Lean management and sustainable practices in Higher Education Institutions of Brazil and Portugal: A cross country perspective.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the perception of Lean management practices and its influence on sustainability practices in Higher Education Institutions (HEI). The theoretical background was supported by Lean management and sustainable practices in HEI, which were used to design the research model. The research methodology comprises a quantitative research characterized as a survey, whose data collection was carried out through a questionnaire. The study population was the academic staff of HEI in Brazil and Portugal. A valid sample of 966 valid responses was obtained. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and, structural equation modeling. The results allowed the evaluation of a significant and positive relationship between the second-order construct, called HEI Lean practices, and the environmental, economic and social practices. A moderating effect was also found as significant between the relation of Lean and social practices. These findings demonstrated the relevance of aspects such as leadership and systemic vision to support staff activities, continuous improvement and waste elimination as a daily practice, long-term thinking and the focus on the student as building blocks of the HEI success in promoting sustainability practices and thinking. [Display omitted] • Approximation between Lean and sustainability practices in HEI. • Lean practices influences TBL sustainability practices in HEI. • Delineation of basic organizational practices for HEI success in promoting sustainability. • A survey conducted with 966 respondents in Brazil and Portugal. • Respondent's country moderates the influence of Lean on social practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]