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This paper aims to assess the combined application of Lean Six Sigma and agile approach for optimizing operational processes of order management in the seed industry.

This study is based on an action research case conducted in a multinational Brazilian Seeds Business enterprise. This paper reports on the application of the Lean Six Sigma define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC), using the steps of DMAIC cycle as a sprint of agile approach. The methodology involves outlining an operational process through sequential activities, each associated with a cycle time, equivalent number of full-time employee and number of orders. Performance metrics for the order management process include continuous monitoring of these activities, using monitoring systems, management software and manual records to collect data.

The findings reveal significant improvements in critical-to-quality measures related to customer care, planning and logistics. The implementation of the DMAIC methodology and agile approach resulted in tangible enhancements in cycle time, defects per opportunities and overall process efficiency. The results allow the classification of defects, the identification of their causes and, consequently, the presentation of a control plan to mitigate these problems. Furthermore, the study identifies key causes of operational issues and proposes a prioritized action plan.

The limitation of this research is its restriction to a single case. The external validity of the results and generalizability to other organizational contexts may be compromised due to the lack of case diversity. The fact that the research focuses on a single company, even if it is a large multinational company, may limit the applicability of the findings to different sectors, sizes and organizational structures, which may be an opportunity for future research.

The findings suggest that the integrated approach of DMAIC and agile methodology contributes to a culture of continuous improvement and operational efficiency. The systematic collection and analysis of data enhance evidence-based decision-making, providing a robust foundation for strategic and operational choices. Moreover, the successful integration of methodologies presents a comprehensive framework applicable to diverse organizational challenges.

The paper applies action research to understand and address operational challenges, emphasizing practical solutions. The integration of DMAIC and agile enhances the depth of process analysis, enabling the identification, implementation and control of improvements. This study offers a significant contribution both to practitioners, providing practical implications, and to academics, enriching the Lean Six Sigma and agile body of knowledge.

The purpose of this research paper is to investigate and evaluate the impacts of utilising Building Information Modelling (BIM) as a lean management tool in Bangladesh's construction management field. The paper explores how adopting BIM as a lean management tool can improve and expedite a number of processes in building projects, which will ultimately increase project success, cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

A comprehensive survey was conducted to investigate how BIM deployment as a lean management tool affected project outcomes. This research involved a structured survey amongst construction professionals and a case study on a real project in Bangladesh to assess the effects of using BIM as a lean management tool. The data collected from 112 respondents were analysed statistically and qualitatively to identify the effect of BIM as a lean management tool. Additionally, several software tools, including Revit, Navisworks, Design Review and BIM 360, were used to compare conventional and BIM-based methods.

The research findings demonstrate that utilising BIM practices improves the quality and safety of construction in Bangladesh. The “Improving the quality of construction” (RII = 0.732) achieved the highest rank in the questionnaire survey. In addition, the case study represents that the construction industry can benefit from BIM-based project management. The BIM implementation can shorten the design process by over 50% and save up to 1.5 weeks by minimising idling time. By applying BIM, it is possible to avoid a price rise of roughly 2.5% and a delay of about 11.9% of the original contract period.

The significance of the results goes beyond the direct advantages of the project's achievements. The successful integration of BIM as a lean management tool in Bangladesh's construction sector suggests transformative potential for the industry. The enhanced coordination and decreased errors point to a future where construction projects can achieve higher levels of precision and reliability. The improved efficiency observed implies a more sustainable and cost-effective future for construction projects in the region.

The research provides a unique perspective on the impact of BIM implementation on project outcomes. It includes a comprehensive survey on BIM adoption as a lean management tool, gathering real-world experiences from construction professionals in Bangladesh. The case study explores the practical implications and advantages of implementing BIM in construction projects. By comparing conventional methods with BIM-based approaches and utilising BIM software, the study contributes value to the construction sector.

The objective of the study is to explore the mediatory role of the environmental performance of organisations on their economic and social performances. It demonstrates that implementing environmental management techniques should not only be done to comply with environmental regulations, but also as a means of improving social and economic performance.

The data were gathered from the manufacturing industry of Zimbabwe, and 302 useable responses were received. Data analysis was performed through structural equation modelling (SEM) using SMART PLS 3.

Improvement in environmental performance led to improvements in both social and economic performances. Also, environmental performance contributes the greatest total effect; hence, it deserves attention, not only for compliance but also for economic reasons.

