Lean and green – a systematic review of the state of the art literature

The move towards greener operations and products has forced companies to seek alternatives to balance efficiency gains and environmental friendliness in their operations and products. The exploration of the sequential or simultaneous deployment of lean and green initiatives is the results of this balancing action. However, the lean-green topic is relatively new, and it lacks of a clear and structured research definition. Thus, this paper’s main contribution is the offering of a systematic review of the existing literature on lean and green, aimed at providing guidance on the topic, uncovering gaps and inconsistencies in the literature, and finding new paths for research. The paper identifies and structures, through a concept map, six main research streams that comprise both conceptual and empirical research conducted within the context of various organisational functions and industrial sectors. Important issues for future research are then suggested in the form of research questions. The paper’s aim is to also contribute by stimulating scholars to further study this area in depth, which will lead to a better understanding of the compatibility and impact on organisational performance of lean and green initiatives. It also holds important implications for industrialists, who can develop a deeper and richer knowledge on lean and green to help them formulate more effective strategies for their deployment

Examining the mediating role of innovative capabilities in the interplay between lean processes and sustainable performance

Literature, heretofore, has assumed the relationship between ‘lean’ systems and their sustainable performance as direct and static. Researchers have explored this relationship from various perspectives and have taken clear sides, as to whether lean practices are favourable or inimical to the sustainable performance of a firm. We argue that the ‘for (or) against’ debate has been overstretched and has assumed some contingencies that are uncalled for. This study offers a novel perspective of gauging the relationship between lean practices and a firm’s sustainable performance from a dynamic stance. It recognizes that this relationship has both, synergistic and discordant phases. Synergistic phase revs up the sustainable performance and discordant phase is inimical to the sustainable performance of the firm. We propose that lean processes can positively (or) negatively affect a firm’s sustainable performance depending upon the state of innovative capability of the firm. In this regard, we present an iterative and recursive two-phase framework which draws upon the principles of a metaheuristics and is undergirded in dynamic capability theory. This framework discusses the ‘switching behaviour’ of the firm controlled by decoupling point. Switching behaviour determines how a firm should manoeuvre its innovation strategy. The framework was tested by using primary and secondary data (content analysis) in order to triangulate the results. This framework puts forth a set of generic guidelines, which the firms can decipher in their own idiosyncratic environments to bring about the required synergy between their lean processes and innovative capabilities. This synergy shall ensure that the ‘the engines of their sustainable growth’ are always fired up

Impact of Supply Chain Practices on Organizational Performance with Moderating Effect of Supply Chain Performance in Indian Health Care Industry

Supply chain practices play an important role in healthcare Organizational Performance. Organizational performance, from the perspective of Indian healthcare industry, is concerned with producing and delivering high-quality service at a reasonable cost. On the other hand, is concerned with how stakeholders are observing their organizations in terms of customer satisfaction, return on investment. The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesized relationship between Supply chain practices along with supply chain performance and organizational performance among Indian healthcare industry. The study was conducted by utilizing structured, self-administered questionnaires and collected data was analyzed by using SPSS. Study revealed that there is a positive significant relationship between supply chain practices and supply chain performance is affecting the organizational performance of the Indian healthcare industry

Supply Chain Management – A Critical Review of Its Impact on Competitive Potential

Supply chain management has been the focus area for every  manufacturing industry worldwide as a tool to gain competitive advantage in the globalized economic scenario. Subjects such as suppliers’ and customers’ management, integration, internal supply chain management; quality management, information management, logistics management and relationships management have been extensively discussed at various platforms world over. Concerns are frequently raised regarding gaps between theory and practices, effective implementation of practices and the success rate of such practices. Extensive literature is available on supply chain management in form of books, journals and conference proceedings. This research intends to explore the literature with an objective to assess the impact of implementing supply chain management practices on performance and competitive potential of manufacturing industry. It was concluded that though the companies taking initiative in implementing SCM practices face a number of hurdles at an initial phase, over a long term they are bound to benefit from effective implementation of such practices

Linking Technical Education to Business Growth: A Case Study on Building Technical Skills in India

Education has been recognized as the most important source of competitive advantage for a nation. It is the key determinant of firm level productivity which in turn drives business growth and profitability. Technical knowledge, in particular, is required both for industrial as well as service development. Technical institutions contribute to the growth of business and industry in a variety of ways. The most influential and direct impact is through their graduates who bring in new skills and perspectives to firms. Industries also seek advanced training on specific topics as well as consultancy from technical institutions. Often these institutions collaborate with academics to design and develop new technologies. In this paper we have argued that technical education plays a crucial role in building these capabilities and consequently in the growth of industry. We use the case study of the Indian technical education system to explore the nature of this system, mechanisms used to govern it, linkages between the education regime and the industry, and the roles that different stakeholders play in ensuring that such a regime delivers sustained advantage to the society. We study the business growth in a few select sectors and the changing needs of technical skills therein. These sectors are agricultural implements, auto-components, chemicals, construction, garments and machine tools. We also illustrate the link between technological innovation and technical skills thereby pointing towards the trajectory of developing industrial competitiveness.

Managing Complex Networks inEmerging Markets: The Story of AMUL

Firms that desire to do business in large emerging markets need to develop a new paradigm for looking at opportunities in these markets. The success of many such firms has depended on how well have they formed or managed to become a part of an existing network of suppliers and consumers. These economies are complex and have unique characteristics that range from underdeveloped markets to small and fragmented supplier base. Clearly, traditional business models are not adequate for this environment. Successful firms participate in the development of both these elements of the supply chain. The prize, needless to mention, is significant sales in a large market. In this paper we describe a successful business model using the example of AMUL. AMUL is a dairy cooperative in the western India that has been primarily responsible, through its innovative practices, for India to become the worlds largest milk producer. The distinctive features of this paradigm involves managing a large decentralized network of suppliers and producers, simultaneous development of markets and suppliers, lean and efficient supply chain, and breakthrough leadership. This paper draws various lessons from the experiences of AMUL that would be useful to firms contemplating entry into emerging market.