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There are many companies around the world implementing Lean Manufacturing Systems and Tools, also known as Lean practices. Although Lean practices have been proven to be very useful, there are a number of challenges when implementing and maintaining them. Culturally employees in different countries and companies have differing motivations. Therefore, finding a method to motivate and engage employees to adhere to the Lean practices is a priority. Moreover, there are new technologies emerging which can be utilised to assist in the communication and improve engagement and adherence of the Lean practices. Additionally, it is important to understand how these technologies can be linked and cross utilized within the organization in an Industry 4.0 approach. This case study examines the implementation of Lean practices in an Engine Manufacturing Centre, taking into consideration what motivates individuals, utilising technology and considering an Industry 4.0 approach.

Purpose Lean and green strategies are good options to increase the environmental and operational performance of manufacturing industries. The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) to implement green lean practices (GLPs) in manufacturing industries through the review of the literature and to develop a conceptual model after analysing the fundamental facilitating factors by using ISM-MICMAC approach. Design/methodology/approach The methodology consists of identifying 12 critical success factors (CSFs) for the green lean implementation by reviewing the relevant available literature. The views of eight experts are valued for inter-relationships of these factors. ISM-MICMAC approach is used for analysing the relations between factors and to develop a conceptual model for green lean implementation. Findings Twelve CSFs are identified through a review of the literature to adopt GLPs in manufacturing industries. This paper has established the relationships among 12 identified CSFs using the ISM methodology. This paper analyses the dependence power and the driving power of identified CSFs with the help of MICMAC analysis. “Top management commitment” and “Government support” are the most significant CSFs implement GLPs successfully. Research limitations/implications The ISM model presented in this study is based on expert opinions. But expert opinions may be biased as these are based on their own judgements. However, the proposed ISM based model needs statistically validations. The ISM model in the present study may be tested in real-world situations of manufacturing industries where results obtained may be different. Practical implications This study may provide a useful input for academicians and managers of industries to differentiate between independent and dependent CSFs and their mutual relationships which would help them to focus on those key CSFs that are most significant to implement GLPs. Originality/value A conceptual ISM model of identified CSFs shows the different levels of these CSFs. This model may help the manufacturer to implement the green-lean strategies. It may also support policymakers towards adopting GLPs. Arranging CSFs in a hierarchy and to categorise the CSFs into different levels with the help of ISM-MICMAC is an exclusive effort in the area of green lean engagement.

The Bangladeshi export-oriented ready-made garments (RMG) industry sector is encountering many issues including low rate of productivity and efficiency, high lead time, high cost of quality, low ra...

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes of a leading Swedish truck maker (referred to as “TruckCo” for confidentiality reasons) providing lean training to its strategic suppliers.Design/methodology/approachA single in-depth case study is conducted, using on-site semi-structured interviews with representatives from TruckCo and its suppliers for data collection.FindingsThe lean training program resulted in four main outcomes. First, financially unstable suppliers were less receptive to the lean training program than financially stable suppliers. Second, the suppliers became easier to collaborate with over time, through improving their internal ways of working and thus creating more trust in terms of reliability. Third, the suppliers improved their ability to identify possible problems that could jeopardize deliveries. Fourth and finally, the suppliers improved their delivery precision.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation of this study is that its findings are based on a single in-depth case study. Another limitation is that all the involved companies originate from Sweden. These limitations should be considered in attempts to replicate or further test the reported findings.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights into how a manufacturer can teach lean management to suppliers, and how suppliers can be involved in a manufacturer's journey towards a leaner supply chain. Furthermore, the study reflects more generally on the potential outcomes of a manufacturer providing lean training to suppliers.Originality/valueThis study highlights both TruckCo's and the suppliers' view of the outcomes of the lean training program and discusses how different suppliers adopt the taught lean practices. Avenues for future research are proposed as well.

This study clarifies the relationship between internal lean practices (ILP) and sustainable performance using the triple bottom line framework (i.e. social, environmental and operational). A concep...

Most adopters focussed on lean tools and techniques (hard lean practices) alone and neglected human factors and ergonomics (soft lean practices) while implementing lean in an organisation. The impl...

The paper examines the implementation of lean practices in service operations of homestay establishments. The assessment is done in three ways – the assessment of lean knowledge, assessment of lean...

The successful utilisation of organisational resources and adopting the best practices are essential to attain the level of excellence in all process. Prior studies revealed that several firms disc...

