Implementation of Lean Practices in Russian Manufacturing Companies

Although the implementation of lean methodology is highly investigated in developed countries, it has sufficient potential for research in developing and transitional economies. So far there are few empirical works devoted to the implementation of lean practices in Russia, and this paper partially tills this gap. The main objective of the paper is to analyze the spread of lean practices, to identify the most frequently used practices, to reveal the industrial affiliation of companies, and to recognize the problems and obstacles during the introduction of lean techniques. For this purpose we have realized the descriptive empirical research, which was based on open secondary sources. The data about 133 companies from six manufacturing industries was collected, then it was processed, coded, and analyzed. Among the results of the study we have revealed that 5S and VSM were the most implementing practices, most of the companies simultaneously practiced from 3 to 7 lean methods. Low personnel involvement, poor organizational culture and challenges during the scaling-up of a pilot project are the most frequent problems of lean methods' implementation. The study has limitations typical for works based on secondary sources