Barreras y facilitadores para la implantación, evolución y sostenibilidad de la mejora continua en proveedores del sector del automóvil

Una de los principales retos de las empresas occidentales en las últimas décadas ha sido mejorar la competitividad a través de constantes mejoras incrementales en la calidad de los productos y la eficiencia de los procesos. En este ámbito, la mejora continua, basada en la participación activa de todos los trabajadores de la empresa, se ha establecido como una poderosa herramienta para conseguir ventajas competitivas. Esto es así gracias al factor humano que, debido a sus características intangibles (conocimiento, actitudes y habilidades), es difícil de copiar. A pesar de esto, todavía existe la necesidad de extender la mejora continua en España, sobre todo en entornos de medianas y pequeñas empresas. Incluso el sector del automóvil, donde tradicionalmente está muy extendida la mejora continua, se encuentra en etapas muy básicas y, en muchos casos, poco orientada estratégicamente Probablemente, todo esto sea resultado de lo que ya han planteado algunos autores cuando indican que uno de los aspectos más importantes de la mejora continua es que no es fácil de implantar. El marco teórico realizado para contextualizar el trabajo muestra que existe abundante literatura sobre la definición de la mejora continua, posibles beneficios de su implantación así como de las formas que suele presentar los programas de mejora continua. Una de las conclusiones más importantes de la revisión es el resultado en el que expone que la literatura sobre la mejora continua suele ser prescriptiva, pero falla al cubrir la implantación. El objetivo de la tesis surge para cubrir ese hueco de la literatura: averiguar cómo conseguir la implantación, evolución y sostenibilidad de la mejora continua. Inicialmente la tesis explora la posibilidad de mejorar los indicadores productivos a* través de equipos de mejora continua en proveedores de la provincia de Valencia. S*e muestran los resultados, tanto cuantitativos como cualitativos de una implantación de mejoras a través dGarcía Sabater, JJ. (2009). Barreras y facilitadores para la implantación, evolución y sostenibilidad de la mejora continua en proveedores del sector del automóvil [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/6222Palanci

A Framework for Capacity and Operations Planning in Services Organizations Employing Workers with Intellectual Disabilities

