Lean Manufacturing and Sustainability

This book explores the relationship between Lean Manufacturing and sustainability within the mechanical engineering sector, focusing specifically on its impact on economic, environmental, and social performance. The study develops an integrated framework to assess the effects of lean techniques on the three pillars of sustainability.
The research is structured into three chapters, each employing a different method to examine such interaction. The first chapter provides a theoretical overview through two systematic literature reviews (SLRs), which explore the broader connection between lean and sustainability and the specific impacts of lean tools on the three sustainability dimensions.
The second chapter assesses the outcomes of a lean project at Schnell SpA, an Italian mechanical engineering company, using Sustainable Value Stream Mapping (Sus-VSM) to evaluate the effects on sustainability metrics. The third chapter surveys 115 companies in the Italian mechanical engineering sector, analyzing the adoption of Lean Manufacturing and its relationship with sustainability and identifying barriers and enablers to its implementation.
The findings suggest that while Lean Manufacturing practices improve operational efficiency and sustainability, challenges remain, particularly regarding economic, operational, and cultural barriers. The thesis contributes valuable insights into how Lean Manufacturing can drive sustainability across all pillars, with particular emphasis on fostering longterm competitiveness through responsible business practices.

Giada Pierli is a PhD student in Global Studies, Economy, Society, and Law at the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy. Her research focuses on the relationship between Lean Manufacturing and Sustainability, with the aim of developing effective tools and approaches to support companies in adopting sustainable models. In addition to her doctoral studies, she teaches Sustainability and Environmental Ethics at Higher Technical Institutes, where she emphasizes the importance of these topics in professional practices. Giada actively participates in various European and national research projects, exploring topics such as sustainable tourism development, female entrepreneurship, and sustainable business solutions. Giada has also contributed to several international and national conferences, presenting her research on sustainability, lean manufacturing, and digital transformation. Her academic work has been published in a number of international and national journals, with notable articles on lean approaches, sustainable business practices and consumption.