Implementation Of Lean Practices Research Articles

Implementation of lean practices to reduce healthcare associated infections

Implementation of lean practices to reduce healthcare associated infections

Simulation-based analysis of lean practices implementation on the supply chain of a public hospital

Abstract Paper aims This article aims to evaluate the impact of Lean Production (LP) practices implementation on the supply chain of a public hospital. Originality Most implementations fall short of their goals because they are done in a fragmented way and not from a system-wide perspective. Our approach allows to anticipate errors of misguided LP implementations in healthcare organizations. Research method The implementation of a set of LP practices in the hospital`s supply chain was assessed by computational simulation modelling, focusing on one of the most financially important product families. Main findings Since the simulation model considers the variability of suppliers and customers as inputs, it allows the verification of the proposed inventory policies effectiveness, in order to avoid affecting the service level. Implications for theory and practice The proposition of a method that integrates value stream mapping into computational simulation modelling brings a differentiated approach to analyze lean implementation in a healthcare supply chain. The simulation model supports a more assertive decision-making process on lean implementation, allowing the organization to ensure that the quality and efficiency of healthcare is not affected.

Does lean practices implementation impact on company performance? A meta-analytical research

Does lean practices implementation impact on company performance? A meta-analytical research

Sustainable manufacturing: Exploring antecedents and influence of Total Productive Maintenance and lean manufacturing

This article explores the environment-related antecedents and the influence of Total Productive Maintenance and other lean manufacturing practices on environmental sustainability. Since practitioners point to the environmental benefits of Total Productive Maintenance, a deeper study of the relationship between Total Productive Maintenance and environmental results can contribute to sustainability in manufacturing. In consequence, a review of the literature was undertaken. It was found that (1) the environmental antecedents have not been considered, (2) there is a lack of survey-based papers in the ‘lean and green’ literature and (3) Total Productive Maintenance has not been well addressed. To fill this void in the literature, this article explores the extent to which antecedents of implementation of lean manufacturing practices and Total Productive Maintenance are based on environmental sustainability (namely, on pressure ‘to go green’ from stakeholders and on an effort to achieve environmental certification) and the influence of Total Productive Maintenance and different lean manufacturing practices on several variables related to environmental sustainability performance. The research questions are tested with data collected from over 500 international manufacturing firms. Results show an association between the perceived degree of environmental pressure – or environmental certification – and Total Productive Maintenance (as well as other lean practices). However, not every lean practice is correlated with every environmental indicator. Different lean manufacturing practices seem to have a positive impact on specific operations, but it is possible that there is a limit to the influence of Total Productive Maintenance and other lean practices on environmental sustainability.

Assessment of the Lean effect on business performance: the case of manufacturing SMEs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to research the way in which Lean practices are affecting the performance of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), analyzing the effects of Lean practices on companies’ operational, financial and market performance. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire was distributed among Portuguese organizations that fitted the category of SMEs and belonged to the manufacturing sector. A sample of 329 enterprises was analyzed with partial least squares–structural equation modelling. Four hypotheses on the impact of Lean practices on company performance were tested. Findings The results show that the effects of Lean on performance are positive, which stresses the benefits attainable with the implementation of Lean practices. The aggregated implementation of Lean practices, namely, customer involvement, statistical process, continuous flow and total productive maintenance leads to improvements in company’s global performance measured by market, financial and operational performance measures, and also improves each of these performance measures individually. It was also noticed that financial capability is one of the indispensable factors for the successful implementation of Lean practices. Research limitations/implications The results contribute to the investigation on the topic, broadening the literature on the implementation of Lean practices in companies around the world. Practical implications The research outcomes may be used as a motivation for other SMEs to implement Lean practices by acknowledging the positive impact on their performance. Furthermore, the degree of Lean implementation in the particular industry may constitute a signal for government and/or economic decision makers to define incentives such as fiscal benefits for companies that engage in Lean implementation programmes, partly financing workers cross-training, among other necessary investments. Originality/value This is the first study that examines the impact of the effect of Lean on operational, financial and market performance in a discriminated and simultaneous way.

