Research methodology explained publication wise

The general overview of the research is further supplemented with a more detailed description of the research design applied in each publication, answering the question of how arriving to conclusions was executed?

Paper 1- “The challenges of lean manufacturing implementation in SMEs”

The research questions were drawn upon the literature review and qualitative data collection through semi-structured interviews in two manufacturing firms.

Results were discussed in the context of literature. Conclusions and managerial implications were provided.

The chosen methodology- qualitative single case study allowed for the exploration of the topic in more depth. Moreover, there is a considerable amount of publications that study barriers to lean implementation while gathering quantitative data or surveying literature. Therefore, a different approach was proposed.

The companies chosen for the study have certain experience with lean implementation, are of medium size, and operate in two different industries- boating and furniture. The specifics of product offered are different however,

both case companies operate in rather low-complexity and labor intensive environments.

Paper 2- “When a set of tools is not enough- lean placed strategically”

Research problem was preliminary identified and followed by literature review that served that besides of drafting the sufficient theoretical background for the problem, and facilitated the process of crafting the questions for semi-structured interview. Paper 2 is a single-case study in a medium-sized manufacturing company. Conclusions and managerial implications are provided.

The chosen methodology- qualitative single case study was chosen in order to provide the best possible insight into the studied phenomena of company’s strategic development which would be more difficult to capture otherwise.

The choice of a case company can be justified by the need to address the implementation of lean in the context of more complex products and therefore, more complex operations. The focus on SMEs has been maintained since the studied company is of a medium size.

Paper 3- “Lean implementation and a process approach- an exploratory study”

The research problem outlined in Paper 2 is examined in more detail. Focused literature review is followed by the qualitative study of two medium-sized manufacturing companies and a comparative analysis thereof is provided. Both case companies offer complex products that require considerable engineering effort and are frequently made or even engineered to order.

Conclusions and managerial implications are drawn upon the review of literature and studied cases.

The comparative approach was chosen to show the benefits of an approach that assumes treating lean as a part of strategy and contrast them with the pitfalls of an approach that assumes neither particular planning for lean implementation nor treating the implementation of company’s strategy. Qualitative data collection chosen for this study can be justified with the goal of providing exploring the case of strategic importance of lean in more detail with comparing and contrasting different approaches in two manufacturing companies. The nature of the stated research questions called for an approach that would allow for exploration of the specifics of lean implementations as well as opinions of professionals responsible thereof. An approach that would assume collection and analysis of quantitative data would not provide enough insight to the studied phenomena.

Paper 4- “Towards a lean production ramp-up”

Research problem was identified and suitable theoretical evidence was provided.

Paper 4 is a quantitative single case study of the longitudinal data on manufacturing ramp-up process in a medium sized manufacturing company.

Quantitative approach was selected in order to provide a background to the studied problem which is then explored in more detail using conceptual and qualitative approach. The chosen approach that assumes collection and analysis of quantitative data on manufacturing ramp-up which provides a particularly important insight into the possible time savings that could be achieved with the help of lean techniques. The nature of the research problem and question calls for the selection of quantitative data collection and analysis.

Paper 5- “Lean application to manufacturing ramp-up: a conceptual approach”

The research problem is addressed on the theoretical and conceptual level.

Focused literature review is performed and based on the deficiencies discovered while researching into the subject of applying lean to fuzzy manufacturing environments, and manufacturing ramp-up in particular. Conceptual framework is presented as a proposal for combining two areas of knowledge that has not been extensively researched before. Furthermore, the proposed framework is supplemented with suggestions for managers with the special attention on quality management and assurance.

The chosen research methodology and approach can be justified by relatively sparse evidence of the studied phenomena being researched on a conceptual level. Furthermore, the publication is an attempt to contribute to the theoretical developments in the field.

Paper 6- “Development perspectives on improved environmental performance through lean”

The research problem is also addressed on a conceptual level. Extensive literature review is performed in order to determine state-of-the art, discover those areas where additional research should be performed, as well as to outline the areas of convergence between the concepts discussed. Based on the literature review, a conceptual framework for combining lean and environmental sustainability, as well as future research directions is proposed.

In case of Paper 4 and 5 the choice of an approach can be justified by relatively sparse evidence of the studied phenomena being researched on a conceptual level. Furthermore, the need to strengthen the theoretical and conceptual

contribution of the dissertation was an important factor that guided the selection of the methodology and approach. The process of revising the applicability of lean requires not only empirical evidence but also a strong theoretical foundations and proposals for further development thereof.