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Article
Publication date: 24 December 2021

Lígia Lobo Mesquita, Fabiane Letícia Lizarelli, Susana Duarte and Pedro Carlos Oprime

This paper aims to thoroughly identify the forms of integration between Lean, Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and environmental sustainability (ES) by examining the relationships between…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to thoroughly identify the forms of integration between Lean, Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and environmental sustainability (ES) by examining the relationships between these three constructs, deepening understanding surrounding the theme and evolving the construction of a framework that can aid managing industrial production processes.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was the method used to identify the relationships for integration in the current literature. The SLR was supported by content and cluster analysis. The analyzes identified relationships at two levels. The first level observed relationships for constructs and variables. The second, at the level of constructs and components, which detail the variables. This study also proposes an integrated conceptual framework showing these relationships at the construct, variable and component levels.

Findings

The results show how these three constructs are related and the study concludes by stating that there is stronger integration among I4.0 technologies and Lean practices for reaching ES. The SLR identified the main components that allowed for this integration, i.e. I4.0 technologies, Big Data, the internet of things and Lean practices, like reducing waste and customer needs.

Practical implications

From an academic standpoint, this study proposes new lines of research lines that have not been explored thus far, and can be developed via empirical studies, at the strategic and operational levels among different industrial sectors. Also, this study can help managers understand the integrations between Lean practices and I4.0 technologies to achieve better operational and environmental organizational results.

Originality/value

To the best of the knowledge, this study is the first of its kind using SLR to integrate Lean approaches, ES and I4.0 and to propose a unified framework to help managers and academics understand these relationships.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 July 2022

Leander Luiz Klein, Silvia Inês Dallavalle de Pádua, Rajat Gera, Kelmara Mendes Vieira and Eric Charles Henri Dorion

This study aims to examine the influence of lean management practices on organizational process effectiveness and maturity. The underlying assumption of this paper is that lean

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of lean management practices on organizational process effectiveness and maturity. The underlying assumption of this paper is that lean management practices may have a positive relation with the initiation and the adoption of a process management approach and be a first step to process management success.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a quantitative perspective, a survey was carried out in the Brazilian Federal Police with a valid sample of 991 participants. Data analysis was executed with confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modeling.

Findings

Lean management practices have a positive influence on the Brazilian Federal Police process maturity and on process effectiveness. Process maturity has a positive impact on process effectiveness. The results extend the applicability of lean management practices in the public service scenario. The results will decrease the high failure rates in process transformation projects.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is that the researchers could not maintain full control of the research respondents because the data collection was carried out online.

Practical implications

Considering a scenario of increased pressure to upgrade organizational decisional process in the public sector and to offer better public services, the lean management practices can effectively contribute to the development of strategies and actions that will enhance a more effective public service management reality.

Social implications

This study may contribute as a source of empirical data for future research in other national public organizations and may assist others to redesigning its strategies and actions to achieve excellence in decision-making, by adopting a more agile quality public service with less costs and waste.

Originality/value

New measurement and structural models were defined to analyze lean management practices in the public service as the predictors of organizational process maturity and effectiveness. The discussion on lean management practices, as a first step in process approach applicability, enhances a new process-based management perspective.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 December 2022

Efthalia Keramida, Evangelos L. Psomas and Jiju Antony

The aim of this study is to determine the most critical success factors (CSFs) of lean adoption in a specific Greek public services subsector namely citizen's service centers…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine the most critical success factors (CSFs) of lean adoption in a specific Greek public services subsector namely citizen's service centers (CSCs) and to define their underlying structure (latent constructs).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study an online structured questionnaire survey was distributed to all the Greek CSCs and six hundred and seventy-two employees responded and fully completed the questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied to assess the reliability and validity of the latent constructs of the Lean CSFs.

Findings

Data analysis revealed that the latent constructs of the lean CSFs, namely communication, top management commitment and leadership, organizational culture, training and education, change and project management, availability of resources, teamwork, and employee involvement and empowerment are of major importance for the adoption of lean in the CSCs.

Research limitations/implications

The small percentage of the responding employees of the Greek CSCs, given their large population and the subjective nature of the data collected constitute the main limitations of the present study.

Practical implications

The findings of this research can guide managers and decision makers of CSCs in recognizing the key factors that potentially will influence the successful adoption of lean, and the enhancement of the quality management initiatives of these services organizations. Moreover, the formulated model can also serve as a reference for academics and researchers to generate new research ideas. Finally, the results may offer guidelines to managers of public services organizations of other countries with a similar structure of the public sector.

