Investigating the critical success factors for integrating Lean Six Sigma and Industry 4.0

Abstract

Despite the wealth of material available on Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0), integration of LSS with I4.0 is rarely discussed. This study seeks to fill this gap by studying the critical success factors (CSF) of integrating LSS with I4.0 to enhance organizational effectiveness and efficiency. The methods of quantitative research were used to carry out this investigation. In total, 733 questionnaires were collected from different departments: supply, production, and IT. The questionnaire was used to gather data regarding employees’ perceptions of the current state of LSS and I4.0 and the possibility of integrating LSS and I4.0 within their organizations. To integrate LSS with I4.0, it could be claimed that the CSFs of LSS that could be considered important for I4.0 implementation are utilization of the necessary procedures, techniques, knowledge, abilities, and experience to accomplish the project’s goals, employees committed to the organization, the organization gives rewards and appreciation to employees for meeting a pre-determined goal, explaining activities and releasing the results in a transparent manner, monitoring ongoing operations to make that the business is on schedule for achieving its goals and performance targets.

Keywords:

• critical success factors
• Egypt
• Industry 4.0
• Lean Six Sigma
• manufacturing industry

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nevien F. Khourshed

Nevien F. Khourshed, Associate Professor of Operations Management – Department of Marketing and International Business, and Head of the Quality Unit at Graduate School of Business (Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, Alexandria, Egypt). I born in Alexandria - Egypt on 12/10/1977. I am graduated in the year 2001 (Excellent with Honor) from Faculty of Engineering, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. Then I continued my study to have MSc in Quality Management from Productivity & Quality institute (2004). In the year 2010, I had my PhD in Engineering Management from The University of Strathclyde - Scotland-UK. I got the degree from the Faculty of Engineering - Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (DMEM). In the year 2018, I promoted to Associate Professor of Operations Management. As well as, for training courses, I am a certified Lead Auditor from IRCA. My personal interests are: Operations Management topics in general, like; Lean manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, quality management.