Integrating Lean Manufacturing and Digital Technologies: A Survey of Norwegian Manufacturing Companies

Abstract

When it comes to Lean manufacturing and digital technologies, their link has been examined by several researchers. However, most of the literature are theoretical studies, and thus there is a lack of empirical studies on the subject. The main goal of this thesis was to map Norwegian manufacturers, and to measure the operational performance results of having implemented Lean manufacturing and digital technologies into the production processes. This thesis is motivated by the following research questions: 1) What is the current level of adaptation of Lean manufacturing and digital technologies among manufacturing plants in Norway? 2) How is operational performance associated with the level of Lean manufacturing implementation? 3) How is operational performance associated with the level of digital technology implementation? And 4) How is operational performance associated with the combined implementation level of both Lean manufacturing and digital technologies? The findings from the research show that the current level of adaption of Lean manufacturing and operational performance in Norway is above average. The findings also state that both Lean manufacturing and digital technologies are positively correlated with operational performance. The findings were not conclusive on the combined implementation level of both Lean manufacturing and digital technologies.