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Abstract:Purpose: The objective of this paper is to investigate how environmental improvements can be achieved through operational practices of Lean Manufacturing.Design/methodology/approach: A literature review was conducted to analyze the relationship between operational practices of Lean and reduction of environmental impact in organizational contexts. Verified theoretically, this relationship was observed in a company of the electronics industry, through an exploratory research which contemplated a mixed approach. The adopted research method consisted of a single case study, by providing greater depth and detail of the study. Utilized a research protocol, validated pilot test. The instruments for data collection were semi-structured interviews, direct observation and document analysis. The information was examined qualitatively considering the technique for content analysis. Findings:As a result of the study, it was found that there is evidence for the existence of relationship between the practices of Lean, for example, Kaizen, PDCA (plan, do, check, act), Ishikawa Diagram, Poka-Yoke, and Standardized Work, with the reduction of environmental impacts of an organization. This reduction was observed after application of these practices that resulted in the reduction of energy consumption and water consumption. These results were accounted for financially, contributing to a reduction of annual costs by about US$ 17,900.-550-Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management -https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.2268 Originality/value: The study presents in detail, the application of operational practices of Lean Manufacturing, with an effective view to reducing the environmental impact and cost reduction.The literature review, a detailed description of the application process and financial results are important information that contributes to the scientific studies that address traditional operating practices and the search for better environmental performance.

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PurposeThis article examines the extent of collaboration experienced by 191 Brazilian shippers, logistics service providers (LSPs) and carriers in their logistics operations in urban freight transport. This study investigates relationships over time, the type of service and the nuances associated with the frequency of meetings, frequency of technical visits and frequency of training.Design/methodology/approachThe authors carried out a component analysis and, based on factor loadings, calculated indexes for use in non-linear canonical correlations to evaluate company-level differences in perceptions of the degree of collaboration and strength of relationship over time.FindingsThe results indicate that in the triad, LSPs are the strongest supporters of collaboration over time regardless of whether the logistics service is shared or dedicated; shippers demonstrate the weakest support for collaboration and prioritize relationships of one to three years in length. Carriers seek to develop short-term relationships and participate actively in meetings and technical visits because they strongly support strategic and interpersonal collaboration. Carriers also follow LSPs in terms of strategic and interpersonal collaboration and shared logistics services.Originality/valueThis article contributes to understanding the perceptions of interactions among specific logistics collaboration elements related to strategic, tactical and interpersonal relationships that the Brazilian companies face in their daily urban freight transport.

The concept of Industry 4.0 was first introduced in Germany in 2011. Also called as the 4th industrial revolution, this concept is based on digitization and integration of physical and digital media, focusing on the automation of production processes and integration across the value chain. Due to the fast development of Industry 4.0 in the last few years, this study performed a SWOT-based analysis to assess strategic points to develop and apply digital technologies in the companies situated at the SMR – Sorocaba Metropolitan Region (São Paulo State, Brazil). A literature review was developed on Industry 4.0 conception and its main technologies: Cyber-Physical Systems, Internet of Things, Intelligent Factories and Big Data. Findings from the literature review were used to develop an exploratory questionnaire (survey), which was applied to SMR’s companies’ representatives. After that, a SWOT matrix was applied, to generate action plans to facilitate the insertion of Industry 4.0 in the companies from the SMR, based on offensive, confrontational, reinforcement and defense strategies selection. The strategies proposed on this paper should be used as an input for public political issues in the SMR, and they could also be expanded to other regions in Brazil as short and long-term strategies.