Lean Logistics Research Articles

Lean Logistics, Lean Supply Chain, And Lean Supply Chain Management For Sustainability: WOS (1987-2024)

Lean Logistics, Lean Supply Chain, And Lean Supply Chain Management For Sustainability: WOS (1987-2024)

Lean logistics and corporate green practices: messianic methodologies for achieving business excellence in the logistics industry via green stakeholder satisfaction

PurposeThis study aims to explore how logistics firms exploit lean logistics and corporate green practices as significant catalysts for achieving business excellence via the mediation roles of green internal stakeholder satisfaction and green external stakeholder satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire is used in garnering data from 137 Ghanaian logistics firms. Structural equation modeling, particularly partial least squares, was applied to test all hypotheses.FindingsThe results confirm the notion that although lean logistics has positive effect on business performance, the effect is insignificant; hence, it is the concurrent implementation of lean logistics and corporate green practices that leads to superior business performance. The mediation analysis further confirms that both green internal stakeholder satisfaction and green external stakeholder satisfaction are significant precursors through which logistics firms can achieve superior business performance when lean logistics and corporate green practices can influence business performance.Research limitations/implicationsData is collected from logistics firms from a single country. Hence, the results obtained cannot be imported to reflect the general occurrence in other geographical settings.Practical implicationsThis study informs managers of logistics firms that lean and green strategies are compatible when implemented together; hence, it should not be treated in isolation. Managers are further enlightened that in their pursuit of business excellence, there is a need to prioritize green internal stakeholder satisfaction and green external stakeholder satisfaction via prudent investment in lean and green practices.Originality/valueThe research model proposed in this study magnifies the literature on lean and environmental management via bridging the literature gap concerning the interrelationship between lean logistics, corporate green practices, green internal stakeholder satisfaction, green external stakeholder satisfaction and business performance.

Implementation of lean manufacturing in a pharmaceutical distribution center: a case study

The present work aims to provide a brief case study of a distribution center of a major Brazilian pharmaceutical retail company. Initially, a quick literature review is presented regarding the fundamental concepts of Logistics, as well as its primary activities according to the most traditional literature, the concept of a distribution center, and the important characteristics for its proper functioning, and finally, the delimitation of the lean philosophy, elucidating key points to be used in its implementation. The study showed that, within a context of continuous improvements, lean practices implemented in production, such as VSM, are a powerful tool for diagnosing and repairing deviations. Thus, it is understood that the lean logistics philosophy is indeed key to the proper functioning of companies in general, especially for large distribution centers, whose merchandise flow depends on robust logistics at the end of the production chain.

In-plant Logistics Issues and Methodologies Analysis: Case Study

In-plant logistics, unlike other dimensions of logistics, has not been adequately analysed in the literature and practices. Internal logistics, which can be defined as material transportation movements that occur in a closed area by nature, has a high impact on cost, quality and customer satisfaction in the relevant field. Lean logistics is the logistics dimension of lean production. Since logistics activities, like production activities, are ongoing activities, the improvements to be made will have a great impact. This study is presented to both contribute to the gap in the literature and offer solutions to problems related to domestic logistics with a lean perspective. In this study, the solutions offered by a logistics company with problems related to internal logistics and the solutions offered by the author from a lean logistics perspective are included comparatively at the end of the study.

Unlocking Efficiency: A Comprehensive Approach to Lean In-Plant Logistics

Unlocking Efficiency: A Comprehensive Approach to Lean In-Plant Logistics

A new lean tool to enhance internal logistics in Engineer and Design-to-Order industrial environment: plan for every order

ABSTRACT The paper presents a new Lean Logistics tool specifically designed for Engineer and Design-To-Order (ETO and DTO) industrial environments. The new tool, namely Plan For Every Order (PFEO), conceptually derives from the well-known Plan For Every Part used in the automotive serial production context. PFEO is proposed as a tool for industrialization, focusing on the design and logistics optimization of internal material flows at ETO and DTO plants. In the paper, the principles, and concepts behind PFEO are presented and developed. The tool collects information on both suppliers and materials, improving both the management of materials and spaces and communication between the company and suppliers. The operability of the tool is proven in a real business case involving an shipyard. The PFEO has provided a solid database for the development of auxiliary monitoring and visualization tools, the application of which increases order in the warehouse and assembly areas and reduces costs and errors.

