Table 1 Drivers for implementing lean...

Table 1

Drivers for implementing lean manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry to enhance circular economy performance outcomes

Context	Sl.	Drivers	How does it affect pharmaceutical industry	Sources
Economical and organizational	1	Cost cutting	Pharmaceutical firms seek to optimize resource utilization, remove waste and streamline processes by implementing lean concepts. This lean methodology supports the larger goals of circular economy performance in addition to lowering costs	Nagaich (2022), Hariyani and Mishra (2022b), Nour and Laux (2021)
	2	Shorter time to market	Pharmaceutical firms can respond to market demands more quickly by streamlining their supply chain, manufacturing and research and development operations through the adoption of lean concepts. By encouraging resource efficiency, this quicker time to market not only boosts competitiveness but also adheres to the circular economy’s tenets	Nenni et al. (2014)
	3	Adherence to regulations	Lean methodologies, which prioritize waste reduction strategies, energy-efficient practices and raw material optimization, align with the objectives of the circular economy. This results in a comprehensive and compliant approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing that strikes a balance between regulatory requirements and sustainable and circular practices	Solís-Quinteros et al., (2021), McKie et al., (2021)
	4	Top management commitment	Top executives' dedication shapes organizational culture and has an impact on decision-making procedures. Within the framework of lean methodologies, it entails cultivating an attitude that places emphasis on productivity and incorporate principles of the circular economy into the manufacturing cycle of pharmaceuticals	Hariyani and Mishra (2022a, b), Parmar and Desai (2020), Elkhairi et al. (2019)
	5	Quality augmentation	Pharmaceutical firms may secure the manufacturing of high-quality medicines, streamline processes and eliminate defects by implementing lean principles. In addition to meeting legal requirements, this dedication to quality advances resource efficiency, a cornerstone of the circular economy’s tenets	Yadav et al. (2020)
	6	Standardization	Pharmaceutical businesses may more efficiently pinpoint areas for improvement because of standardized processes, which reduces environmental impact and promotes continual process optimization. The pharmaceutical sector may actively support a more circular and sustainable approach by incorporating lean-driven standardization	Yadav et al. (2020)
	7	Innovative business models	Pharmaceutical firms should reconsider established procedures and integrate lean concepts, which prioritize efficiency and waste reduction, by adopting innovative and creative methods to business. A creative business plan can inspire the creation of fresh approaches that support the objectives of the circular economy, such maximizing resource utilization and reducing environmental effect	Aloini et al. (2020), Pieroni et al. (2019)
	8	Systems with closed loops	Lean principles encourage the development of goods and procedures that permit material reuse, recycling and remanufacturing. This strategy makes it easier to develop closed-loop systems where resources are continually reused, lowering the need for virgin materials and fostering a more circular and sustainable economy	Achillas and Bochtis (2020), Sosnowski and Cyplik (2022)
Knowledge and learning	1	Ongoing development	Lean approaches offer an organized framework for continuous improvement, encouraging a flexible and creative culture. Pharmaceutical firms can find opportunities to reduce waste, maximize resource utilization and improve overall efficiency by routinely evaluating and improving their operations. The objectives of the circular economy are easily aligned with this iterative method	Parmar and Desai (2020), Yadav et al. (2020)
	2	Employee involvement	Employee involvement promotes a continuous improvement culture and gives staff members the ability to offer creative solutions for reducing resource inefficiencies and optimizing procedures. By encouraging responsible resource usage and waste reduction, this cooperative method not only improves the efficiency of operations but also adheres to the circular economy’s tenets	Parmar and Desai (2020), Osman et al. (2020), Yadav et al. (2020)
	3	Training and education	Through the provision of specialized expertise and abilities to their workforce, pharmaceutical businesses may cultivate a lean culture and improve their performance in the circular economy. Employees can be empowered by training programs to recognize and reduce inefficiencies in production processes	Parmar and Desai (2020), Elkhairi et al. (2019)