Our goal is to quantify the extent to which environmental performance might improve the social and, more importantly, the economic performance of organisations. The study also explores the relative importance and performance of lean manufacturing (LM), green manufacturing (GM), social performance and environmental performance for purposes of prioritisation of organisational improvement initiatives.

The study aims to synthesize existing knowledge and proposes a research framework for building a resilient supply chain (SC) through artificial intelligence (AI) technology. It also identifies existing literature gaps and paves the way for a future research agenda.

A systematic literature review has been carried out to identify the peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Then, the selected articles published between 2012 and 2023 are analyzed using descriptive and thematic analysis methods to unearth research gaps and offer new research directions.

Descriptive and thematic analysis reveals the overall development of literature on the role of AI for supply chain resilience (SCR). Based on the findings of the thematic analysis, the motivation, application, capability and outcome (MACO) framework has been developed and propositions have been proposed. Several future research directions have also been suggested in terms of theory, context and methodology (TCM).

The study provides a fresh perspective on the integration of AI technology within the realm of SCR. The developed MACO framework serves as a practical tool for supply chain management (SCM) professionals, offering a nuanced understanding of AI's applications across various functional areas to streamline operations, minimize waste and optimize resource utilization, thereby helping them in strategic planning.

This study contributes to the literature on the role of AI for building SCR by uncovering gaps, offering research directions and developing propositions for future research directions.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are complex disorders characterized by pervasive symptoms of rigidity, emotion dysregulation and social cognitive difficulties. Comorbid ASD and BPD are recognized emerging clinical problem that may be challenging to treat.

The authors present a case study of a young person in the authors’ assessment clinic diagnosed with BPD and ASD who had received standard dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with modest effects. The authors provide ASD-informed recommendations for continued DBT treatment.

The de-identified patient described in this case report met full criteria for ASD and BPD. The patient’s cognitive, behavioral, social and personality functioning are described in detail.

Other practitioners seeking to treat this complex comorbidity may make use of the authors’ treatment recommendations for their patients. The authors underscore the importance of individualized treatment planning and hope the authors’ exemplar will be useful to others.

Several evidence-based treatments exist for ASD and BPD symptom reduction. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no current treatments exist for comorbid ASD and BPD to target emotion dysregulation in individuals with restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors and disturbances in social and communication domains.

The purpose of this study is to explore the increased uptake of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology by Facility Management (FM) organizations for enhanced operational efficiency and competitive advantage. While AI adoption in FM has been widely reported, limited attempts have been made to assess its impact on the social well-being of FM employees. To contribute towards addressing this gap, this study established the essential employee social well-being factors mostly impacted by the adoption of AI in South African FM organizations.

A four-stage design comprising a comprehensive review of literature, expert interviews, questionnaire census and focus group discussion sessions was used to elicit data from a sample of participants drawn from 22 South African FM organizations. The data was analyzed using a combination of content analysis, relative importance index and interpretative structural modeling for various data sets toward achieving the study’s objectives.

Sixteen employee social well-being factors, classified under job satisfaction, social relationship and knowledge development categories, respectively, were identified as being impacted by AI adoption in FM organizations. Furthermore, it was established that job security, job autonomy and professional status, which belong to the job satisfaction social well-being factor category, were deemed by FM employees as being mostly impacted by AI adoption.

The enhanced understanding of the impact of AI adoption on FM employees’ social well-being factors will contribute to the development of a collaborative intelligence framework for managing AI adoption in FM organizations toward engendering optimal AI–FM employee relationships for improved productivity.

Besides being one of the foremost studies to investigate the impact of AI adoption on FM employees’ social well-being, this study introduces a hierarchical framework of understanding employee social well-being factors based on multi-stakeholder perspectives.

This study investigates the economic strategies street beggars (SBs) employ in Ghana to gain a competitive advantage within the contested urban spaces they occupy. By conceptualising SBs as economic actors, the research shifts the focus from perceiving them as passive recipients of charity to recognising their intentional decision-making and strategic behaviour to maximise financial benefits.

The study adopts a qualitative case study approach, using non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 40 SBs in Kumasi, Ghana. Thematic analysis was used to identify the economic strategies used by SBs to gain a competitive advantage.

The study reveals three main strategies adopted by SBs: child advertisement, body marketing, and narrative marketing. These strategies emerge from the SBs' contextual understanding of the public’s social protection needs and are used to develop strategies that give them an advantage over other SBs within contested urban streets.

