The role of Lean Management methodologies within the current Industry 5.0 manufacturing context: A bibliometric analysis

The advent of the Industry 5.0 paradigm, a socio-technical production concept that develops the automation principles typical of the Industry 4.0 approach according to a more "human-value centered"conception, has prompted a rethink of manufacturing organizations, especially in terms of sustainability. In accordance with the tenets of the Industry 5.0 paradigm, a company can be defined as effectively sustainable if it encompasses three main factors: environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and intrinsic supply chain resilience. In this context, several approaches have been put forth in scientific literature as potential means of pursuing the sustainability goals that companies are required to meet. Among these, the production methodology proper to Lean Management presents a set of production principles aimed at maximizing value for the customer while placing the human element at the center of the production system, therefore constituting the very premises of the Industry 5.0 paradigm. Despite the existence of several studies conducted with the aim of understanding the extent to which this methodology may be applicable in the context of manufacturing sustainability, they have not yet succeeded in developing a comprehensive and structured theory related to this topic. In light of the aforementioned considerations, the objective of this paper is to present a more comprehensive account of the existing literature on the subject of the applicability of the Lean paradigm to the principles of Industry 5.0. To this end, a bibliometric analysis was performed for its capability of studying the progress of scientific research on a specific topic. The results provided insights into the current state of knowledge in the field and identified areas where research is lacking, especially the ones pertaining to the potential role of lean manufacturing within the paradigm of 'human-centered manufacturing' from a learning/training perspective, and supply chain resilience. The proposed research agenda highlights how Lean principles will play a significant role in supporting industrial change in the near future, aligning with the concepts central to the I5.0 paradigm.