Social Value Stream Mapping (Socio-VSM): Methodology to Societal Sustainability Visualization and Assessment in the Manufacturing System

Abstract

The extended application of value stream mapping has more recently been clarified to fulfill the triple bottom line requirements in the manufacturing systems. Thus, there is a glaring lack of literature on this sustainable-oriented lean tool, among these minute studies, the research attention has mainly been given to the environmental issues, largely neglecting the societal aspects. To complement and support this narrow body of knowledge, this article is aimed at developing a social value stream mapping methodology, which we refer to as Socio-VSM, for visualizing and assessing the societal sustainability performance in the context of manufacturing. In doing so, it identified and incorporated crucial societal metrics into the proposed approach, which was made based on the conventional value stream mapping method. For validation purposes, a case study entailing a hard disc drive substrate manufacturing industry was applied for the documentation and reporting of results derived from the implementation of the proposed methodology and for testing and making conclusions about its effectiveness. It makes the valuable theoretical and practical contributions to narrow the gap on this long-neglected scope.INDEX TERMS Social value stream mapping, (Socio-VSM), societal metrics, lean manufacturing, sustainability.

DMAIC-based approach to sustainable value stream mapping: towards a sustainable manufacturing system

“…The considerable support towards VSM by many authors is relatively expected owing to its rising popularity, efficacy and ease in facilitating sustainable performance improvement (Gholami et al, 2019). In proving that VSM is the most comprehensively fitting tool to achieve continuous improvement activities, several simulations were carried out by Abdulmalek and Rajgopal (2007).…”

“…Riding on its demonstrated capabilities, VSM is currently being practiced extensively with even modified versions that integrate features of sustainability (Gholami et al, 2019). Several pioneering studies proposed possible VSM modifications that incorporate sustainable elements such as the SVSM or sustainable VSM by Simons and Mason (2002) which focuses on enhancing product manufacturing sustainability through the analysis of GHG gas emissions.…”

A General Framework for Sustainability Assessment of Sheet Metalworking Processes

“…The measurement in this data type is more straightforward as the researchers and practitioners can rely on existing analytical and numerical methods to analyze them [32]. For non-deterministic concrete indicators, such as the employees' health and safety that are deemed as crucial factors in capturing the societal sustainability performance of a production line [10], the measurement is associated with uncertainty and requires historical data analysis or surveys which are based on subjective judgments and experience. The measurement results obtained from the analyses must be able to give indications of the manufacturing process performance to assess if it approaches the desired levels that are being defined in the earlier steps.…”

“…The definition outlined by the U.S. Department of Commerce [9]-the creation of manufactured products through a chain of processes bringing minimal negative impacts towards the environment; conserving energy and natural resources keeping in mind the societal importance, such as employee safety and sound economics-is found to be more suitable in the context of this research. However, the development of a sustainable manufacturing process not only provides industry with a competitive edge but also becomes a cost-effective road map for improving their manufacturing processes' performance according to the triple bottom line requirements [10,11].…”

An SEM Approach for the Barrier Analysis in Lean Implementation in Manufacturing Industries

“…The lean philosophy should be understood as a journey rather than the final outcome that an organization aims to achieve [1,2]. A lean project should focus on the overall concept rather than on lean tools and techniques [3].…”