The rapid rate of increase in competition among the manufacturing industries has caused many organizations to continuously seek improvement in the quality of the products they manufacture to meet and exceed customer expectations. Organizations are under pressure to minimize the production costs to offer competitive prices for their products. The success story of Toyota Motor Company in implementing Lean Manufacturing (LM) has inspired many organizations around the world to adopt LM in order to improve their operational performance. There are, however, mixed results on the impact of LM on operational performance. Some studies have shown that its implementation increases operational performance while others have shown little to no improvement or even negative results. Institutional and contingency theories may provide insight into some of these contradictions and give a perception of why the implementation of LM has yielded different results on operational performance. The institutional theory states that organizations mimic the actions and practices of other organizations because of the pressure to remain competitive. Organizations in the developing countries also seem to have been imitating the Toyota Motor company that has been successful in implementing LM. On the other hand, the contingency theory states that corporations are organized according to external situations. Related to the contingency theory is the effect of Industry Clockspeed (IC). Some industries are transforming at a high speed while others are transforming at a low speed. The high IC industries are characterized by the quick development and release of new products, shorter development time and frequent changes in organizational structures. Low IC industries, however, manufacture products with a long life cycle, thus the products, processes and organizational structures for these industries change only after a long period. This study opines that the environment under which an organisation operates may affect the results of LM implementation process. The research was conducted in three parts and each of these parts is presented as chapters in this thesis. The first part (Chapter 4) gives a review and classifies the impact measurement models that have been used by various researchers to measure the success of implementing LM. These models can be classified as quantitative, qualitative, simulation-based and graphical measurement models. Pareto analysis is used to select the type of measurement model and Lean practices that are frequently used by researchers to develop Lean measurement models. The qualitative measurement model was preferred for evaluating the effect of implementing LM on operational performance because of its ability to use question structures that allow qualitative data collection for a rich analysis of opinion. With a proper structure, the questionnaire items can also be parsed and analyzed quantitatively with modern statistical techniques like Structural Equation Modelling. The Lean practices selected were Just In Time (JIT), Jidoka, People integration and Stability and standardization for building the model. This part concludes by developing a structural model that can be used to measure the impact of Lean implementation in industry, using Zimbabwean industry data. The second part (Chapter 5) evaluates the effect of implementing LM tools on operational performance across various industries in Zimbabwe. The major goal of this chapter was to develop an operational model (based on the lead from chapter 4) and test it in manufacturing organizations across various industries. A structured survey questionnaire was used for the collection of data in identified companies and 214 useful responses were obtained. The results of the study indicated that operational performance was improved by implementing the selected LM tools. The performance improvement variables that were significantly influenced were speed, flexibility and dependability. The third part (Chapter 6) analyzed the moderation effect of IC on the relationship between LM tools and operational performance. The industries grouped under low IC were pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, steel, automobile, timber production, battery, chemical and plastics. The high IC industries were food, beverage, electronics and garment. A structural equation model was proposed and investigated across the two groups. A structured survey questionnaire was used to collect empirical data from manufacturing companies. The data obtained from the responses was analysed using Smart PLS 3 and SPSS version 25. The results of the study showed that IC had a moderating effect on the relationship between LM practices and operational performance for both low and high IC industries. The last chapter summarises the findings, made recommendations and proposes directions for further research. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) / Industrial and Systems Engineering / PhD / Unrestricted

