Exploring relationships for integrating lean, environmental sustainability and industry 4.0

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lígia Lobo Mesquita ◽  
Fabiane Letícia Lizarelli ◽  
Susana Duarte ◽  
Pedro Carlos Oprime
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Unified Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Lean Practices ◽  
And Cluster Analysis ◽  
Organizational Results ◽  
Main Components

Purpose This paper aims to thoroughly identify the forms of integration between Lean, Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and environmental sustainability (ES) by examining the relationships between these three constructs, deepening understanding surrounding the theme and evolving the construction of a framework that can aid managing industrial production processes. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was the method used to identify the relationships for integration in the current literature. The SLR was supported by content and cluster analysis. The analyzes identified relationships at two levels. The first level observed relationships for constructs and variables. The second, at the level of constructs and components, which detail the variables. This study also proposes an integrated conceptual framework showing these relationships at the construct, variable and component levels. Findings The results show how these three constructs are related and the study concludes by stating that there is stronger integration among I4.0 technologies and Lean practices for reaching ES. The SLR identified the main components that allowed for this integration, i.e. I4.0 technologies, Big Data, the internet of things and Lean practices, like reducing waste and customer needs. Practical implications From an academic standpoint, this study proposes new lines of research lines that have not been explored thus far, and can be developed via empirical studies, at the strategic and operational levels among different industrial sectors. Also, this study can help managers understand the integrations between Lean practices and I4.0 technologies to achieve better operational and environmental organizational results. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, this study is the first of its kind using SLR to integrate Lean approaches, ES and I4.0 and to propose a unified framework to help managers and academics understand these relationships.

Total quality management 4.0: adapting quality management to Industry 4.0

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiane Florencio de Souza ◽  
Alana Corsi ◽  
Regina Negri Pagani ◽  
Giles Balbinotti ◽  
João Luiz Kovaleski
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Data Collections

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to explore the new concept of TQM 4.0 as a way of adapting quality management (QM) in Industry 4.0 (I4.0), guiding industries to this new phase, which has generated adaptations in numerous areas, one of which is QM and human resources.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of the literature was carried out. Methodi Ordinatio was applied to build the portfolio of articles with scientific relevance, which is the source of data collections and content analysis. To help out in the analysis, NVivo 12 and VOSviewer software programs were used.FindingsThe results demonstrate that when adapting the QM to the technologies of I4.0, the result is an ecosystem that supports the integration between technology, quality and people in the industrial scenario.Research limitations/implicationsThis article presents a systematic review of the literature, but without delving into specific issues such as the different industrial sectors and the culture of countries in which industries may be inserted, for example, which characterizes a limitation of this research.Practical implicationsThis study provides an ecosystem model that can guide future research, regarding the concept of TQM 4.0, in addition to pointing out some ways of combining technologies, quality and people in the industrial context.Originality/valueThis is one of the first articles to employ a systematic review of the literature using Methodi Ordinatio to build a bibliographic panorama on the intertwining of the themes total QM (TQM) and I4.0, focusing on the emerging concept of TQM 4.0.

A labelling system and automation comparison index for industry 4.0 system

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shailendra Kumar ◽  
Mohammad Asjad ◽  
Mohd. Suhaib
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Manufacturing System ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Maps ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Of Automation ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Automation Level ◽  
Labelling System

Purpose This paper aims to put forward a labelling system capable of reflecting the level of different Industry 4.0 (I4.0)features present in a manufacturing system and further propose a comparative index to collectively estimate and compare the system automation level. Design/methodology/approach Data for the empirical study were collected from interactions with the practising managers and experts. A relationship among the six I4.0 features is developed with fuzzy cognitive maps. Findings The paper proposed a simple and easy-to-understand labelling system for I4.0 systems, which indicates the automation level in each of six dimensions of any manufacturing system. The system is further strengthened by a proposed automation comparative index (ACI), which collectively reflects the automation level on a scale of “0” to “1”. Thus, the labelling system and parameter could help in comparing the level of automation in the manufacturing system and further decision-making. Research limitations/implications Only seven industrial sectors are illustrated in the paper, but the proposed concept of the classification scheme and ACI find their applicability on a large spectrum of industries; thus, the concept can be extended to other industrial sectors. Furthermore, a threshold value of ACI is a differentiator between a I4.0 and other automated systems. Both aspects have the scope of further work. Practical implications The way and pace by which the industrial world takes forward the concept of I4.0, soon it will need a labelling system and a parameter to assess the automation level of any automated system. The scheme assesses the automation level present in a manufacturing system. It will also estimate the level of the presence of each of all six attributes of an I4.0 system. Both labelling system and ACI will be the practical tools in the hands of the practising managers to help compare, identify the thrust areas and make decisions accordingly. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind that proposed the labelling system and automation comparison index for I4.0 systems.

