Abstract

This research investigates a possible integration between Lean Six Sigma (LSS) tools and principles and Industry 4.0 technologies. The aim is the development of a new pattern for Operational Excellence through the grounded theory methodology. Data collection involved interviewing Italian manufacturing managers in ten case organisations as well as a direct observation of practices linked to Industry 4.0 and LSS integration at one of the selected case organisations. Results of the study aligns with preliminary literature supporting LSS providing platform to achieve effective outcome from Industry 4.0 application. The integration needs reinvented mapping tools and implies a horizontal integration and a vertical, end-to-end integration. The latter requires the company to reengineer the ERP modules, while in the horizontal integration the real ultimate goal is to reach a complete automatic synchronisation of the processes named Autonomous Process Synchronisation. Moreover, all the data gathered from production processes and offices needs the development of new analytics at all levels. This is amongst first few studies that answers how to achieve integration between LSS and Industry 4.0 technologies and thus have several research and managerial contributions in advancing operational excellence research.

摘要

这项研究调查了精益六西格码 (LSS) 工具和原则与工业 4.0 技术之间可能的整合。目的是通过扎根理论方法开发卓越运营的新模式。数据收集包括对十个案例组织的意大利制造经理进行访谈，以及在其中一个选定案例组织中直接观察与工业 4.0 和 LSS 集成相关的实践。研究结果与支持 LSS 提供平台的初步文献一致，以实现工业 4.0 应用的有效结果。集成需要重新发明映射工具，并意味着横向集成和纵向、端到端的集成。后者要求公司重新设计 ERP 模块，而在横向整合中，真正的最终目标是实现名为自治流程同步的流程的完全自动同步。此外，从生产流程和办公室收集的所有数据都需要在各个层面开发新的分析方法。这是回答如何实现 LSS 和工业 4.0 技术之间集成的首批研究之一，因此在推进卓越运营研究方面有多项研究和管理贡献。