Enhancement of the distribution process on light logistics SMEs in times post-pandemic Covid-19 with Ukraine-Russia conflict by lean logistics and big data

The objective of the work was to enhance the competitiveness of e-commerce and to mitigate the disadvantages associated with it, such as the untimely delivery of purchased products. This was to be achieved through the implementation of a proposed methodology in the processes related to the ‘Last Mile’, leveraging Big Data and Lean Logistics to boost the productivity of light logistics SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). To identify the conditions impacting the distribution processes, a study was conducted on a population of 750 S MEs, utilizing a sample of 255 companies through stratified probabilistic sampling. The research spanned the years 2022 and 2023. The methodology advocated in this study combines Lean Logistics and Big Data to enhance the supply chain's efficiency and profitability for SMEs engaged in light logistics, amidst the post-pandemic landscape and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This methodology was structured into three stages: firstly, the organization of the customer shipment database; secondly, the cleaning of this database to pinpoint records scheduled for distribution; and thirdly, the assignment of delivery rates and probabilities using historical delivery outcomes. The findings suggested that the integration of Lean Logistics and Big Data offers a viable solution for improving the supply chain efficiency and profitability for light logistics SMEs during the post-pandemic period and amidst the Ukraine-Russia conflict. This research's originality is underscored by its novel approach of merging Lean Logistics and Big Data to fortify the supply chain efficiency and profitability for SMEs in light logistics, a synergy not previously identified in existing literature.

Lean Logistics 4.0: concepts and key performance indicators

Paper aims: To encourage the use of the combination of Logistics, Industry 4.0 and Lean Manufacturing, this article proposes, through a literature review, following the Prisma methodology, to define the concept of Lean Logistics 4.0 and to present performance indicators, selected by 15 specialists using the methodology AHP, that can help organizations in their actions towards the future of logistics, through a dashboard based on 8 KPI´s Originality: The literature shows that there is a lack of studies focusing on the relationship between the concepts of Lean Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 applied to Logistics. It can be observed that only two articles contemplate the theme of Logistics 4.0 related to the concepts of Lean Manufacturing. Research method: A review was carried out in the literature to define the concept of Lean Logistics 4.0 and the AHP methodology was applied with 15 experts in the field to select key performance indicators to measure and guide the performance of companies through Lean Logistics 4.0. Main findings: In addition to the definition of the concept of Lean Logistics 4.0, the research provided through the AHP method a dashboard based on 8 key performance indicators: Investment/innovations in automation and new equipment, Handling and Transportation Waste, Workforce Flexibility, Lead Time, Predictive/prescriptive capacity, Punctuality and Completeness of Delivery, Total Logistics Cost, and Setup Reduction. Implications for theory and practice: The research revealed that some benefits can be exploited in companies operating with Lean Logistics 4.0 and this article provides a perspective of performance indicators that can guide organizations towards the application of the concept and the continuous improvement of logistics flows.

Optimization of a Government Medical Warehouse Using Lean Logistics Methodology

Quality methodologies that increase efficiency and productivity by reducing waste in time, overproduction, overstock, over process among others, are well known in the manufacturing sector, however, these methods that improve quality and reduce waste can be ideally used in all industries where processes where any type of process is carried out. Given this, in this research, an application of lean manufacturing methodology is presented, applied in a government medical warehouse, to optimize their processes and reduce the above-mentioned waste. Once the foundations of this project have been established the Lean Logistics methodology and the appropriate tools are presented and implemented in the government warehouse, then, the improvement is measured to demonstrate the functionality of the implementation of Lean Logistics in the mentioned warehouse. 