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Sammanfattning  Konceptet ”Lean” grundar sig på Toyotas produktionssystem ”Toyota production system” (TPS) som består av ett antal olika principer, filosofier och metoder som syftar till att uppnå högre effektivitet inom verksamheten. Inom Lean talar man om förekomst av slöseri som hindrar företag från att uppnå deras yttersta potential av effektivitet. Genom att minska slöseri ökar produktiviteten samt effektiviteten inom företaget. Det finns flera olika Lean-verktyg för att bekämpa slöseri. Den här studien grundar sig på Lean-verktyget 5S som används för att sortera, strukturera, städa, standardisera och skapa vana. Inom lagerhantering, där noggrannhet är av stor vikt, är 5S ett effektivt verktyg för att standardisera och skapa vana för att uppnå produktivitets- och effektivitetsförbättringar. Den här studien är utformad som en longitudinell fallstudie för att kunna jämföra samband över en längre tidsperiod, som dels grundar sig på en förstudie som genomfördes under perioden 220523–220831. Men även intervjuer och observationer som genomfördes i den aktuella studien som genomförs nu ett år senare. Förstudien utgjorde uppstarten av ett 5S förändringsarbete på ett företag som är verksamt inom ståltillverkningsindustrin och där avsikten med förstudien var att initiera starten på ett arbete med de tre första ”S:en” i 5S. Den aktuella studien syftade till att undersöka hur det förhöll sig med efterlevnadsgraden av de sista två ”S:en” i 5S inom det aktuella företaget som studerades.   Det övergripande syftet med studien har varit att öka förståelsen för de möjliga, långsiktiga positiva effekter ett 5S förändringsarbete och dess efterlevnad skulle kunna medföra. Följande frågeställningar har undersökts genom insamling av data från intervjuer och observationer som därefter har analyserats och diskuteras utifrån relevanta teorier och modeller inom det studerade området.   ·       Hur kan långsiktiga effekter bevaras efter ett 5S förändringsarbete? ·       Vilka faktorer kan vara påverkande för efterlevnaden av ett 5S förändringsarbete? Man skulle kunna påstå att grunderna för ett lyckat 5S förändringsarbete läggs redan vid starten av förändringsarbetet för att kunna uppnå de långsiktiga effekterna och för att de skall kunna bevaras behöver företagets ledning utbilda och träna medarbetarna på 5S. Det förutsätter också att ledningen visar engagemang och ger det stöd som förändringsarbetet förutsätter. Vidare är det också av stor vikt att även de berörda medarbetarna aktivt deltar i förändringsarbetet med 5S för att uppnå en så god förståelse som möjligt. Genom att etablera en tydlig ansvarsfördelning och tydliggöra roller samt förväntningar skapas en arbetsplats med tydliga avgränsningar, samtidigt som arbetsplatser där 5S inte efterlevs blir identifierade och åskådliggjorda. Sammanfattningsvis är de tre främsta faktorerna som den aktuella studien har lyckats identifiera för att effekterna av ett 5S förändringsarbete skall komma att efterlevas engagemang, tid och ledarskap.  Nyckelord: 5S, Lean, Toyota production system, Lean verktyg, sju slöserier, stress och tidsbrist.

Syftet med detta arbete är att få en bättre förståelse av vad Lean Production innebär, med dess ingående grunder såsom Toyota Production System (TPS), samt hur det implementeras rent praktiskt i industrin, där teorin bakom Lean Production sätts i verksamhet. Lean Production är en filosofi där man arbetar för att uppnå en så resurseffektiv produktion som möjligt, genom att bland annat minska på olika former av slöseri. För att gränsa av arbetets omfång, undersöks specifikt Scanias motoravdelning och hur deras implementering av Lean Production och tolkning av Toyota Production System ser ut. Arbetet utfördes både som en litteraturstudie, med vetenskapliga källor från KTH:s databas och litteratur inom Lean Production och Toyota Production, och fältstudie i form av en intervju med en anställd inom motoravdelningen på Scania, rundtur i produktionen samt föreläsning om Scania Production System (SPS). Toyota är grundaren bakom Toyota Production System, där de utvecklat ett unikt system som ger resultat i form av kvalité och effektivitet. Från att vara ett litet företag utvecklades de till värdens största bilproducent och är