Title: A framework for improving school safety management: applying lean thinking to a case study in Thailand

Authors: Pachernwaat Srichai; Pitipong Yodmongkol; Nopasit Chakpitak; Komsak Meksamoot; Pradorn Sureephong

Addresses: Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 Huay Kaew Rd., T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand ' Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 Huay Kaew Rd., T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand ' Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 Huay Kaew Rd., T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand ' Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 Huay Kaew Rd., T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand ' Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 Huay Kaew Rd., T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Abstract: School safety is critical to education, but is rarely managed effectively. In Thailand, school safety is lower priority than other educational issues, lacking effective policy, and with schools struggling to justify safety costs. This paper outlines a novel application of lean thinking, which aims to control costs, bureaucracy and waste associated with managing school safety. A Thai primary school is the case study, where current safety is reviewed with regard to key aspects of management, including people, finance and operations. Lean thinking is applied to improve safety management and results show significant potential, along with management implications and future recommendations.

Keywords: management in education; school safety; lean thinking; safety awareness; educational management; Thailand; case studies; safety management policies; primary schools; primary education; safety costs; bureaucracy; red tape; waste; people management; finance; operations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2015.066349

International Journal of Management in Education, 2015 Vol.9 No.1, pp.47 - 69

Published online: 21 Jan 2015 *

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