ФОРМУВАННЯ ЛОГІСТИЧНОГО МЕНЕДЖМЕНТУ НА ПРИНЦИПАХ LEAN-ЛОГІСТИКИ

The article is devoted to the study of the issue of formation of effective logistics management on the principles of lean logistics. The article analyses the scientific and methodological basis for implementing the principles of logistics management by Ukrainian enterprises. The study defines the essence of the definition of "Lean logistics". It has been established that the principles of Lean logistics are based on cost control, waste reduction, speed increase and maximum use of customer values, which allows maximising the benefits of logistics activities. It is specified that Lean logistics is a sign of the maturity of management of a logistics enterprise and a new management model created to adapt to market development in an economically unstable situation. It is emphasized that adherence to the principles of Lean logistics will allow the enterprise to increase the level of competitiveness on the market. The companies that are currently actively implementing Lean logistics technologies in their operations have been identified. On the basis of theoretical material and research of practices of applying Lean-logistics in the process of entrepreneurial activity, the main goals, principles and key principles of implementation of Lean-logistics are identified. The tools and methods for implementing the Lean logistics technology are defined. The main stages of Lean logistics implementation are highlighted. The main technological aspects of lean logistics implementation are identified. An analysis of the implementation of the lean logistics concept by Ukrainian enterprises has made it possible to explore the key conditions for development and obstacles to the introduction of Lean innovations. It is noted that the main driver of the implementation of Lean logistics technology is personnel. It is stated that in order to implement Lean logistics, the most important stage is planning, since it significantly determines whether an efficient logistics process will be formed and whether the implementation of this innovation will bring additional benefits for the enterprise. In conclusion, it is noted that the implementation of the Lean logistics model is a requirement of the time and the key to increasing the development and competitiveness of an enterprise.

Model-based framework for lean information logistics in digital production

Model-based framework for lean information logistics in digital production

Lean-logistics in constructive geography: theoretical and methodological foundations

Research problem introduction. The main research goal of this paper is to provide the lean-logistics geosystem research concept as a contemporary approach of constructive geography closely connected with industry as a part of the service sector based on leading scientific principles, GIS-technologies and remote sensing data processing software involvement, and to give some details about this concept applied implementation. All these arguments allow us to specify and to study in-depth the peculiarities, key types, and specificities of the lean-logistics. In this paper, Lean-logistics is understood as an environmental service that helps to improve biodiversity and a stable environment. Lean-logistics itself can be developed as a type of modelling land use and land management activities. This activity can be even thought of as educational innovation with nature-based solutions. The key geographic-centered ideas of the concept of Lean-logistics are integration, engineering, economization, ecologization, socialization, and humanization of modern human activities. The methodological basis of Lean-logistics is presented by three sections, such as Section I. Theory of logistics (for instance, such aspects as general characteristics of logistics and its key features, Varieties of logistics and its classification, Lean logistics as a science: its place in logistics, key distinct features, etc.), Section II. Applied logistics (with such aspects as Military logistics, Business logistics, Environmental logistics, Urban logistics, and Logistics services), and Section III. Logistical construction (Lean-construction of commodity flows and Lean-construction in the field of services). The practical basis of Lean-logistics is formed by logic modelling (studios). Logic modelling in Lean-logistics are called logistics studios and are understood as a form of active practical activities of researchers. Summarizing and generalizing key ideas discussed in the text, the authors underline that the conceptual framework of the lean-logistics geosystem research is based on the implementation of four cross-cutting lines such as environmental security and sustainable development, health and safety, civic responsibility, business undertaking, and financial literacy. All of them aimed at forming a conscious citizen, all areas of activity of which are permeated by logistics chains. Concluding the research, the authors emphasize that the lean-logistics concept may be quite useful within the proposed content of Lean-logistics as a page navigator E-collection in the form of a book trailer. Some pages of it contain examples of the multimedia scrapbook of interactive exercises (deal with some definite sections and/or topics) which are presented using the Print Screen-visualization of the logistics lotto. The use of such tools, forms, technologies, techniques in the study of the content of “Lean-logistics in geography”, as E-collection, book-trailer, hotlist, multimedia scrapbook, mind mapping software, QR-coding, Print Screen-visualization, with active use of GIS, educational Internet services, modernizes the learning process and with systematic use in practice makes them necessary and appropriate in the knowledge about geography and constructive geography.

