Modern organisations are in quest of initiatives that will facilitate them to be sustainable as well as provide a competitive advantage to remain a continuous stakeholder in the global market. Green ...Lean Six Sigma (GLSS) is an inclusive approach that not only improves environmental sustainability but also leads to improvement in the financial stability of the organisations. To implement the GLSS strategy, it is essential to integrate Green, Lean, and Six Sigma initiatives under the umbrella of GLSS. In this study, GLSS integration has been proposed based on intangible features like enablers, toolsets, etc. Management dedication, participation, and team effort have been recognised as the most remarkable enablers to implement GLSS in the manufacturing sector. Moreover, this study also proposes a five facet GLSS framework for the manufacturing sector to enhance organisational sustainability. The current work will facilitate managers and practitioners to execute a sustainable GLSS programme in manufacturing firms for increased operational excellence as well as environmental sustainability.
PurposeThe purpose of this study is to integrate Green technology, Lean and Six Sigma methodology under the umbrella of Green Lean Six Sigma (GLSS). Further, the study also proposes an eight facet ...GLSS framework for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance organizational sustainability.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, GLSS integration has been proposed based on intangible features like barriers, challenges, toolsets, etc. Moreover, the GLSS framework has been realized based on Six Sigma well-known define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) approach.FindingsIt has been found that lack of customer involvement, financial constraints and ignorance towards Kaizen are the most pre-eminent barriers for GLSS execution. Further, it has been found that most frequently used GLSS tools are the 5S, environmental value stream mapping (EVSM) and life cycle assessment (LCA). The proposed GLSS framework encompasses systematic application of different GLSS tools that lead improved organization sustainability.Practical implicationsThe present study will facilitate industrial managers to incorporate the GLSS approach in their business process through systematic understanding of key elements related to this sustainable approach. This study further prompts practitioner to incorporate GLSS in industry through systematic adoption of the proposed framework for improved environmental performance.Social implicationsThis work provides detailed knowledge for the researchers and academicians by dispensing awareness into integral measures and framework. GLSS toolsets dispensed in this work augments academicians and researchers to make decision which tools to be used at distinct phases of GLSS project execution.Originality/valueThe present study is the first of its kind that provides integral measures and GLSS framework for SMEs.
PurposeThis research aims to propose a framework to integrate Green Lean Six Sigma (GLSS) and Industry 4.0 to improve organizational sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThe integration of GLSS ...and Industry 4.0 is proposed based on theoretical facets of the individual approaches. A generic, conceptual framework of an integrated GLSS-Industry 4.0 approach is then proposed using the application of different tools and techniques of GLSS and Industry 4.0 at different stages of the realization of a project.FindingsBoth approaches have common facets related to enablers and barriers, and the integrated application of tools and techniques of each approach supplements the common focus of both related to sustainability enhancement. The proposed, conceptual framework provides systematic guidelines from the project selection stage to the sustainment of the solution, with the enumerated application of different techniques and tools at each step of the framework.Originality/valueThis research is the first of its kind to propose the integration of GLSS and Industry 4.0 under the umbrella of a unified approach, including a conceptual framework of this integrated GLSS-Industry 4.0 approach.
Purpose
In the current era, the focus on circular economy (CE) has gained substantial momentum among the research communities across the manufacturing world. It has become the need of the hour to act ...fast due to the alarming issues of unsustainability such as climate change, global warming, waste generation, environmental pollution, resource scarceness and ecological degradations. This research aims to investigate and model the CE enablers in the product development process related to the moderating effect of net zero.
Design/methodology/approach
The significant CE enablers are identified through literature review and expert brainstorming. The Pythagorean fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (PF-DEMATEL) technique has been used to investigate and evaluate the significant CE enablers in product development process. PF-DEMATEL determines the inter-relationship and casual dependency among the selected CE enablers. Indian automobile small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been considered as a case organization to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Findings
The findings reveal that “Top management support and clear vision towards CE adoption” is the most important enabler and “Artificial intelligence in product value chain” is recognized as the least vital enabler. This research aids the managers, decision-makers, policy planners and workforce to develop and formulating efficient blueprints for the effective adoption of CE in Indian SMEs.
