THE UNIVERSALITY OF LEAN MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES IN THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT

Yunus Kathawala
Nabeel Sawalha
Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait
ABSTRACT
This study aimed at melding the work of social scientists together with the Japanese lean management principles. It explored different culture attributes and how those differences relate to lean principles. It also explored the best strategy for lean implementations within these differing cultural contexts. The methodology was designed to establish a framework for discussion by analyzing the localized information against the Toyota principles for proper integration in the USA, Japan, China, India, Mexico, and the Arab World. The study arrived at the conclusion that the Lean management is universally accepted; the cultural differences among different countries and different ethnic groups do indeed become obstacles and barriers that need to be overcome in order for the lean processes to work effectively across different cultures.