en av de främsta anledningarna varför Lean och TPS uppmärksammats så pass mycket. Toyota har 14 principer som berör deras filosofi, människor, processer och problemlösning där dessa principer anses vara till nytta för företag som söker att utveckla sitt företag, både inom service och tillverkning. Lean Production är en filosofi som härstammar från TPS, där man i huvudsak fokuserar på att eliminera sju olika typer av slöseri och istället tillföra mer värde till kunden. Resultatet av detta arbete har genererat en helhetsbild av vad Lean Production och dess grunder är och hur det implementerats i Scanias motoravdelning, där de utvecklat ett eget produktionssystem SPS, modulsystemet och individhanteringen. I SPS återfinns många av de begrepp som diskuteras i TPS och Lean Production och är också den väsentliga likheten mellan dessa tre produktionssystem. Det som skiljer Scania från TPS och Lean Production är främst individhanteringen och modultänket. Slutsatsen att Scania har en bättre anpassning efter Lean än vi tidigare trott och att deras arbete stämmer väl överens med vad Lean Production är idag. / The purpose of this work is to gain a better understanding of what Lean Production entails, with its basic foundations such as the Toyota Production System (TPS), and how it is implemented practically in the industry, where the theory behind Lean Production is put into operation. Lean Production is a philosophy in which you work to achieve as resourceefficient production as possible, by among other things reducing various forms of waste. To limit the scope of the work, Scania's engine department is specifically investigated and how their implementation of Lean Production and interpretation of the Toyota Production System looks. The work was carried out both as a literature study, with scientific sources from KTH's database and literature within Lean Production and Toyota Production, and field study in the form of an interview with an employee in the engine department at Scania, a tour of the production and a lecture on the Scania Production System. Toyota is the founder of the Toyota Production System, where they developed a unique system that gives results in terms of quality and efficiency. From being a small company, they were developed into the world's largest car manufacturer and are one of the main reasons why Lean and TPS were noticed. Toyota has 14 principles that address their philosophy, people, processes and problem solving, where these principles are of benefitial to companies seeking to develop their business, both in service and manufacturing. Lean Production is a philosophy that originates from TPS, where it mainly focuses on eliminating seven different types of waste and instead adding more value to the customer. The result of this work has generated an overall picture of what Lean Production and its foundations are and how it has been implemented in Scania's engine department, where they developed their own production system SPS, the modular system and individual management. In the SPS, many of the concepts discussed in TPS and Lean Production are found and are also the main similarity between these three production systems. What distinguishes Scania from TPS and Lean Production is primarily individual management and the modular thinking. The conclusion is that Scania is better adapted to Lean than we previously thought and that their work fits well with what Lean Production is today.

Lean is a business philosophy focused on shortening lead times by removing waste and concentrating on value-added processes. When implemented successfully, it not only allows for cost reduction while improving quality, but it can also position a company to achieve tremendous growth. The problem is that though many companies are attempting to implement lean, it is estimated that only 2-3% are achieving the desired level of success. The purpose of this research is to identify the key interrelated components of successful lean transformation. To this end, a thorough literature review was conducted and the findings indicate six key constructs that can act as enablers or inhibitors to implementing and sustaining lean. A theoretical framework was developed that integrates these constructs and develops research propositions for each. A multiple-case study analysis then was used to test the framework on four companies that have achieved successful, sustained results from their lean implementation in order to validate the model. The resulting model provides companies who are planning to implement lean with tangible actions that can be taken to make their lean transformations more successful.