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether the fit between innovativeness and lean practices (LPs) can affect triple bottom line (TBL) performance. Two types of fit are tested: fit-as-mediation in which innovativeness creates TBL performance through the mediation of LPs and fit-as-moderation whereby the effects of innovativeness on TBL performance are moderated by LPs.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modelling and moderated regression are used to test the fit-as-mediation and fit-as-moderation models using survey data collected from 241 manufacturers in China.FindingsThe results show that innovativeness is positively associated with LPs that emphasize operational excellence. Innovativeness indirectly affects all three TBL dimensions through the mediation of LPs, and LPs do not moderate the effects of innovativeness. The applicability of fit-as-mediation model suggests directing attention towards integrating innovation and LPs within same organizational units to achieve improved TBL performance.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest manufacturers should involve employees within the same organizational unit embrace an integrated culture of innovativeness and LPs and avoid separate attention to innovativeness and LPs.Originality/valueThis is the first study of which the authors are aware developing and empirically testing both fit-as-mediation and fit-as-moderation models within the same study to understand how innovativeness and LPs work together to influence TBL performance. This study extends the boundaries of current understanding by examining how, when and why the innovativeness – LPs–TBL relationship arises between constructs central to our theories.

PurposeGreen Lean concepts offer methods for managing manufacturing organizations with the goal of improving organizational performance. Green Lean practices are good options to increase the environmental and operational performance of manufacturing industries. However, there are some barriers to implement Green Lean in manufacturing industries. This paper aims to identify these barriers by reviewing the literature and analyze inter-relationships amongst selected barriers.Design/methodology/approachThis paper deals with the identification of barriers to the adoption of Green Lean practices in manufacturing industries. Using the DEMATEL approach and using the insights of experts, a cause and effect relationship diagram was generated through which the effect of barriers was analyzed.FindingsTwelve barriers were categorized in terms of cause and effect, and the interrelationships of barriers were also analyzed. Threshold value is calculated as 0.134 and the values lower than a were eliminated to obtain the digraph. “Resistance to change,” “lack of top management commitment” and “lack of training to employees” are the most prominent barriers on the basis of their prominent score.Research limitations/implicationsAnalysis in the research is highly dependent on expert judgments and opinions may be biased. However, the initial matrix obtained from the experts is hindered by the ambiguity about some relationships. But this can be improved by using fuzzy and grey set theories. The barriers used for the analysis are not from a specific type of manufacturing industry.Practical implicationsThe findings will help the manufacturing organizations to simplify the most important barriers, the least significant barriers and the relationships between these barriers. This Berlin knowledge will enable administrators to increase awareness of the barriers in Green Lean implementation. “The top management commitment” and “government support” are most important for the removal of barriers to Green Lean strategies.Originality/valueVery few scholars have used the DEMATEL approach to examine the sequence of the barriers to Green Lean implementation. The present study attempts to incorporate the DEMATEL model to assess the sequence of barriers to the implementation of Green Lean. This study investigates the degree of influence of barriers on each other and categorizes the barriers into cause and effect groups. This study is also intended to pave the way for future research in the path of the elimination of barriers to Green Lean strategies.

The new lean paradigm defines the necessary management tools and techniques that create more value for the customers using lean resources. By reducing the non-value activities in one hand, and emphasizing on continuous improvement on the other hand, the lean practices implemented open the path for superior level of financial and operational performance. The purpose of this paper is to highlighting the strong correlation between the combination of the TQM, JIT, TMS, TPM and RFID as the most important lean practices employed by the transportation companies surveyed and its financial and operational performance. The correlation between the lean practices deployed within the transportation companies analyzed and their financial or operational performance has been established due to applying the SPSS quantitative methods, factor analysis and linear regression.

