Abstract
Warehouses usually include a number of non-value-added activities that increase costs, so they are a suitable field for applying Lean Thinking. In fact, Lean Warehousing has recently established as a promising research topic. However, most of the available contributions lack a practical though generalizable and theoretically relevant approach. Additionally, Lean is currently not enough explored as a preliminary effort to pave the way for a smooth application of Industry 4.0, neither in manufacturing nor in logistics. Inspired by Desing Science Research, the present work develops a structured process for implementing Lean Warehousing aimed at fostering continuous improvement to facilitate the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies. To this end, multiple Lean tools, such as Value Stream Mapping, Spaghetti Chart, 5W+1H, and 5S analysis, are integrated. The application to a warehouse in the food industry is illustrated. Future research will focus on carrying out a complete validation. Moreover, performance measurement through a set of warehouse Key Performance Indicators will be introduced to assess both wastes and the associated improvements after implementing the appropriate corrective actions.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Jasti, N.V.K., Kurra, S.: An empirical investigation on lean supply chain management frameworks in Indian manufacturing industry. Int. J. Product. Perform. Manag. 66, 699–723 (2017)
Buonamico, N., Muller, L., Camargo, M.: A new fuzzy logic-based metric to measure lean warehousing performance. In: Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal. pp. 96–111. Taylor & Francis (2017)
Arif-Uz-Zaman, K., Nazmul Ahsan, A.M.M.: Lean supply chain performance measurement. Int. J. Product. Perform. Manag. 63, 588–612 (2014)
Librelato, T.P., Lacerda, D.P., Rodrigues, L.H., Veit, D.R.: A process improvement approach based on the value stream mapping and the theory of constraints thinking process. Bus. Process Manag. J. 20, 922–949 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-07-2013-0098
Kembro, J.H., Norrman, A., Eriksson, E.: Adapting warehouse operations and design to omni-channel logistics: a literature review and research agenda. Int. J. Phys. Distrib. Logist. Manag. 48, 890–912 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-01-2017-0052
Dotoli, M., Epicoco, N., Falagario, M., Costantino, N., Turchiano, B.: An integrated approach for warehouse analysis and optimization: a case study. Comput. Ind. 70, 56–69 (2015)
Shah, B., Khanzode, V.: Designing a lean storage allocation policy for non-uniform unit loads in a forward-reserve model: an enterprise information management with an e-decision support system. J. Enterp. Inf. Manag. 31, 112–145 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-01-2017-0018
Sharma, S., Shah, B.: Towards lean warehouse: transformation and assessment using RTD and ANP. Int. J. Product. Perform. Manag. 65, 571–599 (2016)
Abhishek, P.G., Pratap, M.: Achieving lean warehousing through value stream mapping. South Asian J. Bus. Manag. Cases. 9, 387–401 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1177/2277977920958551
Raghuram, P., Arjunan, M.K.: Design framework for a lean warehouse – a case study-based approach. Int. J. Product. Perform. Manag. 71, 2410–2431 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-12-2020-0668
Abushaikha, I., Salhieh, L., Towers, N.: Improving distribution and business performance through lean warehousing. Int. J. Retail Distrib. Manag. 46, 780–800 (2018)
Mahdavisharif, M., Cagliano, A.C., Rafele, C.: Investigating the integration of Industry 4.0 and lean principles on supply chain: a multi-perspective systematic literature review. Appl. Sci. 12 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020586
Frecassetti, S., Ferrazzi, M., Portioli-Staudacher, A.: Lean as a Facilitator for AGVs Implementation: A Case Study (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25741-4_10
Tortorella, G.L., Miorando, R., Tlapa, D.: Implementation of lean supply chain: an empirical research on the effect of context. TQM J. 29, 610–623 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-11-2016-0102
van Aken, J., Chandrasekaran, A., Halman, J.: Conducting and publishing design science research: inaugural essay of the design science department of the Journal of Operations Management. J. Oper. Manag. 47–48, 1–8 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2016.06.004
Romme, A.G.L., Holmström, J.: From theories to tools: calling for research on technological innovation informed by design science. Technovation. 121 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2023.102692
Simon, H.A.: The Sciences of the Artificial. 3rd (1996)
Ramirez, C., Neuenfeldt, A.L., Siluk, J.C., de Ataíde, L.: A literature overview about warehouse management. Int. J. Logist. Syst. Manag. 42, 153–175 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLSM.2022.124184
