Presenting a model for explaining the impact of knowledge management on the lean of services based on the maturity level of organizational KM: A case study of Payam Noor University

The lean approach seeks to eliminate non-value-added activities and knowledge management to create and apply useable and accessible knowledge for value creation. Therefore, knowledge management is predicted to have a significant impact on the leanness of an organization. On the other hand, despite the fact that the service sector has become a major resource in the economies of the countries, there is little research on how to implement a lean approach in this sector. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of knowledge management on lean service. For this purpose, the dimensions of lean service were first extracted using the grounded theory. In the following, a questionnaire was designed to measure the maturity level of organizations’ knowledge management. Then, structural equation modeling was performed to illustrate the impact of knowledge management on lean service of Payam Noor Universities by using Smart PLS 2 software. The statistical population of this study is all employees, professors, managers and assistants of Payam Noor Universities. Using sample random sampling, 200 questionnaires were distributed to the statistical population, 157 of which were completed and analyzed. After making sure that the measurement and structural models of the research are acceptable, the results suggest that KM plays an important role in improving the lean of Payam Noor Universities. In the field of knowledge management, factors such as knowledge management leadership, organization’s processes, people and knowledge managements’ outcomes have greatest impact on lean service at Payam Noor University. Therefore, managers of Payam Noor University can improve the maturity level of the knowledge management of the organization and then improve the lean status of their organization by focusing on these factors. By applying this model, service managers, especially university managers, can provide an appropriate platform for their use in managing these organizations through the link between knowledge management and lean.