Chapter 2: Kaizen in Higher Education: A Case Study on Continuous Improvement in Academic and Administrative Processes

The increasing complexity of managing higher education institutions (HEIs) has become a significant challenge in the 21st century. Universities face mounting pressures from a rapidly changing environment characterised by global competition, evolving student expectations, and the pursuit of international accreditations. These factors have compelled HEIs to adopt innovative management strategies traditionally associated with the manufacturing sector, such as Kaizen – a continuous improvement methodology rooted in the principles of lean management.

Kaizen, which emphasises incremental improvements and stakeholder involvement, has been extensively applied in industries to enhance operational efficiency and quality. In recent years, its applicability has expanded into the higher education (HE) sector, where it has demonstrated its potential to improve administrative and academic processes. The adoption of Kaizen in HEIs aligns with their goals of enhancing service quality, fostering academic excellence, and achieving operational efficiency. Despite its growing relevance, there remains a gap in understanding how Kaizen is specifically implemented and adapted to the unique challenges of educational environments.