Prioritising solutions for Lean Six Sigma adoption barriers through fuzzy AHP-modified TOPSIS framework

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to guide about prioritisation and ranking of the solutions and overcoming barriers to facilitate the adoption of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) by using a hybrid framework. Design/methodology/approach It identifies LSS barriers and solutions to facilitate LSS adoption through literature review and by involving subject experts. The study makes use of fuzzy set theory and proposes a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP)-modified TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution) framework. It uses sensitivity analysis to establish framework robustness. Findings The key findings of this techno-managerial study are identification and prioritisation of 27 LSS barriers and 22 solutions to overcome adoption challenges, proposition and usage of fuzzy AHP-modified TOPSIS framework, guidance regarding where to focus for facilitating LSS adoption and ensuring robustness using sensitivity analysis, which establishes insignificant deviation in rankings when criteria weights are altered. Research limitations/implications Some biasness and subjectivity may exist during pairwise comparisons as human judgements are involved. Practical implications Handling a hybrid solution like LSS is never easy. It is expected that the study will help industry professionals to plan their LSS adoption attempts effectively. Guidance regarding LSS barriers will assist in observing necessary precautions to avoid failures. It will open up new research fronts for researchers also. Originality/value Literature is full of studies regarding LSS barriers and its rankings. It is very rare to witness a study like ours, which discusses the barriers and links with solutions and its prioritisation. Proposed hybrid framework for a hybrid techno-managerial approach such as LSS is unique and acts as the roadmap for smooth implementation.

Prioritized Solutions for Overcoming Barriers When Implementing Lean in the Healthcare Supply Chain: A Saudi Perspective

“…Organisation's capabilities, technology-based barriers and cultural barriers (employees' culture) play a vital role in shaping in how an organisation intends to implement lean concept and to what extent the organisation has the abilities and capabilities to successfully carry it out. Based on that, the organisation decides to continue, postpone to a certain time or refuse to implement lean initiative permanently [2,22,23].…”

“…Such prioritization extremely important and useful for them to plan their improvement initiatives. The main reason of the focusing on some barriers and neglect others are that individual barriers possess different levels of significance that change with organisation, its priorities, its nature, and its type [2]. In addition, it is extremely difficult for healthcare organisations to overcome all of these barriers simultaneously [4].…”

“…Several organisations attempt to adopt the lean management philosophy without necessarily understanding the lean principles and the possible barriers that they will have to face during the implementation. Most of these entities struggle to attain the desired outcomes and give up their attempts eventually [1][2][3]. Identification of potential barriers and obstacles prior to the implementation of lean (or any other continuous improvement tool) within the organisation is significant, as trying to overcoming these barriers after the implementation has started can be a hard task for the practitioners [4].…”

“…Healthcare organisations' have their own context and barriers Logistics 2021, 5, 9 2 of 16 in healthcare supply chain management (HSCM), which has not been covered yet. In real-life, it becomes indeed challenging for decision makers to overcome all barriers and apply all the solutions because of several unavoidable limitations such as the associated cost [2]. Considering different healthcare systems and different organisational cultures make this study the first of its kind.…”

Major Barriers Assessment of Lean Construction Application in Construction Projects Delivery

“…The sector is, however, facing challenges of meeting client's value and enduser satisfaction, as it is being limited in its contribution to sustainability issue (Babalola et al, 2018). The challenge is worsened by the increasing competitive pressure on construction enterprises; a resultant of customers' dynamic demands for quality and speedy delivery without loss of value (Yadav et al, 2018).…”