Future research could explore the effectiveness of different economic strategies employed by street beggars and compare their financial outcomes. Investigating the public’s perceptions and attitudes towards these strategies could provide valuable insights.

Policymakers and city authorities should acknowledge some street begging as an economic activity and develop regulations, designate begging areas, and establish guidelines for acceptable practices. Creating targeted skill training, entrepreneurship programs, and access to microfinance can facilitate the transition of street beggars from begging to more sustainable forms of livelihood.

This study challenges the perception of street beggars as passive victims, highlighting their agency and strategic decision-making. Recognizing their economic strategies can inform policies that regulate begging as an economic activity, create alternative opportunities, and prevent exploitation of vulnerable groups, ultimately promoting more sustainable and dignified livelihoods for street beggars.

This study seeks to enrich the current literature and bridge the research gap by investigating the phenomenon of street begging and the diverse economic strategies street beggars employ to gain a competitive advantage within urban areas. This research moves beyond computing financial income and regulating begging by conceptualizing SBs as economic actors and begging as an economic activity. It explores how SBs use conscious efforts and rational strategies to maximize financial benefits from passers-by and outperform other SBs, providing novel insights into the complex dynamics of street begging.

This paper is the third part of a research effort that aims to identify how various crises affected basic business processes using Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD’s) industrial excellence framework (IEF) in large organizations.

This research compares three data sets from the same four companies against quality management benchmarks, with a span of more than two decades: (1) data collected in 2005 operating under a financially thriving corporate environment; (2) data collected in 2015, operating under a strong financial crisis and (3) data collected in 2022, operating under the serious COVID-19 crisis.

The authors identify the characteristics that helped them navigate successfully through almost two crises in a row. These companies successfully navigated crises by applying assessment and continuous improvement processes, forging close relationships with their suppliers and training their people systematically.

The findings can be adopted by practitioners who wish to navigate their organizations during serious crises. Researchers and academics may also find this study interesting for managing quality during a pandemic.

There are not many studies that investigate how the pandemic influenced the quality management practices in organizations in Greece in sequential crises. This paper brings insights into the enduring advantages of adopting a quality framework.

Organizations are continually improving their practices to improve operational performance. They already employ Lean Manufacturing techniques (LM) to reduce unnecessary waste. Industry 4.0 techniques enhance operational performance in association with LM. Despite the proven benefits of LM principles and the advancements offered by Industry 4.0 technologies, many organizations struggle to integrate these approaches effectively. This research paper explores how LM principles can be combined with Industry 4.0 technologies to provide valuable guidance for businesses looking to adopt lean automation strategies.

A systematic literature review on LM and Industry 4.0 was done to investigate the possible technical integration of both methods. Ninety-two articles are extracted systematically from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. This study states a systematic literature review, including quantitative analysis of bibliographic networks and cluster analysis, to identify emergent ideas and their further implementation.

The research findings highlight the positive impact of integrating lean production with Industry 4.0 techniques, benefiting organizations in achieving their goals. A lean automation integration framework is proposed based on the literature review and the findings.

This study provides industry administrators and practitioners valuable guidance for enhancing organizational productivity. These implications can provide businesses with competitive advantages, enhance customer satisfaction, and enable them to adapt to the dynamic demands of the contemporary business environment.

This literature review study has substantially contributed to the technological integration of lean and Industry 4.0. The work has also identified potential emerging areas that warrant further research.

This study assesses how relational factors and buyer-supplier relationship commitment (BSRC) influence supply chain integration (SCI) and firm performance in Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing sector. Firm performance includes operational performance and innovation performance.

Grounded in the social exchange theory, a survey data-based structural equation modeling (SEM) approach is applied. Based on two experts and four executives' opinions and an in-depth literature review, 28 measurement items were identified in the close-ended questionnaire design. Further, 144 valid questionnaires from the manufacturer-supplier dyads in Bangladesh were collected and used for SEM analysis.

Our study reveals that relational factors positively influence BSRC. BSRC directly impacts SCI, operational, and innovation performance, whereas SCI is significantly related to operational and innovation performance. Besides, SCI mediates the two relationships: BSRC and operational performance; and BSRC and innovation performance.

Our results contribute to the literature and offer a new way to understand relationships that connect relational factors of BSRC, BSRC, and outcomes not only by examining the focal firm but also by examining its dyadic supplier partner separately. Separate assessment in the dyad displays some similar and dissimilar results. Moreover, we suggest practical implications for managers to enhance firm performance by focusing on the significance of linking relational factors, BSRC, and SCI.