Originality/value

The present study is stimulated by the existing gap identified in the literature in the field of the public sector. Building on the public sector literature, this is the first study that evaluates the importance of the CSFs of lean in the Greek CSCs and defines their underlying structure.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 35 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 January 2012

Arawati Agus and Mohd Shukri Hajinoor

The purpose of this paper is to obtain a better understanding of the extent to which lean production permeates manufacturing companies in Malaysia by drawing on supply chain…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain a better understanding of the extent to which lean production permeates manufacturing companies in Malaysia by drawing on supply chain management (SCM) managers' or production managers' perception of lean production practices and level of performances in the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The instrument used in this study is a structured survey questionnaire consisting of two major parts. The first part comprises several variables measuring lean production practices, and the second part consists of several performance measurements. Sample companies are chosen from Malaysian manufacturing companies listed in the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers directory. From the 300 companies sampled, 200 responses were completed, representing a 67 per cent response rate.

Findings

The results support the conceptual model, demonstrating strong association between lean production, product quality performance, and business performance. The structural equation modelling (SEM) results reveal that “reduced setup time” appears to be of primary importance in the linkage between lean production, product quality performance and business performance. It is also instructive, from a score of 67.21 on the Malaysian Lean Production Index (MLPI), that manufacturing companies in Malaysia must marshal their effort to implement a more effective lean production SCM in order to improve on product quality performance and business performance.

Practical implications

This research adds to the body of knowledge on lean production SCM in manufacturing industry. This paper may be of particular interest to practicing production managers, or SCM managers, as it suggests what factors should be emphasized in lean production.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies within the context in which this study is undertaken as it seeks to address key relationships between lean production, product quality performance and business performance within the Malaysian manufacturing industry, where relatively few studies are available. In addition, relationships between constructs are analyzed through SEM that measures not only magnitude but also the causal direction of the relationships.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 July 2020

Mohsin Malik and Salam Abdallah

Past studies of lean have failed to sufficiently address the importance of social factors for successful lean implementations. This paper aims to broaden and deepen the…

Abstract

Purpose

Past studies of lean have failed to sufficiently address the importance of social factors for successful lean implementations. This paper aims to broaden and deepen the understanding of lean as a socio-technical paradigm by conceptualizing lean implementation as an organizational change process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on the organizational sense-making literature to conceptualize and validate lean implementation as an organizational change process that necessitates a focus on the ability of organizational actors to construct a shared meaning of lean. This study posit that this shared understanding shapes the collective behaviour and attitudes of people towards a future desired organizational state such as a successful implementation of lean. Survey data were collected from various manufacturing and services firms to test the hypothesis derived from literature using a structural equation modelling approach.

Findings

The mutual social interactions of organizational actors contribute to an enabling lean organizational attitude that has a dominant effect on the lean practices of employee involvement, internal technical practices, supplier and customer management. This study also established boundary conditions for these relationships by identifying firm size as a moderating variable.

Research limitations/implications

The findings establish a supportive organizational attitude as an antecedent for lean implementation, which goes beyond the current socio-technical characterization of lean management. This conceptualization draws the attention of researchers and practitioners towards the critical role of the cooperative behaviours of organizational actors in lean implementations.

Originality/value

The statistical results add a novel perspective to the discourse on the social dimension of lean implementation by conceptualizing and validating lean management as a combination of organizational attitude and the process facilitators comprising of employee empowerment, internal technical practices, supplier and customer management.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 120 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 May 2014

Wael Hadid and S. Afshin Mansouri

The extant literature on lean service reveals a noticeable lack of theoretical models establishing the core constructs of lean service, their interrelation and impact on…

5572

Abstract

Purpose

The extant literature on lean service reveals a noticeable lack of theoretical models establishing the core constructs of lean service, their interrelation and impact on organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap by proposing a theoretical model in which lean constructs are identified and operationalized to establish their interrelation and impact on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper synthesizes information drawing on a systematic review of the literature on lean service, other relevant academic literature to develop a theoretical model and a set of propositions. Drawing on the universal theory, socio-technical systems theory and contingency theory (CT), the paper highlights and clarifies the potential impact of lean service on operational and financial performance.

Findings

This study identifies a comprehensive set of lean technical practices, lean supportive practices, inhibitors and expected outcome of lean service. Expected relationships among those constructs are established by developing a conceptual framework with several propositions based on the relevant literature and the socio-technical system theory, the universal perspective and the CT, when relevant. Moreover, six influential contextual variables on the lean-performance relation are identified based on a review of the management accounting literature, organizational strategy literature and diversification literature to overcome limitations of previous studies.

Originality/value

This paper covers a gap in the literature by identifying and operationalizing lean service constructs and offering a theoretical model with several propositions that establish relationships between lean constructs and overcome limitations in previous studies by identifying six contextual variables that are important factors in the lean-performance associations.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 34 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 October 2021

Leander Luiz Klein, Julio Cesar Ferro De Guimarães, Eliana Andréa Severo, Eric Charles Henri Dorion and Thiago Schirmer Feltrin

As few studies have explored the causal relationship between both the triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability and the lean practices in higher education institutions (HEIs)…

Abstract

Purpose

As few studies have explored the causal relationship between both the triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability and the lean practices in higher education institutions (HEIs), the purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationships between lean practices and sustainable practices in Brazilian HEIs.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with 454 public and private HEIs workers in Brazil. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modeling were used for data analysis.

