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The inherent variability on process times and demand are the factors that prevent the efficient application of lean philosophy in multi-project product development (PD) environments. Considering this variability, a hybrid push–pull project control system is developed, and value stream costing (VSC) analysis is performed to reflect the relation between project lead time, capacity and project cost. The assessment of the push/pull project control on lead time improvement and long-term savings on capacity have been aimed with the proposed complete design structure.

In a team-based structure, formed through clustering, push control techniques for planning tasks within cross-functional teams and pull control techniques for planning tasks between cross-functional teams are developed. The final step evaluates the proposed structure through VSC and long-term savings have been pointed out, especially in terms of freed-up capacity. For the validation of the proposed methodology, an office furniture manufacturing firm’s PD department has been considered and the performance of the hybrid system has been observed through simulation experiments and based on the simulation results, the lean system is evaluated by VSC.

The results of simulation experiments show a superior performance of the proposed hybrid push/pull project control mechanism under different settings of cycle time between projects or shortly project cycle time, dispatching rules within teams and variability levels. The results of the Box-Score (tool to apply VSC) indicate increased capacity in the long term to add extra projects during the planning period with the same project lead time and without additional cost.

Although extensive simulation experiments have been performed to quantify the effect of project control structure and positive results have been reported on lead time and cost, the proposed design structure has not been tested in all existing PD environments.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, the quantification of the effect of hybrid project control with VSC is the first attempt to be applied in lean PD projects.

This study aims to address challenges related to long lead time within a hazelnut company, primarily attributed to product quality issues. The purpose is to propose an integrated lean-based methodology incorporating a continuous improvement cycle, drawing on Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Industry 4.0 applications.

The research adopts a systematic approach, commencing with a current state analysis using VSM and fishbone analysis to identify underlying problems causing long lead time. A Pareto analysis categorizes these problems, distinguishing between supplier-related issues and deficiencies in lean applications. Lean tools are initially implemented, followed by a future state VSM. Supplier-related issues are then addressed, employing root cause analyses and Industry 4.0-based countermeasures, including a proposed supplier selection model.

The study reveals that, despite initial lean implementations, lead times remain high. Addressing supplier-related issues, particularly through the proposed supplier selection model, significantly reduces the number of suppliers and contributes to lead time reduction. Industry 4.0-based countermeasures ensure traceability and strengthen supplier relationships.

This research introduces a comprehensive LSS methodology, practically demonstrating the application of various tools and providing managerial insights for practitioners and policymakers. The study contributes theoretically by addressing challenges comprehensively, practically by showcasing tool applications and managerially by offering guidance for system performance enhancement.

The main purpose of this study is to reveal the degree of association between lean, building information modeling (BIM) and construction project success. The study further intends to provide strategies for high and low associations of the factors.

Lean construction and BIM are two important applications that have recently gained popularity in terms of enhancing project success. Considering this impact, this study investigates the synergy between lean construction and BIM and determines to what extent these two contribute to the success of the projects. As a first step, lean, BIM and project success were examined based on an in-depth literature review. In the second stage, a structural equation model (SEM) was established to reflect the relationship among these three through hypotheses. Then, a questionnaire was designed and administered to the construction professionals experienced in both lean and BIM implementation. The SEM was tested using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS), an SPSS tool.

The results indicated that lean implementation has a significant and positive impact on BIM implementation and project success. On the other hand, BIM implementation had a lower significant impact on project success than lean implementation construct.

The results of this study can be used by both policymakers and industry practitioners in terms of developing strategies for effectively using both lean and BIM. The researchers can further develop other implementation models to investigate whether these concepts are more effective in increasing project success when used integratively.

This study considers both the impact of lean and BIM on project success through input from construction practitioners working on large projects. This way, the study fosters the use of lean, BIM or lean–BIM together in construction projects to enhance project success.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of design for lean six sigma (DFLSS) on operational functions of the innovation management model by appraising an innovation management assessment framework.

An empirical approach for evaluating causal relationships among various constructs in the model phases that identify optimum pathways in achieving commercial success was adopted. A quantitative analysis of survey data were collected from large, medium and small organiations, including incubators in ANZ (Australia, New Zealand) and TMSV (Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam).

