Evolution and Trends of Lean Warehousing: A Bibliometric Review

抄録

This bibliometric review explores the development and trends of lean warehousing (LW) research from 2004 to 2024, investigating 333 publications indexed in Scopus. Using the VOSviewer software and Scopus database, the study examines research clusters, publication patterns, geographical distributions, and contributing authors. The findings highlight two developmental stages: a preliminary foundational phase (2004–2012) and a growth surge (2013–2024). Six key research clusters are identified, focusing on LW, lean manufacturing, lean principles, 5S execution, picking processes, and warehouse management. Peru, the United States (US), and India dominate publication output, while Southeast Asian nations show notable research gaps. Even though the field has matured in leading nations, gaps remain, requiring further investigation. This study underscores opportunities for advancing LW theoretical frameworks, especially in Malaysia, where publication output remains limited.