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The Path to Sustainable Lean Implementation: A Case Study in Automotive Industry

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Abstract

Implementing lean manufacturing (LM) contributes to achieving sustainability in manufacturing, thereby facilitating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, despite its benefits, many manufacturers struggle to sustain LM implementation, highlighting the challenges in sustaining its practices over time, with only a few firms ultimately succeeding. This study aims to undertake an in-depth investigation of the failure factors of automotive manufacturers to sustain LM implementation and identify potential strategies to overcome these challenges. The research employs a qualitative method, utilizing primary data collection of in-depth interviews and purposeful sampling. The selection criteria for participating organizations and informants aim to ensure deeper insights into LM. Data saturation is achieved through six interview sessions, facilitated by a structured interview protocol. Analysis of the data was conducted using ATLAS.ti software to identify patterns and relationships, ensuring robust findings. The findings highlight several key factors for sustaining LM, including technological integration, effective leadership, culture, internal collaboration, resource management, knowledge management, and supplier management. The present study contributes to the current knowledge of the sustainable LM model through the linkages of various critical factors. Moreover, the framework highlights the necessity of implementing each of the factors holistically and integrating them to establish a robust foundation for sustained LM implementation.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Norhana Mohd Aripin, Suhaidah Hussain, Puteri Fadzline Muhamad Tamyez, Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi & Nur Sofia Nabila Alimin

  2. Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Islam Riau. Jl. Kaharuddin Nasution, Kota, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia

    Gusman Nawanir

Authors
  1. Norhana Mohd Aripin
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  2. Gusman Nawanir
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  3. Suhaidah Hussain
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  4. Puteri Fadzline Muhamad Tamyez
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  5. Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi
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  6. Nur Sofia Nabila Alimin
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Contributions

Norhana Mohd Aripin: Contributed to the writeup (literature review)of this paper. Gusman Nawanir: Contributed to the data collection and data analysis of this paper. Suhaidah Hussain: Contributed to the data collection and data analysis of this paper. Puteri Fadzline Muhamad Tamyez: Contributed to the writeup (methodology) of this paper. Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi: Contributed to the writeup (introduction) of this paper. Nur Sofia Nabila Alimin: Contributed to the writeup (conclusion and proofreading) of this paper.

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Correspondence to Puteri Fadzline Muhamad Tamyez.

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Aripin, N.M., Nawanir, G., Hussain, S. et al. The Path to Sustainable Lean Implementation: A Case Study in Automotive Industry. Oper. Res. Forum 6, 5 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43069-024-00396-8

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