Detta examensarbete har utförts i samarbete med Löfqvist Engineering i Örebro. Uppgiften har varit att utföra en simulering av en stor automatiserad produktionslina som ska användas vid tillverkning av avgassystem till lastbilar. Utifrån denna simulering skall exakta cykeltider för produktionen bestämmas. Dessa tider kan sedan användas av Löfqvist Engineering för att verifiera tidigare uppskattade tider. Arbetet inkluderar en litteraturstudie om Lean Production och hur det fungerar ihop med automation. Det finns även med lite bakgrundsinformation om Just In Time, olika filformat och robotsimulering i allmänhet för att ge en bättre överblick av ämnet. Programmet som har valts för att utföra simuleringen är Tecnomatix Process Simulate och den inbyggda Line Simulation modulen. Produktionslinan består av fyra hanteringsrobotar, 13 operatörsstationer och åtta identiska svetsceller. Cykeltider för produktionslinan har bestämts och resultatet blev 6 min 31 s, så det tar alltså lite drygt 6,5 minuter för produktionslinan att leverera en ny produkt. Cykeltiderna bestämdes genom att beräkna medelvärde på tiden det tog att framställa 10 stycken produkter då linan var full av material. I rapporten finns beskrivet hur arbetet för att komma fram till cykeltiderna har fortgått och hur simuleringsproblemen som uppstått under arbetets gång har lösts. / This thesis has been carried out in collaboration with Löfqvist Engineering in Örebro. The task has been to perform a simulation of a large automation line, to be used in the manufacture of exhaust systems for trucks. Based on this simulation accurate cycle times for production are determined. These times can then be used by Löfqvist Engineering to verify the earlier estimated times. The work includes a literature review of Lean Production and how it works with automation. There is also some background information on Just In Time, different file formats and robot simulation in general for the reader to get a bit more background knowledge of the subject. The program that has been selected to perform the simulation is Tecnomatix Process Simulate and its built in Line Simulation module. The automation line consists of four handling robots, 13 operator stations and eight identical welding cells. Cycle times for the automation line have been determined and the result was 6 min 31s, for the automation line to complete one product. Cycle times were determined by calculating the average time to produce 10 pieces of products when the line was full of material. The report describes how the work for arriving at these cycle times have been performed and how simulation problems encountered during such operations have been resolved.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The concept of a business existing to fulfil the wants and needs of the various stakeholders acknowledges that the prime goal of any commercial business is that of profit maximisation and the resultant stock price maximisation (Brigham & Ehrhardt, 2002:10). Any decision by the senior management or the board of an organisation should be primarily in the interest of its shareholders. It follows that any decision that does not add shareholder value subtracts from shareholder value; in other words, decisions must impact the bottom line financially. The manufacturing sector has seen its fair share of methods, interventions and programmes aimed at cost reduction and profit maximisation through a variety of total quality management (TOM), statistical process control (SPC), right/downsizing, efficiency improvements and yield maximisation. One of the most enduring and successful of these has been the advent of the lean manufacturing philosophy, defined as the complete and thorough elimination of waste to reduce the time line from receipt of customer order to delivery. It is a process-focused philosophy and not results focused, the belief being that the elimination of waste from all aspects of the process will ultimately result in financial success. Toyota have developed, and perfected more than most, the concept of lean manufacturing. They have termed their lean initiative the Toyota Production System (TPS). At the core of TPS is the concept of one piece flow controlled by customer pull. Given the success derived from TPS by Toyota it is only natural that other organisations have shown interest and have attempted, in varying degrees of success, to copy the TPS. But the magnitude of attempting to change the philosophy of an organisation in the short term is a daunting task and it is understandable why adopters of a lean way forward have rather turned to the lean tools as drivers of the process and value. The attraction of lean tools is that they can be applied in many areas of an organisation independent of one another. Organisations have a range of needs that need to be satisfied which include growth, increased profits, cash now and talent retention. The need to decide what interventions to apply when and where and what impact to profit and share value is of paramount importance to decision makers of organisations. By analysis of the results of a global industrial packaging company's efforts to implement lean through a tool-based approach, this study attempts to offer guidance to those organisations interested in implementing lean tools. The tools employed comprise four operational and three commercial tools. A financial model examining the impact of the tools on financial metrics is then developed and tested. The results show that the impact of the applied tools impact directly financial metrics used by investors to assess the relative attractiveness of an organisation's shares for the period 2003 to 2007. Further research should be conducted to determine the performance of the organisation for a ten to fifteen-year period to determine future success. