Lean as a lever for efficiency in Moroccan higher education: towards a model of maturity

Abstract

The application of Lean management principles to higher education has attracted growing interest as institutions seek to improve the efficiency and quality of pedagogical, administrative, and organizational processes. In Morocco, however, research on Lean teaching and Lean training remains fragmented and insufficiently consolidated.

This article examines the main contributions addressing Lean applications in Moroccan educational and training institutions and positions them in relation to developments in the international literature. A structured synthesis of the literature is conducted by considering the Lean practices adopted, their areas of application, reported effects, and contextual factors influencing their implementation.

The findings reveal an emerging body of research, predominantly focused on engineering schools and the selective application of tools such as 5S, SIPOC, and process mapping. In contrast, comparative and longitudinal assessments, as well as evidence of institutional integration, remain limited. Building on these findings, the study proposes a four-stage maturity model comprising punctual adoption, technical diffusion, managerial integration, and institutionalization.

The model provides a framework for understanding the conditions that may enable educational institutions to move from isolated Lean initiatives toward a more sustainable and institution-wide approach. The article contributes to structuring an emerging field of research and provides a conceptual basis for assessing Lean maturity in Moroccan higher education.