Lean-integrated management system: A model for sustainability improvement

There is an unprecedented demand for sustainability incorporation; however, a significant gap exists-in sustainability management systems. We considered this gap as well as the fact that organizations mainly face difficulties in managing sustainability using integrated management systems. Here, we propose an innovative model to improve corporate sustainability aimed at cleaner production; we develop this model by integrating quality, environmental, social responsibility, and occupational health and safety management systems with the lean manufacturing system. The proposed model is expected to aid organizations in improving corporate sustainability in a structured manner. This research introduces the Lean-Integrated Management System for Sustainability Improvement (LIMSSI), which is based on the rational use of resources and energy while engaging and empowering people. The LIMSSI provides an innovative description of correlations of the quality, environmental, occupational health and safety, and social responsibility requirements with the principles and tools of lean manufacturing; it also includes a description of their integration to create synergies. It was structured considering the difficulties faced by organizations in performing sustainability-improvement activities, and aim to avoid loss of organizational efficiency due to waste, duplication, and increments of bureaucratic processes. The LIMSSI is expected to improve corporate sustainability performance and thereby render companies more sustainable and competitive. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.