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Driving Sustainable Operations: Aligning Lean Six Sigma Practices with Sustainability Goals

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Sustainability is gaining relevance across organizations, yet significant challenges remain in how it is implemented and translated into daily operations. This paper examines how Lean Six Sigma can be used to address operational challenges while also supporting the integration of sustainability objectives in industrial contexts. The study is based on a project conducted in a fish processing plant, aiming to increase production capacity and reduce delays. Using the DMAIC framework, the team addressed key bottlenecks through demand-based workload leveling, earlier production planning, and targeted maintenance to improve equipment performance. These actions led to measurable gains in throughput, resource use, and schedule reliability. In parallel, they contributed to sustainability outcomes, including reduced rework, lower waste, and improved working conditions. The results suggest that Lean Six Sigma, typically focused on performance, can also act as a platform for embedding sustainability into existing routines. The findings offer insight into how performance-driven approaches can support sustainability transitions in process-intensive industries.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17198898

Authors: Pedro Marques, Lígia Conceição, André M. Carvalho, João Reis

Institutions: Universidade Lusófona, Universidade do Porto, Universidade Politécnica de Setúbal, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Language: English

Topic: Quality and Supply Management

Subfield: Management Information Systems

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896