The Path to Sustainable Lean Implementation: A Case Study in Automotive Industry

Implementing lean manufacturing (LM) contributes to achieving sustainability in manufacturing, thereby facilitating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, despite its benefits, many manufacturers struggle to sustain LM implementation, highlighting the challenges in sustaining its practices over time, with only a few firms ultimately succeeding. This study aims to undertake an in-depth investigation of the failure factors of automotive manufacturers to sustain LM implementation and identify potential strategies to overcome these challenges. The research employs a qualitative method, utilizing primary data collection of in-depth interviews and purposeful sampling. The selection criteria for participating organizations and informants aim to ensure deeper insights into LM. Data saturation is achieved through six interview sessions, facilitated by a structured interview protocol. Analysis of the data was conducted using ATLAS.ti software to identify patterns and relationships, ensuring robust findings. The findings highlight several key factors for sustaining LM, including technological integration, effective leadership, culture, internal collaboration, resource management, knowledge management, and supplier management. The present study contributes to the current knowledge of the sustainable LM model through the linkages of various critical factors. Moreover, the framework highlights the necessity of implementing each of the factors holistically and integrating them to establish a robust foundation for sustained LM implementation.