	4	Customer contentment	Pharmaceutical firms can meet consumer requests with promptness and consistency by implementing lean techniques that enhance efficiency and reliability. Furthermore, there is a growing correlation between environmental responsibility and customer pleasure as society places a higher priority on sustainability. Putting circular economy principles into practice	Hariyani and Mishra (2022a), Goshime et al. (2019)
	5	Collaboration and communication	Good channels of communication make it easier to share knowledge and best practices, which makes it possible to incorporate the concepts of the circular economy with ease. A harmonious environment for adopting lean approaches is created when varied stakeholders have effective communication and share a common understanding	Osman et al. (2020), Elkhairi et al. (2019)
	6	Demand from consumers and awareness	Lean can be used to increase consumer demand and knowledge of the circular economy by highlighting the worth and advantages of sustainable practices and products. Lean also makes it possible for visible supply chains and unambiguous labeling, giving customers the freedom to make educated decisions and advancing the circular economy by their buying actions	Hunka et al. (2021), Aloini et al. (2020)
Technological and resource management	1	Operational efficiency	Pharmacies may save money, increase productivity and guarantee a more sustainable use of supplies by reducing waste and enhancing overall operational efficacy. Lean approaches emphasize material reduction, reuse and recycling, which supports the circular economy and increases resource efficiency	Panigrahi et al. (2023), Salonitis and Tsinopoulos (2016)
	2	Resource optimization	Just-in-time manufacturing and ongoing improvement are two lean concepts that help to optimize production processes, cut down on extra inventory and use less energy. By encouraging sustainable resource management, this not only improves operational efficiency but also adheres to the fundamental principles of the circular economy	Salonitis and Tsinopoulos (2016)
	3	Capacity utilization	By reducing material and energy waste, efficient capacity utilization fosters sustainability in the sector. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical industry is prioritizing environmental responsibility more and more; therefore, integrating lean principles is essential to meeting both ecological and circular economy objectives	Laskowski (2017), Nenni et al. (2014)
	4	Process mapping	One of the most important parts of lean techniques is process mapping, which helps companies optimize their workflows, cut waste and boost productivity. Creating a map of the manufacturing process makes it possible to identify areas where sustainable practices, including recycling and material reuse, can be implemented to support the circular economy	Abusaq et al. (2023), Proença et al. (2022), Pereira et al. (2019)
	5	Continuous monitoring process	Continuous monitoring process distinguished by its capacity to track and evaluate in real time, which makes it easier to take a complete and adaptive approach to managing resources and sustainability. It makes sure that resource optimization measures in the pharmaceutical industry, where accuracy and compliance are crucial, are in line with the circular economy principles	Swarnakar et al. (2020)
	6	Sustainable supplier selection	Materials from sustainable providers frequently have a smaller environmental impact. An essential component of the circular economy is resource efficiency, which is enhanced by using these materials into lean manufacturing techniques	Debnath et al. (2023a)
	7	Digitalization	Lean can help digitalize the circular economy by including IoT devices, data analytics and automation which utilize data and technology to streamline processes, boost productivity and facilitate better resource management. Lean principles promote the use of digital tools in order to track material flows, streamline operations and find areas for improvement	Zu Castell-Rüdenhausen et al. (2021), Hedberg and Šipka (2021)
	8	Extension of product life	Lean can be used to extend product life in the circular economy by putting in place tactics that maximize product use, maintenance and repair. Producers can increase the lifespan of their products through remodeling, remanufacturing and repair by implementing lean practices	Fontana et al. (2021), Milios (2021)

