Green implementation of Lean Six Sigma projects in the manufacturing sector

Abstract

Purpose Historically, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation has demonstrated a great deal of enhancement to process efficiency, profitability and customer satisfaction. The emerging market pressure for developing better quality, cheaper and greener products invokes a change of view in LSS economical effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to identify under which condition the final output of LSS projects with traditional strategic benefits are more environmentally friendly. Design/methodology/approach To investigate the choice of different types of LSS projects, the environmental impact under different conditions and the comparison of those conditions, the author developed an analytical mathematical model and analysed four different propositions. Findings The final price and production volume were recommended as mediating factors to leverage an LSS project to achieve a greener, customised and finance-oriented outputs. Research limitations/implications This research contributes to existing LSS research and knowledge development via promoting the different perspectives of LSS and environmental sustainability integration. Practical implications This study further enables managers to identify the cut-off point in relation to the production volume and finished prices to leverage the expected financial outputs and environmental impact of the LSS project. This would potentially promote a green LSS project in both implementation and output, alongside its traditional values. Originality/value This study uses a modelling approach to identify the conditions under which the actual methodology of the LSS project could be green via less energy consumption with consideration of expected LSS values and outcomes.

Investigating the Theoretical Constructs of a Green Lean Six Sigma Approach towards Environmental Sustainability: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Directions

“…Based on the mutual objective of waste minimization, lean and green have been integrated into a joint strategy [14]. This synergistic relationship between lean and green not only achieves the environmental benefits but also reduces costs through waste minimization [1].…”

“…Cherrafi et al [21] have emphasized internal driving forces to initiate GLSS program such as increasing profitability, reducing cost, enhancing employee satisfaction, improving processes, and strengthening company image. Additionally, the external drivers of GLSS are highlighted as customer demands, regulatory requirements, shareholders' concerns, and competitive environment that motivate organizations to be more environmentally responsible [1,19,21]. Both the internal and external drivers can be interlinked to motivate the organizations towards integrating green, lean, and six sigma strategies [21].…”

“…Findings from the analysis of 58 articles suggest that there is an increasing trend in GLSS research that is justified with the rising concerns in organizations to achieve better environmental performance. However, there is a lack of GLSS frameworks available in literature including a number of frameworks that have not been empirically tested from an industrial or real-life perspective [1,6,9,19,81,92]. Table 5 presents all GLSS frameworks available in literature and their context.…”

“…In the past few decades, organizations have implemented various improvement strategies globally to increase operational performance and achieve customer satisfaction [1]. Nowadays, customer awareness towards eco-friendly products and services, and worldwide environmental legislations are forcing organizations to synchronize their environmental goals with operational performance requirements [2,3].…”

“…Shokri and Li [1] The authors have proposed a hybrid approach of green LSS projects and developed a mathematical model to facilitate decision making under LSS projects by which the final outputs can also be environmentally friendly. The volume of production and final price of products for consumers are characterized as "mediating factors" to balance the LSS projects' operational outputs and environmental performance.…”