Application of Lean Management Methods and Techniques in Non-Production Departments of Selected Enterprises – Results of the Study

Abstract

A growing number of implementations of the lean management concept and training courses carried out by various entities (both private and public) are the evidence for the growing interest in lean management of companies operating in Poland. At the same time the literature turns more and more attention to a certain universalism of the Japanese concept which refers to the possibility to apply lean management methods and techniques not only in production departments. For example, it is applied in local government units, non-profit organizations but above all, in various functional units: HR, accountancy, sales, marketing. The purpose of this paper is to present and characterize lean management methods and techniques used in non-production departments on the example of selected enterprises. The article presents the results of empirical studies conducted in Polish business practice. 20 production companies were covered by the study which made use of an in-depth interview.