An investigation on lean–green performance of Indian manufacturing SMEs

PurposeImproved performance in operational (lean) and environmental (green) dimensions has been extremely critical to the global competitiveness of organizations. As the performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is influenced by various external and internal factors, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the lean–green performance of Indian manufacturing SMEs by investigating the influential relationships of various factors along with the set of lean and green practices adopted by the firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a holistic approach by integrating multiple case study and data envelopment analysis (DEA) in eight manufacturing SMEs to verify a set of five propositions relating issues such as organizational factors, quality and environmental management certifications, implementation of lean and green practices with operational and environmental performance in Indian SMEs. Within-case analysis and cross-case analysis are used for a qualitative investigation of cases while DEA with four input variables, two desirable output variables and one undesirable output variable, is used for quantitative investigation with returns to scale (RTS) and damages to scale (DTS) analysis.FindingsThe RTS/DTS results suggest that Indian SMEs exhibit decreasing RTS and increasing DTS, implying that they need to decrease their operational sizes in order to improve the operational and environmental performance. The possible alternative and more practical strategy could be to introduce new technology innovation and holistic adoption of manufacturing excellence initiatives such as lean and green.Originality/valueThe research findings provide insights into the lean and green performance enhancement approach in the context of SMEs. The study extends key managerial implications and policy-related guidelines.

Implementation of Lean Practices in Banks: A Qualitative Research

For Pakistani banks to remain competitive in this 21st century, they have to adopt and excel in practices that have brought significant competitive advantages to firms worldwide. Among these practices, lean management has played a significant role. There is a need to develop a systematic approach to access up to what extent firms are adopting lean practices. The objective of this research is to measure the level of adoptions of lean practices in banking sector in Pakistan. Face to face structured interviews were conducted and our findings suggest that banks are not implementing lean practices in true spirit. To implement lean practices holistically, bank employees should understand the philosophy of lean.

MEASURING THE LEVEL OF LEAN HEALTHCARE IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIVATE HOSPITALSTOWARDS ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Private healthcare in Malaysia is one of the industries that contributes toward National GDP.However, increasing costs and waste has led to the issue of sustainability. Numerous studies examined the impact of lean healthcare practices on organisational performance. However, there is limited research examining the level of lean healthcare practices among private hospitals.Hence, this study attemptedto investigate the level of lean healthcare implementation that lead to enhanced operational performance.The sociotechnical and operational aspects are variables adopted to measure the level of implementation of lean healthcare practices on operational performance.The questionnaire was developed based on previous literature,comprisingthree aspects, namely operational (24 items), sociotechnical (8 items),and operational performance (10 items). Out of 184 private hospitals in Malaysia, 118 were randomly selected, and 54 questionnaires were returned and used for analysis. Rasch quality control was applied to ensure that the instrument was valid, reliable,and able to measure what it is supposed to measure.It was found that sociotechnical aspect is difficult to implement as compared to operational aspect. Motivationfactor dimensions contribute the highest mean value, which is indicativethat if an organisation is able to improve this dimension,itis then able to further improve the organisational performance.

Lean service, business strategy and ABC and their impact on firm performance

This paper aims to address an underdeveloped area in the lean system literature by developing and testing a model which clarifies the current confusion on the role of different costing systems and business strategies in the implementation of lean service practices and their impact on financial performance. Using data from UK service firms, the proposed positive effect of lean service on financial performance is supported. Further, activity-based costing (ABC) has a positive impact on lean service, and therefore to indirectly on financial performance. Interestingly and in contrast to previous studies, both the differentiation and cost leadership strategies are directly and positively related to lean service. However, whilst ABC positively intervenes in the lean-differentiation relationship, it suppresses the lean-cost leadership relationship resulting in a situation of inconsistent mediation.

Implementation of Lean Practices in Banks: A Qualitative Research

For Pakistani banks to remain competitive in this 21st century, they have to adopt and excel in practices that have brought significant competitive advantages to firms worldwide. Among these practices, lean management has played a significant role. There is a need to develop a systematic approach to access up to what extent firms are adopting lean practices. The objective of this research is to measure the level of adoptions of lean practices in banking sector in Pakistan. Face to face structured interviews were conducted and our findings suggest that banks are not implementing lean practices in true spirit. To implement lean practices holistically, bank employees should understand the philosophy of lean.

The Toyota Way or the unions’ way?: Examining the nexus between lean and unions in Toyota Australia

An earlier special issue of this journal (Vol. 25, Issue 21, 2014), focused on the use of the lean model in developed countries. The authors of the introductory article (Bamber, Stanton, Bartram and Ballardie, 2014, pp. 2881–2891) observed that lean in an employment relations-unionist paradigm is relatively an under researched area, despite several organizations attempting to introduce lean being unionized. Resultantly, two broad themes they identified for further research, included the relationship between lean and employee unions, and the involvement of unions in the implementation of lean. This article addresses these themes by paying attention to an actual case study of the attempts made by the Japanese automotive giant Toyota, to establish its customized lean model within its unionized Australian affiliate TMCA (Toyota Motor Corporation Australia), during the period 1959–2015. The findings suggest that there is an acrimonious relationship between lean and the unions – as evidenced by Australia’s strong manufacturing unions that posed significant challenges to Toyota’s efficacious implementation of lean practices – and concur with a few of the key reasons that informed the decision taken by the company’s top management in 2014 to cease their Australian manufacturing operations by 2017.