Context	Sl.	Drivers	How does it affect pharmaceutical industry	Sources
Economical and organizational	1	Cost cutting	Pharmaceutical firms seek to optimize resource utilization, remove waste and streamline processes by implementing lean concepts. This lean methodology supports the larger goals of circular economy performance in addition to lowering costs	Nagaich (2022), Hariyani and Mishra (2022b), Nour and Laux (2021)
	2	Shorter time to market	Pharmaceutical firms can respond to market demands more quickly by streamlining their supply chain, manufacturing and research and development operations through the adoption of lean concepts. By encouraging resource efficiency, this quicker time to market not only boosts competitiveness but also adheres to the circular economy’s tenets	Nenni et al. (2014)
	3	Adherence to regulations	Lean methodologies, which prioritize waste reduction strategies, energy-efficient practices and raw material optimization, align with the objectives of the circular economy. This results in a comprehensive and compliant approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing that strikes a balance between regulatory requirements and sustainable and circular practices	Solís-Quinteros et al., (2021), McKie et al., (2021)
	4	Top management commitment	Top executives' dedication shapes organizational culture and has an impact on decision-making procedures. Within the framework of lean methodologies, it entails cultivating an attitude that places emphasis on productivity and incorporate principles of the circular economy into the manufacturing cycle of pharmaceuticals	Hariyani and Mishra (2022a, b), Parmar and Desai (2020), Elkhairi et al. (2019)
	5	Quality augmentation	Pharmaceutical firms may secure the manufacturing of high-quality medicines, streamline processes and eliminate defects by implementing lean principles. In addition to meeting legal requirements, this dedication to quality advances resource efficiency, a cornerstone of the circular economy’s tenets	Yadav et al. (2020)
	6	Standardization	Pharmaceutical businesses may more efficiently pinpoint areas for improvement because of standardized processes, which reduces environmental impact and promotes continual process optimization. The pharmaceutical sector may actively support a more circular and sustainable approach by incorporating lean-driven standardization	Yadav et al. (2020)
	7	Innovative business models	Pharmaceutical firms should reconsider established procedures and integrate lean concepts, which prioritize efficiency and waste reduction, by adopting innovative and creative methods to business. A creative business plan can inspire the creation of fresh approaches that support the objectives of the circular economy, such maximizing resource utilization and reducing environmental effect	Aloini et al. (2020), Pieroni et al. (2019)
	8	Systems with closed loops	Lean principles encourage the development of goods and procedures that permit material reuse, recycling and remanufacturing. This strategy makes it easier to develop closed-loop systems where resources are continually reused, lowering the need for virgin materials and fostering a more circular and sustainable economy	Achillas and Bochtis (2020), Sosnowski and Cyplik (2022)
Knowledge and learning	1	Ongoing development	Lean approaches offer an organized framework for continuous improvement, encouraging a flexible and creative culture. Pharmaceutical firms can find opportunities to reduce waste, maximize resource utilization and improve overall efficiency by routinely evaluating and improving their operations. The objectives of the circular economy are easily aligned with this iterative method	Parmar and Desai (2020), Yadav et al. (2020)
	2	Employee involvement	Employee involvement promotes a continuous improvement culture and gives staff members the ability to offer creative solutions for reducing resource inefficiencies and optimizing procedures. By encouraging responsible resource usage and waste reduction, this cooperative method not only improves the efficiency of operations but also adheres to the circular economy’s tenets	Parmar and Desai (2020), Osman et al. (2020), Yadav et al. (2020)
	3	Training and education	Through the provision of specialized expertise and abilities to their workforce, pharmaceutical businesses may cultivate a lean culture and improve their performance in the circular economy. Employees can be empowered by training programs to recognize and reduce inefficiencies in production processes	Parmar and Desai (2020), Elkhairi et al. (2019)
	4	Customer contentment	Pharmaceutical firms can meet consumer requests with promptness and consistency by implementing lean techniques that enhance efficiency and reliability. Furthermore, there is a growing correlation between environmental responsibility and customer pleasure as society places a higher priority on sustainability. Putting circular economy principles into practice	Hariyani and Mishra (2022a), Goshime et al. (2019)
	5	Collaboration and communication	Good channels of communication make it easier to share knowledge and best practices, which makes it possible to incorporate the concepts of the circular economy with ease. A harmonious environment for adopting lean approaches is created when varied stakeholders have effective communication and share a common understanding	Osman et al. (2020), Elkhairi et al. (2019)
	6	Demand from consumers and awareness	Lean can be used to increase consumer demand and knowledge of the circular economy by highlighting the worth and advantages of sustainable practices and products. Lean also makes it possible for visible supply chains and unambiguous labeling, giving customers the freedom to make educated decisions and advancing the circular economy by their buying actions	Hunka et al. (2021), Aloini et al. (2020)
Technological and resource management	1	Operational efficiency	Pharmacies may save money, increase productivity and guarantee a more sustainable use of supplies by reducing waste and enhancing overall operational efficacy. Lean approaches emphasize material reduction, reuse and recycling, which supports the circular economy and increases resource efficiency	Panigrahi et al. (2023), Salonitis and Tsinopoulos (2016)
	2	Resource optimization	Just-in-time manufacturing and ongoing improvement are two lean concepts that help to optimize production processes, cut down on extra inventory and use less energy. By encouraging sustainable resource management, this not only improves operational efficiency but also adheres to the fundamental principles of the circular economy	Salonitis and Tsinopoulos (2016)
	3	Capacity utilization	By reducing material and energy waste, efficient capacity utilization fosters sustainability in the sector. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical industry is prioritizing environmental responsibility more and more; therefore, integrating lean principles is essential to meeting both ecological and circular economy objectives	Laskowski (2017), Nenni et al. (2014)
	4	Process mapping	One of the most important parts of lean techniques is process mapping, which helps companies optimize their workflows, cut waste and boost productivity. Creating a map of the manufacturing process makes it possible to identify areas where sustainable practices, including recycling and material reuse, can be implemented to support the circular economy	Abusaq et al. (2023), Proença et al. (2022), Pereira et al. (2019)
	5	Continuous monitoring process	Continuous monitoring process distinguished by its capacity to track and evaluate in real time, which makes it easier to take a complete and adaptive approach to managing resources and sustainability. It makes sure that resource optimization measures in the pharmaceutical industry, where accuracy and compliance are crucial, are in line with the circular economy principles	Swarnakar et al. (2020)
	6	Sustainable supplier selection	Materials from sustainable providers frequently have a smaller environmental impact. An essential component of the circular economy is resource efficiency, which is enhanced by using these materials into lean manufacturing techniques	Debnath et al. (2023a)
	7	Digitalization	Lean can help digitalize the circular economy by including IoT devices, data analytics and automation which utilize data and technology to streamline processes, boost productivity and facilitate better resource management. Lean principles promote the use of digital tools in order to track material flows, streamline operations and find areas for improvement	Zu Castell-Rüdenhausen et al. (2021), Hedberg and Šipka (2021)
	8	Extension of product life	Lean can be used to extend product life in the circular economy by putting in place tactics that maximize product use, maintenance and repair. Producers can increase the lifespan of their products through remodeling, remanufacturing and repair by implementing lean practices	Fontana et al. (2021), Milios (2021)

Source(s): Authors’ own contribution

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