HUMAN SIDE OF LEAN MANUFACTURING: AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVES ON WORK ENVIRONMENT.

Purpose: We aimed to understand how integrating lean principles with human factors can contribute to a more productive, satisfied, and motivated workforce. Additionally, the paper investigated the roles of employee empowerment, continuous improvement, and organizational support in creating a human-centered lean manufacturing environment. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted a detailed analysis of the literature. This theoretical analysis enabled to preparation of a comprehensive and detailed examination using a survey questionnaire, providing in-depth insights into the research statements. This data was extended due to the participant observation which allowed to immerse in the day-to-day activities of the workers. Findings: Lean Manufacturing positively impacted the humanization of work, with effective team cooperation and communication boosting productivity. However, some employees felt excluded from joint decision-making and feedback processes, which could harm motivation and organizational effectiveness. Enhancing training opportunities could help employees better adapt their skills to their tasks. Research limitations/implications: The limitation of the research is the pilot study which was conducted among 15 respondents from one company. In the future, it is planned to extend it to other production companies. Originality/value: The paper makes a contribution to the field by linking Lean Manufacturing and human aspects in a Polish work environment. Instead of exploring the traditional benefits of Lean Manufacturing in enhancing operational efficiency and reducing waste, we focused on its impact on the workforce, workplace culture, and employee engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]