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die konsep dat 'n sakeondememing bestaan om die verwagtinge en behoeftes van die onderskeie rolspelers te dien erken dat maksimale wins en die gevolglike optimale aandeleprys die primere doelwitte van enige kommersiele onderneming is (Brigham & Ehrhardt, 2002:10). Enige besluit deur die senior bestuur of the direksie van 'n ondememing behoort dus primer in die belang van sodanige ondememing se aandeelhouers te wees. Gevolglik sal enige besluit wat geen waarde tot die aandeelhouer bied nie, sodanige waarde verminder en moontlik lei tot disinvestering; met ander woorde, besluite moet finansieel 'n invloed op winsgewendheid he. Die vervaardigingsektor het al verskeie metodes, ingrypings en programme beleef wat gemik is op kostevermindering en winsverhoging deur middel van 'n verskeidenheid van algehele kwaliteitsbestuur ("total quality management"), statistiese prosesbeheer ("statistical process control"), herstrukturering deur middel van sogenaamde afskaling ("rightdownsizing"), verbetering van effektiwiteit en opbrengs. Een van die standhoudendste en suksesvolste van hierdie is die skep van die "spilvrye" vervaardigingsfilosofie ("lean manufacturing philosophy") wat gedefinieer word as: die totale en volledige eliminering van verspilling om die tydsverloop tussen die ontvangs van die klient se bestelling tot die aflewering te verminder. Die aanname word gemaak dat die eliminering van verspilling vanuit alle aspekte van die proses uiteindelik finansiele sukses tot gevolg sal he. Die filosofie is dus gefokus op die proses en nie op resultate nie. Toyota het die konsep van "spilvrye"-vervaardiging ontwikkel en, meer as ander, vervolmaak en verwys na hul inisiatief as die "Toyota Production System" of TPS. Sentraal tot die TPS is die konsep van enkel-aaneenlopende produksievloei beheer deur klienteopdrag en -behoefte. As gevolg van Toyota se sukses met die toepassing van die TPS is dit te verwagte dat ander organisasies belangstelling sou toon en met wisselende sukses gepoog het om die TPS na te boots. Om die filosofie van 'n organisasie in die kort termyn te verander is so 'n omvangryke taak dat dit begryplik is waarom nuwe bekeerlinge tot die "spilvrye" -filosofie eerder "spilvrye"-instrumente verkies as die dryfvere van die proses en waarde. Die aantrekkingskrag van "spilvrye"-instrumente is dat dit onafhanklik van mekaar in baie areas van 'n organisasie deur individue, werkspanne of konsultante aangewend kan word. Insluitend groei, die verhoging van wins, kontantvloei en die behoud van talent, het organisasies uiteenlopende behoeftes wat aangespreek moet word. Dit is van die uiterste belang vir besluitnemers van organisasies om te besluit op toepaslike ingryping, wanneer en waar, asook die uitwerking op wins en aandeelwaarde. As 'n poging om belangstellende organisasies te help, bied hierdie studie 'n analise van die resultate voortspruitend uit 'n globale industriele verpakkingsmaatskappy se pogings om die "spilvrye" konsep deur middel van 'n instrument-gebaseerde benadering te implementeer. Die resultate toon dat die impak van die toegepaste instrumente 'n direkte invloed het op die finansiele meetinstrumente, wat deur beleggers aangewend word om die relatiewe aantrekkingskrag van 'n organisasie se aandele vir die tydperk 2003 tot 2007 te bepaal. Om toekomstige sukses te bepaal behoort verdere navorsing egter gedoen te word ten opsigte van die organisasie se prestasie oor 'n tien- tot vyftien-jaar tydperk.

It is important for organizations to understand the factors responsible for establishing sustainable continuous improvement (CI) capabilities. This study uses learning curves as the basis to examine learning obtained by team members doing work with and without the application of fundamental aspects of the Toyota Production System. The results are used to develop an effective model to guide organizational activities towards achieving the ability to continuous improve in a sustainable fashion. This research examines the effect of standardization and waste elimination activities supported by systematic problem solving on team member learning at the work interface and system performance. The results indicate the application of Standard Work principles and elimination of formally defined waste using the systematic 8-step problem solving process positively impacts team member learning and performance, providing the foundation for continuous improvement Compared to their untreated counterparts, treated teams exhibited increased, more uniformly distributed, and more sustained learning rates as well as improved productivity as defined by decreased total throughput time and wait time. This was accompanied by reduced defect rates and a significant decrease in mental and physical team member burden. A major outcome of this research has been the creation of a predictive probability model to guide sustainable CI development using a simplified assessment tool aimed at identifying essential organizational states required to support sustainable CI development.

