Becoming a Lean University: The Case of the University of St Andrews.

Robinson, Mark; Yorkstone, Stephen

Abstract

This article looks at how “lean” can be successfully introduced into a higher education setting by discussing what has become known as ‘The St Andrews Model’. The article demonstrates that “lean” can be adapted to suit the particular circumstances of an institution. Lean, underpinned by a manufacturing heritage, and the subject of a small but growing collection of academic and practitioner analysis, is readily transferrable to other sectors. This article will show that although the model draws on a common body of knowledge, there is not a one size fits all approach. The successful implementation of a lean where learning is done by doing.

• Acceptance Date: Dec 31, 2014
• Publication Date: 2014
• Deposit Date: Apr 9, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 9, 2015
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Book Title: Leadership and Governance in Higher Education: Handbook for Decision-makers and Administrators
• ISBN: 978-3-8183-0559-8
• Keywords: Lean thinking; lean universities; University of St Andrews; lean higher education; process improvement
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/7738
• Publisher URL: https://drive.google.com/a/yorkstone.me.uk/file/d/0B-2NNFOO67F0Wk9vMV9sV21JeDQ
• Contract Date: Apr 9, 2015