Reviewing lean manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies in the supply chain

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a literature review of how lean manufacturing (LM) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies are integrated in a supply chain (SC) context. The PRISMA methodology is followed for data collection in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, where 92 papers were selected and reviewed. The analytic categories were based on the following: (1) SC structure; (2) decision levels; (3) research methodology and modelling approach; (4) lean waste types; (5) development tools, LM tools and I4.0 technologies; (6) practical application; (7) benefits and SC performance; (8) limitations. The main results provide a compilation of the literature on real-world waste and I4.0 planning challenges that are specific to certain sectors. The research focused mainly on conceptual, descriptive and exploratory methodologies. The case study was the main empirical modelling approach, followed by mathematical programming and simulation models. The lean tools that are most integrated with I4.0 technologies are kanban, just in time (JIT) and total productive maintenance. The Internet of Things (IoT), big data and cloud computing stand out for having more interactions with LM tools.