Figure 1. Multilevel framework for analyzing Lean organizational transformation in a public hospital Source: The authors (2026) A conceptual framework presents macropolitical, micropolitical, and mesopolitical levels of lean organisational transformation. The framework describes 3 levels of... More about this image found in Multilevel framework for analyzing Lean organizational transformation in a ...

Figure 1. Analogy between AR cycle and PDCA cycle Source: Authors’ elaboration based on Susman and Evered (1978) and Deming (1982) A cyclical model links Diagnosing, Action Planning, Action Taking, Evaluation of Results and Specifying Learning around the P D C A cycle. The outer seq... More about this image found in Analogy between AR cycle and PDCA cycle Source: Authors’ elaboration...

Figure 1. Structural model A hypothesis model links Lean Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and Sustainability through 3 direct relationships and 1 indirect relationship. The model contains 3 constructs: Lean Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and Sustainability. Solid arrows represent direct relationships,... More about this image found in Structural model A hypothesis model links Lean Manufacturing, Industry 4...

Figure 2. Conceptual model of the mediating effect of I4.0 between LM and Sustainability A structural model links Lean Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and Sustainability with first-order constructs, survey items and direct and indirect hypotheses. The model contains 3 second-order constructs: Le... More about this image found in Conceptual model of the mediating effect of I4.0 between LM and Sustainab...

Figure 3. Results of the structural model A structural model links Lean Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and Sustainability through direct paths and an indirect effect of 0.138. The model contains 3 constructs: Lean Manufacturing, L M; Industry 4.0, I 4.0; and Sustainability, S. Lean Manufacturing ... More about this image found in Results of the structural model A structural model links Lean Manufactur...

Figure 4. IPMA map analysis on Sustainability A sustainability importance-performance map places 19 lean manufacturing and Industry 4.0 indicators across 4 quadrants using importance and performance values. The map plots Importance on the horizontal axis from about 0.003 to 0.103 and Perform... More about this image found in IPMA map analysis on Sustainability A sustainability importance-perform...

Figure 1. Hospital Lean maturity level Source: Authors A radar chart compares 5 lean principles on a scale from 0 to 3. The radar chart plots Specify Value at about 2.1, Value Stream at about 2.2, Continuous Flow at about 2.0, Pull System at about 2.0, and Perfection at about 1.8. The scale... More about this image found in Hospital Lean maturity level Source: Authors A radar chart compares 5...

Figure 2. Roadmap for measuring Lean maturity levels in hospitals Source: Authors A flowchart presents 8 phases of lean implementation from adopting lean principles through perfection. The flow begins at Start and proceeds to phase 0, Adopt Lean principles, covering lean culture and skills ... More about this image found in Roadmap for measuring Lean maturity levels in hospitals Source: Authors ...

Figure 1. Action research cycle adapted for AI-enhanced Kaizen in SMEs Note(s): The figure depicts the cyclical structure of the action research process as applied in this study, encompassing diagnosing, action planning, action taking, evaluating and specific learning. The cycle illustrates how... More about this image found in Action research cycle adapted for AI-enhanced Kaizen in SMEs Note(s): Th...

Figure 2. Alignment between action research cycles and DMAIC Note(s): The figure illustrates how the DMAIC phases align with the stages of the action research cycle. Define supports problem diagnosis and planning; measure, analyse and improve are enacted during action taking through analyti... More about this image found in Alignment between action research cycles and DMAIC Note(s): The figure...

Figure 3. Ishikawa diagram identifying potential sources of quality deviations during new product development Note(s): The figure presents the cause-and-effect diagram developed during the diagnostic phase to structure the potential causes of quality deviations observed in the development of fr... More about this image found in Ishikawa diagram identifying potential sources of quality deviations during...

Figure 4. Simplified Obeya room artefact supporting stage-gate governance in SME new product development Note(s): The figure presents an anonymised representation of the visual management board used during the intervention. It combines project-level information with operational monitoring of ... More about this image found in Simplified Obeya room artefact supporting stage-gate governance in SME ne...

Figure 5. Defect log sheet used for structured data capture during action Note(s): The artefact was used to record quality deviations, process conditions and immediate actions during production, providing the primary input for PDCA analysis and AI-supported hypothesis generation A Rissolle... More about this image found in Defect log sheet used for structured data capture during action Note(s): ...