Study of the Impact of Lean Philosophy on Process Improvement and Sustainability in Companies: Case Study

Eduarda Duarte, Luís Fonseca, Olívia McDermott, José Dinis-Carvalho and José Carlos de Sá ()
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Eduarda Duarte: ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto
Luís Fonseca: ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto
Olívia McDermott: University of Galway, College of Science & Engineering
José Dinis-Carvalho: University of Minho, Department of Production and Systems
José Carlos de Sá: ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto

Chapter 11 in Challenges and Innovation Opportunities in the Context of Sustainability, Industries 4.0 and 5.0, 2026, pp 145-157 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Currently, we face significant global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and the growing awareness of organizations’ social and environmental responsibility. In this context, the pursuit of sustainability has become an undeniable priority. This is where lean philosophy comes in, a fundamental approach to address these challenges by promoting not only operational efficiency but also the adoption of more sustainable practices. The goal of lean philosophy is to improve production processes, reduce waste, and increase value delivered to the customer. However, as environmental and social concerns gain prominence, this philosophy has been adapted to incorporate sustainability principles, aiming to minimize the negative impact of companies’ operations on the environment and society. This study focused on investigating how the application of lean philosophy can contribute to process improvement and the promotion of sustainability in a company, which is essentially dedicated to the production of conveyor belts. Using the DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), a structured approach was adopted to identify, analyze, and resolve the operational challenges faced by the company. Throughout the research, it became evident that lean philosophy strategies not only improved the production processes but also had a significant impact on its operational sustainability. The implementation of lean tools, such as the VSM (Value Stream Mapping), 5S, A3 report, Standard Work, Visual Management, among others, not only allowed for waste reduction and efficiency improvement but also enabled the minimization of the environmental and social impact of the company’s operations. This integrated approach demonstrated that lean philosophy can be a powerful ally in the pursuit of more sustainable business practices. By aligning operational efficiency objectives with sustainability goals, companies can not only improve their competitiveness in the market but also play an active role in building a more sustainable future for future generations.

Keywords: Sustainability; Lean philosophy; Process improvement; Waste reduction; DMAIC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:prbchp:978-3-032-16432-2_11

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-16432-2_11

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