Co-creation of a food marketing offer by final purchasers in the context of their lifestyles

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Izabela Baruk
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
World Literature ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Food Marketing ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Service ◽  
And Cluster Analysis ◽  
A Company

PurposeThis article is theoretical and empirical in nature. Its purpose is to determine whether a lifestyle resulting from a particular personality type is significant for elements of a food marketing offer, which final purchasers would like to co-create with offerors.Design/methodology/approachA cognitive-critical analysis of the world literature on the subject was used to prepare the theoretical section. The results of the analysis indicate a cognitive and research gap in analyzing the above aspects. In order to reduce the gap, empirical studies were conducted in which a questionnaire was used to gather primary data. The data were subjected to quantitative analysis using statistical analysis including exploratory factor analysis, Pearson chi-square independence test, V-Cramer coefficient analysis, Kruskal–Wallis test and cluster analysis.FindingsThe results of the statistical analysis allowed three research hypotheses to be verified. It was found that there is dependence between respondents' lifestyles and elements of a marketing offer which they would like to co-create with offerors. It was also found that a lifestyle is a feature differentiating both material and non-material elements of a marketing offer which respondents would like to co-create with offerors. Such dependence was identified for, respectively, a material product, service and brand, regardless of whether these considered a company or a product. Thus, research hypotheses were proved to be valid for respondents.Research limitations/implicationsThe results obtained from the research have a cognitive and applicability value. They contribute to the theory, including marketing and customer behavior. They can also facilitate the shaping of good mutual relationships between offerors and final purchasers as important partners cooperating in the process of creating marketing values.Originality/valueThe originality of the approach presented is confirmed by the fact that until now elements of a marketing offer which purchasers would like to co-create with offerors have not been analyzed in the context of a lifestyle either in theory or in practice.

Revisiting the strategy-performance linkage

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 1083-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikko Antero Luoma
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategy Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Cluster Analysis ◽  
Generic Strategies ◽  
Made In

Purpose – The linkage between strategy and performance is central to strategic management. Empirical studies have nevertheless produced mixed results on the nature of this relationship, and in recent decades, very little advancement has been made in research aimed at elucidating this relationship. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to identify the approaches to the strategy-performance linkage in previous studies and defines five principles that should characterize future research on this relationship. The paper develops a novel research design that follows these principles and tests the usefulness of this research design in practice. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is exploratory in nature and its empirical methods include content analysis, multidimensional scaling, and cluster analysis. The primary difference between this paper and studies in the mainstream literature on the linkage between strategy and performance relates to the application of an endogenous strategy typology instead of predefined strategy categories. Findings – The analysis shows that the adopted research design based on five principles is applicable to research on the linkage between strategy and performance and that such a research design produces meaningful results. The results support the findings of earlier studies regarding the potential of “hybrid” strategies for achieving superior firm performance. Research limitations/implications – This paper challenges the dominance of generic strategies in research on the strategy-performance linkage and provides statistical data that lay the foundation for more detailed investigation on this relationship. The paper argues for a contextually bound view of strategic management. Originality/value – This paper invigorates the discussion on the linkage between strategy and performance, which has long been diminishing as a research topic in the literature because of contradictory results and the lack of fresh research opportunities. This paper further introduces a methodology that has been underutilized in the study of strategic management.

Sources and categories of well-being: a systematic review and research agenda

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Arafat Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Unified Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Subjective Appraisals

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the sources and categories of well-being from the transformative service research (TSR) domain. The paper also aims to offer a unified framework of sources and categories of well-being and several future research agenda.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review method is applied to address the study aims. A three-phase approach has been applied, which produced a total of 70 peer-reviewed empirical studies for the review.FindingsThe analysis has identified five major sources and their underlying sub-sources of well-being. The major sources are organization-, individual-, collective-, service system-, and situation-driven sources. The findings further identified two major categories or well-being showing the capacity and functioning, and subjective appraisals of life conditions. The identified sources and categories of well-being develop a unified framework showing a simplistic path or relations between the sources and the categories.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper offers several research agenda explaining what source-related issues can be addressed for enhancing well-being for various entities. It also adds a proposed schema and research questions for examining the possible relations and influences between the sources of well-being and social well-being of individuals.Practical implicationsPractitioners can get important insights about the matters over which they have little or no control such as the activities, motives and processes that take place in individuals' and collectives' spheres and mechanisms of supports in social networks.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to offer a systematic review on the empirical studies of the TSR domain identifying a comprehensive list of sources and categories of well-being and a resulting unified framework and research agenda.