[EN] This paper presents an integrated framework for capacity and operations planning in Spanish sheltered employment centers (SECs). Employment provides socio-economic opportunities for people with disability. Well functioning SECs that provide opportunities for people with and without disability to work alongside each other are an important component of Spain's current labor market. To be economically sustainable, SECs need to satisfy their clients expectations in terms of price, flexibility and performance, whilst taking into account and strengthening the diverse skills and abilities of their workforce like specific learning and forgetting processes. The SEC studied herein, a non-for-profit organization whose mission is to create employment for people with disabilities its workforce is deployed directly on clients' premises. Efficient management across this multi-site environment, whilst supporting the diverse employment needs of its staff, is of paramount importance. This paper contributes an integrated framework to support SEC capacity and operations planning, which prioritizes the explicit training needs of workers with disability at all levels (strategic, tactical, and operational) as a lever for achieving the organization's goals.García Sabater, JP.; Maheut, J.; Ruiz, A.; García Sabater, JJ. (2020). A Framework for Capacity and Operations Planning in Services Organizations Employing Workers with Intellectual Disabilities. Sustainability. 12(22):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229713S1171222Fundación Espurnahttps://www.espurna.org/Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (A/RES/61/106)—Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 13 December 2006https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/generalassembly/docs/globalcompact/A_RES_61_106.pdfJarhag, S., Nilsson, G., & Werning, M. (2009). Disabled Persons and the Labor Market in Sweden. Social Work in Public Health, 24(3), 255-272. doi:10.1080/19371910802595315Mark, B. G., Hofmayer, S., Rauch, E., & Matt, D. T. (2019). Inclusion of Workers with Disabilities in Production 4.0: Legal Foundations in Europe and Potentials Through Worker Assistance Systems. Sustainability, 11(21), 5978. doi:10.3390/su11215978Santos, P. J. de los, & Costa, R. S. (2015). Workers with disabilities in sheltered employment centres: a training needs analysis. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 20(7), 756-769. doi:10.1080/13603116.2015.1111446Miralles, C., Marin-Garcia, J. A., Ferrus, G., & Costa, A. M. (2010). Operations research/management science tools for integrating people with disabilities into employment. A study on Valencia’s Sheltered Work Centres for Disabled. International Transactions in Operational Research, 17(4), 457-473. doi:10.1111/j.1475-3995.2009.00727.xChaves-Avila, R., & Savall-Morera, T. (2019). The Social Economy in a Context of Austerity Policies: The Tension Between Political Discourse and Implemented Policies in Spain. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 30(3), 487-498. doi:10.1007/s11266-018-00075-3López-Penabad, M.-C., Maside-Sanfiz, J. M., Torrelles Manent, J., & Iglesias-Casal, A. (2020). Application of the DEA Double Bootstrap to Analyze Efficiency in Galician Sheltered Workshops. Sustainability, 12(16), 6625. doi:10.3390/su12166625Galeano Revert, A., García-Sabater, J. P., & Miralles Insa, C. (2018). Triple Bottom-line Business Model. Case study on the organic food retailing. WPOM-Working Papers on Operations Management, 9(1), 30. doi:10.4995/wpom.v9i1.9131Chi, C.-F., Dewi, R. S., Jang, Y., & Liu, H.-L. (2018). Workplace accommodation for workers with intellectual or psychiatric disabilities. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 68, 1-7. doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2018.06.001Ellinger, A. E., Naidoo, J., Ellinger, A. D., Filips, K., & Herrin, G. D. (2020). Applying blue ocean strategy to hire and assimilate workers with disabilities into distribution centers. Business Horizons, 63(3), 339-350. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2020.01.009Lindsay, S., Cagliostro, E., Albarico, M., Mortaji, N., & Karon, L. (2018). A Systematic Review of the Benefits of Hiring People with Disabilities. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 28(4), 634-655. doi:10.1007/s10926-018-9756-zBitencourt, R. S., & de M. Guimarães, L. B. (2012). Inclusion of people with disabilities in the production system of a footwear industry. Work, 41, 4767-4774. doi:10.3233/wor-2012-0027-4767Hübner, A. H., Kuhn, H., & Sternbeck, M. G. (2013). Demand and supply chain planning in grocery retail: an operations planning framework. