Lean leadership behaviors in healthcare organizations:A systematic literature review

Abstract

This systematic literature review compares contextual similarities and differences of leader behaviours across various hierarchical levels and lean maturity levels. Since healthcare organisations are generally unique, the successful implementation of Lean Healthcare likely demands typical supportive leader behaviours at all hierarchical levels. However, the 107 reviewed articles indicate that most of the healthcare leader behaviours are similar to those of manufacturing leaders, but more relations-oriented in the early lean stages, rather than task-oriented. As most healthcare studies examined leaders at the operational and tactical levels, future multi-level research should also study strategical managers and the longitudinal effects of their behaviours