A systematic literature review on lean implementation for SMEs

This paper aims to identify research gaps on the application of lean in SMEs and classify them based on their respective themes. A systematic literature review (SLR) was used by the authors to identify research gaps in lean adoption in SME based on peer-reviewed journal articles published by four major publishers, namely Emerald Online, Science Direct, Springer Link, and Taylor & Francis. In total, 48 articles during 2006-2020 were collected which revealed research gaps in lean adoption in SMEs. The grouping of research gaps into themes is carried out using simple affinity diagrams. Research gaps and significant themes have been identified in the literature on lean adoption in SMEs. SLR is carried out based on four academic journal publishers and several other publishers may have missed this search. Excluding articles that do not focus on lean implementation, SMEs, and the manufacturing industry is also a limitation of the current SLR. Researchers and practitioners can use the research gaps on lean adoption in SMEs presented in this study for further development of the lean implementation methodology in SMEs. This study differs from previous studies by presenting the research gaps in the application of lean in SMEs and grouping them into meaningful themes.