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.
