I. Franchetti, P. Vicentini, L. De Togni and ‐. Magarini
The work places in the forging factories are known to be particularly tiresome for the operators who have to work there. The noise, the heat, the weight of the parts to be…
Abstract
The work places in the forging factories are known to be particularly tiresome for the operators who have to work there. The noise, the heat, the weight of the parts to be handled, the place unctuosity are all elements which make the work hard and uncomfortable with a bad environment for the operators; and all this results in low productivity.
Shruti J. Raval, Ravi Kant and Ravi Shankar
Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is receiving a tremendous attention as a modern process of streaming to improve the organizational ability and customer satisfaction. A successful LSS…
Abstract
Purpose
Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is receiving a tremendous attention as a modern process of streaming to improve the organizational ability and customer satisfaction. A successful LSS implementation is influenced by various factors and the execution of all the influencing factors simultaneously is a very difficult task for any organization. From the perspective of limitation of resources, this paper aims to present a basic issue in an LSS implementation of clustering complex and impacting factors into groups to achieve them in a stepwise manner. This paper aims to present a fundamental issue of clustering the complex and impacting factors of an LSS implementation into groups to achieve them stepwise.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 40 relevant influencing factors toward an LSS implementation have been identified from the extensive literature review and duly validated with experts’ opinions. Integrated fuzzy set theory and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach are demonstrated to explore the causal relationships among influencing factors of the LSS implementation. An empirical case analysis of an Indian manufacturing organization is carried out to illustrate the utilization of the proposed model.
Findings
The proposed framework effectively finds out the significance of each influencing factor of an LSS implementation and clustered into cause–effect groups. As per the results of the empirical case analysis, ten critical success factors (CSFs) of the LSS implementation are evaluated for the successful LSS implementation. Top management pays more attention to achieve them and implement them in a phase-wise approach under the limitations of accessible resources.
Research limitations/implications
The presented framework provides an effective, precise and systematic decision support tool for recognizing CSFs of the LSS implementation. The organization, decision-makers, industrial practitioners and academic researchers may be able to comprehend the cause–effect relationship of the influencing factors of the LSS implementation. The exploratory nature and the single case study are two major limitations of this analysis. The developed model is heavily dependent on the experts’ opinions; hence, any bias in judgment will influence the final result.
Originality/value
This analysis is the first of its kind of effort, according to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to classify the influencing factors of LSS implementation into the cause–effect cluster. The outcomes of this analysis make the complexity of a problem easier in handling and assisting the decision-making.
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Shruti J. Raval, Ravi Kant and Ravi Shankar
The purpose of this paper is to examine and introduce comprehensive insights into the field of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) by reviewing the existing literature and identifying the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine and introduce comprehensive insights into the field of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) by reviewing the existing literature and identifying the research gap. The state of LSS research is assessed by critically examining the field, along with a number of dimensions, including time horizon, year, journal and publisher, university, country, author, geographic analysis, research design, research affairs, research methods, tools/techniques used, focus industries, major research area, benefits gained by LSS, critical success factors and barriers of LSS implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on a systematic literature review of 190 articles containing the word LSS in their title, which are published in a well-known database, such as Elsevier ScienceDirect, Taylor and Francis, Emerald Full Text, Springer Link, Wiley InterScience and Inderscience from January 2000 to September 2016.
Findings
This analysis reveals 15 significant dimensions to identify the state of LSS research. Authors find a noticeable rise in the attention of LSS research in the available literature. Major findings show that, the empirical research holds greater credibility. Statistics prove that the case study method scores the highest among all the research methods used in the discipline. The largest number of studies have investigated research issues related to implementation and process of LSS. The LSS uses a wide range of tools/techniques/methodologies: the choice of tools is situation-specific. Manufacturing and health-care sectors have been the focus of LSS research, but LSS has also been adopted by other types of industries. The organizations following LSS have improved bottom-line results, improved company profitability and growth and enhanced customer satisfaction. In general the research is more interpretive in nature; there is still a lack of standard in the LSS implementation framework.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to reviewing those articles which contain the word LSS appeared in the title.
Originality/value
This study will help understand the current state of research on LSS, various trends in the field, its applicability and future prospects of investigation in the field.
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This paper aims to identify the factors that have influenced growth in the UK's boutique hotel sector, through the identification of attributes that attract consumers to these…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the factors that have influenced growth in the UK's boutique hotel sector, through the identification of attributes that attract consumers to these hotels.
Design/methodology/approach
The study methods included a review of the literature and a survey of boutique hotel consumers in the UK.
