Irregularities in university processes concerning the Lean Management typology. The pilot study results

Purpose: Identify the attitudes regarding key irregularities in university activities of universities referring to muda, mura, and muri from the perspective of two groups of stakeholders - academic teachers and administration/service personnel. Study design/methodology/approach: A pilot quantitative study using a questionnaire containing 48 statements regarding six categories of irregularities assessed according to the 5-point Likert scale. We asked two research questions: Q1. Is the questionnaire used in the study reliable for assessing attitudes regarding irregularities that occur in connection with work at the university? Q2. Which categories of irregularities most often accompany work at the university, and how is their nuisance assessed? Findings: The reliability of the research tool was statistically confirmed. Respondents represent an attitude close to indifference regarding the perception of most categories of irregularities. The most often indicated by both groups of respondents is "Unused creativity of employees.” Respondents consider all types a "nuisance" to a greater than moderate degree. Originality/value: We propose an original tool to assess irregularities in higher education institutions and apply it in the Polish and possibly international environment. These studies constitute an initial stage of the planned in-depth original research aimed at using the classification of irregularities/losses in surveys of the opinions of all higher education stakeholders (e.g., students, employers), indicating the critical causes of problems and directions of improvement activities.