A Mixed Algorithm for Integrated Scheduling Optimization in AS/RS and Hybrid Flowshop

The integrated scheduling problem in automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and the hybrid flowshop is critical for the realization of lean logistics and just-in-time distribution in manufacturing systems. The bi-objective model that minimizes the operation time in AS/RS and the makespan in the hybrid flowshop is established to optimize the problem. A mixed algorithm, named GA-MBO algorithm, is proposed to solve the model, which combines the advantages of the strong global optimization ability of genetic algorithm (GA) and the strong local search ability of migratory birds optimization (MBO). To avoid useless solutions, different cross operations of storage and retrieval tasks are designed. Compared with three algorithms, including improved genetic algorithm, improved particle swam optimization, and a hybrid algorithm of GA and particle swam optimization, the experimental results showed that the GA-MBO algorithm improves the operation efficiency by 9.48%, 19.54%, and 5.12% and the algorithm robustness by 35.16%, 54.42%, and 39.38%, respectively, which further verified the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The comparative analysis of the bi-objective experimental results fully reflects the superiority of integrated scheduling optimization.

Image Information Recognition and Classification of Warehoused Goods in Intelligent Logistics Based on Machine Vision Technology

To sort out warehouse management problems in smart factories, smart warehousing and in-plant smart distribution systems are needed to achieve the goal of lean logistics and distribution in smart factories. There are still some pressing problems in the research on images of warehoused goods in intelligent logistics. For example, a solution hasn’t been found yet to recognise multiple types of warehoused goods in different shapes and colours; static vision image processing solutions have a poor performance in optimising recognition speed and classification accuracy. In response, this paper unveils a study on the image information recognition and classification of warehoused goods in intelligent logistics based on machine vision technology. It presents a process related to warehouse management in intelligent logistics and a corresponding system architecture. It also constructs a YOLOv3 model for the image information recognition and classification of warehoused goods in intelligent logistics. The paper elaborates on the prior box settings and loss function correction methods, and finishes optimising the YOLOv3 model. Experimental results verified the effectiveness of the constructed model.

A New Lean Logistics Management Model for the Modern Supply Chain

A New Lean Logistics Management Model for the Modern Supply Chain

Resilient Hyperconnected Parcel Delivery Network Design Under Disruption Risks

Logistics networks are prone to disruptions inducing an increase in delivery costs and delays. Motivated by new opportunities introduced by the Physical Internet, this article studies the problem of designing resilient hyperconnected logistics hub networks. We propose two solution approaches based on integer programs (IPs) that aim to open logistics hubs in order to connect a set of origin-destination pairs using (i) multiple shortest paths and (ii) multiple shortest edge-disjoint paths. To address the inherent computational tractability issues of the first solution approach, we develop a matheuristic that leverages the structure of the problem and iteratively improves the solution by solving the same but restricted IP. To estimate the resilience of the designed networks, we propose graph-theoretic measures involving the maximum number of edge-disjoint paths connecting each origin-destination pair, and the number of short paths traversing each edge. We then develop a case study to design a class of hyperconnected parcel delivery networks in China and evaluate the impact of various disruption scenarios on the resulting distance traveled by parcels. Our results show a significant increase in the designed networks’ capability to sustain disruptions in comparison to traditional lean logistics meshed networks, with marginal compromise in performance in the absence of disruptions. This study validates the relevance of the proposed resilience measures in estimating network resilience and demonstrates the value of hyperconnectivity in designing efficient and resilient logistics networks.