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 41(7), 512-530. doi:10.1108/ijrdm-05-2013-0104Tuomikangas, N., & Kaipia, R. (2014). A coordination framework for sales and operations planning (S&OP): Synthesis from the literature. International Journal of Production Economics, 154, 243-262. doi:10.1016/j.ijpe.2014.04.026Li, Y., Chen, J., & Cai, X. (2007). An integrated staff-sizing approach considering feasibility of scheduling decision. Annals of Operations Research, 155(1), 361-390. doi:10.1007/s10479-007-0215-zZeng, L., Zhao, M., & Liu, Y. (2017). Airport ground workforce planning with hierarchical skills: a new formulation and branch-and-price approach. Annals of Operations Research, 275(1), 245-258. doi:10.1007/s10479-017-2624-yLlort, N., Lusa, A., Martínez-Costa, C., & Mateo, M. (2018). A decision support system and a mathematical model for strategic workforce planning in consultancies. Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, 31(2), 497-523. doi:10.1007/s10696-018-9321-2Van den Bergh, J., Beliën, J., De Bruecker, P., Demeulemeester, E., & De Boeck, L. (2013). Personnel scheduling: A literature review. European Journal of Operational Research, 226(3), 367-385. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2012.11.029Henderson, J. C., Krajewski, L. J., & Showalter, M. J. (1982). An integrated approach for manpower planning in the service sector. Omega, 10(1), 61-73. doi:10.1016/0305-0483(82)90086-xKomarudin, De Feyter, T., Guerry, M.-A., & Vanden Berghe, G. (2020). The extended roster quality staffing problem: addressing roster quality variation within a staffing planning period. Journal of Scheduling, 23(2), 253-264. doi:10.1007/s10951-020-00654-7Das, D., & Yadav, C. (2020). A framework of hiring strategy for manpower hiring in a hyper-local food delivery organization. Journal of Advances in Management Research, 18(1), 113-135. doi:10.1108/jamr-06-2020-0104Maenhout, B., & Vanhoucke, M. (2013). An integrated nurse staffing and scheduling analysis for longer-term nursing staff allocation problems. Omega, 41(2), 485-499. doi:10.1016/j.omega.2012.01.002Benavides, A. J., Ritt, M., & Miralles, C. (2014). Flow shop scheduling with heterogeneous workers. European Journal of Operational Research, 237(2), 713-720. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2014.02.012Miralles, C., García-Sabater, J. P., Andrés, C., & Cardós, M. (2008). Branch and bound procedures for solving the Assembly Line Worker Assignment and Balancing Problem: Application to Sheltered Work centres for Disabled. Discrete Applied Mathematics, 156(3), 352-367. doi:10.1016/j.dam.2005.12.012Moreira, M. C. O., Pastor, R., Costa, A. M., & Miralles, C. (2017). The multi-objective assembly line worker integration and balancing problem of type-2. Computers & Operations Research, 82, 114-125. doi:10.1016/j.cor.2017.01.003Bartlo, P., & Klein, P. J. (2011). Physical Activity Benefits and Needs in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: Systematic Review of the Literature. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 116(3), 220-232. doi:10.1352/1944-7558-116.3.220Verdugo, M. A., Jordán de Urríes, F. B., Jenaro, C., Caballo, C., & Crespo, M. (2006). Quality of Life of Workers with an Intellectual Disability in Supported Employment. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 19(4), 309-316. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3148.2006.00277.xBossink, L. W. M., van der Putten, A. A., & Vlaskamp, C. (2017). Understanding low levels of physical activity in people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review to identify barriers and facilitators. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 68, 95-110. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2017.06.008Milner, A., LaMontagne, A. D., Aitken, Z., Bentley, R., & Kavanagh, A. M. (2014). Employment status and mental health among persons with and without a disability: evidence from an Australian cohort study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 68(11), 1064-1071. doi:10.1136/jech-2014-204147Nembhard, D. A., & Uzumeri, M. V. (2000). Experiential learning and forgetting for manual and cognitive tasks. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 25(4), 315-326. doi:10.1016/s0169-8141(99)00021-9Siporin, S., & Lysack, C. (2004). Quality of Life and Supported Employment: A Case Study of Three Women With Developmental Disabilities. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(4), 455-465. doi:10.5014/ajot.58.4.455Buntinx, W. H. E., & Schalock, R. L. (2010). Models of Disability, Quality of Life, and Individualized Supports: Implications for Professional Practice in Intellectual Disability. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 7(4), 283-294. doi:10.1111/j.1741-1130.2010.00278.xQin, R., & Nembhard, D. A. (2015). Workforce agility in operations management. Surveys in Operations Research and Management Science, 20(2), 55-69. doi:10.1016/j.sorms.2015.11.001Rius-Sorolla, G., Maheut, J., Estellés-Miguel, S., & Garcia-Sabater, J. P. (2018). Coordination mechanisms with mathematical programming models for decentralized decision-making: a literature review. Central European Journal of Operations Research, 28(1), 61-104. doi:10.1007/s10100-018-0594-

