Lean management research in Iberoamerican countries: state of the art, gaps and potential opportunities

Purpose This paper aims to analyze, characterize and classify empirical research on lean management conducted within a geographical context defined by cultural, historical and economic ties, such as the Iberoamerican region. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the Web of Science database and filtering for the highest-reputation journals according to the AJG ranking. A total of 108 articles were identified. Findings The literature was divided into multiple sublines of research to cluster articles revolving around similar topics. Moreover, similar sublines of research were grouped and classified into three lines of research: 1) lean implementation, 2) outcomes of lean and 3) lean leveraged by other managerial approaches. Also, research gaps were identified, and future research directions were proposed. Practical implications The authors provide lean managers with guidelines about potential barriers, suitable lean tools, latest technologies and possible outcomes, specific to the Iberoamerican region to facilitate successful lean implementations. This study also supports policymakers in designing programs and lean ecosystems through public–private collaborations. Originality/value This work focuses on lean management in a particular underexplored region to offer an SLR on lean management research in Iberoamerican countries, to inform and motivate further lean research specific to the intrinsic characteristics of this region.