Lean implementation and a process approach – an exploratory study

A necessidade de eliminar desperdícios em áreas administrativas amplifica-se à medida que aumenta a competitividade nos setores, pressionando assim a redução de custos e despesas fixas. Neste contexto, além de mostrarem-se relevantes para as operações diretas, os conceitos e ferramentas Lean também ganham importância no escritório e em áreas de apoio. Apesar disto, os métodos disponíveis para a utilização do Lean em áreas administrativas carecem de integração com técnicas consolidadas pela literatura em Gerenciamento de Processos de Negócio. Frente a necessidade das organizações em eliminar desperdícios, e às lacunas identificadas na literatura existente sobre Lean Office, o presente artigo apresenta a proposição de um método para a implantação do Lean em áreas administrativas, incorporando o uso de técnicas de Gerenciamento de Processos. Além disto, este trabalho apresenta a aplicação do método no Sindicato das Indústrias Metalúrgica, Mecânica e de Material Elétrico e Eletrônico de São Leopoldo - SINDIMETAL. Para este objetivo, o trabalho revisa os conceitos Lean e de Gerenciamento de Processos de Negócio, utilizando como método de pesquisa a Design Science Research. Por fim são discutidas implicações a partir destas proposições bem como perspectivas para o desenvolvimento do Lean como alternativa para melhoria em operações administrativas.

Business process management as competitive advantage: a review and empirical study

The article is devoted to development of provisions for securing business flexibility in conditions of war in Ukraine. It is recommended that even during the war Ukrainian companies should strive to follow the scientific approaches to management, including the process approach as one of the most widely used. The article stresses the advantages of process approach to management and Business Process Management as its practical implementation, such as standardization of business processes (allowing companies to continuously follow the optimal way to perform the business process, to automate it and to decrease the variability of its outputs); integration of different functional areas in company’s activity; improved productivity; continuous business process improvement; visibility, transparency and measurability of the company’s activity, allowing to determine and eliminate the root causes of business process failures; clear definition and distribution of duties, roles and responsibilities in the company; improved knowledge management and auditing procedures. Despite the point of view that Business Process Management decreases the business flexibility due to standardization of processes, the article states that being properly designed, business processes must have multiple alternative scenarios, allowing to quickly changing the way the business process is performed and thus improving its flexibility. But even if a company was not prepared for the scenario of war, it can follow the recommendations provided in this article in order to secure the flexibility of its entire business and separate business processes. Such recommendations include actualization the key reference points in the company’s activity (goals, customers, suppliers, products, etc.); identification of the most problematic business processes affected by the war; development or change of the business process descriptions, which must be more or less detailed depending on the level of process, its technological variability and the level of uncertainty in environment; reviewing the requirements to business processes outputs and inputs; and reviewing the business rules related to changes in business processes.

All Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) organizations in Aerospace, Automotive and Electronics industries had to upgrade their functions. These organizations including suppliers and solutions providers are duty bound to improve their functions through strategic initiatives. One such initiative is Lean Process Management. Lean Process Management has proven to aid organizations in developing manufacturing and administrative management solutions and make the organization a leaner at the same time a "fitter" one, achieving World Class standards in terms of production, quality, marketing, etc, etc. The issue or problem is, although a number of authors, experts, researchers have discussed the lean process management as part organization centric issues, they failed to provide an effective lean process management system. Besides the need to formulate an effective lean process as suggested by some authors, another important reason suggested is the employee's development aspect regarding how to unlock the infinite potential of their workforce. This employee's development is basically the problem solving capabilities of the employees while implementing the Lean through clear cutting protocols or processes of Lean Process Management. The employees need to be developed and equipped to contribute optimally to the process. Because of this scenario, the main objective of this study is to develop an employees development system which the author has acronym or trademark it as People Development System (PDS) to enhance problem solving capability among its employees while implementing the lean process management there. Although, the PDS can be implemented throughout the organization, if it is implemented in a particular department in an organization, it will be feasible to study and analyze its effectiveness in-depth. So, this study documents and analyzes the implementation of Lean process in the Kitting Department of the aerospace company, ABC Company. Qualitative and quantitative measures were also used to document the case study. The outcome of the people development system needs to be measured to understand its value in developing the problem solving capabilities among the employees. Only with developed and equipped employees, the Kitting Department can reduce its wastages, optimize its performance and thereby play a crucial role in making ABC Company a world class organization. As pertinent results of the PDS implementation, in general Kitting Department successfully achieved to meet their Department Key Performance Indicator and particularly the employees' are also improve by practicing good lean behaviors and skill and knowledge in using lean tools which lead to better leanness level by improving employees' problem solving capabilities in eliminating waste. On the whole, the lean process management and the resultant PDS is having positive applications, and importantly could also have positive applications in the future as well.

