...Arslan Zahid; Fabio De Felice; Antonio Forcina; Antonella Petrillo Purpose This study explores the integration of digital technologies, vehicle routing optimization and continuous improvement principles (Lean and Six Sigma) to collectively enhance transportation efficiency and reduce negative...

..., efficiency, and quality. Some initiatives have been conducted towards quality assurance and accreditation of management systems, and others incorporate philosophies and tools based on Total Quality Management (TQM), Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen approaches. The implementation of such approaches in Higher...

...Ramads Thekkoote Purpose This paper uses the complex proportionality assessment (COPRAS) method to examine the driving factors of Industry 4.0 (I4) technologies for lean implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach Adopting I4 technology...

...Paula H. Jensen; Jennifer Cross; Diego A. Polanco-Lahoz Purpose Lean is a continuous improvement methodology that has succeeded in eliminating waste in a variety of industries. Yet, there is a need for more research on Lean implementation in several under-studied contexts, including crisis...

... ISO 18404 Six sigma Lean Lean six sigma Quality Standards Continuous improvement The authors welcome the recent paper by Oudrhiri et al. (2022) as adding to the extremely limited number of articles published on the ISO 18404:2015 standard. Oudrhiri et al. (2022...

...Aqeel Ahmed; Sanjay Mathrani Purpose The concept of lean and ISO 14001 as a combined approach is an evolving strategy for streamlining operational processes and attaining environmental sustainability in the manufacturing context. This paper explores the critical success factors (CSFs...

...Sudhanshu Joshi; Manu Sharma; Shalini Bartwal; Tanuja Joshi; Mukesh Prasad Purpose The study proposes to determine the impending challenges to lean integration with Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in manufacturing that aims at achieving desired operational performance. Integrating lean and Industry 4.0...

...Jiju Antony; Michael Sony; Olivia McDermott; Vikas Swarnakar; Brian Galli; Mehran Doulatabadi; Rajesh Kaul Purpose Operational excellence (OPEX) initiatives such as Lean, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma and Agile have some common characteristics that can be understood through their adoption...

... reported misconceptions and erroneous statements is presented and clarifications are provided. A qualitative interview approach was utilised to obtain the views of leading academics and practitioners familiar with Six Sigma and Lean in a range of sectors and from different parts of the world. This includes...

...Narpat Ram Sangwa; Kuldip Singh Sangwan Purpose This paper proposes an integrated value stream mapping (VSM) for a complex assembly line to improve the leanness of a complex automotive component manufacturing organization. Design/methodology/approach This study depicts the application of VSM...

...Juan Sebastián Bravo-Paliz; Sonia Valeria Avilés-Sacoto Purpose Worldwide, companies are interested in improving processes and reaching high levels of quality through the adoption of various systems. For example, they implement quality management methodologies, such as Lean, with the aim...

...Abdulqader Al-Kaf; Raja Jayaraman; Kudret Demirli; Mecit Can Emre Simsekler; Hussam Ghalib; Dima Quraini; Murat Tuzcu Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and critically review the existing literature on applications of Lean Methodology (LM) and Discrete-Event Simulation (DES...

...Fabiane Letícia Lizarelli; Ayon Chakraborty; Jiju Antony; Raja Jayaraman; Matheus Borges Carneiro; Sandy Furterer Purpose The purpose of this empirical research is to understand the application of Lean practices (technical and social) and tools in the service sector, whose implementation is less...

...Ravindra Ojha Purpose The purpose of this research paper is to study the digital accelerators in conjunction with lean manufacturing enablers in the technology driven Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and understand their interrelationship dynamics with a goal to accelerate the pace of manufacturing excellence...

... A qualitative interview approach was utilised by interviewing a panel of leading academics and practitioners familiar with Lean Six Sigma. Findings The results indicate that Lean Six Sigma professionals have conflicting opinions on ISO 18404. An overwhelming majority of the panel questioned the “quality...

... public and patient safety. Operational excellence Quality Six Sigma Lean Agile Continuous improvement Healthcare Pandemic In times of pandemic and particularly with COVID-19, which is highly contagious via droplets, the healthcare community faces unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19...

...Willem Salentijn; Susanne Beijer; Jiju Antony Purpose Lean has shifted over the years from a set of tools to implement to a human-centric approach concerning both hard and soft factors. However, there is a limited research on these soft factors and how they influence companies performance...

...Vigneshvaran R; S. Vinodh Purpose To develop a structural model based on Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) approach to analyse the barriers to integration of Lean with Industry 4.0. Design/methodology/approach Integrated lean and I4.0 is essential for optimising customer value, rapid...

...S. Vinodh; Jiju Antony; Rohit Agrawal; Jacqueline Ann Douglas Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the history, trends and needs of continuous improvement (CI) and Industry 4.0. Four strategies are reviewed, namely, Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen and Sustainability. Design...

...Robert Saxby; Michele Cano-Kourouklis; Evi Viza Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an assessment into how well the Lean Management method will support continuous improvement in the world of Industry 4.0. Design/methodology/approach Using thematic analysis...