Application of Lean Management Principles in Risk Management

This study examines the impact of lean management principles on operational risk management in Polish Shared Service Centers (SSCs). Despite the increasing adoption of lean methodologies, their role in risk mitigation remains underexplored, particularly in service-based organizations. Using a mixed-methods approach, from September to October 2023, we conducted a diagnostic survey of 70 SSCs with established risk management functions and applied statistical analysis to assess the relationship between lean management and operational risk factors. The findings suggest that the implementation of lean principles is associated with measurable improvements, including a reduction in internal controls, fewer errors, lower fraud-related losses, and decreased system inefficiencies. The inferential results indicate that these relationships are not consistently dependent on the duration of lean management implementation. This study contributes to the lean risk management literature by demonstrating how lean methodologies enhance risk mitigation in service operations. The results provide actionable insights for managers seeking to optimize process efficiency while maintaining robust risk controls.