PurposeAlthough there are general methodologies for lean implementation in manufacturing companies, a specific methodology for the implementation of lean healthcare in hospitals has not been addressed by the literature. Addressing this gap, the purpose of this paper is to develop a practice-driven methodology for implementing lean in hospital operations.Design/methodology/approachThree case studies were conducted to collect evidence on the lean implementation process in Brazilian hospitals. From empirical evidence and literature, the implementation methodology was proposed and submitted to critical assessment by experts from the field.FindingsThe process of lean implementation was very similar in all cases, triggered by strategic planning and operationalized by continuous improvement projects. On the other hand, in all cases, the lean implementation teams had to deal with employees’ resistance. These findings were valuable inputs to the development of the implementation methodology. After refinement, it was proposed a feasible, useful and user-friendly methodology.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed methodology was raised from the practice through case study research. However, the proposed methodology was not fully applied, and the associated performance measures were not elaborated in this paper. Therefore, more case studies and applications will be necessary to generalize the findings.Practical implicationsThe methodology provides practical guidelines that support lean implementation in hospital operations. Although it demands adaptations for each specific hospital setting, this initial step may encourage hospital managers to start the lean journey.Originality/valueThis study addressed the gap in the literature regarding the lack of methodologies for implementing lean healthcare in hospital operations. The methodology synthesizes the knowledge, principles and tools of lean thinking that can be applied in hospital operations.

This study focuses on identifying the critical barriers/difficulties and exploring the roots of barriers/difficulties for successful Lean implementation at manufacturing companies in Vietnam. The literature review and in-depth interviews are applied in this study. The literature review is done to review and to obtain experiences of the inhibitors of Lean Implementation from previous studies. An in-depth interview is conducted with eight experts of eight manufacturing companies deployed Lean to explore and identify the critical barriers/difficulties for Lean implementation successfully. As a result, it finds that seven key barriers inhibiting the successful Lean implementation come from the leadership; the employees; the workplace; resources; operation process; the integration with customers; and from the integration with suppliers. These challenges are not easy and take a lot of time to overcome, though, this study provides helpful advice for business in Vietnam who has plans to follow Lean implementation in looking back to the company and restructuring strategies, objectives so that Lean implementation process would be more efficient and more open.

This article describes an evaluation of staff members’ perspectives regarding the implementation of a pilot Lean initiative in a community learning disability service within the West Midlands. The evaluation aimed to develop an understanding of staff experiences of Lean implementation including staff perceptions of the benefits and challenges of implementation and their recommendations for improvements to Lean within the service. The methodology employed was a survey design in which a questionnaire was administered to 28 staff members directly involved in the implementation of Lean initiatives. The questionnaire incorporated closed questions which enabled analysis pertaining to frequencies and comparisons between participant responses and open questions which enabled identification of emergent themes in the data. The findings indicated staff members have mixed opinions towards Lean implementation; benefits of implementation were improved team working, tracking of referrals and service planning. The challenges to implementation were a lack of understanding of Lean; duplication of processes; implementation of a standardised referral process; and constraints of meetings and recording information. The results are discussed in relation to the facilitating factors and obstacles faced during implementation.

Purpose Due to a lack of event data, organizations using Business Process Management may struggle to update their process models whenever business process changes occur. As such, alternative data sources are needed to detect and monitor business process changes. Design/methodology/approach We conducted interviews with domain experts to analyze real business processes and classify any identified changes using Reijers and Mansar's framework on business process redesign heuristics. Based on the results, we proposed a taxonomy of entity groups as well as a method for identifying entities in process models based on the taxonomy. With this method, we define how to create a mapping between entities and process models, forming a framework to identify outdated process models through monitoring the entities. Findings The analyses of 25 business processes let us define three entity groups that form our taxonomy. We confirmed the feasibility of our entity identification method by classifying process elements of 85 pre-existing process models according to the taxonomy. Regarding the mapping that forms the basis of our framework, we found it necessary to define requirement recommendations to ensure its consistency and rigor. Originality/value This study offers a novel approach to handling the challenges of business process change. By emphasizing the identification and use of entities in the analysis of business process changes, it provides a holistic approach to monitoring the work systems of an organization.

