Abstract:

This paper aims at exploring and assessing the adoption of lean techniques across service supply chains of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Lean has emerged as a key sustainable approach across the supply chains. However, most of the previous work has focused on single Tier of Supply chain with emphasis on manufacturing supply chain. Although service supply chains are increasing adapting lean for “cost minimization and value creation’ but little research has been carried out related to exploration and assessment of lean techniques across the whole service supply chain. This paper addresses this gap using a structured and systematic study plan. A suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, customers (SIPOC)-based construct of a service supply chain is used to explore and assess different lean techniques across various tiers. Exploratory data has been collected by the senior managers and directors of various departments of Gas processing, Health care and Hotels supply chains of UAE. Findings of the study will help the practitioners to understand the contextual differences of lean techniques across different service supply chains and provides interesting insights for achieving sustainability through lean adoption.