A fuzzy maturity-based method for lean supply chain management assessment

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to propose a method for measuring lean supply chain management (LSCM) maturity based on the main lean practices and existing waste of a supply chain. Design/methodology/approach A three-stage approach was developed. First, a thorough literature review was performed to raise concepts and previous findings on maturity models (MMs) and LSCM. This review’s outcomes were then validated by experts in the field using the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM). Subsequently, the proposed model was illustrated and assessed based on a multi-case study. Findings All companies attained high outcomes in the elimination of the waste pillar. The pillars of logistics management, continuous improvement and information technology management also stood out in the three organizations’ results. The company with the lowest maturity level operates in a make-to-order production policy, which may harm the lean supply in its supply chain. Practical implications The proposed model can reveal external opportunities and threats and internal strengths and weaknesses in supply chains (SCs). It is also capable of providing a clear roadmap for SC improvement in companies. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study to date has proposed a MM in the LSCM context using FDM and considering the crucial relationship between lean practices and wastes.

Trends and Recommendations for Enhancing Maturity Models in Supply Chain Management and Logistics

“…For example, supply chain management activities may aim to improve individual processes [93,94], relationships between organizational processes [95,96], or relationships between actors in the network [97,98]. In particular, enhancing the maturity of the entire supply chain is crucial to establish strong relationships with suppliers upstream and cus-tomers downstream, thereby creating value across the entire supply chain [79,87,99,100]. This is why activities such as CRM and SRM are frequently examined in models that approach maturity from a strategic and collaborative perspective.…”

“…Theory-driven approaches commonly rely on literature research, whereas practitioner-based approaches make use of empirical development tools such as interviews [87,125,126], focus groups [8,16], and Delphi studies [18,36,127]. Analytical approaches, such as AHP [10,128,129], fuzzy theory [100,109,130], and principal component analysis [131], are less frequent but still noteworthy. In terms of MM validation, case studies are the most commonly used tools, while empirical analysis [132] and simulation hold lesser importance [89].…”

The maturity model of logistic centres

“…They have been applied to innovation, business process, new product development, project management, supply chain management, and people capability, among others. " The maturity models are commonly used in logistics, especially in the analysis of the supply chains [2], [9], [23], [44], [50].…”

“…An additional, added value for the model developed is the relatively low popularity of research on maturity models in the Polish management science, which additionally contributes to the novelty of the solution. Even in the world scope literature, this topic is relatively rarely touched upon, as the majority of the publications which describe the maturity levels in logistics concentrate on the maturity models of enterprises in various branches [4], [7], [54], warehouses/storages [46], [56] or the supply chain [2], [9], [23], [44], [50] and not particularly on the logistics centre, which is a specific nodule of supply chains. The authors, then, concentrate on a relatively rarely described subject and develop their own, novel model of the logistic centre's maturity.…”