The structural equation modelling recursive path analysis results of the model provide empirical evidence and pathways through the various constructs considered in the model. All these pathways lead to delivering optimum commercialization success (CS). Furthermore, DFLSS is confirmed as an enabler and has direct one-to-one and indirect influence on all the operational function constructs of the model including commercial success.

This study had a relatively small sample size of completed responses obtained from the population and a constrained ability to compare commercialization success (CS) between the two regions in the dataset. Future studies could be conducted on a global scale to increase responses.

The research findings enabled the development of important and practical guidelines for managers and innovation practitioners engaged in planning and management of innovation.

This research offers a holistic approach for integrating DFLSS with stage gate phases of innovation management assessment framework, supported by empirical evidence, to aid organizations in effectively managing the innovation process and achieving greater success in commercialization.

Healthcare organizations have been facing challenges due to high costs and low efficiency in health services. The growth of costs and losses caused by avoidable mistakes lead to the search for solutions, and Health Lean Management appears as a potential solution to help in solving service quality problems, as well as reducing risks. This study aims to analyse the state of the art in the literature centred on the Lean approach in the context of risk management in healthcare organizations, and to identify new research opportunities, highlighting possible lines of future research.

Following a systematic literature review approach, 51 papers were considered relevant for this research, and reviewed to explore the development of literature in this area.

Based on the results, five main research streams were identified: (1) risk management oriented towards patient safety; (2) risk management oriented towards employee safety; (3) importance of attitudes and behaviours in risk reduction projects; (4) Lean tools used in healthcare risk management and (5) Integration of approaches. Moreover, several shortcomings were identified in literature.

Identified shortcomings represent significant opportunities for further research development.

The lean manufacturing (LM) approach is a highly effective method that can be implemented in any industry to streamline production processes, meet customer demand and eliminate any unnecessary waste. This paper aims to propose and evaluate a generic project-based framework grounded on the LM approach for reducing lead time in foundry processes.

Using design science research (DSR), we developed a generic LM project-based framework for reducing lead time in foundry processes.

The developed framework provides an alternative method to implement LM projects to reduce lead time and nonvalue activities in foundry factories.

The findings of this research can guide better lean practitioners for lead time reduction in foundry processes.

This paper contributes to the operational excellence literature when discussing the impact of the LM approach on foundry processes. In addition, the paper provides a roadmap for reducing lead time in a foundry company.

This work presents the results of a case study aimed at revitalizing an agricultural equipment manufacturing consortium facing prolonged losses. The purpose of this paper is to enhance productivity and profitability by identifying and eliminating waste within the manufacturing processes. The study uses lean principles and tools to achieve this objective.

The study begins with the creation of a questionnaire, administered to the consortium to gather insights. The questionnaire responses serve as a foundation for pinpointing critical areas in need of immediate attention. To tackle the challenge of demand forecasting without customer data, a demand forecasting model is introduced. Value stream mapping (VSM) is used to identify and highlight process inefficiencies and waste. The findings are further analyzed using a Pareto chart to prioritize waste reduction efforts. Based on these insights, the study proposes alternative manufacturing methods and waste elimination strategies. A multiphase lean framework is developed as a step-by-step roadmap for implementing lean manufacturing.

The study identifies a broken process flow within the consortium’s manufacturing processes and highlights areas of waste through VSM. The Pareto chart analysis reveals the most significant waste areas requiring immediate intervention. Recommendations for process improvements and waste reduction strategies are provided to the consortium.

This study contributes to the field by applying lean principles and tools to address the unique challenges faced by an agricultural equipment manufacturing consortium. The integration of a demand forecasting model and the development of a multiphase lean framework offer innovative approaches to enhancing productivity and profitability in this context.

Lean Manufacturing Systems (LMS) gained popularity among manufacturers globally. However, their efficacy in developing and least-developed countries remained noticeably understudied. Motivated by this research gap, the researchers of this study designed a quantitative study with a structured survey technique to investigate its context-specific impact on the apparel industry of a developing country. Hence, this study aimed to examine the relationship between LMS and elimination of waste (EOW) and operational performance (OP) and comprehend how the EOW mediates the relationship between an LMS and OP within the apparel industry of a developing economy.

The researchers collected data from 227 garment companies in Bangladesh. These organization-level data were then analyzed using the structural equation modeling approach with AMOS 20.0 software to examine the direct and indirect effects among EOW, LMS and OP.