Flexit AB är Norges största tillverkar och leverantör av luftbehandlingsaggregat och centraldammsugare. Företaget växer och har nu expanderar över Norges gränser med en vision att bli störst i Norden och kontinuerligt växa med 10 % per år. Flexit har idag ca 200 anställda och en omsättning på ca 550 miljoner NOK per år. Tack vare denna expansion ökar marknadsandelarna, vilket leder till en ökad efterfrågan av Flexits produkter. Dagens produktion av proffsaggregat, den största modellen av Flexits produkter, kan dock inte möta den prognostiserade efterfrågan. För att kunna möta den nya efterfrågan måste Flexit öka kapaciteten i produktionen av proffsaggregaten samt effektivisera materialflödet inom fabriken. Examensarbetet antog en mixad metologi och har beaktats som en fallstudie med Flexit som fallföretag. Data har samlats in med hjälp av semistrukturerade- och kontextuella intervjuer, observationer samt tidsstudier. Data analyserades via ett analytiskt ramverk inspirerat av innehållsanalys. Målet med detta examensarbete var att presentera ett antal förbättringsförslag som vid implementering leder Flexit till ett effektivare materialflöde och en ökad kapacitet av produktionen av proffsaggregat. Inspirationen till dessa förbättringsförslag grundar sig i de idéer och verktyg som presenteras i produktionsfilosofierna Toyota Produktion System, Lean Production och Total Quality Managemnet. För att etablera dessa förbättringsförslag strukturerades examensarbetet i tre delar. Detta för att på ett pedagogiskt sätt leda läsaren genom de resultat och slutsatser som har genererats under projektets gång. I del 1 hanteras värdeflödesanalys, där målet var att identifiera slöserier, effektivisera monteringsstegen samt att jämna ut produktionen. I det framtida läget av värdeflödesanalysen jämnas process- och personalbeläggningen ut, begränsande monteringsprocesser får en ökad kapacitet och implementeringen av en Telfer minskar genomloppstiden samt ökar säkerhet för montörerna. Det framtida läget beräknas öka Flexits maxproduktionskapacitet med upp till 77 %. I del 2 används systematic layout planning (SLP) för att effektivisera materialflödet och minimera transporter inom fabriken. Resultatet från del 1 tas med in i del 2 och påverkar resultatet av SLP. Genom spaghettidiagram och SLP identifierades transport- och rörelseslöserier. Med hjälp av SLP genererades ett nytt layoutförslag som effektiviserar materialflödet och minskar de onödiga transporter inom Flexits fabrik med 75 %. I kapitel 8 presenteras en sammanställning av resultaten från de två första delarna. Om de förbättringsförslag som presenterats implementeras beräknas Flexit spara ca 2 miljoner kronor mellan perioden 2017-25. I del 3 presenteras även ett underlag för hur Flexit kan grunda ett arbete med ständiga förbättringar. Ständiga förbättringar etableras via implementeringen av Kaizen och 5s, vilket kommer hjälpa Flexit att utveckla och förbättra dessa förbättringsförslag ytterligare, samt leda dem mot en fortsatt utveckling. I och med utvecklingen av arbetet med ständiga förbättringar identifierades ett teoretiskt gap mellan organisatoriskt lärande, innovationer och ständiga förbättringar. Genom att etablera ett ständigt förbättringsarbete, där en öppen och aktiv företagskultur uppmuntrar till innovation, kan ett organisatoriskt lärande växa fram. / Flexit AB is Norway’s largest manufacturer and supplier of air handling units and central vacuum. The company is growing and has now expanded over the borders of Norway with the vision to become the largest manufacturer and supplier in the Nordic region and continuously grow by 10 % a year. Flexit has about 200 employees and a turnover of approximately 550 millions NOK a year. Thanks to this expansion, an increase in market shares has occurred, leading to an increasing demand for Flexit’s products.Today’s production of Professional units, the largest model of Flexit’s products, can not meet the forecasted demand. To be able to meet the new demand, Flexit must increase the capacity of the production of Professional units and streamline the flow of materials within the factory. The thesis adopted a mixed metodology and decided that a case study was the most relevant research design. Data were collected through semi-structured- and context interviews, observations and time studies. Data were analyzed using an analytical framework inspired from content analysis. The aim of this thesis was to present a number of improvement proposals (IP) which will help Flexit achieve a more efficient material flow and an increased capacity of the production of Professional units. The inspiration for these IP’s is based on the ideas and tools presented within the management philosophies of the Toyota Production System, Lean Production and Total Quality Management. To be able to establish these IP’ls the thesis were structured in three different parts. In this educational way, the reader is lead through the results and conclusions of the three parts, which is generated through the thesis. Part 1 dealt with Value stream mapping (VSM), were the goal was to identify waste, improve the efficiency of the assembly steps and to even out the production. In the future state of the VSM the process –and staff occupancy was evened out, limiting assembly processes gets an increased capacity and the implementation of a Telfer reduce throughput time and increases the safety for the workers. The future state is expected to increase Flexits maximum production capacity with up to 77 %. In part 2, Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) is used to streamline the flow of material and to minimize the transports within the factory. The result from the VSM in part 1 is included in part 2 and affects the outcome of SLP. With spaghetti diagrams and SLP the thesis identifies transport –and moment waste. Using SLP, the thesis generated a new factory layout, which streamlines the flow of material and reduces the unnecessary movements within Flexit’s factory by 75 %. In part 3, a summary of the results from the first two parts is presented. If the IP’s presented in this thesis is implemented by Flexit, they can save up to two millions (Kr) between 2017-25. Part 3 also presents a basis for how Flexit can establish a continuous improvement (CI) program. This program is established through the implementation of Kaizen and 5s, which will help Flexit develop and improve the IP’s and help them towards continued development. With the development of the CI program, a theoretical gap between organizational learning, innovation and CI was identified. By establishing a CI program in an organization, where an open and active organizational culture encourages innovation, an organizational learning will emerge.

[pt] O crescimento do setor de serviços e a percepção do aumento da utilização e dos benefícios do Sistema Toyota de Produção, especificamente no setor de saúde, motivaram o desenvolvimento desta dissertação. O objetivo do trabalho está centrado em identificar a aplicação dos princípios, conceitos e ferramentas do pensamento enxuto em serviços de saúde e avaliar o potencial de ganhos de desempenho e melhorias para o setor. Para atingir esse objetivo, primeiramente foi utilizado um método de busca bibliográfica sobre o Sistema Toyota de Produção e sobre serviços de saúde. Em seguida, foram mapeados e estudados casos relatados da aplicação de pensamento enxuto nesta área, caracterizado na literatura como Lean Healthcare. Como resultado, foi possível identificar a existência de casos consolidados de aplicação de práticas enxutas em diversos países. Além disso, foi possível elencar resultados de melhorias de desempenho significativos nos casos analisados. Em conclusão, foi possível perceber uma real utilização dos princípios e foi considerada como relevante, porém não restritiva, a necessidade de adaptação daqueles. Por fim, o Lean Healthcare possui um grande potencial de contribuição para um melhor desempenho das empresas do setor de saúde. / [en] The growth of the service sector and the perceived increase in the use and benefits of the Toyota Production System, specifically in the health sector, motivated the development of this dissertation. The aim of the work is focused on identifying the application of concepts and tools of lean thinking in healthcare services and to evaluate the potential performance gains and improvements for the sector. To achieve this goal, first we used a method of searching the literature on the Toyota Production System and on health services. Then, reported cases of applying lean this area, characterized in the literature as lean Health Care, were mapped and studied. As a result, it was possible to identify the existence of the consolidated cases of application of lean practices in various countries. Moreover, it was possible to list results in significant performance improvements analyzed cases. In conclusion, it was possible to realize a genuine use of the principles and was considered relevant, but not restrictive, the need for adaptation of those. Finally, the Lean Healthcare has a great potential to contribute to a better performance of companies in the healthcare sector.