Findings
Location, quality, uniqueness, services provided and the personalised levels of service offered are identified as the top five attributes attracting respondents to these hotels. The growth of the boutique hotel sector in the UK may be attributable to consumers seeking alternatives to the standardised provision of more traditional accommodation.
Practical implications
Although this research has its limitations due to the low response rate, many of the findings support those of previous studies and may assist boutique hotel operators in meeting customer needs more effectively. Practical recommendations are made for existing boutique hotel operators and those wishing to enter the market.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the first to investigate the growth of the UK's boutique hotel sector and the factors that influence the consumers' decision to purchase this type of accommodation.
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Miguel Gomez Segura, Omogbai Oleghe and Konstantinos Salonitis
A system dynamics (SD)-based methodology is described for analysing the impact of lean manufacturing strategies on a company's business performance, using business model canvas…
Abstract
Purpose
A system dynamics (SD)-based methodology is described for analysing the impact of lean manufacturing strategies on a company's business performance, using business model canvas (BMC) perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach is used to describe the methodology which consists of conceptualising a SD model on the basis of BMC. The base SD model is elaborated to include variables and concepts that consider the effects of lean manufacturing metrics on business performance. In the modelling experimentation, the lean manufacturing metrics are made to take on likely values one would expect if certain lean practices are initiated or improved. The experimental results provide one with the likely impact on business performance, if one were to improve lean manufacturing practices.
Findings
The simulation results for the case study show that lean improvements, on the short-run, have a significant impact on business performance, but in the long run, the impact is only marginal.
Research implications/limitations
The described methodology provides one with a structured format for investigating the impact of lean practices on business performance. Although the developed SD model was built with generality in mind, it remains to be reproduced in other settings to test its replicability.
Practical implications
The methodology enables an organisation target which lean improvements to initiate based on their strategic impact on the business.
Originality/value
Limited studies exist where SD and business models are combined to test the strategic impact of lean manufacturing.
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Mihir Patel and Darshak Arunbhai Desai
The purpose of this paper is to capture the status of implementation of Six Sigma in various manufacturing industries and also examine the success of the Six Sigma by using…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to capture the status of implementation of Six Sigma in various manufacturing industries and also examine the success of the Six Sigma by using different performance indicators.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology of critical review involves the selection and classification of 112 research articles on the implementation of Six Sigma in different manufacturing industries. The selected articles are categorized by the following: articles distribution based on the year of publication, publication database, various journals, contribution of authors, continent, scale of industry, implemented approaches, focused industry, tools and techniques used in phases of Six Sigma methodology, and performance indicators used in Six Sigma implementation. Then after, future scopes of research opportunities are derived based on significant findings.
Findings
The literature revealed that: Very few work was undertaken on the implementation of Six Sigma in various manufacturing industries like ceramic, paper, gems and jewelry, cement, furniture, stone, fertilizer, forging, paper and surface treatment industries. Most of the researchers have considered very few performance indicators to identify the improvement after Six Sigma implementation. But, there is no clue regarding overall improvement in different perspectives after the implementation of Six Sigma. The financial indicators, personnel indicators, process indicators and customer indicators are useful to measure the overall improvement after the implementation of Six Sigma in the manufacturing sector.
Research limitations/implications
The study was carried out on the implementation of Six Sigma methodology in various manufacturing industries, and various performance indicators were identified while implementing the Six Sigma methodology. Case studies pertaining to service industries were not covered here.
Originality/value
Very little research has been carried out to measure the overall success of implementing Six Sigma methodology in manufacturing industries. This paper will provide value to students, researchers and practitioners of Six Sigma by providing insight into the implementation of Six Sigma in manufacturing industries.
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The paper seeks to clarify the aesthetic and operational characteristics of UK boutique hotels so as to obtain a clearer definition of boutique hotels.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to clarify the aesthetic and operational characteristics of UK boutique hotels so as to obtain a clearer definition of boutique hotels.
Design/methodology/approach
Since an official list of boutique hotels is not available, the study looked at 15 consortia recognised as operating bona fide boutique hotels by a few authoritative sources (e.g. Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the RAC). Web sites of each boutique hotel were scrutinised by content analysing vital operational characteristics and aesthetic features that were presented. A comparative analysis was then carried out with the findings and interviews obtained from four boutique hotel managers to establish the common characteristics of boutique hotels.
Findings
The paper describes the aesthetics and operational characteristics of UK boutique hotels, indicating what can be found in a boutique hotel. One of the many important findings of this study suggests that the majority of boutique hotels are not privately owned, contradicting previous studies.
Research limitations/implications
The list of characteristics is not exhaustive, although the interest in UK boutique hotels is rather recent. The research method used in this study has not been used before, and it is therefore recommended that research on consumer perceptions of boutique hotels should help to augment and balance the findings of this study.
