Modern Organizational Management through Lean Concepts: Lessons and Recommendations for the Thai Public Sector

Abstract

This article aimed to present findings and recommendations derived from Lean principles and case studies conducted in Thailand during 2019–2025 for the development of the Thai public sector. The synthesis of case studies revealed that the implementation of Lean concepts could effectively reduce costs, shorten operational time, and improve service quality. For example, in research institutes, expenses were reduced by 89.13%, lead time was reduced by 65.77%, and process cycle time was reduced by 54.03%. In food-processing SMEs, transportation costs were reduced by 245,568 baht and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions were reduced by 2,931 kilograms. In educational institutions, Lean implementation reduced operational procedures, increased the speed of document accessibility, and improved user satisfaction by 56%. These findings reflected the potential of Lean concepts to strengthen economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Based on the study, the author developed the “Lean Government Transformation Model,” which consisted of six key components divided into two dimensions. The first dimension, fundamental Lean principles, included: (1) value creation for citizens, (2) waste reduction, and (3) continuous improvement. The second dimension, dynamic components aligned with the context of the Thai public sector, included: (4) building change-ready organizations, (5) the utilization of technology and innovation, and (6) strategic and digital leadership. The model aimed to enable Thai government agencies to design citizen-centered systems that were transparent and prepared to cope with future challenges.