Improving productivity through Lean practices in central India-based manufacturing industries

PurposeThe core principle of implementing Lean manufacturing is reducing waste through optimum utilization of all resources. In this research paper, the authors have examined the effect of implementing Lean practices on the overall productivity in central India-based manufacturing industries. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the relationship between the implementation of Lean practices and overall productivity particularly in central India-based manufacturing industries.Design/methodology/approachA model in the integrated form is developed to illustrate how Lean manufacturing practices improve the overall productivity. Based on this model, a survey is performed to validate all hypotheses related to the conceptual model subject to various statistical tests.FindingsIt is established by the findings of this research that industries based in central India should implement the whole concept of Lean manufacturing practices to improve overall productivity. Industries should adopt the concept of Lean manufacturing in totality, not through the island approach.Originality/valueThe value of this research paper is to showcase the possibility for central India-based companies to become world-class industries. For this, an approach in the form of an integrated model has been developed.

Quality practices as a mediator of the relationship between Lean practices and production fitness

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to test a model that incorporates investments in quality and Lean practices and production fitness constructs, originating in the theory of swift even flow (SEF), to provide insights into successful implementation of manufacturing practices.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses data from the Global Manufacturing Research Group fourth round survey and empirically tests the relationships between investments in Lean practices and improvements in production fitness, using a sample of 844 plants in 17 countries.FindingsThe results highlight that the implementation of Lean practices yields better results on production evenness, when the company has higher levels of investments in quality practices. Therefore, the implementation of quality practices is a prerequisite for achieving higher production fitness.Originality/valueThe findings are important to the development and testing of operations management theory, as it integrates two research streams, manufacturing practices and SEF research, to gain insights into the interplay of manufacturing practices and how it influences the production fitness. For practitioners, this research assesses how better-performing plants compete. It provides operations managers with a better understanding of production fitness and how manufacturing practices foster its development.

The influence of cultural dimensions on lean projects success and barriers

Implementing lean projects harbours relevant difficulties, hence, it is interesting to evaluate whether companies that operate in different cultural context experience the same kind of barriers. Few studies analysed the influence of cultural dimensions on lean projects failure. In this context, this work aims at addressing the existing research gap, trying to answer the following research questions: 1) Do the cultural dimensions influence the perception lean projects' success and lean practices implementation level?; 2) Does the type and level of barriers to lean practices implementation depend on the cultural dimensions? Therefore, the experiences of 171 worldwide companies were collected through a questionnaire and clustered by the cultural dimensions, through a k-means procedure. Two clusters were defined and were compared through Mann-Whitney test, proving a statistically significant difference for lean practices implementation and the majority of lean barriers, both during the start-up and the sustaining phases.

MES as an Enabler of Lean Manufacturing

Abstract Many firms have adopted Lean Manufacturing as a means of increasing productivity and reducing cost, often by focusing on the implementation of Lean best practices to identify and eliminate waste. This paper explores the application of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to support the waste identification and elimination process. The majority of MES vendors have now incorporated Lean functionality in their software, but a comprehensive methodology that explains how MES can be used to enable and promote Lean Manufacturing is still lacking. This paper aims at filling this gap by presenting a Lean-MES framework. The proposed framework is validated and extended through a market analysis of MES software, identifying areas for further development for MES vendors.

Interpretive framework for analyzing lean implementation using ISM and IRP modeling

PurposeFirms have been adopting lean manufacturing to improve their business performances. However, they are facing failures or less success in implementation, mainly due to lack of understanding in relating the lean practices (LPs) from the required performance measures perspective. In view of the lack of research and the importance of understanding them, the purpose of this paper is to prioritize LPs.Design/methodology/approachAs LPs are scattered in the literature and a variety of performance measures are used, an extensive literature review is first carried out to identify the LPs and performance measures. The blend of interpretive structural modeling and interpretive ranking process interpretive tools is adopted in establishing the contextual relationship among LPs and then ranking them based on the performance measures. A three-dimensional priority matrix is proposed for better explanation of the results.FindingsThe proposed framework can help firms better understand LPs and their levels of importance in lean implementation.Research limitations/implicationsThe involvement of lean experts may produce some bias in evaluating the LPs.Practical implicationsThe proposed framework can help practitioners to develop an industry-specific road-map for the result-oriented LP implementation. Based on the area of performance to be improved, practitioners can prioritize LPs for implementation.Originality/valueThis is the first study that provides a comprehensive review of LPs available in the literature and prioritizes them in accordance with performance with interpretive tools.