Hybrid approach of discrete event simulation integrated with location search algorithm in a cells assignment problem: a case study

[EN] This paper presents a case study describing a cell assignment problem in an assembly facility. These cells receive parts from external suppliers, and sort and sequence these parts to feed the final assembly line. Therefore, to each cell are associated important inbound and outbound flows generating hundreds of material handling equipment movements along the facility, impacting the traffic density and causing eventually safety issues in the plant. Following an important plant redesign, cells have been relocated, and the plant managers need to decide how to manage the new logistic flows. To that aim, a hybrid approach encompassing mathematical optimization and discrete event simulation (DES) is proposed. This approach allows us to reduce complexity by decomposing the design into two phases. The first phase deals with the problem of generating cell¿s assignment alternatives by using a heuristic method to find good quality solutions. Then, a DES software is used to dynamically evaluate the performance of the solutions with respect to operational features such as traffic congestion and intensity. This second phase provides interesting managerial insights on the manufacturing system from both quantitative and qualitative aspects related to in-plant safety and traffic.Saez-Mas, A.; García Sabater, JJ.; García Sabater, JP.; Maheut, J. (2020). Hybrid approach of discrete event simulation integrated with location search algorithm in a cells assignment problem: a case study. Central European Journal of Operations Research. 28(1):125-142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10100-018-0548-5S125142281Anjos MF, Vieira MVC (2017) Mathematical optimization approaches for facility layout problems: the state-of-the-art and future research directions. Eur J Oper Res 261(1):1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2017.01.049Battini D, Boysen N, Emde S (2013) Just-in-time supermarkets for part supply in the automobile industry. J Manag Control 24(2):209–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00187-012-0154-yBenjaafar S (2002) Modeling and analysis of congestion in the design of facility layouts. Manag Sci 48(5):679–704. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.48.5.679.7800Board TR (2010) Highway capacity manual. Environmental ProtectionBoysen N, Emde S, Hoeck M, Kauderer M (2015) Part logistics in the automotive industry: decision problems, literature review and research agenda. Eur J Oper Res 242(1):107–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2014.09.065Caputo AC, Pelagagge PM, Salini P (2015) Modeling errors in kitting processes for assembly lines feeding. IFAC Proc Vol (IFAC PapersOnline) 48(3):338–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2015.06.104Centobelli P, Cerchione R, Murino T (2016) Layout and material flow optimization in digital factory. Int J Simul Model 15(2):223–235. https://doi.org/10.2507/IJSIMM15(2)3.327Dehghanimohammadabadi M, Keyser TK (2017) Intelligent simulation: integration of SIMIO and MATLAB to deploy decision support systems to simulation environment. Simul Model Pract Theory 71:45–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simpat.2016.08.007Ficko M, Palcic I (2013) Designing a layout using the modified triangle method, and genetic algorithms. Int J Simul Model 12(4):237–251. https://doi.org/10.2507/IJSIMM12(4)3.244Gamberi M, Manzini R, Regattieri A (2009) An new approach for the automatic analysis and control of material handling systems: integrated layout flow analysis (ILFA). Int J Adv Manuf Technol 41(1–2):156–167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-008-1466-9Gould O, Colwill J (2015) A framework for material flow assessment in manufacturing systems. J Ind Prod Eng 32(1):55–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/21681015.2014.1000403Hasda RK, Bhattacharjya RK, Bennis F (2016) Modified genetic algorithms for solving facility layout problems. Int J Interact Des Manuf (IJIDeM) 11(3):1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12008-016-0362-zImran M, Kang C, Hae Lee Y, Zaib J, Aziz H (2017) Cell formation in a cellular manufacturing system using simulation integrated hybrid genetic algorithm. Comput Ind Eng 105:123–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2016.12.028Iqbal M, Hashmi MSJ (2001) Design and analysis of a virtual factory layout. J Mater Process Technol 118(1–3):403–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-0136(01)00908-6Jainury SM, Ramli R, Ab Rahman MN, Omar A (2014) Integrated Set Parts Supply system in a mixed-model assembly line. Comput Ind Eng 75(1):266–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2014.07.008Kanduc T, Rodic B (2016) Optimisation of machine layout using a force generated graph algorithm and simulated annealing. Int J Simul Model 15(2):275–287. https://doi.org/10.2507/IJSIMM15(2)7.335Kang J (2001) A new trend of parts supply system in Korean automobile industry; the case of the modular production system at Hyundai Motor Company. In: Proceedings of the fifth Russian-Korean international symposium on science and technology, 2001. KORUS '01. IEEE, Tomsk, Russia, Russia. https://doi.org/10.1109/KORUS.2001.975268Kim J, Yu G, Jang YJ (2016) Semiconductor FAB layout design analysis with 300-mm FAB data: “is minimum distance-based layout design best for semiconductor FAB design?”. Comput Ind Eng 99:330–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2016.02.012Krishnan KK, Jithavech I, Liao H (2009) Mitigation of risk in facility layout design for single and multi-period problems. Int J Prod Res 47(21):5911–5940. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207540802175337Ku M-Y, Hu MH, Wang M-J (2011) Simulated annealing based parallel genetic algorithm for facility layout problem. Int J Prod Res 49(6):1801–1812. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207541003645789Kulturel-Konak S (2017) A matheuristic approach for solving the dynamic facility layout a matheuristic approach for problem solving the dynamic facility layout problem. Proc Comput Sci 108(June):1374–1383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2017.05.234Leveson N (2004) A new accident model for engineering safer systems. Saf Sci 42(4):237–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7535(03)00047-XNegahban A, Smith JS (2014) Simulation for manufacturing system design and operation: literature review and analysis. J Manuf Syst 33(2):241–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmsy.2013.12.007Prajapat N, Tiwari A (2017) A review of assembly optimisation applications using discrete event simulation. Int J Comput Integr Manuf 30(2–3):215–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/0951192X.2016.1145812Saez-Mas A, Garcia-Sabater JP, Morant-Llorca J (2018) Using 4-layer architecture to simulate product and information flows in manufacturing. Int J Simul Model 17(1):30–41. https://doi.org/10.2507/IJSIMM17(1)408Seebacher G, Winkler H, Oberegger B (2015) In-plant logistics efficiency valuation using discrete event simulation. Int J Simul Model 14:60–70. https://doi.org/10.2507/IJSIMM14(1)6.289Singh RR, Sharma SPK (2006) A review of different approaches to the facility layout problems. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 30(5–6):425–433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-005-0087-9Tompkins J, White J, Bozer Y, Tanchoco J (2003) Facilities planning. Wiley, New YorkTugnoli A, Khan F, Amyotte P, Cozzani V (2008) Safety assessment in plant layout design using indexing approach: implementing inherent safety perspective. Part 1—guideword applicability and method description. J Hazard Mater 160(1):100–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.02.089Zhang M, Batta R, Nagi R (2009) Modeling of workflow congestion and optimization of flow routing in a manufacturing/warehouse facility. Manag Sci 55(2):267–280. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1080.0916Zhou F, AbouRizk SM, AL-Battaineh H (2009) Optimisation of construction site layout using a hybrid simulation-based system. Simul Model Pract Theory 17(2):348–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simpat.2008.09.011Zhuo L, Chua Kim Huat D, Wee KH (2012) Scheduling dynamic block assembly in shipbuilding through hybrid simulation and spatial optimisation. Int J Prod Res 50(20):5986–6004. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2011.639816Zupan H, Herakovic N, Starbek M (2016) hybrid algorithm based on priority rules for simulation of workshop production. Int J Simul Model 15(1):29–41. https://doi.org/10.2507/IJSIMM15(1)3.31

