Development of index for measuring leanness: study of an Indian auto component industry

摘要

Purpose-The extant literature fails to provide an efficient method to measure leanness of anyrnmanufacturing firm. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of leanness and to provide anrnefficient measurement method for measuring leanness.rnDesign/methodology/approach-Measurement method is based on the judgment and evaluationrngiven by leanness measurement team (LMT) on various leanness parameters such as supplier's issues,rninvestment priorities, Lean practices, and various waste addressed by lean and customers' issues.rnFurther fuzzy set theory is introduced to remove the bias of human judgment and finally defuzzification isrndone and results are presented in the form of leanness index.rnFindings-Leanness indices have been developed and presented separately on 100 points scale forrnall parameters of leanness i.e. Ll_(supplier)= 47.98, Ll_(investment)= 50.66,Ll_(practlces) = 58.38, Ll_(Waste) = 60.01,rnLl_(Customers)= 47.1.rnResearch limitations/implications-This leanness measurement method used the views of expertsrnand may contain human judgment error.rnPractical implications-It will be helpful to both academician and practitioners as an assessment toolrnfor evaluation of lean status of any industry utilized.rnOriginality/value-Leanness measurement method based on judgment of experts is used first time forrnevaluation of leanness.