Blue ocean leadership in lean sustainability

Abstract

Purpose

Literature has shown that many companies fail lean implementation or is not able to sustain lean for a long time. Researchers have found that lean failures are associated with leadership, which is a key factor. However, it is not easy and a long time is needed to change the leadership, behaviour and traits. This study aims to introduce the Blue Ocean Leadership concept to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is carried for articles related to critical success factors for Lean and Lean Six Sigma with a focus on leadership factors.

Findings

The Blue Ocean Leadership concept focuses on leaders’ acts and activities which can be changed with less effort and time. Seven categories of lean activities for leaders are identified.

Research limitations/implications

Leadership is one of the many factors for the success of lean implementation. This conceptual study focuses only on leadership and it needs further field study for validation.

Practical implications

Blue Ocean Leadership provides lean practitioners and academicians with a new perspective for successful lean implementation.

Originality/value

To the best knowledge of the researcher, there is no similar study in this area. Thus, the finding can form the basis for further research for the benefit of lean communities, especially the small- or medium-sized enterprises with less cost and time.

Citation

Loh, K.L., Mohd Yusof, S. and Lau, D.H.C. (2019), "Blue ocean leadership in lean sustainability", International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 275-294. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-06-2016-0029