform the way employees act within their work environment. Despite significant improvements in operations management, the human dimension of lean has received surprisingly limited attention from the academic realm, until recently. This study serves primarily as a literature review of articles at the crossroads between the technical part of lean and its human-related issues. We reviewed 95 articles and our analysis provides a clearer view of the evolution of lean literature with regard to its human elements. The different levels of analysis can be summarised as follows: lean’s impact on working conditions and employee outcomes, HR practices as facilitators of lean adoption, and employee development as a moderator of lean adoption. We conclude with a framework that serves as a potential guide to include the human dimension of lean in research.

KEYWORDS:

• Lean management
• Toyota production system
• human dimension
• literature review

Acknowledgments

The first version of this article was presented at the 22nd EurOMA conference. We would like to thank all the participants for their suggestions. We would also like to thank Professor Åhlström for his insightful feedback. Finally, we would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their observations and helpful comments that helped us improve this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Florian Magnani

Florian Magnani is a PhD student at ESCP Europe and Arts & Métiers ParisTech within the framework of an industrial agreement with the PSA group. His research focuses on the characterisation of the human dimension of Lean during its historical evolution. Florian also participated in the creation of a training and experimental platform in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Valentina Carbone

Valentina Carbone is Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at the Paris Campus of ESCP Europe and scientific co-director of the Deloitte Chair on the Circular Economy and Sustainable Business Models. Her current research covers the sustainable dimension of SCM, corporate social and environmental responsibility, and sharing and circular economy business models.

Valérie Moatti

Valérie Moatti is Professor of Supply Chain Management and Strategic Management at ESCP Europe. She is currently the Dean of Faculty. She is the scientific director of the Lectra Chair on Fashion & Technology. Her research covers growth strategies and the interface between strategy and supply chain management.