PurposeService industries are currently facing an excess of over production that results in extra inventory and waste levels. With the prospect of methods such as lean production, this research seeks to investigate the impacts of lean production methods towards enhanced performance of service based industries through the study of a local baked foods supplier. Design/methodology/approach The paper highlights the first stage of research study through current world literature and a critical review as inputs of research findings. The research applies a descriptive research framework within a semi-structured questionnaire survey method which was implemented within three different companies, the baked goods manufacturer, the café purchasing the baked foods products, and the end users, hence covering the overall supply chain cycle and its entities. FindingsThe research study identified that one of the major challenges facing the baked food company when adopting the lean practices was the lack of commitment from the top management, continuous training and hence, employee engagement measures were necessary towards performance improvement of the organisation. Originality/valueThe research novelty is to develop an early understanding of lean production practices within the baked goods manufacturer and its upstream and downstream stakeholders. This paper would be considered by the food manufacturer companies in order to require their key suppliers to adopt the most common lean tools identified as Just in Time (JIT), Value Steam Mapping (VSP) and the 5S methods.

Abstract. The purpose of this research study is to investigate some of the sustainable practices within projects with a focus on social projects. The different research methodologies applied through this research consisted both primary and secondary research, including literature review and through case study. The stakeholder's behavioural needs towards acting and implementing sustainable practices led to the adoption of sustainable practices within projects which are managed across profit and non-profit organisations. Nevertheless, lack of sustainable behaviour was outlined, and henceforth the integration of sustainable development within social projects is crucially important as such projects were identified as the drivers toward educating the society in order to help to produce generations of people who would be more sustainably aware. Currently, sustainable development is very often taken into account when it comes to managing projects. Nevertheless, if the adoption of sustainable practices is well established in some sectors such as construction, literature tends to demonstrate a lack of information regarding other sectors, especially within social projects. This research aims to investigate the adoption of sustainable practices within social projects and therefore to satisfy a literature gap.

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The aim of this paper is to present an investigative study on the concept of Big Data and its challenges towards implementation in manufacturing SMEs. Big Data aims to facilitate the collaborative approach in SMEs through the creation of real time data visualization to address key challenges to many of the market variations for every sector SMEs. Although, earlier research studies have highlighted the importance of Big Data from technological perspectives, this study focuses towards SMEs due to its feasibility and flexibility within the market space. This research aims to investigate the use of case study approach for the re-use, adoption and understanding of strategic future direction from the findings. The findings and early analysis from this paper could be referred by researchers when addressing the use of big data analytics within manufacturing SMEs. Finally, the paper provides a key strategic point towards the exploration of Big Data within SMEs.

Abstract. Environmental sustainability in manufacturing sector has been allocated a major consideration in the international literature. Due to growing concerns over the high effect of SMEs on world manufacturing industries and their contribution to pollution; this research attempts to focus on the key parameters that interact in the application of environmental management system, taking into account the main features of SMEs and also the integral role of industrial entrepreneurs in inspiring their firms' approaches. The paper explores the potential opportunities which enable these enterprises to move towards organizations with high level of responsibility regarding environmental protection in order to provide a healthier life for future generations. Case investigation is carried out on an adhesive manufacturing company, which covers a notable market share within the sector. The research identifies that the company requires developing both internal and external entities within an explicit plan to revolutionize the recruitment patterns. Given the lack of adequate studies in adhesive technology, more researches are recommended in the future to consider the sustainable innovations on a broader sample of adhesive manufacturing companies to perform the life-cycle analysis due to the harmful organic compounds and toxic vapours of the adhesive products.

Abstract. Service sector organisations are constantly overcoming the challenges facing the overproduction and waste reduction within their environments. Industries are also becoming very competitive thus forcing them to seek suitable production organisation strategies with the aim towards enhancing their competitiveness and efficiency. The aim of this research study is to investigate the impact of lean production practices on the performance of service based businesses through the case study of a local baked goods supplier. The research framework adopted consists of questionnaire survey method implemented with different end users, thus covering the overall production -retailcustomer cycle. The research results and analysis justify the objective of the research that lean production practices enhance the performance of the supplier company and the common tool identified were JIT (Just in Time), Value Steam Mapping (VSP) and the 5S methods. The results also suggest that JIT method has a higher impact towards improvement on performance relating to quality, speed, dependability, flexibility and cost of the supplier. However, the research study also identifies that one of the major challenges faced by the organisation while adopting lean practices was the lack of commitment from top management, continuous training and employee engagement measures.

Abstract-The current economic pressures have been challenging manufacturing SMEs that play a complicated role in the Supply Chain (SC); and innovation in the manufacturing supply chain which requires new approaches and technologies. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is considered by research studies as pioneering and disruptive technology that can drive such a transformation. This paper is aimed at investigating in what measures can additive manufacturing techniques adopted as an opportunity for the supply chain in SMEs. Initially, the literature review looks into needs and challenges of SMEs in the SC identifying solutions and strategies. The research further analyses AM's impact on the supply chain, evaluating benefits and drawbacks that AM delivers in this context. IT aims to examine the use of strategic maps, analytical tools and suitable tactical paths to implement and integrate this technology within supply chain. The paper describes the potential effects of the open sources networks and hence argues that a gradual integration of AM with traditional technologies is a plausible way for small manufacturers. However, there are several innovative approaches, and this scenario is rapidly evolving. Material and machines costs reduction could deliver significant changes. Therefore, further and updated investigations from a supply chain perspective are recommended, especially looking at practical cases and examples for this study within this context.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the preliminary findings on the use of sustainable project management practices within social enterprise projects. The research gaps within this field have proposed the authors to address the challenges rising from lack of sustainable infrastructures in social-based projects both within for-profit and non-profit organisations. On the other side, behavioural needs and sustainable awareness of different stakeholders will be examined. Design/methodology/approach Secondary research consists of conducting a literature review clarifying the existing knowledge of the research topic within the body of literature. The stakeholders’ behavioural needs towards acting and implementing sustainable practices led to the adoption of sustainable practices within projects which are managed across profit and non-profit organisations. Findings The lack of sustainable behaviour and its adoption within organisations is also highlighted. The limitation of the research is the importance of integration of sustainable development (SD) within social projects. Such projects were identified as the drivers towards educating the society towards future generations’ sustainability awareness. However, if the adoption of sustainable practices is well established in some sectors (such as construction), literature tends to demonstrate a lack of information regarding other sectors, especially within social enterprises. Originality/value The novelty of the research is to develop an early understanding regarding linkages between sustainable practices and project management programmes within the social projects. The particular focus is given to corporate social responsibility and the comparative analysis has been made among for-profit and non-profit organisations in terms of SD metrics. The study results would be beneficial to the researchers and practitioners exploring within the same field.