Operational Practices of Lean Manufacturing: Potentiating Environmental Improvements

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to investigate how environmental improvements can be achieved through operational practices of Lean Manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review was conducted to analyze the relationship between operational practices of Lean and reduction of...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Pinto Junior, Marcos José Alves, Veiga Mendes, Juliana
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Recursos:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/109541
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/109541
https://dx.doi.org/10.3926/jiem.2268
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Lean manufacturing
Operational practices
Environmental performance
Producció ajustada -- Aspectes ambientals
Producció -- Estalvi d'energia
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Economia i organització d'empreses::Direcció d'operacions
Descrição
Resumo:Purpose: The objective of this paper is to investigate how environmental improvements can be achieved through operational practices of Lean Manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review was conducted to analyze the relationship between operational practices of Lean and reduction of environmental impact in organizational contexts. Verified theoretically, this relationship was observed in a company of the electronics industry, through an exploratory research which contemplated a mixed approach. The adopted research method consisted of a single case study, by providing greater depth and detail of the study. Utilized a research protocol, validated pilot test. The instruments for data collection were semi-structured interviews, direct observation and document analysis. The information was examined qualitatively considering the technique for content analysis. Findings: As a result of the study, it was found that there is evidence for the existence of relationship between the practices of Lean, for example, Kaizen, PDCA (plan, do, check, act), Ishikawa Diagram, Poka-Yoke, and Standardized Work, with the reduction of environmental impacts of an organization. This reduction was observed after application of these practices that resulted in the reduction of energy consumption and water consumption. These results were accounted for financially, contributing to a reduction of annual costs by about US$ 17,900. Originality/value: The study presents in detail, the application of operational practices of Lean Manufacturing, with an effective view to reducing the environmental impact and cost reduction. The literature review, a detailed description of the application process and financial results are important information that contributes to the scientific studies that address traditional operating practices and the search for better environmental performance.