ERP Systems & Business Process Management at the European Lean Educator Conference in Portugal

The transnational and cross-company lean community exchanged ideas at the European Lean Educator Conference (ELEC) 2018 in Braga in Northern Portugal. Head of the Study Program Prof. (FH) Martin Adam and Maximilian Hofbauer, scientific employee, both from the master study program ERP Systems & Business Process Management at FH Kufstein Tirol presented a paper before the international audience with the title “Effectiveness of a Lean Simulation Training: Challenges, Measures and Recommendations”.

Study examines training requirements for lean management

The research project on conveying skills in efficient process design, i.e. lean management is based on a survey, which the researchers have performed in lean basic training at the university in Kufstein since 2016. Within the context of these sessions, the scientists train employees from various companies in blocks of one and a half days. The workshops ensure a practice-oriented teaching style and are held at the LEAN lab, an innovative learning factory. Participants are able to practically and directly apply previously conveyed theory.

The scientists analyzed 234 answers to questions related to challenges, support and learning success in lean training. The result: Position level and educational status significantly influence the understanding of benefits and the theory of lean management. Switching between theory and practice is one of the most important supports for training. The study provides interesting insights and shows how lean basic training can be designed more effectively.

The presentation and discussion of the study revealed synergies with other research projects and provided new incentives for further research. In addition to Prof. (FH) Martin Adam and Maximilian Hofbauer, BSc of FH Kufstein Tirol, Marius Stehling, MA of Palfinger AG is also part of the research team.