To resolve the problem of agile that can satisfy growing consumer expectations and stay ahead of the competition, this paper introduces a solution of architecture combining service-oriented architecture (SOA) and business process management (BPM). First, we explain the definition and characteristics of SOA; second, we introduce the concept and mechanism of BPM and BPMS; finally, we give an simple architecture with combination of SOA and BPM.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and understand the differences that exist between educational institutions in the methods and practices employed in the development and implementation of Lean projects. Whilst many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are now starting their journey towards effectively implementing Lean, Further Education Institutions (FEIs) have treaded this well worn path many years previously and so the aim of this paper is to find what key features and issues FEIs have put in place to assist them in implementing Lean projects and whether HEIs can learn from such institutions. Design/methodology/approach – The paper applies two research methods in an attempt to understand the differences between the institutions and hence understand the key features that can be used to better implement Lean initiatives. First, through a series of focus groups, the authors employ a low-level form of Group Consensus Theory in an attempt to understand the organisational dynamics surrounding the adoption of Lean. This is used to understand whether Lean improvement teams within FEIs implement such initiatives with the autonomy and support from senior management. Second, the same group members, detailed interviews were held in order to identify further and more specific information around the tools and techniques employed in the implementation of Lean initiatives in both HEI and FEIs. Findings – The study found that although FEIs had much more experience in the design, development and implementation of Lean initiatives, the organisational infrastructure and dynamics towards driving Lean in FEIs was less well embedded in to the culture of the respective institutions than first thought and, that Lean had been developed and driven initially by a consultancy-based approach and around a tool-driven mentality. It was seen that whilst HEIs were generally slower in getting off the mark, there seemed to be more enthusiasm and willingness to drive such initiatives forward and in a more systematic and holistic manner even though some of the projects were in their very early stages of implementation. Research limitations/implications – Whilst this work provides key information on how Lean initiatives are implemented across different institution types, the work has only looked at a very small sample of two teaching focused HEI and two FEIs. The work will need to be extended much more widely to incorporate a larger set of HEIs (both research and teaching focused) in order to provide a more complete map of Lean development in HEIs. Practical implications – The aim of the paper is to provide Lean project leaders in HEIs with some additional key insights towards the cultural and organisation dynamics that exist in educational institutions other than HEIs in order to assist them in developing further and more comprehensive Lean programmes. Originality/value – This paper is the first of its kind to study the organisational and cultural dynamics that exist between differing educational institutions in their approaches towards the implementation of Lean and business improvement programmes. The key features highlighted in this work raise important issues regarding the need and importance of developing team dynamics around project implementation.

The aim of the article is to present a framework enabling the quick and practical assessment of the nature of business processes, necessary to select business process management (BPM) tools and methodologies in accordance with the actual nature of BPs in the organization. The lack of such compliance reduces or delays the results, or it can even cause the failure of BPM implementations. To avoid this risk, organizations should be aware of the nature of their processes prior to planning and implementing BPM. The article summarizes extensive literature studies and experiences resulting from the practical implementation of business process management in organizations with diverse types of business processes. Developed in accordance with the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, the Business Process Nature Assessment Framework (BPNAF) uses an approach that combines business process management with the management of the knowledge used and created in the course of the process execution. The article presents the concept of the business process space and the Business Process Nature Assessment Framework (BPNAF) based thereon, which enables the quick and efficient assessment of the nature of business processes in an organization in terms of their unpredictability and knowledge intensity. The presentation of the results enables the objective recommendation of the selection of implementation methodologies, HRM policies, or IT systems supporting BPM in line with the real nature of business processes implemented in the organization, in a way that is understandable to both specialists and non-specialists. The article is dedicated to researchers, but above all to practitioners using BPM. The application of the presented BPNAF allows managers to choose the methodology and tools supporting the management of business processes, but also human resources or knowledge, in accordance with the objective nature of the processes and the needs of the organization. The simplicity and speed of analysis, as well as the ability to directly use its results in the initial implementation of business process management, mean that the benefits of using the BPNAF are much greater than the effort or preparation costs involved. An important limitation of the work is the fact that the analysis of the business process space and, consequently, the BPNAF are limited to only two dimensions: unpredictability and knowledge-intensity. The article presents the original concept of the business process space and the author's model of the BPNAF framework based on its two-dimensional version. The supplement of BPM implementation methodologies with the use of the results of this work is of key importance for the success or failure of implementations.

