Analysing recent developments and future research directions in sustainable lean six sigma: 21st century perspective

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis of sustainable lean six sigma (SLSS) research, focusing on recent developments, emerging trends, and potential applications across various industry sectors. Design/methodology/approach The study follows a systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analysis approach for analysing 342 peer-reviewed articles published between 2001 and 2023 in Scopus-indexed journals. It further follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework, ensuring a structured and replicable selection process. The shortlisted articles were classified according to several criteria, which include the publication year, research methodologies, industry sector applications, the multi-criteria decision-making approach, etc. The adopted design assists in the critical evaluation of SLSS advancements and their implications across diverse industry sectors. Findings The study reports a transitional shift of SLSS research from conceptual and case-study-based research toward data-driven decision-making models. It is further captured that researchers have strongly utilized mathematical models, MCDM approaches and Industry 4.0 technologies to improve SLSS adoption and performance. The study also highlights the strong SLSS implementation in the manufacturing and healthcare sectors as compared to the service industries, highlighting a major research gap. Additionally, integration challenges between lean six sigma and sustainability metrics pose significant barriers to adoption. Practical implications The findings of this study offer valuable insights for practitioners and researchers seeking to adopt SLSS methodologies within their organizations. By highlighting emerging trends, key research methods and successful case applications, this research equips practitioners with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance organizational performance and achieve sustainable outcomes. Originality/value The present study contributes a novel perspective on the SLSS domain by synthesizing multidisciplinary insights and bridging gaps among different sustainability aspects, Industry 4.0 and other emerging digital technologies. Unlike previous reviews that focus solely on SLSS advantages and barriers analysis, this study critically examines the barriers, industry-specific adoption trends and future research directions. It offers a new analytical framework that links SLSS with advanced decision-making models.