PurposeThe present study aims to empirically investigate whether supply chain agility and lean management practices are antecedents of supply chain social sustainability.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 311 supply chain practitioners from the Indian manufacturing sector. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the validity and reliability of the measures used, and a structural model was analyzed to test the hypotheses of the current study.FindingsThe results indicate that agility and lean practices are significant antecedents of social sustainability orientation as well as social sustainability performance. The results also suggest that agility has a significant indirect effect on operational performance via social sustainability orientation, basic social sustainability practices as well as agility is indirectly affecting social sustainability performance via social sustainability orientation and basic social sustainability practices.Practical implicationsThe results of the present study have implications for managers that want to make their supply chain more socially sustainable.Originality/valueThe study is unique in the sense that it empirically links agility and lean practices with social sustainability orientation, social substantiality performance and operational performance in supply chains.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impingement of lean manufacturing practices (LMPs) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Northern India and their relationship with firm performance. This paper makes an attempt to identify the lean practices, which are more beneficial and their impact on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach In this study, a qualitative survey of 183 Northern India SMEs is collected and analysed using correlation, regression, canonical analysis and ANOVA test are conducted for developing relationships between them. Findings The outcome of this study indicates that the embracement of lean is necessary for their survival in this competitive spirit. Lean practices helped the SMEs to cope up with the persistent stress given by the spirited market. From the data investigation, it is revealed that total productive maintenance, supplier management, just-in-time and five S practices enhance the firm performance. Other practices such as plant management practices, operational and people practices found in a lesser extent than previous ones. From the correlation, it is revealed that lean practices have a strong relationship with firm performance. In one-way ANOVA test results indicating that the number of firms, which are less in the initial stage of lean implementation and much more impressive in a transition stage. Research limitations/implications The chosen approach for this research study was the cross-sectional one limited to the northern region of India and the investigated variables. Practical implications This study will help the stakeholders and manufacturers to enhance the performance of firms using LMPs, especially in a developing country. From these findings, practitioners and academicians would focus on vital issues related to firm enhancement apart from operational measures. Originality/value This study is one of the first attempts in which relation is developed between LMPs and firm performance and further data are investigated using canonical cross loadings and ANOVA analysis.

PurposeLean practices are one of the fundamental practices adopted by health-care organizations to improve service quality and to reduce cost. In this context, the measurement of leanness in health-care organizations has become imperative. The purpose of this study is to measure the leanness of a hospital using fuzzy logic.Design/methodology/approachThe design of the research includes two major steps. First, the identification of enablers, criteria and attributes of leanness constitutes the measures of assessment. Second, the above measures in the case hospital are assessed by using fuzzy logic approach.FindingsThis study suggests that leanness assessment is essential to identify the current lean capability of a health-care organization. This would help the health-care organizations to improve their lean performance further. The findings of the study suggest that the leanness of the case hospital is “Lean” (fuzzy range: 5.61, 7.24 and 8.91).Practical implicationsThis study brings in three important implications from managerial point of view. First, it helps the management to assess the current level of leanness of the hospital. Second, it identifies the attributes that prevent the organization from being more lean. Third, it provides suggestive measures to address the weaker attributes and enables the enhancement of lean performance further.Originality/valueThe leanness assessment framework developed in the hospital operations is found to be original, and it adds value to the leanness assessment in health-care operations.

Lean and Sustainability Oriented Innovation both enhance competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a sustainable way. Lean is efficiency focused, whereas sustainability oriented innovation emphasizes on responsiveness. Although lean and sustainability oriented innovation have been separately researched, there is a gap in knowledge on the combined effect of lean and sustainability oriented innovation (SOI) on SMEs supply chain sustainability. SMEs have limited resources and face numerous competition. Therefore, their supply chain sustainability can only be achieved through most appropriate trade-off between economic, environment and social aspects of business. The purpose of this paper is to understand the combined effect of sustainability oriented innovation and lean practices, on supply chain sustainability performance of SMEs. The study uses a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) based framework and applies this to a group of SMEs within the Eastern part of India. Lean and sustainability oriented innovation are considered as input criteria, and economic, operational, environmental and social aspects are considered as output criteria of the proposed framework. DEA segregates inefficient SMEs and suggests at least a SME to benchmark. Subsequently, the study undertakes qualitative approach to suggest improvement measures for the inefficient SMEs. The results reveal that combined lean and SOI helps achieve SMEs’ supply chain sustainability. The findings are useful for policy makers and Individual SMEs’ owners and managers to undertake measures for improving sustainability. Theoretically this research contributes a DEA-based framework to study the effect of combined lean and SOI on sustainability that helps improving SMEs’ sustainability performance.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically test how problem-solving lean practices, along with leaders as learning facilitators in an action learning approach, can be transferred from a production context to a knowledge work context for the purpose of becoming a learning organization while enhancing performance. This is important to study because many organizations struggle to enhance efficiency in the short term while still trying to be long-term learning oriented (i.e. learning organization development).Design/methodology/approachThe authors draw on theory on learning interventions to show how lean practices for problem-solving can foster learning and help an organization to become adaptive. This study’s subject is a non-production department of 100 employees at the LEGO corporation. The authors applied survey results from a natural experiment lasting 18 months between a pre-measurement survey and a post-measurement survey. The results were compared to a control department of 50 employees who were not exposed to the lean practices intervention. The authors’ focus was on the individual level as individuals have different perceptions of lean practices, performance, and learning.FindingsUsing repeated-measures tests, difference-in-difference regressions analyses, and structural equation models, the authors find that a package of contemporary lean practices for problem-solving, along with leaders who function as learning facilitators, significantly improved learning organization dimensions while also enhancing efficiency and quality and that learning organizations positively mediate the relationship between the lean intervention and quality-related performance, while efficiency is directly affected by the lean interventions. Data from LEGO's key performance indicators (KPIs), benefit trackers, on-site observations and more than 40 interviews with managers provided results that were consistent with the survey data. A detailed description of the lean practices implemented is provided to inspire future implementations in non-operations environments and to assist educators.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors contribute to the learning literature by showing that a learning-to-learn approach to lean management can serve as an active and deliberate intervention in helping an organization becoming a learning organization as perceived by the individual organizational members. The authors also add to the lean literature by showing how a learning approach to lean, as used by LEGO, can positively affect short-term efficiency and quality and create a foundation for a longer-term competitive advantage (i.e. a learning organization) in a non-production context. By contrast, most of the lean literature streams treat efficiency separately from a learning organization and mainly examine lean in a production context.Originality/valueThe extant literature shows three research streams on lean, learning, and performance. The authors built on these streams by trying to emphasize both learning and efficiency. Prior research has not empirically tested whether and how the application of problem-solving lean practices combined with leaders as learning facilitators helps to create a comprehensive learning organization while enhancing performance in a non-production context.

