Susana Duarte

Lean and green have moved from a trend to a business imperative to improve the supply chain. This research aims to focus on providing the basic mechanisms for a lean-green business model implementation. Based on standardized management business models, several {"}near common{"} categories were defined as key criteria for lean-green supply chain implementation including leadership, people, strategic planning, stakeholders, processes and results. The fundamental research question is how lean-green supply chain can be integrated in and compatible, using initiatives that support both, a lean and a green approach, in all selected categories. To attain the paper objective, in a first stage, a conceptual framework was proposed to define the lean-green initiatives. In a second stage, multiple case studies in automotive supply chain were performed to test qualitatively the validity of the proposed conceptual framework, testing how these initiatives are being implemented in real world. From the case study, a model is suggested, which involves a roadmap to achieve a successful lean-green implementation. The proposed model can be the basis for further research in lean-green supply chain contributing to understand in which moment the lean and green initiatives should be relevant.

Going lean and green is a trend that identifies new business opportunities for organizational improvement and for competitiveness. Besides, there are quality awards to assist organizations to improve their performance among them the Shingo Prize, the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award, the European Foundation for Quality Management. The aim of this study is to develop a conceptual framework for lean and green business organizations. To attain the paper objective in a first stage a comparison between quality awards is developed to provide a comprehensive understanding of each framework and to explore how they assist to modeling a lean and green organization. After defining lean and green management approaches, it seeks to cross-reference between the awards frameworks and lean and green culture; a number of assessment guidelines and criteria were designed to connect and integrate lean and green principles and tools. It is proposed seven different criteria and respective criterion score to assess a lean-green business organization.

Purpose - This paper aims to explore the divergences and commitments between the lean, agile, resilient and green paradigms while investigating the effect of paradigms’ practices within supply chain attributes. Design/methodology/approach - A conceptual model with lean, agile, resilient and green practices and supply chain management attributes is proposed. Causal diagrams were used to represent the relationships between paradigm practices and supply chain attributes. The four diagrams were aggregated to build the conceptual model. Findings - The conceptual model allows for the identification of synergies and divergences resulting from the paradigms practices implementation. The synergies between paradigms are related to “information frequency” and “integration level” increasing as well as reduction of “production lead time” and “transportation lead time”. However, other supply chain attributes such as “capacity surplus”, “inventory level” and “replenishment frequency” are affected in opposite directions by some paradigms creating divergences. Research limitations/implications - The model relationships were established using an anecdotal approach derived from the literature review, reflecting only a partial view of supply chain dynamics. More research related to other supply chain attributes and/or paradigm practices, and validation of the proposed relationships is suggested. Practical implications - The proposed model can be the basis for further research in lean, agile, resilient and green paradigms, contributing to a more sustainable and competitive lean supply chain with the necessary agility toward a quick response, resiliency to disruptions, and harmonization with the ecologic and environmental aspects. Originality/value - To the authors’ knowledge this paper is the first to provide an understanding about the tradeoffs among lean, agile, resilient and green supply chain paradigms.