Originality/value
This is the first kind of research that explores CE enablers in product development process for Indian SMEs.
Purpose
Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation follows a structured approach called define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC). Earlier research about its application in emergency healthcare ...services shows that it requires organizational transformation, which many healthcare setups find difficult. The Kotter change management model facilitates organizational transformation but has not been attempted in LSS settings till now. This study aims to integrate the LSS framework with the Kotter change management model to come up with an integrated framework that will facilitate LSS deployment in emergency health services.
Design/methodology/approach
Two-stage Delphi method was conducted by using a literature review. First, the success factors and barriers of LSS are investigated, especially from an emergency healthcare point of view. The features and benefits of Kotter's change management models are then reviewed. Subsequently, they are integrated to form a framework specific to LSS deployment in an emergency healthcare set-up. The elements of this framework are analyzed using expert opinion ratings. A new framework for LSS deployment in emergency healthcare has been developed, which can prevent failures due to challenges faced by organizations in overcoming resistance to changes.
Findings
The eight steps of the Kotter model such as establishing a sense of urgency, forming a powerful guiding coalition, creating a vision, communicating the vision, empowering others to act on the vision, planning for and creating short-term wins, consolidating improvements and producing still more change, institutionalizing new approaches are derived from the eight common errors that managers make while implementing change in the institution. The study integrated LSS principles and Kotter’s change management model to apply in emergency care units in order to reduce waste and raise the level of service quality provided by healthcare companies.
Research limitations/implications
The present study could contribute knowledge to the literature by providing a framework to integrate lean management and Kotter's change management model for the emergency care unit of the healthcare organization. This framework guides decision-makers and organizations as proper strategies are required for applying lean management practices in any system.
Originality/value
The proposed framework is unique and no other study has prescribed any integrated framework for LSS implementation in emergency healthcare that overcomes resistance to change.
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to explore different aspects of the Green Lean Six Sigma (GLSS) approach, application status and potential benefits from a comprehensive review of the ...literature and provide an avenue for future research work. This study also provides a conceptual framework for GLSS.
Design/methodology/approach
To do a systematic analysis of the literature, a systematic literature review methodology has been used in this research work. From the reputed databases, 140 articles were identified to explore hidden aspects of GLSS. Exploration of articles in different continents, year-wise, approach-wise and journal-wise was also done to find the execution status of GLSS.
Findings
This study depicts that GLSS implementation is increasing year by year, and it leads to considerable improvement in all dimensions of sustainability. Enablers, barriers, tools and potential benefits that foster the execution of GLSS in industrial organizations are also identified based on a systematic review of the literature.
Originality/value
The study’s uniqueness lies in that, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind that depicts the execution status of GLSS, and its different facets, explores different available frameworks and provides avenues for potential research in this area for potential researchers and practitioners.
Purpose
The study aims to identify Green Lean Six Sigma (GLSS) barriers in the context of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and prioritize them for executing the GLSS approach.
...Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) was used to identify a total of 14 barriers, which were then verified for greater relevance by the professional judgments of industrial personnel. Moreover, many removal measures strategies are also recommended in this study. Furthermore, this work also utilizes Gray Relational Analysis (GRA) to prioritize the identified GLSS barriers.
Findings
The study reveals that training and education, continuous assessment of SDG, organizational culture, resources and skills to facilitate implementation, and assessment of satisfaction and welfare of the employee are the most significant barriers to implementing this approach.
Research limitations/implications
The present study provides an impetus for practitioners and managers to embrace the GLSS strategy through a wide-ranging understanding and exploring these barriers. In this case, the outcomes of this research, and in particular the GRA technique presented by this work, can be used by managers and professionals to rank the GLSS barriers and take appropriate action to eliminate them.