Lean Thinking, Logistic and Ergonomics: Synergetic Triad to Prepare Shop Floor Work Systems to Face Pandemic Situations

Health crisis caused by COVID-19 had a significant impact on the activities and performance of companies worldwide, namely in industries. In this context, the adaptation of companies to the markets and to the new demands of consumers, readapt to strategies, processes, products, and approaches to the market, become paramount. In the case of companies, some changes in the shop floor work systems become essential, to provide competitive advantages in post-pandemic business scenarios, developing new approaches to increase the efficiency, agility and resilience of operations, always tends to account the Lean Thinking approach and its principles. Thus, the purpose of this article is to show that through Lean philosophy, Lean Logistics and ergonomic tools, one can change the manufacturing space and reduce human interaction in a post-pandemic scenario. In addition, through these three approaches associated with Industry 4.0, this article shows a project in a real case study in an automotive company, to integrate Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) among other technologies. The study of AGV integration used a simulation model designed in Simio. This project could allow to significantly reduce the ergonomic risks, energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions, and the flow of materials within the organization. The costs could be reduced by 14% in the first year of implementing AGVs and 40% in the second year after implementation. Introducing autonomous AGV will reduce the need of interaction among employees which is fundamental for healthy environments in pandemic context.

Pharmaceutical supply chains and management innovation?

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate the implementation of innovative programmes within the downstream domain of the pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC), with the aim of informing improved service provision.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method approach was used to assess to what extent innovation could be adopted by hospital and community pharmacies to improve the delivery process of pharmaceutical products. Unstructured interviews and 130 questionnaires were collected and analysed to identify factors that facilitate or prevent innovation within PSC processes.FindingsThe analysis led to the creation of the innovative pharmaceutical supply chain framework (IPSCF) that provides guidance to health-care organisations about how supply chain management problems could be addressed by implementing innovative approaches. The results also indicated that the implementation of Lean and Reverse Logistics (RL) practices, supported by integrated information technology systems, can help health-care organisations to enhance their delivery in terms of quality (products and service quality), visibility (knowledge and information sharing), speed (response to customers and suppliers needs) and cost (minimisation of cost and waste).Practical implicationsThe study’s recommendations have potential implications for supply chain theory and practice, particularly for pharmacies in terms of innovation adoption. The IPSCF provides guidance to pharmacies and health-care organisations to develop more efficient and effective supply chain strategies.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the academic literature as it adds novel theoretical insights to highly complex delivery process innovation.

New dimension of logistics innovations development in agricultural enterprises in Slovakia

The research article's primary aim was to provide a comprehensive and systematic view of a new dimension of logistics in the form of logistics innovations in agricultural enterprises in Slovakia. The intention thereof was to define and then analyse selected logistics innovations in agricultural enterprises. The research object was formed by 95 agricultural enterprises in Slovakia. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument. MS Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 20 were used to process the data in the questionnaire. The univariate descriptive statistics and multivariate descriptive statistics were used to interpret the data. The research results were tested and evaluated by means of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Medium-sized agricultural enterprises in Slovakia represented the largest segment (68%) of the study. The agricultural enterprises mostly understand the use of smart technologies as an innovation in logistics (mean = 4.43). The results of the research showed that the analysed agricultural enterprises intend to innovate mainly the production logistics (mean = 3.20). Out of the logistics processes, the agricultural enterprises want to innovate mostly the inventory management (mean = 4.55). Lean logistics is the most frequently implemented logistics innovation in agricultural enterprises (mean = 3.64). The hypothesis testing has proven that there is a statistically significant relationship between the utilisation of lean logistics and production logistics innovation. In addition, it was proven that there is a statistically significant relationship between the utilisation of radio frequency identification (RFID) and the logistics process innovation – inventory management.

Analysis on Lean Logistics Management of Tobacco Enterprises

Analysis on Lean Logistics Management of Tobacco Enterprises