IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i19p8898-d1766087.html

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

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro Marques

    (Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty of Engineering, Lusófona University, Campo Grande, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
    RCM2+ Research Centre for Asset Management and Systems Engineering, Lusófona University, Campo Grande, 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Lígia Conceição

    (School of Business Administration, Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, 2914-504 Setúbal, Portugal
    LIACC–Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Laboratory, Department of Informatics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • André M. Carvalho

    (UNIDEMI—Research and Development Unit for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
    Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes—LASI, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • João Reis

    (Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty of Engineering, Lusófona University, Campo Grande, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
    RCM2+ Research Centre for Asset Management and Systems Engineering, Lusófona University, Campo Grande, 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Marques & Lígia Conceição & André M. Carvalho & João Reis, 2025. "Driving Sustainable Operations: Aligning Lean Six Sigma Practices with Sustainability Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8898-:d:1766087
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8898/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8898/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pedro Alexandre Marques & André M. Carvalho & José Oliveira Santos, 2021. "Improving Operational and Sustainability Performance in a Retail Fresh Food Market Using Lean: A Portuguese Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Fu-Kwun Wang & Benedictus Rahardjo & Pol Rifa Rovira, 2022. "Lean Six Sigma with Value Stream Mapping in Industry 4.0 for Human-Centered Workstation Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-19, September.
    3. Buisman, M.E. & Haijema, R. & Bloemhof-Ruwaard, J.M., 2019. "Discounting and dynamic shelf life to reduce fresh food waste at retailers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 274-284.
    4. Scherrer-Rathje, Maike & Boyle, Todd A. & Deflorin, Patricia, 2009. "Lean, take two! Reflections from the second attempt at lean implementation," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 79-88.
    5. Simons, David & Taylor, David, 2007. "Lean thinking in the UK red meat industry: A systems and contingency approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(1), pages 70-81, March.
    6. Sabrina Arcuri, 2019. "Food poverty, food waste and the consensus frame on charitable food redistribution in Italy," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 36(2), pages 263-275, June.
    7. Joshua D. Lohnes, 2021. "Regulating surplus: charity and the legal geographies of food waste enclosure," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(2), pages 351-363, June.
    8. Nurul Najihah Azalanzazllay & Sarina Abdul Halim Lim & Ungku Fatimah Ungku Zainal Abidin & Cherrafi Anass, 2022. "Uncovering Readiness Factors Influencing the Lean Six Sigma Pre-Implementation Phase in the Food Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-20, July.
    9. Carla M. A. Pinto & Jorge Mendonça & Lurdes Babo & Francisco J. G. Silva & José L. R. Fernandes, 2022. "Analyzing the Implementation of Lean Methodologies and Practices in the Portuguese Industry: A Survey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-24, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Katharine S. E. Cresswell Riol & Sean Connelly, 2023. "Beyond a neoliberal critique of hunger: a genealogy of food charity in Aotearoa New Zealand," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(3), pages 1221-1238, September.
    2. Giulia Bartezzaghi & Stefano Quaglia & Paola Garrone, 2026. "How do cross-sector partnerships enable the participation of small retailers in urban food recovery and redistribution? Evidence from Italian cities," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 43(1), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Filippo Oncini, 2021. "Food support provision in COVID-19 times: a mixed method study based in Greater Manchester," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(4), pages 1201-1213, December.
    4. Catherine Maware & David M. Parsley, 2022. "The Challenges of Lean Transformation and Implementation in the Manufacturing Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-24, May.
    5. Logandran Naidoo & Ziska Fields, 2019. "Knowledge and Experience of Lean Thinking Amongst Senior Health Care Managers in Selected South African Public Hospitals," SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, University of Piraeus, vol. 69(4), pages 21-37, October-D.
    6. Joshua D. Lohnes, 2021. "Regulating surplus: charity and the legal geographies of food waste enclosure," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(2), pages 351-363, June.
    7. Thomas Nelson Akhalumeh & Mathias Ekpu & Anthony Mwutor Atsu & Friday Ukrakpo & Peter Osame, 2026. "Analysis of the Impact of Lean Principles on the U-Bolt and Nut Manufacturing Processes," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), vol. 11(3), pages 503-519, March.
    8. Benedetti, Ilaria & Crescenzi, Federico & Laureti, Tiziana & Secondi, Luca, 2024. "Adopting the fuzzy approach to analyze food poverty in Italy: A study on vulnerable households using household budget survey data," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    9. Mariarosaria Lombardi & Marco Costantino, 2021. "A Hierarchical Pyramid for Food Waste Based on a Social Innovation Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.
    10. Rodrigo F. Herrera & Claudio Mourgues & Luis Fernando Alarcón & Eugenio Pellicer, 2019. "An Assessment of Lean Design Management Practices in Construction Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-19, December.
    11. Qing Huan & Niu ZhanWen, 2018. "Knowledge management in consultancy involved LPS implementation projects via social media," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 89-107, March.
    12. Bortolotti, Thomas & Romano, Pietro & Martínez-Jurado, Pedro José & Moyano-Fuentes, José, 2016. "Towards a theory for lean implementation in supply networks," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 182-196.
    13. Balogh, Peter & Ertsey, Imre & Fenyves, Veronika & Nagy, Lajos, 2009. "Analysis and optimization regarding the activity of a Hungarian Pig Sales and Purchase Cooperation," Studies in Agricultural Economics, Research Institute for Agricultural Economics, vol. 109, pages 1-19, April.
    14. Kabadurmus, Ozgur & Kayikci, Yaşanur & Demir, Sercan & Koc, Basar, 2023. "A data-driven decision support system with smart packaging in grocery store supply chains during outbreaks," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    15. Rohit Kumar Singh & Sachin Modgil, 2023. "Assessment of Lean Supply Chain Practices in Indian Automotive Industry," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 24(1), pages 68-105, February.
    16. Adam Pine, 2023. "Ambient struggling: food, chronic disease, and spatial isolation among the urban poor," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(3), pages 1105-1116, September.
    17. Dag Øivind Madsen & Terje Berg & Tonny Stenheim & Janne Vagnild Moum & Inger Overland Bordewich & Maria Storsveen, 2019. "The Long-term Sustainability of Lean as a Management Practice: Survey Evidence on Diffusion and Use of the Concept in Norway in the Period 2015–2017," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, June.
    18. Lambie-Mumford, Hannah & Kennedy, Kelli, 2025. "Commercial determinants of health: A new framework for studying relationships between food corporations and food charities in the UK," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 366(C).
    19. Beullens, Patrick & Ghiami, Yousef, 2022. "Waste reduction in the supply chain of a deteriorating food item – Impact of supply structure on retailer performance," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(3), pages 1017-1034.
    20. Santos, Maria João & Martins, Sara & Amorim, Pedro & Almada-Lobo, Bernardo, 2022. "On the impact of adjusting the minimum life on receipt (MLOR) criterion in food supply chains," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8898-:d:1766087. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.