Developing a Delphi assisted total interpretive structural model (D-TISM) for adopting the Industry 4.0 technologies within Lean Six Sigma framework

Abstract

Lean Six Sigma continues to be used by various industries to make their processes more efficient. The Lean Six Sigma approach is re-evaluated and possibly upgraded to enhance its suitability with Industry 4.0 technologies to provide maximum benefits for any organisation. However, the integration of Industry 4.0 within the lean six sigma framework is associated with various challenges like privacy issues and the non-availability of skilled labours which was not studied extensively in the existing literature. Hence, this study identifies the challenges in adopting the Industry 4.0 technologies within the lean six sigma framework and provides a detailed overview of their interrelationships and hierarchy. A Delphi-assisted total interpretive structural modelling was designed for this study in which the Delphi method was utilised to identify the challenges and the total interpretive structural modelling method was employed to process the challenges and decide the contextual interrelationships. The categorisation of the challenges was done by the application of cross-impact matrix multiplication to the classification. This study indicates the necessity for information technology infrastructure development specifically catering to data security and its important role in enhancing the intellectual capacity of an organisation through the development of its personnel. The finding of the study and the roadmap developed will help the practitioners and managers towards successful adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies within the lean six sigma framework for their operation excellence, and enhance the performance of the business and organisational efficiency.