Track: Graduate Student Paper Competition

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a comprehensive guide that can be used to implement Lean Manufacturing (LM). Small businesses face challenges when implementing LM, but its benefits are also highlighted in the introduction. LM implementation guide and effectiveness assessment are the objectives. The literature review assesses LM frameworks, adoption, models, and success. In order to develop the research methodology, relevant studies on LM implementation in manufacturing SMEs were reviewed. The results discuss models and approaches for adopting LM and also measuring its success.  A lack of standardized models and the importance of real case studies are highlighted in the conclusion. Specifically, it calls for further research on LM implementation in SMEs in the United States. As well as providing practical guidance for organizations seeking to implement LM effectively, this paper contributes to the understanding of LM implementation in SMEs.