Search results

Research on women-owned businesses is more extensive in developed countries than in developing countries. This prompted the authors to investigate the factors that affect women entrepreneurs' motives to start a business and the challenges they faced in running their businesses in India.

Data for the analysis were collected from 620 respondents using a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews with 20 women entrepreneurs. The data were then analyzed using descriptive and factor analysis in the statistical software “SPSS” (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).

The findings showed that the primary motivation for women to launch their own business was to achieve self-employment. Other motivations include increasing income and allowing women to follow their passion. Factor analysis indicates that women entrepreneurs are more motivated by push than pull factors. The research also shows that women encounter challenges in their entrepreneurial journey, such as access to financing, issues with gender equality and social and cultural obligations.

The study on women entrepreneurs in the Indian context is limited. This study responds to a need of better understanding of women motivations and challenges. By studying these constructs, the study shows that start-up motives and challenges faced by female entrepreneurs are unique to different contexts.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the research landscape of LSS 4.0 papers published in two well-known repositories, Scopus and Web of Science (WoS), in terms of publication trends, article distribution by author, journal, affiliations and country, and article clustering based on keywords, authors and countries. In addition, a literature review was carried out to build a conceptual framework of integrated Lean Six Sigma and Industry 4.0 (LSS 4.0) that encompasses operational, sustainability and human factors or ergonomics aspects.

The literature review of integrated Lean Six Sigma and I4.0 publications published in Scopus and WoS databases in the current decade was conducted for the present study. This study categorizes LSS, I4.0 and related research articles based on publication patterns, journals, authors and affiliations, country and continental-wise distribution and clustering the articles based on keywords and authors from the Scopus and WoS databases from 2011 to 2022 using the search strings “Lean”, “Six Sigma”, “Lean Six Sigma” and “Industry 4.0” in the Title, Abstract and Keywords using Biblioshiny, VOS viewer and Microsoft Excel.

In the recent three years, from 2020 to 2022, LSS 4.0 has been substantially increasing and is seen as an emerging and trending area. This research identifies the most influential authors, most relevant affiliations, most prolific countries and most productive journals and clusters based on keywords, authors and countries. Further, a conceptual framework was developed that includes the impact of operational, sustainability and ergonomic or human factors in LSS 4.0.

This article assists in comprehending the trends and patterns of LSS 4.0. Further, the conceptual framework helps professionals and researchers understand the significance and impact of integrating LSS and Industry 4.0 in the aspects of human factors/ergonomic, sustainability and operations. Also, the research induce professionals to incorporate all these factors while designing and implementing LSS 4.0 in their organization.

This conceptual framework and bibliometric analysis would aid in identifying potential areas of research and providing future directions in the domain of LSS 4.0. It will be beneficial for academicians, professionals and researchers who are planning to apply and integrate techniques of LSS and technologies of I4.0 in their organizations and research.