O controle dos processos em empresas que estão em rápida expansão pode ser complexo e de alto custo se não for feito de forma organizada e planejada. A combinação da disposição dos processos, da alta variabilidade de peças produzidas e de um grande volume fabricado pode ser um fator que aumenta a propensão de perdas. Nesse contexto, este estudo tem como objetivo, com base nas práticas lean, propor melhorias no processo de corte de chapas finas de uma linha produtiva de uma fábrica de elevadores localizada na região sul do Brasil. Em termos metodológicos, foi selecionado o estudo de caso. A pesquisa classifica-se como descritiva, de caráter exploratório. Como resultados, obteve-se reduções significativas das perdas ocorridas no processo atual, com ganhos em qualidade, redução de estoque, diminuição de retrabalhos e aumento de produtividade através da aplicação de técnicas e ferramentas lean.

The study focuses on the analysis of the direct effect of Lean Manufacturing (LM) practices on operational performance in manufacturing industry. A model for evaluating the effect of LM is developed taking into consideration as a fundamental variable that affects the causal relationship between LM practices and operational performance. A structural equation model was proposed and investigated across the manufacturing industry in India. A structured survey questionnaire was used to collect empirical data from 400 Indian companies. A total of 203 usable responses were obtained giving a response rate of 53%. The data was analyzed using SPSS- AMOS software. The results revealed that LM practices directly and positively affected operational performance. The results indicated that the structural equation model remained invariant across the Industry. The study provides further evidence to managers and practitioner on the effect of LM practices on operational performance in developing countries like India.

Frugal innovation aims to attain significantly cheaper solutions on the market. The literature points out a lack of studies addressing frugal innovation from a process-oriented (ex-ante) perspective, as well as how to structure and leverage the frugal product development process. This paper explores how lean principles and fundamentals, and more particularly lean product development (LPD) can help fill this gap. The incidence of different types of waste has been observed throughout the new product development (NPD) process, and their mitigation could certainly leverage frugal innovation from the process perspective. However, to operationalize waste mitigation, an evaluation of how different types of waste are related to the various existing LPD practices is necessary. We accordingly build a relationship matrix between LPD practices and waste mitigation throughout the NPD process, based on a literature review encompassing 310 studies. By correlating LPD practices and waste, this paper proposes and discusses a conceptual model that brings insights to understanding how LPD can drive frugal innovations from an ex-ante perspective. The contributions of this paper are the categorization and classification of waste within NPD; the assessment and classification of the lean practices most studied in the literature; the association of the categories of waste with the corresponding lean practices; and the discussion of the possible contribution of LPD literature to leverage frugal innovation from a process-oriented perspective.

This paper aims to understand the relationship between patterns of lean practice implementation, farm size and sustainable performance among fruit horticultural primary producers in South Africa. Utilizing a comprehensive lean framework, addressing 10 lean practice dimensions, the authors collected data from a sample of 132 fruit farming operations in South Africa. First, cluster analysis was applied to identify distinct clusters of farms with common lean practice implementation characteristics. Next, the distinct clusters were tested to identify significant differences in lean practice implementation and sustainable performance, with farm size incorporate as a control variable. In terms of common lean implementation characteristics, the analysis identified two distinct clusters of farms, labelled as the high lean practice cluster and the low lean practice cluster. It is determined that these two clusters differ significantly in practice implementation across all 10 dimension of lean management practice. It is further established that the two clusters differ significantly in terms of sustainable performance. Furthermore, farm size is found to significantly differentiate (i) lean practice implementation across 5 of the 10 lean practice dimensions and (ii) levels of sustainable performance between medium and large sized farms. This empirical analyses of lean practices and sustainable performance outcomes in the primary production domain represents a novel contribution to the existing literature on lean management and horticultural management.

