Industry 4.0 and Lean Six Sigma Integration in Manufacturing: A Literature Review, an Integrated Framework and Proposed Research Perspectives

This paper explores the literature on lean management (LM), Six Sigma (SS), Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and their relationship. A systematic literature review (SLR) combined with bibliometric analysis was conducted to identify, select and evaluate articles and was supported by content analysis to classify papers into group discussed clusters. A total of 134 articles were retrieved from relevant databases and publisher engines between 2011 and June 2022. The analysis of these articles enabled us to identify the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on Lean Six Sigma; the relationship between LM, SS and Industry 4.0 and the implications of their combination on operational excellence. The results show that while a majority of researchers consider Industry 4.0 to be a driver of LSS and a prerequisite for helping companies access the data and analytics needed, others find them to be complementary and synergistic. Similarly, various authors support the idea that LSS could be a facilitator of Industry 4.0. This study provides an overview of the main research streams in this field and its shortcomings and presents an LSS4.0 framework integrating lean six sigma and Industry 4 which will be of great value to academics and practitioners working in this area

Analysis of factors influencing Circular-Lean-Six Sigma 4.0 implementation considering sustainability implications: An exploratory study

In this study, we develop a new paradigm, Circular Lean Six Sigma 4.0 (CLSS4.0) to promote manufacturing sustainability. This paper aims to provide a practical and holistic view of the drivers and barriers that can help companies design an integrated CLSS4.0 model. The paper is based on a qualitative exploratory study using multiple case studies within 12 Moroccan manufacturing firms conducted through semi-structured interviews with top executive managers. The results show that the drivers are related to expected operational and environmental performance, increasing customer requirements, gaining competitive advantage and market growth while barriers are related to insufficient tangible (finance, human and equipment) and intangible (skills and techniques) resources, data privacy, technical issues and management support. The proposed framework identifies the assessment of drivers and barriers and their attributes as a starting point for managers to lead the CLSS4.0 transformation, thereby contributing to its successful implementation. To the best of our knowledge, this study is among the very first studies to discuss the CLSS4.0 drivers and barriers. It could be useful to managers as a diagnostic tool to assess their ability to implement CLSS4.0 before investing in the initiative

Sustainable and Resilient Supplier Selection in the Context of Circular Economy: An Ontology-Based Model

Purpose: Selecting the optimal supplier is a challenging managerial decision that involves several dimensions that vary over time. Despite the considerable attention devoted to this issue, knowledge is required to be updated and analyzed in this field. This paper reveals new opportunities to advance supplier selection research from a multidimensional perspective. Moreover, this study aims to formalise supplier selection knowledge to enable the appropriate selection of sustainable, resilient and circular criteria. Design/methodology/approach: This study is developed in two stages. First, a systematic literature review is conducted to select relevant papers. Descriptive and thematic analyses are employed to analyze criteria, solving approaches and case studies. Second, a criterion knowledge-based framework is developed and validated by experts to be implemented as ontology using Protégé software. Findings: (1) Evaluating the viability of suppliers need further studies to integrate other criteria and to align supplier selection objectives with research advancement; (2) Artificial intelligence tools are needed to revolutionize and optimize the traditional techniques used to solve this problem; (3) Literature lucks frameworks for specific sectors; (4) The proposed ontology provides a consistent criteria knowledge base. Practical Implications: For academics, the results of this study highlight opportunities to improve the viable supplier selection process. From a managerial perspective, the proposed ontology can assist managers in selecting the appropriate criteria. Future works can enrich the proposed ontology and integrate this knowledge base into an information system. Originality/value: This study contributes to promoting knowledge about viable supplier selection. Capitalizing the knowledge base of criteria in a computer-interpretable manner supports the digitalization of this critical decision

Exploring Critical Success Factors for LSS 4.0 Implementation: A Combined Systematic Literature Review and Interpretive Structural Modelling Approach

The integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies with Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has grown rapidly as a research area and has recently emerged as an innovative strategy for organizations to boost operational excellence. I4.0 technologies when combined with quality improvement strategies provide companies with new tools, advantages and features to be more efficient in terms of quality and costs. A great interest is given to this approach among both academicians and practitioners. However, despite this growing interest, very few studies have focused on its implementation, and there is a lack of empirical investigation of critical success factors (CSFs). To fill this gap, this study aims to identify and prioritize the CSFs for the integration of LSS with I4.0 in the context of Moroccan manufacturing industries and to examine their interactions and impacts on the real application of this approach. A mixed-method approach was used combining a qualitative and quantitative research approach. A systematic literature review (SLR), Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM), and Matrice d’Impacts Croises-Multiplication Appliquée and Classification (MICMAC) were conducted. Ten CSFs were extracted from the SLR and then validated by industrial experts. The relationship between the ten CSFs was assessed and a hierarchical model of them developed using the ISM method. Next, each of the CSFs were categorized into “related” and “dependent” CSFs using MICMAC analysis. The results suggest that all the identified CSFs are critical, and thus are significant factors in the implementation of LSS 4.0 projects. This research will help managers design their journey to LSS 4.0 to get an upper hand in the current competitive environment

Analyzing the integrated effect of Circular Economy, Lean Six Sigma and Industry 4.0 on sus-tainable manufacturing performance from a practice-based view perspective

This study explores the interplay linking Lean Six Sigma (LSS), the Circular Economy (CE) and Industry 4.0 technologies (I4.0T), and their impact alone or combined, on sustainable organizational performance (SOP) within manufacturing firms. Using the existing literature, six hypotheses are identified and then analyzed following the Structural Equation Modeling method with SmartPLS software. A survey was designed and administrated in the Moroccan context. Based on the results, it was found that LSS, CE and I4.0T have a positive effect on SOP. Moreover, I4.0T significantly impacts both LSS and SOP. However, I4.0T had no significant effect on CE. Furthermore, the results show that LSS has a positive mediation role as a driver for the successful implementation of I4.0T within the SOP. This study will enable manufacturing professionals to understand the determinants of sustainable performance helping them to define their future business strategies. Also, it sets the benchmark for companies looking to achieve sustainable objectives by integrating I4.0 technologies into CE practices and the LSS approach. This study is a first attempt to examine the link between LSS, CE and I4.0 to achieve high triple bottom line gains (environmental, social and economic) within companies considering Morocco, an emerging economy

Spin Wave Theory and Ab Initio Calculations in Co/C Multilayers: Interfacial Effects

International audienc

Magnetic, magnetocaloric properties and phenomenological model in amorphous Fe40Ni38Mo4B18 alloy

International audienc