Findings

The results support the hypotheses of the study that HEI lean practices are positively related to environmental, economic and social practices in HEIs.

Practical implications

HEI managers must evaluate the use of lean practices in the organizational processes, to identify their weaknesses and to improve the aspects that influence a balanced TBL of sustainability practices.

Social implications

The findings highlight the importance of leadership as a support for the workers, as a continuous improvement practice on a daily basis and a focus on the student as a basic principle of HEI success.

Originality/value

This article provides new measurement and structural models to analyze Lean thinking practices as the predictors of sustainability practices. The work could assist any HEI in prioritizing its strategies and actions and to contribute to excellence in decision-making. This study could contribute as a source of empirical data for transferability in other contexts for HEIs.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 February 2020

Protik Basu and Pranab K. Dan

The purpose of this study is to review and conceptualize a holistic framework for lean manufacturing (LM) implementation, enabling the manufacturing industries to administer the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review and conceptualize a holistic framework for lean manufacturing (LM) implementation, enabling the manufacturing industries to administer the implementation process successfully toward organizational development and customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature survey on the input and output manifests of lean production is carried out. An attempt is made to build an exhaustive list of all the technical and human inputs necessary for LM implementation, coupled with a similar exhaustive list of the benefits accrued from its successful implementation. The determinants and outcomes of successful LM implementation are further mapped onto 11 distinct input latent constructs and 3 distinct output latent constructs, respectively.

Findings

A conceptual structural model for administering LM implementation is framed based on the manifests considered in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

The model conceptualized in this study may be treated as a guide for successful LM implementation in a manufacturing enterprise.

Practical implications

This research is expected to provide further insights for lean implementation and will be very helpful to integrate the lean principles, tools and benefits into a unified coherent complete manufacturing system.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is one of the very first research studies to have a comprehensive all-inclusive study of the input and output variables for LM implementation. It intends to bridge the gap between theory and practice and has come up with a comprehensive framework which will aid the lean practitioners toward successful LM implementation, as well as, assist them in assessing the effect of implementation.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 November 2022

Sven Januszek, Julian Macuvele, Thomas Friedli and Torbjørn H. Netland

The purpose of this study is to investigate how soft lean practices moderate the performance effects of hard lean practices. The authors provide new evidence from the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how soft lean practices moderate the performance effects of hard lean practices. The authors provide new evidence from the pharmaceutical industry, which is characterized by a highly regulated and technical environment and has been largely uncharted in the lean literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of the literature, the authors define a set of soft and hard lean practices. The authors test the hypotheses using factor analysis and moderated hierarchical linear regression on a unique dataset containing survey data and real performance measures of 351 pharmaceutical plants.

Findings

The results show that soft lean practices can be both enabling and constraining. When management engages in performance measurement, visualisation and employee empowerment the relationship between hard lean practices and performance is positively moderated. On the other hand, when managers emphasise goal setting and work standardisation the performance outcomes are reduced.

Practical implications

Effective lean managers build organisational commitment by motivating other employees to implement lean. They use performance measurement, visualisation and employee empowerment to focus on the “why”. Less effective managers engage in commanding and micro-management. Such managers focus on the “what” by using practices like goal setting and work standardisation.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the literature on lean management by empirically testing the moderator-variable interaction effects between soft and hard lean practices. In addition, it adds new evidence from the important pharmaceutical industry.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 43 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 May 2019

Seyed Sajad Mousavi, Reza Khani Jazani, Elizabeth A. Cudney and Paolo Trucco

This study aims to quantify the multifaceted relationship between lean implementation and occupational health and safety (OHS) performance. Hypotheses based on a set of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to quantify the multifaceted relationship between lean implementation and occupational health and safety (OHS) performance. Hypotheses based on a set of antecedents (mediating factors) are built and quantitatively tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an international survey with responses from more than 20 countries. Partial least square-based structural equation modeling was used to test a theoretical framework derived from literature. Leading indicators (formative indices) were used to evaluate the four antecedents of OHS performance (mediating factors).

Findings

All the identified antecedents show a significant mediating role. Antecedents related to the working environment and organizational factors have the strongest mediating effect. Results support the importance of using OHS leading indicators to appropriately measure the impact of lean implementation on workers’ health and safety.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed OHS leading indicators connecting lean practices to OHS performance antecedents are only explored in this study. Therefore, to establish a comprehensive, validated and practically usable set of leading indicators, further research is needed.

Practical implications

As there are some synergistic and trade-off relationships between lean and safety, the findings of this study will enable managers and organizations to leverage the positive effects of lean implementation on workers’ health and safety and mitigate the negative effects.

Originality/value

Several prior studies investigated the multifaceted link between lean and OHS; however, this is the first study that tested direct and mediated influence by defining a coherent set of antecedents. The results justify and strongly support the adoption of OHS leading indicators to measure the impact of lean implementation on OHS performance.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

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