scholarly journals The relationship between investments in lean practices and operational performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Onofrei ◽  
Jasna Prester ◽  
Brian Fynes ◽  
Paul Humphreys ◽  
Frank Wiengarten
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Synergetic Effects ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Lean Practices

PurposePrior research has shown that operational intellectual capital (OIC) and investments in lean practices (ILP) lead to better operational performance. However, there have been no empirical studies on the synergetic effects between OIC components and ILP. More specifically, the question – can the efficacy of ILP be increased through OIC? – has not been studied. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to report the empirical results of potential synergetic effects between OIC, as a knowledge-based resource, and ILP.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data used for this study were drawn from the fifth round of the Global Manufacturing Research Group survey project (with data collected from 528 manufacturing plants). The hypotheses are empirically tested using three ordinary least square (OLS) models.FindingsThe authors’ findings highlight the importance of leveraging a system of complementary knowledge-based resources (OIC dimensions) and addresses the need for the reformulation of lean theory in terms of the emergent knowledge-based view of the firm. The results facilitate greater understanding of the complex relationship between ILP and operational performance. Building on the contribution of Menoret al.(2007), the authors argue that OIC represents a strategic knowledge-based resource that is valuable, hard to imitate or substitute and, when leveraged effectively, generates superior operational and competitive advantage.Practical implicationsFrom a managerial standpoint, this study provides guidelines for managers on how to leverage OIC to enhance the efficacy of ILP. The authors argue that firms consider investing in OIC to increase the return from ILP, which, in turn, will enhance their operational performance and provide competitive advantage. The authors findings provide strong evidence of the importance of human, social and structural capital to enhance the efficacy of ILP.Originality/valueThis is the first research paper that extends the application of the intellectual capital theory in lean literature, and argues that the OIC contributes to the efficacy of ILP. The analysis facilitates greater understanding of the complex relationship between OIC dimensions, ILP and operational performance.

To greener pastures

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1193-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hossein Zarei ◽  
Ruth Carrasco-Gallego ◽  
Stefano Ronchi
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Half Cycle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chains ◽  
Humanitarian Organizations ◽  
Green Practices

Purpose While humanitarian supply chains (HSCs) inherently contribute to social sustainability by alleviating the suffering of afflicted communities, their unintended adverse environmental impact has been overlooked hitherto. This paper draws upon contingency theory to synthesize green practices for HSCs, identify the contingency factors that impact on greening HSCs and explore how focal humanitarian organizations (HOs) can cope with such contingency factors. Design/methodology/approach Deploying an action research methodology, two-and-a-half cycles of collaboration between researchers and a United Nations agency were completed. The first half-cycle developed a deductive greening framework, synthesizing extant green practices from the literature. In the second and third cycles, green practices were adopted/customized/developed reflecting organizational and contextual contingency factors. Action steps were implemented in the HSC for prophylactics, involving an operational mix of disaster relief and development programs. Findings First, the study presents a greening framework that synthesizes extant green practices in a suitable form for HOs. Second, it identifies the contingency factors associated with greening HSCs regarding funding environment, stakeholders, field of activity and organizational management. Third, it outlines the mechanisms for coping with the contingency factors identified, inter alia, improving the visibility of headquarters over field operations, promoting collaboration and resource sharing with other HOs as well as among different implementing partners in each country, and working with suppliers for greener packaging. The study advances a set of actionable propositions for greening HSCs. Practical implications Using an action research methodology, the study makes strong practical contributions. Humanitarian practitioners can adopt the greening framework and the lessons learnt from the implementation cycles presented in this study. Originality/value This is one of the first empirical studies to integrate environmental sustainability and HSCs using an action research methodology.

