Review of Lean Adoption within Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Abstract

Lean management approach acts as the role model, which is based on eliminating waste, can play a vital role in competitive trend to assist manufacturers by economizing their resources with higher productivity. Recently lean philosophy creates opportunity for redesigning and leading Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to survive within dynamic market environment. This paper reviewed current studies on lean adoption within SMEs. The aim of this paper highlights challenges and cultural gaps of studies through implementing lean in SMEs. Two critical successful factors (organizational culture, and leadership style) were found which could help to assess the level of maturity of lean SMEs.