Implementation of Industry 4.0 integrated Lean-Six-Sigma methodologies for sustainable business operation: an empirical analysis using SAP-LAP framework

The paper analyses various factors that impact organisational performance when adopting Industry 4.0 integrated Lean Six Sigma (LSSI4). In this study, multiple elements were deconstructed through a literature review and structured interviews of practitioners in the industry. A Situations - Actors - Processes - Learning - Actions - Performances (SAP-LAP) framework was used to capture the observations of 111 executives from selected industries working in the manufacturing sector in India. The study reveals that there are multiple factors governing the implementation of the elements around the LSSI4 methodologies toward achieving sustainable business practices. The approach to LSSI4 and its effects on organisational performance factors are found to be independent of industrial sectors. New insights were gained about the motivation for change implementation in organisations and its cascading effects. This study provides deep insight into this aspect of LSSI4 and helps understand the transformative impact of digitalisation (Industry 4.0) and process optimisation (Lean Six Sigma) across the various industry sectors. Finally, a recipe is provided for successfully implementing LSSI4 in the industry.