Even though the implementation of lean practices into the construction framework have many advantages, thus far, the use of lean in the Sri Lankan construction industry is seldom and infrequent. Though many success stories exist around the world on implementing Lean Construction (LC), why the concept is untapped in Sri Lankan context require a thorough and in-depth understanding on the Barriers for LC implementation. In this study, a comprehensive analysis is done on identifying and assessing the possible factors that affect the application of LC, and factors to overcome those barriers based on an extensive literature review followed by a statistical analysis of data from a questionnaire survey which targeted professionals in the industry. From the results obtained from the questionnaire a recommendation was made on integrating Visual Management (VM) practices through means of digital communication as a lean tool, and the feasibility of the application was appraised through a questionnaire survey where a favourable result was obtained. The outcome of this study could help companies to overcome barriers and focus their attention and resources on the significant issues, crucial to support the successful implementation of LC and develop a framework to integrate Visual Management practices into digital communication.

With the construction industry plagued with inefficiencies, Lean provides opportunities to identify and eliminate wastes in the construction processes and make them more efficient. Companies utiliz...

O principal objetivo deste estudo foi examinar como as empresas estão aplicando as práticas de manufatura enxuta (LM) combinadas com as características da Tecnologia da Informação (TI), a interação entre TI e LM e os resultados obtidos em termos de desempenho operacional. A aplicação da TI e os princípios da manufatura enxuta foram vistos por alguns autores como mutuamente exclusivos, mas há outros estudos indicando que ambas as abordagens são cada vez mais interdependentes. Assim, há necessidade de estudos complementares analisando essa inter-relação de recursos de TI e práticas Lean. Esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida com uma abordagem qualitativa aplicada através do método multicaso. O estudo contribui para a teoria, fornecendo uma indicação de quais propriedades de TI trazem efeitos significativos para a implementação de práticas Lean; O estudo também oferece várias recomendações para gerentes de implantação enxuta em suas organizações. The main objective of this study was to examine how companies are applying the lean manufacturing (LM) practices combined with the features of Information Technology (IT), the interaction between IT and LM and the results obtained in terms of operational performance. The application of IT and the principles of lean manufacturing have been seen by some authors as mutually exclusive, but there are other studies indicating that both approaches are increasingly interdependent. Thus, there is a need for complementary studies analyzing this interrelation of IT resources and Lean practices. This research was developed with a qualitative approach applied through the multicase method. The study contributes to theory by providing an indication of which IT properties bring significant effects for implementing Lean practices; the study also offers several recommendations to managers for lean deployment in their organizations. 17 4 314 328

Academicians and professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) field have expressed an increasing interest in sustainability and its application in the development of construction projects, especially with its deemed relationship with lean construction, for the purpose of improving efficiency in the construction processes. Practices framed under the lean philosophy show their potential in reducing environmental, economic, and social impacts during the construction phase, with an increase in the parameters of sustainability in the development of projects. This article is a review of the extant literature, in an effort to establish the relationships and synergies between the philosophies of lean and sustainable constructions, and to determine how the lean construction practices contribute to each dimension of sustainability (i.e., environmental, economic, social) during the construction phase of a project. A matrix is presented to show the positive effects generated by lean practices on the three dimensions. Moreover, this study identifies the lean construction practices more commonly mentioned in the literature and those that bring further economic, social, and environmental benefits. The analyses and findings of this literature review offer a starting point for future research that integrate lean and sustainable construction during the construction phase.

