Purpose – The aim of this paper is to analyze international and national research and development (R&D) programs and roadmaps for the manufacturing sector, presenting how agile and lean manufacturing models are addressed in these programs. Design/methodology/approach – In this review,...

Purpose – Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the...

Purpose – A central theme that has always separated C‐suite executives from communications practitioners – the ability to operate within the parameters of immutable data – is beginning to unravel as uncontrollable external forces challenge traditional business approaches. However, while...

Lean supply ‐ the system of purchasing and supply chain management required to underpin lean production ‐ has been characterized as “beyond partnership”. Re‐examines this idea, comparing the techniques which constitute lean supply with those contained in supply chain management,...

Purpose – Lean and Six Sigma are the two most important continuous improvement (CI) methodologies for achieving operational and service excellence in any organization. The purpose of this paper is to explain how lean compares to the Six Sigma and outline the benefits for integrating them....

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore if six sigma and lean are new methods, or if they are repackaged versions of previously popular methods – total quality management (TQM) and just‐in‐time (JIT). Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a critical comparison...

The paper gives a brief description of the transformation on a global scale of the old international production concept of mass production towards the new global concept of lean production as an explanation for the increasing inequality in income distribution since the 1980s. The information is...

Looks at globalization and lean production and their possible interaction. Depicts production as ‘a tightly coupled, flexible system’ centred on JIT (just‐in‐time) delivery and low inventories, which requires continuous improvement as a component quality necessary in the process....

Describes the process for conducting downward price business‐to‐business online auctions over the Internet for direct material purchasing and presents common issues, process improvement opportunities, and the interpretation of auction results. Comparisons are made between online auctions and...

Purpose – Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – Scans the top 400 management publications in the world to identify the most topical issues and latest...