Operations Management at the service of health care management: Example of a proposal for action research to plan and schedule health resources in scenarios derived from the COVID-19 outbreak

[EN] With this work, we intend to promote research on the application of Operations Management tools in order to assist with decision-making in health crisis situations. During the first six weeks of the COVID-19 crisis in Spain, we have contacted a large number of hospital and health department managers in the Valencian Community and other regions of Spain. The result is that very few, at least when contact was made and at the time of writing this article, had consulted staff members in the Operations Management area for advice on this situation, and they are quite reluctant to do so. This is in spite of the fact that some medical sources also consider this crisis to be one of resources, not merely a medical crisis. Our opinion is that Operations Management can make a useful and valuable contribution to anticipate and improve the management of scarce resources, even in times of crisis. If those responsible for public health or heads of hospitals do not see this usefulness, then there is a huge gap between research and practice in Operations Management and what is transmitted to the healthcare sector. Our aim is to help reduce this gap.Marin-Garcia, JA.; García Sabater, JP.; Ruiz, A.; Maheut, J.; García Sabater, JJ. (2020). Operations Management at the service of health care management: Example of a proposal for action research to plan and schedule health resources in scenarios derived from the COVID-19 outbreak. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management. 13(2):213-227. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.3190S21322713

Cálculo de indicadores productivos

El documento hace una presentación de los principales indicadores utilizados en empresas de producción y una explicación del modo de cálculoMarín García, JA.; García Sabater, JJ. (2012). Indicadores de producción. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/1605

Introducción a la Mejora Continua

Una breve introducción a los conceptos básicos de la innovación continua también conocida como mejora continuaGarcía Sabater, JP.; Garcia Sabater. Julio Juan (2020). Introducción a la Mejora Continua. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/15589

The impact of kaizen events on improving the performance of automotive components first tier suppliers

