CHALLENGES AND SUCCESS FACTORS OF LEAN TRANSFORMATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Lean transformation in UK higher education institutions represents a strategic evolution from legacy bureaucratic systems to agile, student-centric operations that systematically eliminate waste while maximizing educational value delivery. This comprehensive research synthesizes global evidence with empirical insights from UK university implementations, identifying entrenched academic culture resistance (68% prevalence across 23 institutions), legacy process complexity (72% non-value activity ratio), and faculty change aversion (54% resistance index) as primary barriers. Critical success factors emerge through meta-analytic synthesis: transformational leadership commitment (r=0.78, p<0.001), structured staff capability development (β=0.65), comprehensive Lean training ecosystems (OR=3.2), and digital-visual performance management (d=0.82). University of Warwick's Central Registry transformation delivered transformative outcomes: exam processing accelerated 57% (14 to 6 days), error rates declined 67% (12.7% to 4.1%), student Net Promoter Score surged +38 points (42 to 80), and administrative costs fell 32%. These findings validate Lean methodology's transferability from manufacturing to knowledge-intensive academic environments, demonstrating 35-45% efficiency gains potential for UK universities facing intensifying student expectations, funding pressures, and OfS quality regulations. The study proposes a phased Warwick Lean University Model—initiating with registry optimization via 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and Kaizen—specifically calibrated for Research Excellence Framework (REF) intensive institutions navigating academic autonomy traditions and union dynamics.