PurposeThe objective of this research is twofold. First, we aim at identifying the pairwise relationships between Lean Production (LP) practices and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. Second, based on these results, we propose a framework for Lean Automation (LA) implementation, in which I4.0 technologies are integrated into LP practices.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve that, a cross-sector survey was performed with 147 manufacturers that are undergoing a LP implementation aided by novel information and communication technologies from I4.0. Multivariate data analysis was applied in order to underpin the proposed framework for LA.FindingsFindings indicate that I4.0 technologies are positively correlated with LP practices, providing evidence to bear the proposition of a LA framework that can potentially overcome traditional barriers and challenges of a LP implementation.Originality/valueAs previous studies have approached LA implementation from a narrow perspective or including a limited set of LP practices and I4.0 technologies, the proposition of an integrated framework unfolds a wider range of synergistic implementations that may corroborate to a holistic approach for continuous improvement in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era.

中文翻译：

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走向精益自动化框架的提议

目的本研究的目的是双重的。首先，我们旨在确定精益生产 (LP) 实践与工业 4.0 (I4.0) 技术之间的成对关系。其次，基于这些结果，我们提出了一个精益自动化 (LA) 实施框架，其中 I4.0 技术被集成到 LP 实践中。设计/方法/方法为实现这一目标，对 147 家制造商进行了跨部门调查正在 I4.0 的新型信息和通信技术的辅助下进行 LP 实施。应用多变量数据分析以支持 LA 的拟议框架。 调查结果表明 I4.0 技术与 LP 实践正相关，