Article: Lean manufacturing implementation in Moroccan companies: benefits, barriers, and critical success factors Journal: International Journal of Services and Operations Management (IJSOM) 2026 Vol.54 No.2 pp.186 - 210 Abstract: This paper focuses on the implementation of lean in different sizes of companies (very small, small, medium, and large), operating in Moroccan manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. The objective is to identify potential lean benefits. It also aims to identify the origin of the failure of lean manufacturing. Furthermore, it assesses the factors contributing to the success of the implementation of lean production. To achieve these objectives, 263 completed responses were collected and analysed using SPSS. The results highlight that Moroccan companies mainly face difficulties in the category of 'managerial and cultural barriers'. On the other hand, among the results of the study, it is important to underline the importance of leadership, participation from senior management and employees, communication, motivation and the development of a continuous improvement mindset among employees in the successful implementation of the lean philosophy within Moroccan industries. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Lean manufacturing implementation in Moroccan companies: benefits, barriers, and critical success factors

Authors: Salma Arabi; Mohamed Saad Bajjou; Anas Chafi; Mohammed El Hammoumi

Addresses: Laboratory of Industrial Techniques, Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, B.P. 2202 – Imouzzer Road, Fez, Morocco ' LMAIED Laboratory, Department of Industrial Engineering, ENSMR, Rabat, Morocco ' Laboratory of Industrial Techniques, Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, B.P. 2202 – Imouzzer Road, Fez, Morocco ' Laboratory of Industrial Techniques, Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, B.P. 2202 – Imouzzer Road, Fez, Morocco

Abstract: This paper focuses on the implementation of lean in different sizes of companies (very small, small, medium, and large), operating in Moroccan manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. The objective is to identify potential lean benefits. It also aims to identify the origin of the failure of lean manufacturing. Furthermore, it assesses the factors contributing to the success of the implementation of lean production. To achieve these objectives, 263 completed responses were collected and analysed using SPSS. The results highlight that Moroccan companies mainly face difficulties in the category of 'managerial and cultural barriers'. On the other hand, among the results of the study, it is important to underline the importance of leadership, participation from senior management and employees, communication, motivation and the development of a continuous improvement mindset among employees in the successful implementation of the lean philosophy within Moroccan industries.

Keywords: lean philosophy; Moroccan industries; perceptions; barriers; critical success factors; CSFs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2026.154591

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2026 Vol.54 No.2, pp.186 - 210

Received: 23 Mar 2024
Accepted: 19 Apr 2024
Published online: 07 Jul 2026 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: Lean manufacturing implementation in Moroccan companies: benefits, barriers, and critical success factors

Keep up-to-date