A framework for implementing sustainable lean manufacturing in the electrical and electronics component manufacturing industry: An emerging economies country perspective

The survival of the manufacturing industry has been faced with multiple challenges due to changing stakeholder requirements, global competition and pressure to integrate sustainability practices. Lean manufacturing has proven positive relevance in enhancing the sustainability and operational economic performance of manufacturing industries by eliminating the non-value added operations. The growth of the Even with the rapidly growth Electrical and Electronics Component Manufacturing (EECM) is experiencing, its sustainability performance has remained an unexplored avenue. In this context, the present study aims to examine the 'critical success factors (CSFs)' for implementing sustainable lean manufacturing (SLM) in the Indian EECM organization through a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making technique. A total of 40 CSFs representing Management, Workforce, Operational and Knowledge factors were collected through extant literature and expert opinion. The collected factors were shortlisted using 'Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS)' method based on their ease of collecting data. The findings provided 20 CSFs under management, workforce, operational, and knowledge criteria, which will facilitate the EECM organization for implementing SLM. The shortlisted CSFs were prioritized using Best-Worst Method (BWM) to identify the most crucial CSF. "Top-management commitment", "internal expertise" and "employee involvement" were identified to be the top three CSFs. Involvement of top-management was found to have direct impact on working culture and competitive advantage of the organization over the competitors.