Applying a Lean Approach to Identify Waste in Motor Carrier Operations
Author
Summary, in English
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a waste framework for motor carrier operations by
adapting the classical 7 waste framework, and furthermore, to validate it by collecting empirical data
from several motor carrier operators.
Design/methodology/approach – The chosen approach includes three steps, starting with
analyzing qualitative data from a literature review and an interview study. The interviewees were
experts from carrier operations, the lean field, carrier technology providers and carrier service buyers.
The findings were validated with qualitative and quantitative studies at five motor carrier operators.
Findings – The finding of this paper is a waste framework adapted to motor carrier operations that
has been based on the classical 7 waste framework. This provides a structured framework of
inefficiencies found in motor carrier operations.
Originality/value – Previous literature is scarce on both holistic approaches to describing waste in
carrier operations and in-depth studies of day-to-day transport operations. It is also a novel approach
to use a waste framework for transport operations.
adapting the classical 7 waste framework, and furthermore, to validate it by collecting empirical data
from several motor carrier operators.
Design/methodology/approach – The chosen approach includes three steps, starting with
analyzing qualitative data from a literature review and an interview study. The interviewees were
experts from carrier operations, the lean field, carrier technology providers and carrier service buyers.
The findings were validated with qualitative and quantitative studies at five motor carrier operators.
Findings – The finding of this paper is a waste framework adapted to motor carrier operations that
has been based on the classical 7 waste framework. This provides a structured framework of
inefficiencies found in motor carrier operations.
Originality/value – Previous literature is scarce on both holistic approaches to describing waste in
carrier operations and in-depth studies of day-to-day transport operations. It is also a novel approach
to use a waste framework for transport operations.
Department/s
Publishing year
2013
Language
English
Pages
47-65
Publication/Series
International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management
Volume
62
Issue
1
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Topic
- Transport Systems and Logistics
Keywords
- Lean
- Motor carrier
- Transport operations
- 7 wastes
- Transport efficiency
- Transport management
- Lean production
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1758-6658