Lean thinking and UN field operations: A successful co-existence?

Abstract

Lean thinking (LT) and supply-chain management (SCM) are recognized in the case of United Nations (UN) field operations (FO) as the organizational change towards the “One-UN” culture of cooperation which is one of the biggest challenges for the UN. Based on the above, this paper aims to identify the SCM and LT principles and best practices of the business world for the humanitarian operations world and the expected benefits of the application of the proposed principles and best practices. The study concludes that LT and SCM are two languages with the different accents that, when put together in cross functional design, can deliver better services to the field (SCM accent) and at a lower cost to member states (lean accent), leading to the conclusion that the “ideal SCM” will be the “Lean SCM” for the UN.