PurposeThe practice of lean management (LM) principles has given firms, from a variety of sectors, quantum jumps in productivity and performance. India is at the cusp of a major leap in economic growth, and adoption of LM is a must for ramping up the rate of growth of the GDP speedily, if the government is really intent on achieving its objective of becoming the third or fourth largest economy soon. This paper aims to study the status of implementation of LM in the LM Leaders (LML’s) in the Indian industry, to understand if they are ready to accept the challenges ahead.Design/methodology/approachThis is an exploratory research study. To study the level of maturity of LM in Indian industry, the authors selected the LM Leaders in the Indian industry (LMLII). By using a well-known survey instrument – the Lean Self -Assessment Tool (LESAT), Version 2.0 – designed and developed by MIT, the authors conducted a longitudinal survey over the period 2013 to 2016, a four-year duration. Surveys were conducted every year.FindingsSurvey results show an improvement in the overall average of “current state” scores between the years 2013 and 2016, indicating that LMLII’s have improved upon their LM adoption during these years. However, there is a striking gap between “where the industry wants to be” and “where it currently is”. This could drive future improvements. Based on the survey results, this paper draws lessons and proposes action points on how to improve the adoption and diffusion of LM principles and practices in the LMLII. Factors which need to be addressed to reinvigorate the practice of LM have been identified and classified as urgent, immediate and short term.Research limitations/implicationsWhile many “snapshot” studies have been done to study LM in Indian industry, a longitudinal study has not been done. Moreover, previous studies administer questionnaires to one company (case study method) or a group of companies in a sector of the industry. Thus, there was a research gap. A longitudinal study will help us take a holistic approach. In addition, studying LMLII will provide data from the most serious adopters of LM. Both these will add value to the current research on LM in Indian industry. The results will also help the LMLII’s to further improve the practice of LM in a systematic and rigorous way. However, as the study is limited to the LMLII, it would not be possible to apply the knowledge to the Indian industry as a whole. For doing so, one would need a larger, more representative sample.Practical implicationsUsing this paper, LMLII’s can develop practices which will improve customer satisfaction and reduce waste in manufacturing. They can ramp up LM intensity to make further quantum jumps in performance.Social implicationsLM, in addition to improving the output/input ratio (producing more for less), also emphasises waste reduction, customer satisfaction and efficient operations. All these three factors are essential for sustainable and happy society.Originality/valueThe work is original. This is the first longitudinal survey of lean practices in the Indian industry to study cross-sectional practices, and the results will propel the Indian industry to intensify the practice of LM.

Using the instrument proposed by Bento and Tontini 2018. Developing an instrument to measure lean manufacturing maturity and its relationship with operational performance. Total Quality Management ...

For Pakistani banks to remain competitive in this 21st century, they have to adopt and excel in practices that have brought significant competitive advantages to firms worldwide. Among these practices, lean management has played a significant role. There is a need to develop a systematic approach to access up to what extent firms are adopting lean practices. The objective of this research is to measure the level of adoptions of lean practices in banking sector in Pakistan. Face to face structured interviews were conducted and our findings suggest that banks are not implementing lean practices in true spirit. To implement lean practices holistically, bank employees should understand the philosophy of lean.

PurposeModern manufacturing systems require tools and techniques that take cognizance of the social (concerning people and relations) as well as the technical environment. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the social and technical aspects of lean manufacturing practices and their effects on business performance outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe hypothesized relationships for this study are tested with data collected from 148 Indian manufacturing firms by using SPSS and AMOS statistical software.FindingsThe analysis of the study was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, which indicated that both “soft” and “hard” lean practices are positively related to business performance parameters. The findings also demonstrated that “hard” lean practices fully mediate the relationship between “soft” lean practices and business performance parameters.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations of this study. Although a cross-sectional survey has been applied, the research does not permit us to account for the lag between implementation and performance. It also brings the opinion of a limited number of Indian experts about lean manufacturing systems; hence, the sample size could be increased and the nationality of the respondent could be expanded for future research.Practical implicationsThe paper would be of interest to Lean practitioners, and the results of this study can be used in organizations to put a focus on social-cultural changes while applying lean technical tools when it comes to practices as well as importance.Originality/valueThis paper extends theoretical contribution in production and operations management literature, highlighting how social and technical practices have to interact to enable a successful lean manufacturing implementation.

Past literature has investigated the relationship between lean production and financial performance with mixed results. Most studies focused on subsets of lean practices to measure lean production,...

Purpose Organizations have varied levels of success with Lean implementation and many did not see tangible results. Some scholars believe the reason has to do with weak Lean culture or Lean values (LVs). The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between Lean implementation practices and LVs. The research goes further to study the nature of this relationship; does LVs affect Lean practices only or do they affect each other in a reciprocal manner? Design/methodology/approach Literature regarding Lean implementation in various sectors was reviewed. Representatives from several organizations were surveyed. Results from both approaches are compared and presented to highlight the key challenges and drivers facing Lean implementation. Findings Lean works well on enhancing organization performance (OP) but the implementation has to be preceded by careful nourishment of the proper Lean culture and LVs. The relationship between Lean implementation and LVs is of a complex nature and driven by OP. Practical implications The study has important managerial implications that is if Lean is going to be sustained, continuous efforts has to be exerted by Lean professionals to engage leaders and decision makers in the organization and ensure proper values are nurtured. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the reciprocal relationship between Lean implementation practices and LVs while focusing on OP by employing a structural statistical model.