Practical implications
The ranking of GLSS barriers gives top officials of HEIs a very clear view to effectively and efficiently implementing GLSS initiatives. The outcomes also show training and education, sustainable development goals and organizational culture as critical barriers. The findings of this study provide an impetus for managers, policymakers and consultants to embrace the GLSS strategy through a wide-ranging understanding and exploring these barriers.
Social implications
The GLSS barriers in HEIs may significantly affect the society. HEIs can lessen their environmental effect by using GLSS practices, which can support sustainability initiatives and foster social responsibility. Taking steps to reduce environmental effect can benefit society as a whole. GLSS techniques in HEIs can also result in increased operational effectiveness and cost savings, which can free up resources to be employed in other areas, like boosting student services and improving educational programs. However, failing to implement GLSS procedures in HEIs could have societal repercussions as well. As a result, it is critical for HEIs to identify and remove GLSS barriers in order to advance sustainability, social responsibility and operational effectiveness.
Originality/value
GLSS is a comprehensive methodology that facilitates the optimum utilization of resources, reduces waste and provides the pathway for sustainable development so, the novelty of this study stands in the inclusion of its barriers and HEIs to prioritize them for effective implementation.
Objective: To investigate L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine(L-dopa, anti-Parkinson drug),anti-inflammatory activity, proximate nutritional composition and antioxidant potential of Mucuna macrocarpa(M. ...macrocarpa) beans.Methods: L-dopa content was determined and quantified by high performance thin layer chromatography and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography(RPHPLC) methods. Anti-inflammatory activity was performed by in vitro protein denaturation inhibition and human red blood cell membrane stabilisation activity. Proximate composition and elemental analysis were also investigated. The antioxidant potential(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, N-N-dimethyl-phenylenediamine and ferric-reducing antioxidant power) of M. macrocarpa beans were evaluated by using different extraction solvents. The RP-HPLC analysis also quantified significant phenolics such as gallic acid, tannic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and p-coumaric acid.Results: RP-HPLC quantification revealed that M. macrocarpa beans contain a high level of L-dopa (115.41 ± 0.985) mg/g which was the highest among the Mucuna species from Indian sub-continent. Water extract of seed powder showed strong antiinflammatory and antioxidant potential. Proximate composition of M. macrocarpa beans revealed numerous nutritional and anti-nutritional components. RP-HPLC analysis of major phenolics such as tannic acid(43.795 mg/g), gallic acid(0.864 mg/g), p-coumaric acid(0.364 mg/g) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid(0.036 mg/g) quantified successfully from M. macrocarpa beans respectively.Conclusions: This study suggests that M. macrocarpa is a potential source of L-dopa with promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and nutritional benefits.
Context
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a small subset of cells within breast tumors with characteristics similar to normal stem cells. Despite advancements in chemotherapy and targeted therapy ...for breast cancer, the prognosis for breast cancer patients has remained poor due to drug resistance, reoccurrence, and metastasis. Growing evidence suggests that deregulation of the self-renewal pathways, like the Wnt signaling pathway mediated by β-catenin, plays a crucial role in the survival of breast cancer stem cells. Targeting the Wnt signaling pathway in breast cancer stem cells offers a promising avenue for developing effective therapeutic strategies targeting these cells, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced tumor recurrence.
Methods
For this purpose, we have screened a 1615 FDA-approved drug library against our target protein, β-catenin, which is involved in the Wnt signaling pathway using molecular docking analysis, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) calculations.
Results
Molecular docking studies showed that the Lumacaftor- β-catenin complex had the lowest docking score of − 8.7 kcal/mol towards β-catenin protein than the reference inhibitor. Molecular dynamic simulations and MM/PBSA calculations were also performed for the Lumacaftor-β-catenin complex to establish the stability of the interactions involved. Considering its promising attributes and encouraging results, Lumacaftor holds significant potential as a novel therapeutic option to target BCSCs. This study opens avenues for further investigation and may pave the way for developing therapeutic potential in breast cancer treatment. Further confirmation is warranted through in vitro and clinical studies to validate the findings of this study.
Graphical Abstract
PDF
