Lean production and enterprise resource planning systems are often quoted as being the two most important strategies for achieving competitive advantage in today’s global manufacturing environments. Though IT has traditionally been viewed as a contributor to waste within Lean production, we suggest that modern developments in IT and the onset of hybrid ‘‘push-pull’’ production control mechanisms have allowed ERP and Lean approaches to converge towards a state where ERP systems can in fact be used to support the deployment of Lean practices. This paper analyses typical Lean and ERP implementation processes contained within the scientific literature, and by further examining a concurrent implementation process in real-time, we develop and propose a process for ERP-based Lean implementations. Our findings suggest that the implementation of a contemporary ERP system can act as a catalyst for the application of Lean production practices.

Nowadays, the application of the principles of Lean higher education is considered as a strategy to reduce costs and wastes, and consequently improve the quality and effectiveness in universities. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the concept of Lean and principles of Lean higher education in universities and higher education institutions in Iran and abroad. To achieve this purpose, a systematic review of past articles and reports between 2005 and 2019 was used. The results of this study showed that all studies conducted in Iran and abroad have supported the application of the principles of Lean higher education. Although the study does not provide an in-depth analysis in this regard and only presents the aspects of the studies done, nevertheless, it can increase the understanding of academic administrators and change their attitudes in the importance of applying these principles. Based on the findings of this study, the implementation of the principles of Lean higher education in the academic system of Iran requires a change in the mentality of academic administrators, compilation and review of academic strategic planning based on the five principles of Lean, holding workshops about the Lean higher education for academic staff and administrators and also, the establishment of an office called the Office of Lean Higher Education in universities.

ObjectiveBased on macroeconomic indicators, a significant portion of the world's gross domestic product comes from the services sector. The $2.7 trillion share of services in large economies and its increasing growth since 2011, according to UN accounts, highlight the undeniable importance of the services sector. In line with this perspective, previous researchers have shown that Lean-based approaches can facilitate the efficient and development-oriented growth of the services sector. Producers' move towards Lean-based strategies in services has been reported to exceed 30%, a significant factor in maintaining competitiveness and gaining a competitive advantage in the service industry. The concept of Lean first emerged in the industry with a focus on eliminating waste from production and refining it. However, this concept has entered the theoretical literature of organizations on the one hand, and on the other hand, it has appeared in the public domain, such as public administration and governance. Therefore, concepts such as Lean government and Lean services are outcomes of this concept. The present study aims to identify and validate a predictive model of Lean services in the context of Lean government in the banking industry. MethodologyIn terms of paradigm, this research is interpretive during the model discovery phase and confirmatory during the model testing phase, and it is generally pragmatic. The research sample for the qualitative phase consists of experts in the academic field, including university professors, faculty members, and banking industry managers. A total of 15 experts were interviewed to collect qualitative data. The research questionnaire was developed based on exploratory factor analysis to collect quantitative data. In the quantitative section, using G*Power sample size determination software with an alpha level of 0.01 and a power test of 85%, 190 individuals were selected as the final sample for the research. The research approach is mixed, and the strategy employed is thematic analysis. Clark's method (2006) was used to analyze the data with MAXQDA software. The path analysis of the discovered model was also examined using variance-based structural equation modeling algorithms with SPSS version 24 and SmartPLS version 3. FindingsThe results of the data analysis show that 32 indicators and 7 variables in the context of 6 theories were identified and validated as predictors of Lean services for the realization of Lean government in the Iranian banking industry. Therefore, factors such as Lean improvement strategy, Lean cultural transformation, development of Lean capabilities, Lean management methods, Lean work methods, and Lean contextual factors can facilitate the realization of Lean services. ConclusionThe banking industry is one of the driving forces of the economy and the engine of every society. Therefore, paying attention to the banking sector and its growth and development is an inevitable necessity. In particular, in the field of banking services, this is important due to the nature of financial and monetary services. Economic liberalization, globalization, and increasing competitiveness in financial services have forced banks to enhance and expand their services to maintain a competitive position. In the present study, the predictive theories of Lean services with a Lean government approach in the Iranian banking industry were identified through exploratory research, based on the natural conditions of Iranian society. Also, a conceptual model of predictors and a model for the application of Lean services to the Iranian banking industry were introduced.

Root cause analysis techniques are often applied to problems in the workplace; however, they may also prove very useful to home projects. This research explores the application of two root cause analysis techniques in home projects: (1) 5 Whys to determine the root cause of a home air conditioning unit that runs continuously but does not cool, and (2) an innovative Lean PFMEA to repair a John Deere riding mower that starts, then stops. Employing the 5 Whys technique led to the discovery of incorrect color-coded wiring from the original air conditioning unit to the thermostat. Lean PFMEA enabled a correct diagnosis and resolution of the mower start/stop issue via a Kaizen event, grass clippings in the fuel line, which was remedied by cLeaning the fuel tank and replacing the fuel lines, fuel filter, and carburetor. These techniques provide Lean methodological approaches to problem-solving, which often leads to reduced homeowner aggravation, repair time, and repair expense.