Kolinski, A., Sliwczynski, B.: Evaluation problem and assessment method of warehouse process efficiency. In: Proceedings of the 15th International Scientific Conference Business Logistics in Modern Management, October 15, 2015, pp. 175–188. Osijek, Croatia (2015)
Ohno, T.: Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production. Productivity Press, New York (1988)
Salhieh, L., Altarazi, S., Abushaikha, I.: Quantifying and ranking the “7-Deadly” Wastes in a warehouse environment. TQM J. 31, 94–115 (2019)
Aksütoğlu, A., Bıkmaz, E., Sırkıntı, N.E., Pala, M.Ö., Ekinci, E.: Lean Warehouse Application in a Meat Producer Company (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62784-3_76
Anton, A., Roque, M., Ramos, E.: Lean warehousing model to improve the order fulfillment in a metalworking company. In: ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, pp. 90–95 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1145/3568834.3568881
Abideen, A., Mohamad, F.B.: Improving the performance of a Malaysian pharmaceutical warehouse supply chain by integrating value stream mapping and discrete event simulation. J. Model. Manag. 16, 70–102 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1108/JM2-07-2019-0159
Adeodu, A., Maladzhi, R., Kana-Kana Katumba, M.G., Daniyan, I.: Development of an improvement framework for warehouse processes using lean six sigma (DMAIC) approach. A case of third party logistics (3PL) services. Heliyon. 9 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14915
Rossini, M., Costa, F., Tortorella, G.L., Portioli-Staudacher, A.: The interrelation between Industry 4.0 and lean production: an empirical study on European manufacturers. Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol. 102, 3963–3976 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03441-7
Buer, S.-V., Strandhagen, J.O., Chan, F.T.S.: The link between industry 4.0 and lean manufacturing: mapping current research and establishing a research agenda. Int. J. Prod. Res. 56, 2924–2940 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1442945
Núñez-Merino, M., Maqueira-Marín, J.M., Moyano-Fuentes, J., Martínez-Jurado, P.J.: Information and digital technologies of Industry 4.0 and Lean supply chain management: a systematic literature review. Int. J. Prod. Res. 58, 5034–5061 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2020.1743896
Holmström, J., Ketokivi, M., Hameri, A.-P.: Bridging practice and theory: a design science approach. Decis. Sci. 40, 65–87 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5915.2008.00221.x
Mustafa, M.S., Cagliano, A.C., Rafele, C.: A proposed framework for lean warehousing. Pioneer. Solut. Supply Chain Perform. Manag. Concepts, Technol. Appl. 137–149 (2013)
Cagliano, A.C., Grimaldi, S., Schenone, M.: Proposing a new framework for lean warehousing: first experimental validations. In: Proceedings of the Summer School Francesco Turco (2018)
Bait, S., Di Pietro, A., Schiraldi, M.M.: Waste reduction in production processes through simulation and VSM. Sustainability. 12, 3291 (2020)
Al-Zubaidi, S.Q.D., Coli, E., Fantoni, G.: Automating production process data acquisition towards spaghetti chart 4.0. Int. J. Ind. Eng. Manag. 13, 145–157 (2022). https://doi.org/10.24867/IJIEM-2022-3-308
Petrillo, A., De Felice, F., Zomparelli, F.: Performance measurement for world-class manufacturing: a model for the Italian automotive industry. Total Qual. Manag. Bus. Excell. 30, 908–935 (2019)
Chen, J.C., Cheng, C.-H., Huang, P.B., Wang, K.-J., Huang, C.-J., Ting, T.-C.: Warehouse management with lean and RFID application: a case study. Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol. 69, 531–542 (2013)
Dresch, A., Lacerda, D.P., Cauchick-Miguel, P.A.: Design science in operations management: conceptual foundations and literature analysis. Brazilian J. Oper. Prod. Manag. 16, 333–346 (2019). https://doi.org/10.14488/BJOPM.2019.v16.n2.a13
Su, S.-L.I., Fan, X., Shou, Y.: A design science-based case study of retail chain delivery operations and its implications. Int. J. Phys. Distrib. Logist. Manag. 51, 212–235 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-11-2019-0352
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing
About this paper
Cite this paper
Cagliano, A.C., Zenezini, G., Rafele, C., Grimaldi, S., Mangano, G. (2023). A Design Science – Informed Process for Lean Warehousing Implementation. In: Alfnes, E., Romsdal, A., Strandhagen, J.O., von Cieminski, G., Romero, D. (eds) Advances in Production Management Systems. Production Management Systems for Responsible Manufacturing, Service, and Logistics Futures. APMS 2023. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 689. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43662-8_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43662-8_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-43661-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-43662-8
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)