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Mapping the lean supply chain management research through citation classics

Noelia Garcia-Buendia (Department of Business Organization, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain)
José Moyano-Fuentes (Department of Business Organization, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain)
Juan Manuel Maqueira (Department of Business Organization, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain)

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

ISSN: 2040-4166

Article publication date: 22 June 2021

Issue publication date: 18 February 2022

311

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically identify the key intellectual developments of the lean supply chain management (LSCM) field from its very first beginning by analyzing the publications that have been highly cited.

Design/methodology/approach

The citation classics method has been used to examine the origins and evolution of the research field. In total, 74 articles have been identified as having the highest impact on LSCM research published from its beginnings to the present day. Key aspects and links among the scientific contributions are studied by descriptive, bibliometric, network and content analysis.

Findings

Publication and citation trends, methodologies used, top journals, most influential authors, institutions and countries, collaboration patterns and evolution of the most used keywords are some of the aspects studied. Three main research areas are identified: LSCM foundations and implementation, lean-agile supply chain and performance assessment and the role of sustainability, which offers a holistic view of the field and enables the identification of potential avenues for future research susceptible to contribute to advancing the knowledge on LSCM.

Originality/value

This study provides a useful insight into the development of the LSCM field and can help researchers as it explores the state-of-the-art of LSCM by identifying the most relevant contributions in the area, the main research lines addressed by the scientific community in this topic and opportunities for further research on LSCM for years to come.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: The authors acknowledge the financial support of Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Research Project PID2019-106577GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and UJA-FEDER Andalusian Operational Program (Research Project 1261128).

Citation

Garcia-Buendia, N., Moyano-Fuentes, J. and Maqueira, J.M. (2022), "Mapping the lean supply chain management research through citation classics", International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 428-456. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-01-2021-0006

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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