دانلود رایگان مقاله انگلیسی بهبود بهره وری در مراکز بازیافت زباله های جامد از طریق اجرای هدفمند شده با تحلیل تصمیم گیری چند معیاره - امرالد 2017

Structured Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims at investigating, through a comparative analysis, the applicability of Lean Manufacturing practices, such as value stream mapping, for productivity improvement in recycling centres aided by multi-criteria decision analysis. Design/methodology/approach: The study is carried out in five recycling centres that sort the municipal solid waste of Porto Alegre, one of the main cities in Brazil. Since all of the centres present their labour composed by poor communities’ members, cultural and social characteristics may represent an incremental challenge for lean implementation. Further, these centres are organized in cooperatives, in which decisions are taken through a participatory way and all their members are entitled to vote, undermining and retarding the decisionmaking process. Findings: The integration of a multi-criteria decision-making tool to the lean practices enables the prioritization of improvements, complementing the final stage of value stream mapping. In particular, this contribution becomes especially important in cooperatives managed by community, where decisions are often complex and time-consuming. Finally, despite the increasing pressure for better performance of recycling centres, the existent mindset is still far from the private sector, where lean practices were conceived. Further, our findings suggest that, despite processes similarities, it is not feasible to declare the existence of a one-best practice to such scenario. Originality/value: In theoretical terms, we demonstrate through a multi-case study the adequacy of AHP as a decision analysis tool complementary to the value stream mapping, enabling a broader perspective about this subject. Concerning the practical contribution, the comprehension of the adaptation needs for lean practices implementation within the production context of solid waste recycling centres provides a framework with guidelines for this sector, when incorporating lean activities. Lean practitioners and eventual municipal authorities involved in improving productivity of community-managed recycling centres might benefit from this framework, since they will be able to emphasize the development of recommended and already tested lean practices that tend to improve their operational performance.

6. Conclusion

MSW management is a major problem in most economically developing countries. This research suggests two major findings. First, while VSM theory brings valuable information to managers and facilitators, the most important benefit comes from actually applying the tool. During the mapping process insights grow, paradigms are shifted, and consensus is built. Not only the mapping activity leads to better and leaner processes, but also brings consensus that enables and enhances lean implementation in contexts other than manufacturing. Second, the integration of a multi-criteria decision-making tool to the VSM methodology characterizes an important contribution to the area. VSM provide means to identify several systemic wastes and, hence, address improvement actions. However, due to the large amount of identified opportunities over several targeted objectives, the integration of AHP as a multi-criteria decision-making tool enables the establishment of criticality scores and prioritizes the improvements. Therefore, AHP complements the final stage of VSM by ranking opportunities and facilitating the priorities decision within improvement teams. In particular, this contribution becomes especially important in cooperatives managed by community, such as RC, where decisions are often complex and time-consuming. Sundin et al. (2011) reinforce that the studied context usually presents certain reluctance in adopting formal controlling and management practices. Personnel training in recycling centres (whenever it exists) is usually task focused and do not emphasize the development of managerial skills. Due to their socioeconomic condition, labour force usually comes without technical background and low educational level, which hinders the implementation of more complex management practices. Thus, incorporating a decision-making tool helps to address such issues. However, AHP might not be the proper tool choice if a larger amount of opportunities is identified, due to its operational characteristics. Further studies may investigate more practical multi-criteria analysis in order to overcome this barrier.