PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a bibliometric study about Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in the manufacturing process and to conduct an analysis of sources of publication, authorship, citations and other bibliometric indicators. This paper also identifies the research agenda for future research related to the LSS approach in manufacturing processes.Design/methodology/approachA total of 508 articles published during the period 2002 to 2017 were collected through an automated process from the Scopus and Web of Science databases and later analyzed using techniques such as data mining, bibliometric indicators analysis, cluster analysis, network analysis and word cloud. The boundaries of the study cover studies directed to the manufacturing processes.FindingsThe research identified 1,110 authors from 54 countries and 15 most prolific journals among the 162 journals investigated. The study unveils relevant articles, authors and journals that have discussed LSS initiatives in the manufacturing process.Practical implicationsThe study findings can make practitioners aware of the state of the art and the specificities of the most prolific studies. Furthermore, this paper also intends to clarify the project themes and tools most used in these works.Originality/valueThe geographical locations of influential articles and authors are revealed. Additionally, frequently used words are listed and helped to develop a research agenda that highlights relevant themes, methods and industries.

The organic photovoltaic cell (OPV) is composed of multiple layers, and some printing and coating techniques are more suitable than others for a certain type of layer. This paper aims to characterize and compare the most relevant coating and printing techniques that can be used in the manufacture of OPVs. Extensive bibliographic research was carried out on articles published from 1998 to 2020 to identify various aspects OPV, such as the principle of operation, advantages, disadvantages, and which layers can be printed by each technique. The results show that the most used method for the processing of OPVs is spin-coating. In the studies found, rotation was used to coat the active layer, the electron transport layer, and the hole transport layer. The techniques of pad printing, casting, and meniscus are considered useful in the processing of the active layer. Regarding the deposition of the active layer, hole transport layer, electron transport layer, and anode, the rotogravure, crack matrix, spraying, and brushing techniques were satisfactory. Flexography has been used to form the active layer, electron transport layer, and anode. Screen printing, inkjet printing, and knife/blade coating were used in the processing of the active layer, hole transport layer, electron transport layer, anode, and cathode. All the double slot die coating, curtain coating, and slide coating allows simultaneous processing of multiple layers. Techniques compatible with roll-to-roll processing are more likely to be at the center of OPVs in the future, thus making solar photovoltaic technology more competitive.

Purpose -The objective of this article is to identify and analyze critical factors in the development of continuous improvement (CI) activities in Brazilian companies. Design/methodology/approach -A conceptual model of the relationship between practices and results was tested to identify the critical factors using a survey conducted in 46 industrial companies. Non-parametric tests were used to test some hypotheses developed based on the literature. Findings -The results indicate the importance of staff training in problem solution tools, incentives for suggestions, face-to-face communication and regular shop floor visits such as critical factors for the success of continuous improvement activities (CI). Operational practices of CI contribute to company performance in relation to improvements in productivity, quality, lead time, cost, customer satisfaction and development of employees' skills to solve problems. Research limitations/implications -Although the detected constructs are fairly accurate, they are still subject to improvements and new dimensions can be incorporated to them. Practical implication -These critical factors are related to actions that encourage employees to participate in CI activities and incentive mechanisms to be able to apply identification techniques and tools successfully, as well as find solution to problems. Originality/value -The results of this work provide a thorough understanding of the success drivers when conducting CI activities.

PurposeThe objective of this study is to analyse and propose alternatives to the lack of integration and cooperation of industrial firms in a Brazilian cluster of the jewelry sector. The relationships between the functional factors and the surrounding factors of the cluster are examined.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on a face‐to‐face survey that established relationships between the internal factor/variables of the companies, the cluster and the external environment's factor/variables.FindingsIt was found that integration and cooperation are essential for the development of a cluster since it stimulates the use of local resources. High levels of clusters' inter‐firm integration may represent high levels of operational efficiency.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has some limitations related to generalizations, but it can be said that the statistical tools applied to characterize the companies' subgroups in a cluster proved valid. In view of this, further research on other local productive systems is suggested in order to strengthen the propositions making use of the same tools described in this study.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate the need for strategic actions by the companies in order to seize opportunities to promote local innovation.Originality/valueThe paper indicates an enterprise's classification according to the characteristics of the company's competitive strategy.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the risks to which agrifood supply chains are exposed and to analyze how these risks impact the degree of coordination of the chain. Design/methodology/approach The present investigation was executed in two steps. Initially, a literature review and interviews with slaughterhouse managers were carried out to identify the main risks to which agrifood supply chains are exposed. The second step consisted of a survey involving 66 Brazilian slaughterhouses to identify how the perception of risks influences the degree of coordination in the examined chains. Findings The study revealed that risks, transaction costs and creation of collaborative advantages are determining factors in defining the degree of coordination in the analyzed agrifood supply chains. Practical implications The results allow slaughterhouse managers to more easily recognize the risks to which the supply chains are exposed and evaluate in more detail strategies for relationships with their suppliers. These strategies may be able to avoid conflict and create value for the supplier by stimulating longer relationships and facilitating animal purchase transactions for slaughter. This can lead to quality improvements, lower costs and reduced risk. Originality/value Studies of risks in agrifood supply chains are rare in comparison with those developed in other sectors. The present investigation is innovative in identifying the main risks specific to agrifood supply chains and associating those risks with a degree of coordination that minimizes them.