Evaluating the applicability of lean manufacturing in process industries

This paper presents results from an empirical study of the adoption of lean practices in process industry (PI) organizations. Despite the successful results of lean manufacturing in discrete manufacturing, the adoption and implementation of lean approaches in the PI has in general been much slower and is less well understood. This study collected data from 32 PI organizations using a close-ended survey questionnaire distributed through four professional societies. The study results provide preliminary support for decision aids that will guide future researchers and practitioners in selecting which wastes and lean tools may have most impact for a given PI.