Abstract: The business environment in our region is facing multifaceted changes. Globalization, coupled with the opportunities provided by information technology, is pushing companies to adopt new management models that have already proven successful across different countries and industries. Despite the efforts made during the last decades, enterprises in Albania and Kosovo have a road ahead to enhance their competitiveness and long-term sustainability. A comprehensive approach that integrates modern managerial practices with digital tools would contribute to the optimization of processes, elimination of inefficiencies, and achievement of higher operational performance. This study introduces the Lean management concept and explores effective strategies for applying its principles in both manufacturing and service firms in our region, where the approach remains relatively underutilized. It identifies common types of waste within organizations, examines their root causes, and proposes methods for reducing or eliminating them as part of an ongoing improvement process. The study adopts a qualitative approach to build its theoretical foundation and to provide guidance for practical application in the businesses of developing economies, where the economic, social, and cultural contexts differ from those of Lean’s origins. Based on real cases observed in manufacturing firms in both countries, the paper highlights how combining Lean management principles with information technology solutions can significantly improve efficiency, enhance quality, and reduce costs, thereby strengthening business performance and sustainability. The paper provides theoretical and practical contributions to both scholars and practitioners in the region by introducing knowledge about the Lean approach and its implementation in connection with information systems available. The case study method used for the investigation has permitted the exposure of small and medium-sized enterprises to new managerial approaches and provided them with recommendations for better resource utilization while simultaneously advancing the integration of technology and digital systems into their operations.

Keywords: Lean management, continuous improvement, digital technologies, performance, waste, Albanian and Kosovo SMEs

Pages: 292-301