Enabling the Twin Transitions: Digital Technologies Support Environmental Sustainability through Lean Principles
Journal article, 2023

Manufacturing companies seek innovative approaches to achieve successful Green and Digital transitions, where adopting lean production is one alternative. However, further investigation is required to formulate the approach with empirical inputs and identify what digital technologies could be applied with which lean principles for environmental benefits. Therefore, this study first conducted a case study in three companies to collect empirical data. A complementary literature review was then carried out, investigating the existing frameworks, and complementing practices of digitalized lean implementations and the resulting environmental impact. Consequently, the Internet of Things and related connection-level technologies were identified as the key facilitators in lean implementations, specifically in visualization, communication, and poka-yoke, leading to environmental benefits. Furthermore, a framework of DIgitalization Supports Environmental sustainability through Lean principles (DISEL) was proposed to help manufacturing companies identify the opportunities of digitalizing lean principles for Environmental sustainability, thus enabling the twin transitions and being resilient.

Production system

Resilience

Industry 4.0

Twin Transitions

Digitalization

Environmental Sustainability

Lean production

Digital technologies

Author

Xiaoxia Chen

Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Production Systems

Martin Kurdve

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Supply and Operations Management

Björn Johansson

Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Production Systems

Mélanie Despeisse

Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Production Systems

Sustainable Production and Consumption

2352-5509 (eISSN)

Vol. 38 13-27

PLENary multi-User developMent arena for industrial workspaces (PLENUM)

VINNOVA (2022-01704), 2022-09-15 -- 2025-09-14.

RE4DY: European “data as a pRoduct” Value Ecosystems for resilient factory 4 .0 Product and proDuction continuitY and sustainability

European Commission (EC) (101058384), 2022-06-01 -- 2025-06-30.

Sensible Value Chain through Digitalised Planning, Material handling and Circular Economy (SCARCE II)

VINNOVA (2019-05594), 2020-02-10 -- 2022-03-01.

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Production

Subject Categories

Other Engineering and Technologies not elsewhere specified

Environmental Management

Reliability and Maintenance

DOI

10.1016/j.spc.2023.03.020

More information

Latest update

4/17/2023