Purpose of this paper: The aim of this paper is to explore the possibility of improving production indicators by implementing Kaizen Events. The teams are composed of both managers and operators with the aim of developing and/or implementing improvements in a period of from 3 to 5 days. Methodology: The empirical research will consist of the description of the results obtained in 11 industrial companies from the automotive components industry In each of the companies, we have followed up different interventions over a 9-12 month period. Findings: We shall present the initial situation; the activities carried out by the company and the evolution of the manufacturing performance approximately three months after the activities are finished, as well as qualitative conclusions on the carrying out of the Kaizen Event. What is original/value of paper: There has been little empirical research to establish the degree of the improvement of productive indicators in companies advancing towards lean production. The paper tries to fill this gap

Experiencias con docencia hibrida (presencial+virtual) improvisada durante COVID-19

[ES] En esta comunicación os exponemos una experiencia con la docencia virtual impuesta por causa mayor sin posibilidad de planificación previa. Lo que expondremos son las impresiones del primer autor, comentadas por los otros tres autores. Mostramos las experiencias y soluciones que se han implantado en una situación muy concreta. Donde el diseño didáctico, la organización docente, la duración y estructura de las sesiones de clase está pensado para una docencia presencial. Pero la impartición ha tenido que moverse a virtual en el último momento, En este contexto, y sólo en este contexto, las experiencias comentadas podrían considerarse como buenas prácticas docentes. A los alumnos les gustó (datos de las encuestas y el feed-back personal) pero eso puede ser porque son muy agradecidos.[EN] In this paper, we expose an experience with virtual teaching imposed without the possibility of prior planning. We will explain here the impressions of the first author, commented on by the other three authors. We show the experiences and solutions that have been implemented in a particular situation. In this situation, the teaching design, the teaching organization, and the class sessions' duration and structure are intended for face-to-face teaching. However, the teaching has had to move to virtual at the last moment. In this context, and only in this context, the experiences discussed could be considered good teaching practices. Students liked it (survey data and personal feed-back), but that may be because they are very grateful.García Sabater, JP.; Marín García, JA.; Maheut, J.; García Sabater, JJ. (2021). Experiencias con docencia hibrida (presencial+virtual) improvisada durante COVID-19. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/16385

A Model for the Implementation of Lean Improvements in Healthcare Environments as Applied in a Primary Care Center

[EN] Companies operate in a competitive and changing environment requiring increasingly effective and efficient management strategies. Lean is a proven philosophy in the industrial sector having helped companies to adapt to rapid market changes; to economic, technical, and social complexities; and to customer needs. For this reason, companies in the service sector are adopting Lean to improve their service management and to achieve economic, social, and environmental sustainability. This paper presents a model which uses Lean tools to facilitate the introduction of Lean in the management of primary care centers. The results show the implementation of Lean improved primary care center management, achieved stated objectives, and demonstrated faster adaptation to environmental needs and changes. The Lean philosophy developed and applied in the primary care center proved useful at a professional level facilitating developmental changes and prompting lasting improvements by developing a sustainable work culture.Morell-Santandreu, O.; Santandreu Mascarell, C.; García Sabater, JJ. (2021). A Model for the Implementation of Lean Improvements in Healthcare Environments as Applied in a Primary Care Center. International Journal of Environmental research and Public Health (Online). 18(6):1-33. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062876S13318

The Role of Value Stream Mapping in Healthcare Services: A Scoping Review

[EN] Lean healthcare aims to manage and improve the processes in the healthcare sector by eliminating everything that adds no value by improving quality of services, ensuring patient safety and facilitating health professionals' work to achieve a flexible and reliable organization. Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is considered the starting point of any lean implementation. Some papers report applications of VSM in healthcare services, but there has been less attention paid to their contribution on sustainability indicators. The purpose of this work is to analyze the role of VSM in this context. To do so, a scoping review of works from recent years (2015 to 2019) was done. The results show that most applications of VSM reported are in the tertiary level of care, and the United States of America (USA) is the country which leads most of the applications published. In relation with the development of VSM, a heterogeneity in the maps and the sustainability indicators is remarkable. Moreover, only operational and social sustainability indicators are commonly included. We can conclude that more standardization is required in the development of the VSM in the healthcare sector, also including the environmental indicators.Marin-Garcia, JA.; Vidal-Carreras, PI.; García Sabater, JJ. (2021). The Role of Value Stream Mapping in Healthcare Services: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental research and Public Health (Online). 18(3):1-25. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030951S12518