Ethics and Lean Management – a paradox?

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to research the practice of ethics in Swedish health care organizations using Lean Management. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative study was conducted. Findings – Findings indicate that ethics is not a consideration when hospitals are implementing Lean Management. Social implications – Organizations generally have diverse value systems when building their codes of professional ethics for examining ethical principles, whereas Lean Management has established base principles with different codes of professional ethics differing from the intrinsic values humans create according to moral philosophy. It could be said that Lean Management relies on minimalistic ethic. While hospitals implement Lean Management, there are still many barriers to resolve to achieve useful implementation. Managing change while emphasizing ethical values could be a success factor for those organizations and their customers. Originality/value – Studying ethical values in Lean Management implementation.