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Purpose – This paper aims to presents a conceptual comparative analysis of Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma, highlighting 18 critical aspects between such approaches and their respective implications for management decision-making. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative approach based on the results obtained from literature review about Lean and Six Sigma. Findings – The main points of divergence between Lean and Six Sigma have been highlighted based on 18 criteria. Seventeen criteria are proposed as a result of a review of the literature and one criterion, and “quality control”, is suggested by the authors. Research limitations/implications – This article mitigates the literature gap regarding whether and how Lean and Six Sigma are synergistic approaches. Practical implications – This study enables decision-makers to evaluate the Lean and Six Sigma practices. The results of the analysis performed originated three observations: first, both approaches are predominantly complementary; second, it is possible to create a single model integrating both approaches studied in this research; and third, when Lean is implemented as stand-alone approach, it falls short of specific tools to leverage its full potential according to the complexity of the problem under consideration. Originality/value – This paper analyzes which aspects from Lean and Six Sigma can be learnt from organizational change and productivity improvement efforts. The analysis includes a comparison of 18 critical aspects for practical use of Lean and Six Sigma.

The Sustainable Product-Service Systems are a promising approach based on a Triple Bottom Line perspective of the sustainability. However, its practical and effective adoption is still very limited and addresses significant barriers for the manufacturing firms. Furthermore, this emergent topic has been discussed by literature mainly in large company's context, turning in a very limited and immature stage the current body of knowledge for the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Thus, considering the significance of small companies to the global economy and their intrinsic difficulties, the purpose of this study was to identify the main barriers involving the transition towards Sustainable Product-Service Systems in manufacturing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises as well as the strategies to overcome them. A systematic literature review of the past two decades was organized capturing the state of the art of the area. Findings reveal that internal barriers associated with intrinsic characteristics of SMEs become still more sensitive during the transition (e.g., limited financial resources, the lack of competences, follower mentality and resistance to change). As well as, barriers related with the novelty of Sustainable Product-Service Systems models require new attitudes to small companies (e.g., changing mindsets from product ownership to use, replacing the value of exchange by value in use involving long-term relations, understanding the Product-Service Systems concept) and particularly highlight the lack of models/ methods supporting this transition. The practical contribution of this study is in organise a comprehensive body of knowledge on strategies to overcome barriers towards Sustainable Product-Service offering. Moreover, an innovative decision matrix supporting decision-makers during the Sustainable Product-Service System development was proposed from the literature review findings.

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O principal objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os pontos de convergência e as divergências entre a Teoria das Restrições, o Lean Manufacturing e o Seis Sigma quando usados de maneira integrada para a melhoria contínua operacional de sistemas produtivos. O eixo principal de discussão desse estudo foi buscar identificar na literatura características de exclusão e similaridades entre as três abordagens quando aplicadas de maneira integrada em sistemas produtivos. Para conduzir essa pesquisa, fez-se uma ampla pesquisa bibliográfica, entre 1995 e 2011, nas principais bases de dados nacionais e internacionais, em busca do estado da arte sobre o tema. Os resultados desse estudo sugerem que Teoria das Restrições, Lean Manufacturing e Seis Sigma possuem diversos elementos complementares que se sobrepõem aos pontos divergentes e que há um vasto campo de pesquisa a ser explorado sobre o tema. Como resultado, o presente estudo apresenta a análise crítica comparativa de 28 critérios relevantes à compreensão das três abordagens assim como uma agenda de pesquisa sobre o tema identificada a partir das lacunas encontradas.

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Resumo:O desenvolvimento e a estruturação do conceito de Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) ainda não parecem estar consolidados na literatura. Igualmente, as práticas de aplicação dos conceitos da GSCM necessitam de mais investigação para que possam ser mais bem entendidas e aplicadas. O principal objetivo desse artigo é apresentar um quadro de trabalho que possa organizar e orientar a futura pesquisa em GSCM. A partir de pesquisa bibliográfica, foi possível identificar um conjunto de práticas que parecem estar maduras e analisar como alguns autores têm organizado o tema. Foram examinados estudos genéricos, que pretenderam representar a seu tempo o estado-da-arte da pesquisa, e estudos localizados, referentes a indústrias específicas ou regiões geográficas. Chegou-se a um quadro de trabalho estruturado em três grandes campos de pesquisa: estratégia, inovação, e operações. Os campos, por sua vez, se estruturaram em quatro, três e cinco áreas, respectivamente. Estratégia foi estruturada em: formulação, avaliação de desempenho, comunicação e colaboração, e barreiras e estímulos. Inovação foi estruturada em: processo, produto, e mercado. Operações foram estruturadas em: compras verdes, manufatura verde, distribuição verde, logística reversa, e gerenciamento de resíduos. Algumas pesquisas foram mencionadas como exemplos de temas pertencentes ao quadro de trabalho. Abstract:The development and structuration of the concept of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) still does not seem to be consolidated in the literature. Also, the concept of GSCM need further research so that they can be better understood and applied. The main objective of this paper is to present a framework that can organize and guide future research in GSCM. From literature, it was possible to identify a set of practices that appear to be mature and look at how some authors have organized the subject. We examined generic studies that have attempted to represent the time the state of the art research, and localized studies relating to specific industries or geographic regions. It reached a working framework structured in three main fields: strategy, innovation, and operations. The fields are structured in four, three and five subjects, respectively. Strategy has been structured in: formulation, performance evaluation, communication and collaboration, and barriers and drives. Innovation has been structured in: process, product and market. Operations were structured in: green procurement, green manufacturing, green distribution, reverse logistics and waste management. Some studies have been cited as examples of issues belonging to the framework.