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An exploration of operational excellence methodologies implementation in the logistics sectors: a global study

Yaifa Trakulsunti (Department of Industrial Management Technology and Logistics, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand)
Jiju Antony (Industrial and Systems Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes (Centre for Supply Chain Improvement, Derby Business School, The University of Derby, Derby, UK)
Guilherme Luz Tortorella (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia)
Witsarut Chuayjan (Department of Civil Technology, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand)
Monika Foster (Department of Marketing, Operations and Systems, Faculty of Business and Law, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)

The TQM Journal

ISSN: 1754-2731

Article publication date: 10 January 2024

202

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study reported in this paper was to explore the application of operational excellence methodologies in a global context.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative interview approach was used to understand the current state, benefits, challenges, success factors, tools and techniques of operational excellence methodology implementation with relevance to logistics companies worldwide. About 16 interviews were undertaken with practitioners working in leading companies and with leading academics in Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Australia.

Findings

The findings show that operational excellence methodologies including Lean, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma and Agile can apply in logistics firms to improve operations and productivity and save costs. Top management support and involvement play an important role in the success of operational excellence projects in the logistics service.

Research limitations/implications

The findings will be of interest to top and middle managers and logistics practitioners, with a dual aim of improving logistics performance and saving costs.

Originality/value

The present study has been one of the first global study attempts to explore the implementation of operational excellence methodologies in the logistics sectors.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Since submission of this article, the following author(s) have updated their affiliation(s): Jiju Antony is at the Department of Marketing, Operations and Systems, Faculty of Business and Law, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and Guilherme Luz Tortorella is at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil and IAE Business School, Universidad Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Citation

Trakulsunti, Y., Antony, J., Garza-Reyes, J.A., Tortorella, G.L., Chuayjan, W. and Foster, M. (2024), "An exploration of operational excellence methodologies implementation in the logistics sectors: a global study", The TQM Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-10-2023-0313

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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