Lean metric appraisement: exploration of grey numbers set theory
Abstract
Purpose
Lean manufacturing is a production practice that considers the expenditure of resources for any goal other than the creation of value for the end customer to be wasteful, and thus a target for elimination. In today's competitive global marketplace the concept of lean manufacturing has gained vital consciousness to all manufacturing sectors, their supply chains and hence a logical measurement index system is indeed required in implementing leanness in practice. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The present work exhibits an efficient grey-based leanness assessment system using concept of grey numbers theory.
Findings
Such leanness estimation can help the enterprises to assess their existing leanness level; can compare different industries who are adapting this lean concept. The methodology described here has been found fruitful while applying for a particular industry, in India, as a case study.
Originality/value
Lean extent evaluation module (lean index appraisement system) exploring grey numbers theory is quite new and not documented in literature before.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the wholehearted support provided by Professor Sifeng Liu, Editor, Grey Systems, Theory and Application. Sincere thanks goes to the anonymous reviewers for providing valuable suggestions towards improving quality of the presentation.
Citation
Ram Matawale, C., Datta, S. and Sankar Mahapatra, S. (2014), "Lean metric appraisement: exploration of grey numbers set theory", Grey Systems: Theory and Application, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 400-425. https://doi.org/10.1108/GS-03-2014-0008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited