Drivers and Barriers of Lean Implementation in the Greek Manufacturing Sector

Abstract

Lean manufacturing has evolved from a set of tools and techniques to become a management philosophy. It can be used to reduce waste and improve the efficiency of companies. Many companies worldwide have implemented lean management and achieved great improvements. The present paper focuses on the lean manufacturing implementation within the Greek manufacturing sector. The purpose is to determine the extent to which the main principles of lean manufacturing are understood and adopted in Greek manufacturing sector companies. Also this paper aims to assess the importance of the driving factors and barriers towards implementing lean manufacturing in the Greek environment. A structured questionnaire was developed and circulated to a large number of Greek manufacturing companies. Based on the literature review and questionnaire findings, the degree of implementing lean manufacturing in Greece is assessed and discussed against literature review findings.