Practical implications
A meaningful and functional definition of boutique hotels will enable trade bodies and relevant associations to revise their grading systems, better serving the hotel industry, as well as business and leisure travellers.
Originality/value
This paper aims to give credibility to the sector so that not any hotel can claim to be boutique, as specific characteristics have to be fulfilled.
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Na Li, Peter Hines and Chunlin Xin
This paper aims to investigate how implementing lean six sigma and Industry 4.0 (LSSI4.0) can influence a company’s financial performance and discusses the current trend involving…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate how implementing lean six sigma and Industry 4.0 (LSSI4.0) can influence a company’s financial performance and discusses the current trend involving LSSI4.0 in China.
Design/methodology/approach
For statistical analysis, financial data was sourced from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research database. Keywords used to assess the implementation status of LSSI4.0 were extracted from the 2007 to 2020 annual reports of A-share manufacturing companies. Regression analysis was applied to the quantitative analyses of 5,041 observational data points from 945A-share manufacturing companies in China.
Findings
LSSI4.0 implementation in the manufacturing industry boosts the firms’ financial performance. However, the former outperforms the latter in terms of long-term advantages. Meanwhile, incorporating lean six sigma (LSS) into Industry 4.0 (I4.0) can lead to long-term improved financial performance compared to solely implementing the I4.0.
Research limitations/implications
The findings possess limited international representativeness because all empirical data were derived from Chinese large manufacturing companies. In addition to return on assets and return on equity, financial performance can also be measured using other financial metrics, such as return on investment. In this study, only listed manufacturing companies were considered as research samples.
Practical implications
Top management must acknowledge the positive impact of LSSI4.0 on financial performance and prioritize implementing I4.0 based on LSS implementation.
Originality/value
Empirical results concerning the effectiveness of LSS implementation in enhancing financial performance are inconclusive, particularly in China. In addition, most studies collected data through surveys and interviews, so the representativeness of their outcomes is limited. Overall, this study evaluated the impact of LSSI4.0 implementation with large sample size.
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Gunjan Yadav and Tushar N. Desai
Literature reviews in the field of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) are often substantially less stringently portrayed than other empirical research. The purpose of this paper is to lucubrate…
Abstract
Purpose
Literature reviews in the field of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) are often substantially less stringently portrayed than other empirical research. The purpose of this paper is to lucubrate on clarifying emerging aspects, trends and importance of LSS through reviewing the published literature over multiple parameters for a ameliorating and trenchant view.
Design/methodology/approach
In the present study, a literature review of LSS articles is carried out over the time horizon of 14 years from referred peer-reviewed journals in business and management disciplines, information systems and computer science, engineering, healthcare, etc. While carrying out the literature review, various distinct dimensions are considered, such as publication years and journals, countries, research design, research type and application sector within industries. A descriptive evaluation of the literature body is followed by gap identification and future research opportunities.
Findings
LSS research is growing rapidly, covering various disciplines and domains with a great focus on LSS tools and techniques; empirical research is dominant with more emphasis on case study approach; and growing gap between manufacturing- and service-focused articles implies return of LSS to manufacturing as its initial base.
Originality/value
The review analysis entirely focuses on descriptive statistics of empirical research in LSS. The sample size includes 189 shortlisted articles in 58 journals published over a time span of 14 years (2001-2014). The paper provides both academicians and practitioners a better panorama to understand the present status of LSS for pursuing rigorous LSS research through explicating chronological emergence, challenging themes, dominating research types and application areas in LSS.
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Nicholas Roth and Matthew Franchetti
This project aims to address the problems facing a small printing company during the printing of sample boards. The company was unable to meet their projected yearly demand of…
Abstract
Purpose
This project aims to address the problems facing a small printing company during the printing of sample boards. The company was unable to meet their projected yearly demand of 200,000 boards. During the study, the team found that the company's maximum output was 143,400 from two printing machines and thus faced the need to acquire new capital. The goal of this project is, therefore, to create a sustainable process that increased the client's competitive advantage in the printing industry.
Design/methodology/approach
By applying Six Sigma and Lean principles, the team identified the current situation that the printing company's operations were in as well as determining the maximum possible output. The team identified methods to increase production output while finding the optimum annual labor costs per unit for possible future situations.
Findings
Approximately 30 percent of the workers' activities were found to be non‐value added and there are numerous machine delays that decreased productivity. The project also investigated the optimal number of employees that are needed to staff additional machines, should the company wish to expand its operations.
Originality/value
This project is unique in that it looked at a printing process with a fixed cycle time. This project is useful for any company that is restrained by cycle time and needs to find the most cost‐efficient way to expand their resources.