Books and journals Case studies Expert Briefings Open Access
Advanced search

Measuring lean initiatives in health care services: issues and findings

Beata Kollberg (Linköping Institute of Technology, Linköping, Sweden)
Jens J. Dahlgaard (Linköping Institute of Technology, Linköping, Sweden)
Per‐Olaf Brehmer (Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden)

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management

ISSN: 1741-0401

Publication date: 1 January 2007

Abstract

Purpose

–

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how a performance measurement system called “the flow model” is designed to measure changes towards lean thinking in health care services.

Design/methodology/approach

–

The paper integrates literature from the health care sector and the lean production movement in order to understand whether lean thinking is applicable in healthcare and thereby identify key performance indicators that measure changes towards lean thinking in health care. The flow model is discussed in relation to this measurement framework.

Findings

–

The paper finds that lean thinking is applicable in health care settings, and that the flow model is a suitable tool for following up these initiatives. However, it is argued that the flow model needs to be balanced with other measurements in order to receive a complete picture of lean performance.

Research limitations/implications

–

The paper shows that the framework of measurements may be used in empirical research of assessing changes towards lean thinking in health care settings.

Practical implications

–

The paper shows that health care practitioners may use the findings to develop measurements of the outcome of lean initiatives on existing care processes.

Originality/value

–

The paper shows analysis and discussion of the application of an industrial concept – Lean Production – in health care services.

Keywords

  • Health services
  • Sweden
  • Lean production

Citation

Kollberg, B., Dahlgaard, J.J. and Brehmer, P. (2007), "Measuring lean initiatives in health care services: issues and findings", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 56 No. 1, pp. 7-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410400710717064

Download as .RIS

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Please note you do not have access to teaching notes

You may be able to access teaching notes by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us

To read the full version of this content please select one of the options below

You may be able to access this content by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
To rent this content from Deepdyve, please click the button.
Rent from Deepdyve
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us
Emerald Publishing
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
© 2021 Emerald Publishing Limited

Services

  • Authors Opens in new window
  • Editors Opens in new window
  • Librarians Opens in new window
  • Researchers Opens in new window
  • Reviewers Opens in new window

About

  • About Emerald Opens in new window
  • Working for Emerald Opens in new window
  • Contact us Opens in new window
  • Publication sitemap

Policies and information

  • Privacy notice
  • Site policies
  • Modern Slavery Act Opens in new window
  • Chair of Trustees governance statement Opens in new window
  • COVID-19 policy Opens in new window
Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

  • Something didn’t work…

    Report bugs here

  • All feedback is valuable

    Please share your general feedback

  • Member of Emerald Engage?

    You can join in the discussion by joining the community or logging in here.
    You can also find out more about Emerald Engage.

Join us on our journey

  • Platform update page

    Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

  • Questions & More Information

    Answers to the most commonly asked questions here