Transformational Excellence: A Synthesis of Lean and Stress Management Intervention Research with Evidence-Based Actionable Guidelines

Abstract

The philosophy of lean is creating value for the customer through organization-wide continuous improvement, reducing resource consumption (i.e., waste), and improving flow times across value stream processes while maintaining respect for people. Despite numerous studies identifying lean practice contributions to improvements in operating performance metrics, the body of literature devoting attention to the human aspect of lean reveals contradictory effects on the physical and mental health and well-being of employees. Stress management interventions (SMIs) have been shown to offer benefits for physical and mental health well-being. The objectives of this manuscript are to (1) identify the gap in the extant lean literature between the physical and mental health benefits of lean research, (2) review the relevant SMI research, and (3) utilize this review to identify and synthesize evidence-based actionable guidelines that advance transformational excellence with respect for people. These objectives proffer a significant contribution to the existing body of lean knowledge.