The findings of this study suggest that EOW has a direct and significant effect on OP. This research also revealed that EOW has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between LMS and OP.

This research focused on a single industry administering self-reported data and cross-sectional design, limiting generalizability and causal inference.

LMS and directing efforts towards EOW can significantly improve the operational performance of apparel companies by reducing lead times and costs, improving quality and increasing productivity.

These findings can provide useful insight to managers, practitioners and future researchers to understand the relationship between EOW, LMS and OP to optimize their production processes and improve OP in the apparel industry.

This paper aims to provide a reference for the development of digital transformation from the perspective of manufacturing process links.

This paper applies canonical correlation analysis based on digital technology patents in the key links of manufacturing industries (product design, procurement, product manufacturing, warehousing and transportation, and wholesale and retail) and the related indicators of economic benefits of regions in China.

(1) The degree of digitalization of manufacturing process links is significantly correlated with economic benefits. (2) The improvement of the degree of digitalization in the “product design” link, the “warehousing and transportation” link, the “product manufacturing” link and the “wholesale and retail” link has significant impacts on the economic benefits of manufacturing industry. (3) The digital degree of the “procurement” link has no obvious influence on the economic benefits of manufacturing industry.

The research results can provide reference for the formulation and implementation of micro policies. The strategy of improving the level of digital transformation of key links of manufacturing industry is put forward to better promote both the digital transformation of manufacturing industry and economic development.

This paper innovatively studies the relationship between digitalization of manufacturing process links and economic benefits. The findings can provide theoretical and empirical support for the digital transformation of China's manufacturing industry and high-quality development of economy.

Contemporary construction techniques provide benefits of speed and cost savings on a large scale, and is viable in urban regions with exorbitant housing demand. In rural areas, where scale and access to technology are unavailable, locally prevalent vernacular architecture and methods are more suitable. Although vernacular construction techniques have historically proven more sustainable and climate-sensitive, the lack of skilled labour and lack of versatility in material selection limits its application on large-scale projects. This study explores the choice of building design and technology, from the context of embodied energy, carbon and other life cycle impacts for housing construction.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) that evaluates impacts due to the products/processes is used to analyse different construction techniques. Further a detailed estimation of embodied carbon and embodied energy is done for both “vernacular” and “contemporary” choices of construction methodology for a case study project.

The building constructed using vernacular techniques has lower embodied carbon and energy by over 30% compared to the other clusters designed using contemporary confined masonry techniques. However, with a few external interventions the contemporary methods can be implemented with improved sustainability.

The limitation of the study is that it presents a case study-based exploration into comparing construction techniques to provide a practical understanding of making sustainable design choices and, hence, is limited to two construction methods. However, the same method could be extended to compare other construction techniques. Furthermore, it does not present a whole building LCA since the operating phase impacts are assumed to be fairly constant for such housing type, irrespective of the chosen method. Similarly, the demolition phase or the potential of reuse of the waste generated, water consumption and cultural and social heritage are not investigated in comparing the alternatives. Nevertheless, future studies could perform extensive exploratory and modelling studies on the operation phase and demolition phase to understand these impacts further.

In mass housing projects that belong to the so-called “affordable housing” or low-income housing category, sustainability concerns are not yet at the forefront of the decision-making process. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of incorporating sustainability into building design and construction and making sustainability accessible to even low-income communities. Adequate planning, social awareness initiatives and imparting skills and knowledge of sustainability to these communities are of utmost importance. The choice of design and materials should be encouraged by keeping in mind lower upfront costs as well as low maintenance and operational costs.

The primary implications of the study are that the vernacular technologies are much superior in terms of sustainability in comparison to conventional construction of RCC framed structures as well as contemporary construction methods such as confined masonry. However, the implementation of such techniques presents significant challenges such as a lack of skilled forces, increased maintenance and lack of flexibility to minor modifications. Hence, although being a sustainable choice its acceptance and execution present practical difficulties. Therefore, this study primarily aims to reinforce the belief in vernacular architecture and techniques to build sustainable and resilient communities while highlighting the challenges of the modern world in implementing them.

Most studies advocate using construction methods based on their ease of implementation, maintenance or cost. However, this study highlights the importance of considering the aspect of sustainability in the context of the choice of methods for housing construction in urban and semi-urban areas. This study also addresses the need not to overlook vernacular construction technologies while selecting technology for housing for low-income communities.