Data envelopment analysis (DEA) applied with distinct approaches: A bibliometric survey in association with Lean Manufacturing and Lean Healthcare

This paper presents a literature survey on the integration of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with Lean Manufacturing and Lean Healthcare, highlighting the key topics explored and identifying existing gaps that suggest avenues for potential future research, particularly within the healthcare sector. Two bibliometric reviews were carried out, rigorously following the PRISMA guidelines, with a focus on data extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. The first review concentrated on studies related to DEA and Lean Manufacturing, aiming to provide a contextual understanding of the origins and applications of the Lean philosophy in various industries. In contrast, the second review examined the intersection of DEA and Lean Healthcare, aiming to identify existing patterns of application within the healthcare domain. The findings indicate that the integration of DEA with Lean methodologies is limited in the current body of literature, especially when considering applications in healthcare. All relevant articles were identified and their primary contributions were thoroughly outlined. Additionally, it was observed that the literature focusing on DEA and Lean Manufacturing is more developed and comprehensive, with a broader range of studies and sophisticated models designed for specific operational scenarios. On the other hand, research on the combination of DEA and Lean Healthcare remains scarce, with only three relevant papers found, none of which provide an in-depth exploration of the integration between these approaches. In conclusion, there are several notable gaps in the combined application of DEA and Lean, particularly within the healthcare sector. Future studies could address this by developing new models that further explore and enhance the synergy between DEA and Lean Healthcare methodologies.