The Lean
Research Network

Dedicated to improving the understanding and application of lean thinking through collaborative research and networking

The Lean Enterprise Research Centre

Founded in 1994, LERC has played a key role in development, understanding and application of lean thinking. It continues today to bring together practitioners, academics and educators to work collaboratively in addressing key questions relating to lean's role in making organisations effective in delivering value to their customers and stakeholders,

See more

Explore our projects

Find out about our current work

Past projects

Projects date back to 1994

Current projects

Our current projects

Planned projects

Planned projects represent our aspirations - at varying stages of development

Research themes

Research themes guide the development of specific projects

Continuous Improvement Approaches
While 'Lean Thinking' is LERC's overarching CI term, there are many other words and terms used for continuous improvement. This theme considers these and the degree to which they are complementary or competitive to Lean Thinking.
Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution, refers to automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies and includes big data, cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things, cloud computing robotics and robotic process automation
Innovation & NPD
Leadership
It is generally accepted that leadership plays a pivotal role in implementing lean and the characteristics of a 'lean leader' have become more clearly defined in recent years.
Lean Definition & Evolution
Lean thinking has evolved considerably since it was popularised in the 1990's largely through the works of Womack & Jones and this theme examines how it is currently defined and how its definition may evolve further in the future
People & Behaviour
This theme seeks to explore the human dimension of lean thinking, encompassing engagement, motivation, psychology, leadership, teamwork and culture.
Public Value
Lean has been applied in a wide range of public service organisations for over a decade, largely using the same principles and implementation approaches. This theme considers the appropriateness and applicability of this and explores the notion of public value as an enabler of redefined lean principles for public services.
Service Productivity
Measuring productivity in services is a more complex task compared to manufacturing and while ultimately a lean service initiative should impact service productivity in a positive way, there is little research in the area.
Supply Chain Transformation
It is argued that it is only when an entire supply chain is transformed along lean lines that significant, system wide benefits arise. This theme examines the task of mobilising and coordinating people, processes, partners and technologies to dramatically improve supply chain performance.
Sustainability Enablers & Barriers
The sustainability of improvement activities and an improvement culture is a perennial issue for academics and practitioners and this theme continues to explore the enablers and barriers involved
Techniques
There is a myriad of techniques and approaches available for the lean practitioner to use and the right selection will have big impact on achieving the desired results. This theme explores the form and function of techniques and their effectiveness in different contexts and situations.
Training System Structures & Methods
Organisations are employing a diverse range of education and training models in order to deliver effective lean knowledge transfer to employees in an effort to get them to apply tools and techniques to make improvements. This theme aims to understand the nature of the approaches taken and their impact.

Forthcoming Events

LERC organises events to foster networking and collaboration, discuss research proposals and disseminate research findings.