Techniques and tools of lean production: multiple case studies in brazilian agribusiness units

Abstract

The literature regarding Lean Production philosophy is vast depicting historical aspects, implementation challenges, benefits of its adoption and other topics applied to various industries and services. However, the agribusiness segment, one of the major segments of the global economy features a large gap in national and international literature. This article aims to conduct a research through multiple case studies concerning the use of techniques and tools of Lean Production System in agribusiness organizations. Multiple type case studies were conducted in eight agribusiness units from different segments through the application of structured interviews, on site visits and document analysis. The research carried has identified that Lean Production techniques and tools are applicable to agribusiness environments, and that the ones which involve improvements in process control, production flow and logistics have higher emphasis on research units. Techniques and tools such as long-term supplier and customer relationship, production smoothing/heijunka and value stream mapping distinguished themselves by the similarity of use when compared to previous studies in agribusiness environment. It was also identified that there are differences concerning the adoption of the techniques and tools in research units that operate in production environments of the type Make to Order or Make to Stock. Such differences are imposed by specificities that affect agribusiness organizations, which is indicative for future studies.

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“…The case study searches for deepening and explaining how the phenomenon occurs immersed in a real context. The process is rigorous and involves theoretical review, rich and complete data collection from multiple data sources (Prosek & Gibson, 2021;Satolo et al, 2020;Yin, 2017). For validation of the constructs, a pilot test was conducted based on the protocol and quality of the data obtained, considering external validation.…”

Lean production as a means of ensuring the sustainable development of agricultural enterprises

“…The authors study several cases of lean concept implementation in various spheres of economic activity defining the peculiarities and outcomes of such practices. The Brazilian agricultural enterprises' experience in lean tools implementation is considered in the research of E. G. Satolo et al [10]. The research provides a description of the most common lean concept tools and techniques as well as a practical view of their implementation in the activity of Brazilian agricultural business units.…”

“…Thus, Satolo Eduardo Guilherme et al state that Brazilian agricultural enterprises (at the example of eight research units) utilize a number of lean production tools and techniques, among which are the following: autonomation, continuous flow, pull production, standardized work, kaizen, supply chain integration, uniform work load, total quality management, etc. [10]. The implementation of the tools mentioned above allows the research units to operate successfully, satisfying consumers' needs with simultaneous reduce of production costs.…”