The objective of the study is to perform critical review and find out the inconsistencies of lean manufacturing (LM) frameworks. It has reviewed 35 frameworks in the field of LM as well as proposed an LM framework to overcome the shortcoming of the existing LM frameworks. It has performed review on various aspects of LM frameworks such as novelty of the framework, participation of various researchers, and verification aspects. It has found major inconsistencies in the existing LM frameworks such as lack of adaptation of existing framework, lack of contribution of consultants and practitioners, less number of frameworks verified, all LM frameworks were verified in developed countries and manufacturing sector as well as highly incoherent elements used. The outcome of research proposes development of a unified theory in LM field. Finally, the study proposes a comprehensive conceptual LM framework to show the way to develop unified framework in the field of LM with the help of coherent set of LM elements. © 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.