Students' research on lean and green

Abstract

Abstract-This paper reports on the contribution of students to a research project. Its distinct characteristics are the relation between teaching and research, the early involvement of undergraduate students in research and the aim of raising students' environmental awareness. A group of students taking a compulsory course on Operations Management were asked to survey companies on the existence of synergic relations between lean manufacturing and environmental performance, which is the research topic of a Ph.D. candidate. The research began with the design of a structured questionnaire. The students interviewed operations managers in manufacturing companies. Since this subject is part of a blended learning program in engineering, many students already work in companies and interviewing their managers allowed them to gain a different view of the firm's activities. The results of the experience show the total involvement of the students. They learnt about lean manufacturing practices and about environmental issues. The study showed the relation between "lean" and "green" topics.