Open this publication in new window or tab >>2024 (English)In: Technological Sustainability, ISSN 2754-1312Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]
Purpose
Both technological and human-centric perspectives need to be acknowledged when combining lean production practices and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. This study aims to explore and explain how lean production practices and I4.0 technologies may coexist to enhance the human-centric perspective of manufacturing operations in the era of Industry 5.0 (I5.0).
Design/methodology/approach
The research approach is an explorative and longitudinal case study. The qualitative data collection encompasses respondents from different job functions and organizational levels to cover the entire organization. In total, 18 interviews with 19 interviewees and five focus groups with a total of 25 participants are included.
Findings
Identified challenges bring forth that manufacturing organizations must have the ability to see beyond lean production philosophy and I4.0 to meet the demand for a human-centric perspective in socially sustainable manufacturing in the era of Industry 5.0.
Practical implications
The study suggests that while lean production practices and I4.0 practices may be considered separately, they need to be integrated as complementary approaches. This underscores the complexity of managing simultaneous organizational changes and new digital initiatives.
Social implications
The research presented illuminates the elusive phenomena comprising the combined aspects of a human-centric perspective, specifically bringing forth implications for the co-existence of lean production practices and I4.0 technologies, in the transformation towards I5.0.
Originality/value
The study contributes to new avenues of research within the field of socially sustainable manufacturing. The study provides an in-depth analysis of the human-centric perspective when transforming organizations towards Industry 5.0.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2024
Keywords
Social sustainability, Lean production practices, Industry 4.0 technologies, Industry 5.0, Human-centric, Manufacturing management
National Category
Manufacturing, Surface and Joining Technology
Research subject
Production Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hv:diva-21489 (URN)10.1108/techs-11-2023-0049 (DOI)2-s2.0-85189979620 (Scopus ID)
Note
The study was carried out within the AHIL-project, Artificial and Human Intelligence through Learning (2020–2022), and funded by the Swedish Knowledge Foundation and University West Sweden and University West funding (2023).
CC BY 4.0
2024-05-232024-05-232024-05-23