Critical Factors for Introducing Lean Product Development to Small and Medium sized Enterprises in Italy

Abstract Small and medium sized enterprises are the backbone of many economies. Especially in Italy SME's play a major role in the economic system. In the last years many lean methods and approaches were introduced successfully also in small and medium sized enterprises. After a successful introduction in manufacturing the lean approach swapped also on other indirect areas such as engineering and product development. Actually in research we can find only few research on the application of Lean in the R&D departments of SME's. The novelty of this paper is to provide a survey based evaluation of applicability, benefits as well as critical factors of Lean in SME product development. In the survey 54 Italian SME's were asked for their opinion. Further, respondents gave a statement on the introduction of emerging Industry 4.0 techniques in product development and how they can influence the effect of Lean in product development. The main results are that numerous Lean methods can be introduced very quickly promising high potential for improvements and that Lean methods combined with Industry 4.0 technologies act like a booster for efficiency optimization in product development

Systematic analysis of needs and requirements for the design of smart manufacturing systems in SMEs☆

Abstract With the increasing trend of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0 or smart manufacturing, many companies are now facing the challenge of implementing Industry 4.0 methods and technologies. This is a challenge especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, as they have neither sufficient human nor financial resources to deal with the topic sufficiently. However, since small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the economy, it is particularly important to support these companies in the introduction of Industry 4.0 and to develop appropriate tools. This work is intended to fill this gap and to enhance research on Industry 4.0 for small and medium-sized enterprises by presenting an exploratory study that has been used to systematically analyze and evaluate the needs and translate them into a final list of (functional) requirements and constraints using axiomatic design as scientific approach

Industry 4.0 for SMEs

This open access book explores the concept of Industry 4.0, which presents a considerable challenge for the production and service sectors. While digitization initiatives are usually integrated into the central corporate strategy of larger companies, smaller firms often have problems putting Industry 4.0 paradigms into practice. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) possess neither the human nor financial resources to systematically investigate the potential and risks of introducing Industry 4.0. Addressing this obstacle, the international team of authors focuses on the development of smart manufacturing concepts, logistics solutions and managerial models specifically for SMEs. Aiming to provide methodological frameworks and pilot solutions for SMEs during their digital transformation, this innovative and timely book will be of great use to scholars researching technology management, digitization and small business, as well as practitioners within manufacturing companies

Impact Evaluation of Interoperability Decision Variables on P2P Collaboration Performances

This article deals with the impact evaluation of interoperability decision variables on performance indicators of business processes. The case of partner companies is studied to show the interest of an Interoperability Service Utility (ISU) on business processes in a peer to peer (P2P) collaboration. Information described in the format and the ontology of a broadcasting entity is transformed by ISU into information with the format and the ontology of the receiving entity depending on the available resources of interoperation. These resources can be human operators with defined skill level or software modules of transformation in predefined languages. A design methodology of a global simulation model for estimating the impact of interoperability decision variables on performance indicators of business processes is proposed. Its implementation in an industrial case of collaboration shows its efficiency and its interest to motivate an investment in the technologies of enterprise interoperability

Organizational culture aspects that facilitate lean implementation: a pilot study

The paper aims to identify enablers and inhibitors of Lean Implementation (LI) in a small and medium-sized manufacturing (SME) organisation in Saudi Arabia. The paper opted for an exploratory study using the semi-structure interview approach of grounded theory, including seven in-depth interviews with employees representing from top management to the workers in the workshop having mainly an experience of Lean Implementation background. The data was complemented by context analysis, including simultaneous and concurrent data collection and constant comparison methods. It suggests successful communication and teamwork. However, there were two codes which had not been evidenced in prior research and were not identified in the literature review. These include; 'multiple decision makers' and the 'family effect'. This paper fulfils an identified need to study how organisational culture affects LI. It demonstrates the current state of LI in manufacturing companies by uncovering the enablers and inhibitors of organisational culture

implementation of reconfigurable manufacturing in the italian context state of the art and trends

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Organisational culture - Enablers and inhibitors factors for the effective implementation of lean

Lean systems are used effectively in various organisations to improve productivity. Although Lean is a thoroughly discussed method within industries, there is a scarcity of research about cultural aspects and organizational culture related to Lean Implementation (LI). The paper aims to identify and explore organizational culture (OC) enablers and inhibitors of Lean Implementation (LI) in a Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing (SME) organization and the influences of organizational culture (OC) for continuous improvement. It proposes aspects of the Lean Implementation process and how these processes are affected by organizational culture. The study further explains how an organization can improve their implementation process of Lean by adopting Schein Model as a conceptual framework. A literature review research methodology used to identify the (OC) enablers and inhibitors for continuous improvement of Lean Implementation (LI). The literature review establishes the of Lean philosophy, benefits, assessment and the challenges of Lean implementation in SMEs. Moreover, the important of organizational culture, models of (OC), assessments of (OC) and conceptual framework of Schein’s Model. In addition, empirical evidence from reviewed literature shows that an organization cannot succeed in Lean implementation unless it has a healthy organizational culture

Cloud computing as business perspectives for product lifecycle management systems

In a dynamic economic environment, the company’s survival may depend on the ability to focus on core business and quick adaptation. Yesterday’s profitable business model can’t be counted on to translate into future growth and profits. As the business adapts to changing government and industry regulations, evaluates new business partnerships and anticipates competitive threats, IT needs to help the business find new ways to respond of such of fastchanges. At the same time, plans for change must often be made in the context of limited resources for finances, people, technology, and power