Digital supply chain model in Industry 4.0

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 887-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Lizette Garay-Rondero ◽  
Jose Luis Martinez-Flores ◽  
Neale R. Smith ◽  
Santiago Omar Caballero Morales ◽  
Alejandra Aldrette-Malacara
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Chain Model ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Main Components

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual model that defines the essential components shaping the new Digital Supply Chains (DSCs) through the implementation and acceleration of Industry 4.0. Design/methodology/approach The scope of the present work exposes a conceptual approach and review of the key literature from 1989 to 2019, concerning the evolution and transformation of the actors and constructs in logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM) by means of examining different conceptual models and a state-of-the-art review of Industry 4.0’s concepts and elements, with a focus on digitization in supply chain (SC) processes. A detailed study of the constructs and components of SCM, as defined by their authors, resulted in the development of a referential and systematic model that fuses the inherent concepts and roles of SCM, with the new technological trends directed toward digitization, automation, and the increasing use of information and communication technologies across logistics global value chains. Findings Having achieved an exploration of the different conceptual frameworks, there is no compelling evidence of the existence of a conceptual SCM that incorporates the basic theoretical constructs and the new roles and elements of Industry 4.0. Therefore, the main components of Industry 4.0 and their impact on DSC Management are described, driving the proposal for a new conceptual model which addresses and accelerates a vision of the future of the interconnectivity between different DSCs, grouped in clusters in order to add value, through new forms of cooperation and digital integration. Originality/value This research explores the gap in the current SCM models leading into Industry 4.0. The proposed model provides a novel and comprehensive overview of the new concepts and components driving the nascent and current DSCs. This conceptual framework will further aid researchers in the exploration of knowledge regarding the variables and components presented, as well as the verification of the newly revealed roles and constructs to understand the new forms of cooperation and implementation of Industry 4.0 in digitalized SCs.

From precision agriculture to Industry 4.0

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (8) ◽  
pp. 1730-1743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonello Trivelli ◽  
Andrea Apicella ◽  
Filippo Chiarello ◽  
Roberto Rana ◽  
Gualtiero Fantoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Circumstances that are have a significant impact on it. In particular, environmental sustainability related to the increase of worldwide population, and market demand for agricultural products (with consumers more and more aware about cultivation and breeding techniques and interested in healthy and high-quality products) represent two of the key challenges that the agricultural sector is going to face in next years. In such a landscape, technological innovations that can support organizations and entrepreneurs to face these problems become increasingly important, and Industry 4.0 is the most striking example. Indeed, the Industry 4.0 paradigm aims to integrate digital technologies into business processes to raise productivity levels and to develop new business models. Accordingly, digital technologies play a similar role in the precision agriculture domain, and the purpose of this paper is to understand if the technologies at the basis of these two paradigms are the same or not. Design/methodology/approach The present work investigates how the two domains of Industry 4.0 and precision agriculture are connected to one another by analyzing the most used technologies in both the fields in order to highlight common patterns and technological overlaps. To reach such goal, an approach combining manual and automated analysis was developed. Findings The research work generated three main results: a dictionary of precision agriculture technologies including 324 terms; a graph, describing the connections between the technologies composing the dictionary; and a representation of the main technological clusters identified. Originality/value These show how the two domains under analysis are directly connected and describe the most important technologies to leverage when approaching digital transformation processes in the agricultural sector.

Adoption of Industry 4.0 and lean concepts in hospitals for healthcare operational performance improvement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tharushi Sandunika Ilangakoon ◽  
Samanthi Kumari Weerabahu ◽  
Premaratne Samaranayake ◽  
Ruwan Wickramarachchi
Keyword(s):  
Process Improvement ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Value Stream Mapping ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Practices

PurposeThis paper proposes the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4) technologies and lean techniques for improving operational performance in the healthcare sector.Design/methodology/approachThe research adopted a systematic literature review and feedback of healthcare professionals to identify the inefficiencies in the current healthcare system. A questionnaire was used to get feedback from the patients and the hospital staff about the current practices and issues, and the expected impact of technology on existing practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that I4 technologies lead to the improvement of the operational performance, and the perceptions about I4 technologies are made through the pre-medical diagnosis. However, a weak correlation between lean practices and healthcare operational performance compared to that of I4 technologies and operational performance indicate that lean practices are not fully implemented in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector to their full potential.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to two government hospitals, with insights from only the doctors and nurses in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the study is limited to only selected aspects of I4 technologies (big data, cloud computing and IoT) and lean concepts (value stream mapping and 5S). Therefore, recommendations on the adoption of I4 technologies in the healthcare sector need to be made within the scope of the study investigation.Practical implicationsThe implementation of I4 technologies needs careful consideration of process improvement as part of the overall plan for achieving the maximum benefits of technology adoption.Originality/valueThe findings of the research can be used as a benchmark/guide for other hospitals to explore the adoption of I4 technologies, and how process improvement from lean concepts could influence the overall operational performance.

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