Purpose, originality and value – The outstanding literature provides evidence that despite the initial gains, in terms of performances improvement, coming from the implementation of the most common and known Lean tools and techniques, companies struggle to continuously improve and eventually move back to their pre-Lean condition. This research aims at investigating the meaning of Supply Chain Learning Cycle by proposing the adoption of Soft Skills Management practices to establish a Continuous Improvement culture. Design, methodology and approach – A multi-step process has been followed, starting from a literature review which allowed to identify the gaps and determine the variables of the model to apply. Then, the goodness of the structural model has been tested through interviews with experts from academic and industrial world and through questionnaire submitted to a sample of manufacturing companies. Finally, we translated it into a structural model of measurable variables, which have been assessed through case study developed in Bosch VHIT S.p.A. Findings – The output of this research includes (1) the definition of maturity model for Supply Chain Learning Cycle and (2) the role and impact of Soft practices in overcoming Continuous Improvement barriers and in fostering Supply Chain Learning Cycle. Practical and managerial implications – While the theory building approach makes the findings particularly relevant from a theoretical contribution perspective, this research has the final purpose to address practitioners and real-world companies. Our dissertation shows evidence that companies should open their boundaries in a collaborative way with the upstream actors of the Supply Chain, so that they can exploit more valuable external gains from a Lean Supply Chain context. In addition to that, developing Soft practices and skills by the company and supplier employees facilitates the spread of a Continuous Improvement culture within the Supply Chain boundaries. Limits and future research – Lean tools and techniques are fundamental for the support of Lean Manufacturing activities. Therefore, future research should deepen the study about the roles of Lean instruments in fostering Learning Cycle development across the different stages of our model. Moreover, it would be interesting to analyse the Learning Cycle development process in respect to the downstream actors of the chain, like the final customers of the company.
Scopo, originalità e valore - La letteratura fornisce prove del fatto che nonostante i guadagni iniziali, in termini di miglioramento delle prestazioni, derivanti dall'implementazione degli strumenti e delle tecniche Lean più comuni e conosciuti, le aziende facciano fatica a migliorare continuamente e spesso ritornino alla loro condizione iniziale. Questa ricerca intende studiare il significato del ciclo di apprendimento della catena di approvvigionamento proponendo l'adozione di Soft practices per stabilire una cultura di miglioramento continuo. Design, metodologia e approccio – Abbiamo seguito un processo suddiviso in più fasi, partendo dalla revisione della letteratura che ha permesso di identificare i gaps e determinare le variabili del modello da considerare. Successivamente, la bontà del modello strutturale è stata testata attraverso interviste con esperti accademici e industriali e attraverso un questionario inviato a un campione di aziende manifatturiere. Infine, il modello è stato tradotto in un framework strutturato di variabili misurabili valutate attraverso il caso studio sviluppato in Bosch VHIT S.p.A. Risultati - I risultati di questa ricerca includono (1) la definizione del modello di maturità per il ciclo di apprendimento della catena di approvvigionamento e (2) il ruolo delle Soft practices nel superamento delle barriere di CI e nella promozione del ciclo di apprendimento della Supply Chain. Implicazioni teoriche e pratiche - Mentre l'approccio di costruzione della teoria rende i risultati particolarmente rilevanti dal punto di vista del contributo teorico, questa ricerca ha lo scopo finale di rivolgersi ai professionisti e alle aziende del mondo reale. La nostra tesi dimostra che le aziende dovrebbero aprire i propri confini in modo collaborativo agli attori a monte della Supply Chain, in modo da raggiungere migliori risultati da un contesto Lean Supply Chain. Inoltre, lo sviluppo di Soft practices da parte dei dipendenti sia dell’azienda che dei fornitori, facilita la diffusione di una cultura del miglioramento continuo entro i confini della catena di fornitura. Limitazioni e ricerche future - Gli strumenti e le tecniche Lean sono fondamentali per il supporto delle attività di Lean Manufacturing. Pertanto, ricerche future potrebbero approfondire il ruolo degli strumenti Lean nella promozione dello sviluppo del ciclo di apprendimento attraverso le diverse fasi del nostro modello. Inoltre, sarebbe interessante analizzare applicazioni del modello identificato verso gli attori a valle della Supply Chain, come i clienti finali dell'azienda.
Lean manufacturing and sustainable continuous improvement : fostering supply chain learning cycle through soft practices
BERGONZI, ANNALISA;PATTO, SARA
2018/2019
Abstract
Purpose, originality and value – The outstanding literature provides evidence that despite the initial gains, in terms of performances improvement, coming from the implementation of the most common and known Lean tools and techniques, companies struggle to continuously improve and eventually move back to their pre-Lean condition. This research aims at investigating the meaning of Supply Chain Learning Cycle by proposing the adoption of Soft Skills Management practices to establish a Continuous Improvement culture. Design, methodology and approach – A multi-step process has been followed, starting from a literature review which allowed to identify the gaps and determine the variables of the model to apply. Then, the goodness of the structural model has been tested through interviews with experts from academic and industrial world and through questionnaire submitted to a sample of manufacturing companies. Finally, we translated it into a structural model of measurable variables, which have been assessed through case study developed in Bosch VHIT S.p.A. Findings – The output of this research includes (1) the definition of maturity model for Supply Chain Learning Cycle and (2) the role and impact of Soft practices in overcoming Continuous Improvement barriers and in fostering Supply Chain Learning Cycle. Practical and managerial implications – While the theory building approach makes the findings particularly relevant from a theoretical contribution perspective, this research has the final purpose to address practitioners and real-world companies. Our dissertation shows evidence that companies should open their boundaries in a collaborative way with the upstream actors of the Supply Chain, so that they can exploit more valuable external gains from a Lean Supply Chain context. In addition to that, developing Soft practices and skills by the company and supplier employees facilitates the spread of a Continuous Improvement culture within the Supply Chain boundaries. Limits and future research – Lean tools and techniques are fundamental for the support of Lean Manufacturing activities. Therefore, future research should deepen the study about the roles of Lean instruments in fostering Learning Cycle development across the different stages of our model. Moreover, it would be interesting to analyse the Learning Cycle development process in respect to the downstream actors of the chain, like the final customers of the company.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2019_12_Bergonzi_Patto.pdf
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/150856