Integration Opportunities between Industry 4.0 and Lean Six Sigma; A Systematic Review and Company Perspectives

Abstract

The master’s thesis aims to provide a comprehensive overview of integration possibilities between Industry 4.0 and Lean Six Sigma through a systematic literature review and interviews with leading manufacturing companies in Sweden. A sample of 99 publications was analyzed using bibliometric indicators, and an in-depth analysis of 41 highly topical articles was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven manufacturing companies to gather information on their current state of digitalization maturity and LSS adoption. The findings from the literature review indicate a synergistic relationship between Industry 4.0 and LSS, leading to highly productive and agile manufacturing organizations. The study identified 11 Synergy Points, representing instances of integration between Industry 4.0 technologies and LSS concepts. Interviews with companies provided insights into LSS usage and digitalization, serving as a benchmark for the current manufacturing landscape in Sweden. The results indicate that there is still untapped potential for further development in these areas. This thesis contributes to understanding LSS 4.0 by exploring the interactions between novel digital technologies and LSS practices. It offers valuable insights for process improvement professionals and serves as a resource for future operational excellence projects. The Synergy Points presented in this research provide inspiration and practical knowledge for industry professionals interested in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies and leveraging their synergies with LSS.