The incomplete implementation of lean and innovative approaches in Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the lack of evidence of successful application of those approaches highlight the need to investigate how and to what extent leanness and innovativeness impact firm's performance. Although some studies in the literature explain the individual impact of leanness or innovativeness on performance, further research is required to analyse the simultaneous effect that these two approaches have on both environmental and financial performance. Therefore, this paper investigates the relationships existing between leanness, process innovation, product innovation, environmental performance, and financial performance. To achieve this aim, we test the hypothesised model empirically using data from 374 Indian manufacturing SMEs. This paper builds upon structural equation modelling (SEM). Specifically, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is used to test the construct measures and path model analysis to test the hypotheses of the structural model. The results of the study are consistent with the hypothesised model and show a significant positive impact of both leanness and innovativeness on financial and environmental performance. In addition, the results of this paper show the importance of considering simultaneously leanness and innovation since leanness does not have only a direct effect on environmental and financial performance, but also an indirect effect mediated by innovation. These findings may draw the attention of practitioners, academicians, and policy-makers to the impact that lean and innovation practices have on environmental and financial performance of individual firms and supply chains.

Purpose The core principle of implementing Lean manufacturing is reducing waste through optimum utilization of all resources. In this research paper, the authors have examined the effect of implementing Lean practices on the overall productivity in central India-based manufacturing industries. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the relationship between the implementation of Lean practices and overall productivity particularly in central India-based manufacturing industries. Design/methodology/approach A model in the integrated form is developed to illustrate how Lean manufacturing practices improve the overall productivity. Based on this model, a survey is performed to validate all hypotheses related to the conceptual model subject to various statistical tests. Findings It is established by the findings of this research that industries based in central India should implement the whole concept of Lean manufacturing practices to improve overall productivity. Industries should adopt the concept of Lean manufacturing in totality, not through the island approach. Originality/value The value of this research paper is to showcase the possibility for central India-based companies to become world-class industries. For this, an approach in the form of an integrated model has been developed.

PurposeDue to the increasing trend of global competitiveness, lean manufacturing has received much attention in the international literature. Although previous studies have indicated the positive effects of lean manufacturing on the performance of the manufacturing firms, the impact of lean practices on two aspects of “job”, namely, characteristics and satisfaction, as of yet remains unclear. As a result, this study aims to evaluate job characteristics to understand the effects of lean manufacturing on job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachData from a survey of 206 employees in lean manufacturing companies were gathered and analysed using the partial least squares technique.FindingsThe results indicate that customer relationship, human resources and product design practices had positive indirect effects on job satisfaction through job characteristics, whereas, process and equipment practices had a negative indirect effect.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study will be useful for the companies that implement lean manufacturing practices. Companies could either adjust their lean initiatives or make a trade-off amongst job characteristics.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the advancement of knowledge on the effects of lean manufacturing practices on job satisfaction through job characteristics.

Purpose The purpose of this research is to test a model that incorporates investments in quality and Lean practices and production fitness constructs, originating in the theory of swift even flow (SEF), to provide insights into successful implementation of manufacturing practices. Design/methodology/approach This research uses data from the Global Manufacturing Research Group fourth round survey and empirically tests the relationships between investments in Lean practices and improvements in production fitness, using a sample of 844 plants in 17 countries. Findings The results highlight that the implementation of Lean practices yields better results on production evenness, when the company has higher levels of investments in quality practices. Therefore, the implementation of quality practices is a prerequisite for achieving higher production fitness. Originality/value The findings are important to the development and testing of operations management theory, as it integrates two research streams, manufacturing practices and SEF research, to gain insights into the interplay of manufacturing practices and how it influences the production fitness. For practitioners, this research assesses how better-performing plants compete. It provides operations managers with a better understanding of production fitness and how manufacturing practices foster its development.

