Investigating the relationship between Lean Six Sigma performance strategy with digital twin modeling: Practices and factors

Abstract

This work examines the relationship between Lean Six Sigma performance strategy (LSS) and Digital Twin (DT) modeling approaches. This investigation involved the practices and factors in successfully implementing DT in the LSS system and how they can be synergistically integrated to improve the performance and quality of the production and service system. We followed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies, which begins with an extensive literature review to establish a theoretical foundation & identify key concepts. The qualitative component involves in-depth interviews with experts the responses evaluated through ISM-MICMAC-DEMATEL analysis with Python programming. The findings are three folds; first, we explored the enablers of DT and LSS approaches and provided a comprehensive analysis on literature. Secondly, we prioritized the DT enablers for LSS practitioners by providing prominence casual values. It suggests that, among the identified enablers, real-time simulation was the most significant reason for DT implementation in LSS practices, followed by edge computing and Interoperability Standards. Additionally, results will help policymakers to faster DT implementation, ensuring LSS practices. This study explored the fact of limited attention on DTs-LSS in previous studies. Finally, empirical evidence and practical insights have promising aspects for performance enhancement including implications for the sustainable development goals (SDGs).