Abstract
This paper highlights a methodology to implement Lean-EMS integration system in the case study company. Lean manufacturing is a concept widely applied in industries to eliminate wastes and achieve high business efficiency. The concept implemented through five principles which is called a self-sustaining cycle. EMS on the other side is an international standard for environmental management. It guides organizations through compliance requirements to reduce environmental impacts from business activities and boost up operating efficiency. Researches on EMS implementation have revealed that the system has similarity with Lean Principles. Hence, researchers had integrated both systems to attain both lean and EMS goals. This integration required a management system for continuous improvement. This paper focuses on design, and development of database system to manage the integration of Lean Principles and Environmental Management System (EMS) to aid employees in problem solving through visual indicators for continuous improvement and sustain the certification. The methodology adapted for the study is using the database development steps with Microsoft Access 2010 software. The database which is comprised of five performance measures (each reflects a lean principle and selected EMS clause) from integration framework specially designed and developed for the case study company. The results of the study validated the use of developed database system for continuous improvement. The study is indeed very useful to the company because the developed system is a comprehensive tool, where it can visualize problems in operations that might affect the production flow and EMS compliance. As the problem visualized, immediate problem solving can be done to continuously improve the conditions and sustain EMS certification.
Highlights
Most organizations start to understand their role in preserving the environment
Visual indicator is one of the keys for Lean success. This is because visual indicator is the quickest and easiest way of communicating information which leads to the immediate problem solving and continuous improvement
The principal goal of this study is to design, and develop a database system to manage the integration of Lean Principles and Environmental Management System (EMS) to aid employees in problem solving through visual indicators for continuous improvement and sustain the certification
Summary
Most organizations start to understand their role in preserving the environment. To survive in the global economy, organizations are needed to be socially responsible. Environmental Management System (EMS) can help the company in fulfilling their responsibilities towards protecting the world environment [1]. ISO 14001 certification for EMS mainly focuses on the management process and does not prescribe any standards regarding the performance. This is one of the major drawbacks of EMS because the organization cannot see any tangible value of the standard. ISO 14001 certification for EMS lacks an operational definition of what continual improvement is and how it should be assessed [2]. Without continuous improvement it is difficult for an organization to sustain the certification
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