Purpose In the present work, lean and resilient practices applied to supply chains are studied in order to evaluate their impact on the three dimensions of sustainability. Additionally, the mutual impact of lean and resilient supply chain practices is investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The aerospace sector and its supply chain are chosen, since lean and resilient practices have been proven relevant in the sector. A methodology based on Interpretive Structural Modeling approach is applied in order to identify the existing relationships between lean and resilient supply chain practices and their impact on the three different dimensions of sustainability. Findings The results reveal synergetic effects between lean and resilient practices. The former practices act as drivers of the latter practices. Hence, lean practices lead to direct and indirect effects in achieving supply chain sustainability. Research limitations/implications The relationship between lean and resilient practices has been studied for the aerospace sector. Different sectors may lead to different results as the practices considered important in each sector may differ as well as the way in which each practice is implemented. Originality/value This study highlights the relationship existing between lean and resilient supply chain practices and their impact on sustainability. Additionally, several managerial implications are drawn out to help managers make better decisions.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the benefits generated from the application of lean tools in banking services. We will highlight on challenges, advantages, and principal success factors for lean implementation. As financial markets are experiencing changes so it’s mandatory to create a streamlined bank to meet the new expectations in a timely manner while continuing to lower operational costs. The methodology used is a case study research based on a participant observation, in which we describe and analyze the implementation of VSM lean tool in a real banking environment. The main findings illustrate the great potential and capabilities of the lean tools when implemented. VSM is a very helpful Lean tool for banks to embrace disruptive technologies and create better experiences for customers and employees. We argue that to maintain and realize a sustainable achievement, lean practices must be adjusted and become a characteristic of bank culture.

The concepts of lean manufacturing operations and sustainability are congruent in nature, marked by the facet of improving organizational efficiency. However, only difference lies in the definition of waste. This definition is given a new dimension by sustainability by incorporating the extensive scope of reductions in the environmental consequences in the form of 6R (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, redesign and remanufacture); which requires a consolidated integrated approach. Therefore, as to affirm the requirement, a systematic literature review has been carried out which scrutinized previous researches in view of their originality, methodology, objectives and limitations. Based on this literature study, 25 most related approaches (lean and sustainable integrated approaches) were selected and their originality was investigated. Investigation revealed that few research articles are integrating lean and sustainable approaches. This study identifies the gap of the integration of lean practices with 6Rs and a framework was developed which implemented on the case study that carries ability to attain 6R based sustainable lean production systems. Because of more social and environmentally friendly atmosphere achieved through 6R based implementation, the results achieved are 50% decrease in heating cost by redesigning furnaces (from oil furnaces to gas furnaces), 36.33% improvement in value added time, 40.14% in lead-time and 22% reduction in labour utilization. This improvement indicates that use of proposed integrated framework is highly beneficial for any kind of manufacturing sector.

A adoção dos princípios e práticas oriundos da Produção Enxuta (PE) auxilia na eliminação sistemática dos desperdícios, ao passo que lapida a cultura organizacional para a sustentação da melhoria contínua. O processo de implementação da PE pode variar de acordo com os problemas existentes e o contexto no qual a empresa está inserida. Assim, este artigo busca identificar como se relacionam os fatores críticos de sucesso, barreiras e práticas para a implementação enxuta em uma pequena empresa. Para isso, os principais FCS, barreiras e práticas de PE relacionados a pequenas empresas foram inicialmente consolidados a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica. Através de entrevistas semiestruturadas e grupos focados com as lideranças de uma pequena empresa manufatureira do setor eletrônico em implementação enxuta, as relações entre FCS, barreiras e práticas enxutas foram avaliadas e ranqueadas a partir da incorporação de uma ferramenta de análise multicriterial. Além da contribuição teórica já evidenciada, este estudo apresenta implicações de natureza prática/gerencial, uma vez que provê um direcionamento para auxiliar a implementação enxuta em pequenas empresas manufatureiras. Adicionalmente, o maior entendimento dessas relações sob o contexto em estudo possibilita aos gestores a antecipação de potencias problemas, permitindo uma implementação enxuta mais bem-sucedida. Ao final os resultados foram analisados e concluídos com sugestões para futuras pesquisas.

Healthcare organizations face constant management challenges. The high complexity and dynamicity of this sector, as well as the constant pressure to reduce costs while improving services, make the management process even more difficult. Taking into account that supply chain usually presents great opportunities for improvement within healthcare systems, both in term of costs reduction and quality of care increase, healthcare organizations have been adapting and implementing practices and principles of Lean Production (LP) in this context. Among the practices utilized in LP, value stream mapping (VSM) is one of the most adopted, as it identifies wastes and direct the application of other LP practices. In this sense, this work aims to comprehend the inherent processes of healthcare supply chain and identify lean practices implementation opportunities. To achieve that, a VSM was applied in a product family of a Brazilian school-hospital supply chain. Among the improvements observed, it is worth mentioning the reduction of 47% in processing time, a reduction of 13% in lead time and improvements in visual management and inventory management. Moreover, the contribution of this article is twofold. First, it establishes a method to identify the opportunities for lean implementation in healthcare supply chain, systematizing the process of continuous improvement. Second, it provides means for healthcare managers structure their supply chain lean implementation projects.