Green Lean Six Sigma implementation framework: a case of reducing graphite and dust pollution

ABSTRACT

Modern organisations are in search of initiatives which will enable them to be sustainable as well as gain a competitive advantage. Lean, Six Sigma and Green initiatives are some of the widely used tools which aid the organisation to be sustainable. Recent studies have suggested that the integration of Green and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) will create a powerful methodology and help organisations to be sustainable. Yet, many organisations have found it difficult due to the lack of a generic implementation framework, which can be used for any processes and cultural context. The purpose of this study is to answer the research question: how to implement a sustainable Green LSS initiative in the organisation. Through a critical analysis of previous literature, an implementation framework is developed and practically implemented through a case study to reduce the graphite and dust pollution in a mine in India. Within case analysis, it is conducted to develop propositions, future research directions and managerial implications. This is a first study to develop and practically test a generic implementation Green LSS framework.

KEYWORDS:

• Green manufacturing
• Lean
• Six Sigma
• Lean Six Sigma
• implementation framework

Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank the management and all employees of the company who were very helpful during the case study process. Also, the authors express their sincere thanks to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive suggestion which improved this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Sony

Dr.Michael Sony is at present a faculty at Namibia University of Science & Technology, Windhoek, Namibia. He holds a Ph.D. from Goa University, India. He holds a Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering from Goa University. He passed a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in the year. He was earlier working in Goa Electricity Department, Government of Goa, India. He holds a Black Belt in Six Sigma. His research interest includes Quality Management, Industry 4.0, and sustainable operations.

Subhash Naik

Dr. Subhash Naik is a Heading the Process improvement & Business Excellence professional Globally. Presently working at Sterling & Wilson Pvt Ltd-market Leader in EPC segment. He is Holding Lean Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Gold Medalist academically, Certified Project Management Professional, Champion in Lean Methodology, Operational Excellence, Change Management Professional. He is selected as International WHO’S WHO’S Professional from international society for inclusion in 2009 edition, Washington, USA. Dr. Naik have 17þ years Rich experience in Operational Excellence, Customer Service Delivery, Industrial Engineering, Business Excellence in a variety of leading roles and Responsible for Driving Strategic Transformation Projects on improving EBITDA.