Manufacturing sustainability assessment using a lean manufacturing tool

Abstract

Purpose Manufacturers and engineers need a practical and operational way to understand sustainable manufacturing and to apply it to their shop floors. The single index enables manufacturing industries to make decisions considering the continuous improvement to increase sustainability performance. The purpose of this paper is to develop a manufacturing sustainability index (MSI) based on lean and sustainability concepts using sustainable-value stream mapping. Design/methodology/approach The methodology of this research is linked to Delphi- analytical hierarchy process (AHP) qualitative assessment with sustainable-value stream mapping quantitative analysis for determining MSI. The Delphi method is used with relevant indicator selection, sustainable-value stream mapping is used to score the relevant indicator with efficiency approach and the AHP method is used to determine the indicator weight. To evaluate the applicability of this framework for assessing sustainability in the manufacturing process, a case study in Indonesian Wooden Furniture was developed. Findings The findings of this research is the framework for evaluating and assessing the sustainability performance of the manufacturing process. Although evaluation of the framework is limited to the furniture industry, there is a methodology potential to reproduce for the other sectors. Research limitations/implications Theoretically, this study has provided a single index to measure performance of the manufacturing sustainability comprehensively at factory level. However, the implementation of the developed model is too limited. More application in different sectors and different industrial sizes is needed. Originality/value The value of this research lies in the novelty of the single index in measuring manufacturing sustainability and the relevant indicators for the furniture industry in Indonesia. The selection of the indicators has involved practitioners in the furniture industry and encompassed economic, environmental and social dimensions. The visualization of indicators through sustainable-value stream mapping is proven to be more practical and helpful for industrialists.

Relationships between industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy: proposal of a research framework

“…Most interestingly, it was observed that social planning goals lack focus (Zarte et al , 2019). A framework for evaluating and assessing the sustainability performance of the manufacturing process was proposed by Hartini et al (2020).…”

The Application of Lean Methods in Corporate Sustainability—A Systematic Literature Review

“…A powerful and often used lean analysis method is value stream mapping (172 references), which combines information and material flows, determines key figures, and identifies wastage. The full text analysis of lean case studies in the context of sustainability shows that value stream mapping is further developed in terms of sustainable, energy, or environmental value stream maps as in [64,66]. Other lean methods remain underrepresented in terms of their further development.…”

“…While just in time is the most frequently mentioned method in all papers on lean and sustainability, value stream mapping dominates the case studies, followed by Six Sigma and single minute exchange of die (SMED). The case studies also feature adaptations and refinements of lean methods for sustainability purposes, e.g., "sustainable value stream mapping" [64], "energy value stream mapping" [65,66], "environmental value stream mapping" [67] and "resource value stream mapping" [68], and combinations of lean and sustainability methods, e.g., combinations of quick changeover (SMED) and carbon footprint [69], or Six Sigma and environmental life cycle assessment [70].…”

Entropy-Based Lean, Energy and Six Sigma Approach to Achieve Sustainability in Manufacturing System

“…A framework using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and DMAIC to improve supply chain performance of manufacturing companies has been proposed [41]. A Lean and sustainability principle is applied to determine the performance of manufacturing sustainability in an Indonesian furniture industry [27]. Similarly Lean concepts are used to design a facility layout for a cylinder liner production line in China [55].…”