Internal organizational paths to generate student value: a Lean thinking perspective

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the causal relationship between Lean management practices and value generation for students in higher education institutions (HEIs), considering the increasing use of customer value as a managerial strategy. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a quantitative approach through a survey conducted with staff and employees from both public and private HEIs in Brazil, yielding 868 valid responses. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire assessing Lean practices, with items rated on a five-point Likert scale. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression techniques. Findings The results reveal that specific Lean practices − such as leadership and management support, employee empowerment, waste elimination, continuous improvement and systemic thinking − positively influence the perception of value creation for students. These practices are shown to enhance institutional processes in ways that directly benefit students’ educational experience. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to Brazilian HEIs and relies on self-reported perceptions from institutional staff. Further research could expand to different national contexts and include perspectives from students themselves. Practical implications The findings suggest that implementing Lean principles within HEIs can be a strategic approach to enhancing service quality and student satisfaction. Institutional leaders should prioritize managerial and operational practices that align with value generation for students. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature on Lean management in education by empirically demonstrating the link between internal organizational practices and perceived value by students. It provides practical insights for HEIs seeking to improve educational services and operational efficiency through Lean initiatives.