This paper suggests a continuous improvement plan that can satisfy customer's value and eliminate waste in the enterprise business process. In order to explore the applicability of lean management principles in the enterprise business process, the five fundamental concepts (specify value, identify the value stream, flow, pull, and perfection) of lean management are being used as a stable and proved approach. In addition, Business Process Management is applied as a new method to constantly improve the elimination of waste in the enterprise business process. This can be accomplished by the lean management concept. Moreover business process problems, such as overlapping work, redoing work, communication gaps, inflexible processes, and obscure processes, have the possibility of being solved by lean management. Lean management has traditionally been adopted by manufacturing industries to improve operations through the identification and elimination of all forms of waste basically. The construction industry has also adopted this philosophy, primarily in the field of projects. In order to increase an organization's competitiveness and productivity, lean management is needed in the any business process as well as in the field. The intent of this work is to explore a method of introducing lean management which continuously improves any business processes. The five fundamental concepts (specify value, identify the value stream, flow, pull, and perfection) of lean management as an approach are being adapted in this project to improve quality of the processes. Hence the main objective of this paper to apply the tool of lean and six sigma management to improve the elimination of waste in the enterprises business process. Followed by a literature review which provides a brief summary of lean thinking and six sigma along with challenges might face while implementing. A case study follows that demonstrates how; Business Process Management is applied as a tool, method to constantly improve the business process.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper to examine the impact of shop floor (SF) culture (organizational culture (OC) perceived by workers) and SF subcultures assessed by the competing values framework (CVF) on the perceived use of lean production (LP) practices.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyse questionnaires completed by workers at the single case company undergoing a commonplace lean transformation. The survey items cover both LP items and CVF statements. The propositions are analysed applying cluster analysis and regression.FindingsAt the case company, the multidimensionality of SF culture only partially exists, and the perceived use of LP practices shows little connection to OC. The considerable differences between SF culture and SF subcultures on the one hand and among SF subcultures on the other hand indicate the existence of a special multidimensional SF culture. Altogether, SF culture’s impact on LP is weak.Practical implicationsManagers should rethink the usual lean implementation pathways and understand how values pervade SF culture and how culture types impact the perceived use of LP practices at the SF. Managers could face a trade-off: smoother lean transition by engaging in SF subculture-specific transitions and reinforcing it or by developing a homogenous lean SF culture.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical attempt to understand the impact of SF culture on the perceived use of LP practices by adopting a validated OC measurement tool. Furthermore, the study provides insight into workers’ subcultures.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to support the application of a combined BPM (business process management)/SOA (service‐oriented architecture) approach and contribute to the body of knowledge on the business value of SOA.Design/methodology/approachThis case study highlights the promising results of a process reengineering project at Belgacom Mobile, Belgium's largest mobile telecommunications operator. The reengineering effort centered around a key automation pillar involving in particular the optimization of the SIM card ordering process. SOA principles were applied to ensure both the flexibility of the redesigned process and its capability of dealing with newly emerging SIM card types. This case demonstrates the potential benefits of combining BPM and SOA concepts to establish IT‐enabled process innovation.FindingsIn terms of performance improvement, the studied project resulted in: increased process flexibility and consistency, considerably shorter lead times, and enhanced process control.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings from this case study present useful insights for other companies trying to reap the benefits of combined BPM and SOA. However, the single case study approach presents some limitations to the generalizability of the proposed learning points and concepts. Some case specific features such as the sector or company size might influence the generalizability. Nevertheless, the paper rather intends to trigger conceptual thinking about IT‐enabled process innovation and an architectural approach.Originality/valueThe added value of this project, which contributes to the general understanding of SOA potential for BPM, lies in its innovative approach, whereby product and process are separated by means of production process ID creation. The redesign approach thus provides a sustainable answer to the ever shortening life cycle of products and technologies. In particular process practitioners will find value in reading the learning points from this paper.

The purpose of this paper is to perform a systematic literature review (SLR) on lean manufacturing (LM) adoption in Malaysia while highlighting research trends and gaps from this literature. The SLR involved analysing 163 scholarly articles from international journals and conference proceedings published between the year 2005 to 2019. The articles are classified as literature review, conceptual paper, case study, and survey research. These articles were also grouped into nine meaningful research themes, named: (1) lean definitions, (2) sustaining lean adoption, (3) motivations to adopt lean, (4) lean benefits, (5) results from lean adoption, (6) lean implementation barriers, (7) lean success factors, (8) lean implementation/ assessment models, and (9) lean integration with other management practices. The review findings shall help scholars and practitioners to identify research opportunities, design their future studies and/or implementation strategies, accordingly.