The moderating role of just‐in‐time on sociotechnical practices' effect over quality and workers' health

AbstractSociotechnical (ST) theory emphasizes the notion that the design and performance of new systems can be improved, and can only work satisfactorily within an organization if the social and the technical aspects are brought together and treated as interdependent aspects of a work system. The implementation of lean manufacturing (LM) principles and practices has become popular, despite increasing demand on the current and emerging workforce to achieve higher levels of quality and flexibility with lower costs. Exploratory studies that investigate how LM practices influence the effect of ST practices on performance are still scarce, and a holistic view of such a relationship is needed. In this context, this study aims at verifying the moderating effect of just‐in‐time (JIT) practices on the relationship between ST practices and the performance of quality and workers' health. We carried out a survey with 144 different companies from Southern Brazil that are undergoing a lean implementation. Results indicate that ST practices have a positive significant relationship with such performance, and the concurrent adoption of JIT does not undermine quality and workers' health.

The relative importance of improvement routines for implementing lean practices

PurposeThis paper examines whether and when improvement routines are critical for implementing lean practices in small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs). Improvement routines such as “employees initiate and carry through improvement activities” are generally seen as an important means to achieve the full benefit of structural lean interventions. Womack and Jones (2003) suggest that these improvement routines should be developed as the company becomes more experienced in lean. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relative importance of individual improvement routines at various degrees of lean practice implementation.Design/methodology/approachA Between-Case Comparison Analysis (Dul and Hak, 2012) and a Necessary Condition Analysis (Dul, 2016) were performed on self-assessment data from 241 respondents at 38 Dutch manufacturing SMEs.FindingsThe importance of improvement routines depended on the degree of lean practice implementation. Lean practices could be implemented to some extend without developing specific improvement routines, yet certain routines were necessary for more advanced implementations of lean. These routines relate to employees conducting shared improvement activities and in the most advanced cases to aligning different improvement activities.Originality/valueThese findings question existing lean implementation models that neglect improvement routines and indicate the need to integrate improvement routines into every lean transformation for it to be sustainable.

The moderating effects of corporate and national factors on lean projects barriers: a cross‐national study

Despite companies’ efforts to develop lean thinking in their industrial context, the implementation of many lean projects has not been consistently successful, often resulting in delay, failure, abandonment or rejection. Whereas some authors emphasised that company characteristics, like the product demand profile, are significant factors in lean projects, other studies analysed the impact of national culture. This paper aims to study the combined effect of various factors related to national culture and company characteristics of lean implementation barriers in order to determine whether the environmental context in which the company operation can affect the outcome of lean project implementation. A survey has been conducted to collect information about companies of various sizes (small–medium–large) in all industry fields. Data from companies, including manufacturing firms, in 23 different countries, were analysed in depth by a combination of Association Rules and Network Analysis. The results show that some national culture dimensions, such as Performance Orientation and Gender Egalitarianism, influence lean management success and help to maintain a lean culture. Maintaining a lean culture is even more critical than developing it. Furthermore, if the implementation of lean practices is an arduous task for large organisations, it becomes even greater for SMEs. Other cultural factors of individuals such as Uncertainty Avoidance, Future Orientation and Institutional Collectivism also help to support a lean culture and overcome human and cultural barriers.

A Novel Mathematical Logic for Improvement Using Lean Manufacturing Practices

The implementation of lean manufacturing practices (LMP) means a systematic approach of several management procedures and practices, which may impact content, nature and quality of people’s work. This implementation process is often performed after an accurate assessment to ensure the effectiveness and efficient execution of these practices. However, the necessity and logic of different assessments according to the situation required by assessment objective, the logic requires general rules for designing assessment with effective and reliable results. The aim of this research paper is to develop a logical perception to explain the impact of LMP on the actual and overall performance of the company and explains the computational basics and mathematical equations contributing to the assessment design of these practices to ensure efficiency and accuracy in the results. Moreover, this study also concludes a novel mathematical equations that can be used in the effective assessment to increase the effectiveness of evaluation for improvement processes in different sectors.