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Lean thinking and higher education management: revaluing the business school programme management

Saad Zighan (University of Petra, Amman, Jordan)
Ahmed EL-Qasem (The Faculty of Administrative and Financial Sciences, University of Petra, Amman, Jordan)

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management

ISSN: 1741-0401

Article publication date: 22 April 2020

Issue publication date: 8 February 2021

1006

Abstract

Purpose

This paper explores the applications of lean thinking in re-evaluating the business school curriculum, syllabus and intended learning objectives to enhance the employability of graduates through identifying and eliminating non–value-added activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employed multilevel qualitative methodology, where 55 semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from academics, students and graduates from several private and public universities in Jordan.

Findings

The study finds that the application of lean thinking in the business school is twofold – it helps the developer of the school curriculum to get rid of many superfluous and non–value-added activities and also emphasises and reinforces the value-added activities. Value stream mapping, with a consideration for internal and external outputs, has been found to be a useful tool for developing an employability-focussed curriculum that equips business school students with the required competences and skills in the labour market.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on a qualitative research approach. The generalisability of the findings is difficult to assess, and future research would benefit from the insights obtained from the quantitative data

Practical implications

In practice, this study has identified different types of non–value-added and unnecessary activities in business school curriculum and has made suggestions for the development of a more employability-focussed curriculum.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the non–value-added activities of the business school curriculum, syllabus and the intended learning objectives to enhance the employability of graduates in Jordan.

Keywords

Citation

Zighan, S. and EL-Qasem, A. (2021), "Lean thinking and higher education management: revaluing the business school programme management", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 70 No. 3, pp. 675-703. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-05-2019-0215

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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