Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency in Bangladesh’s Medical Device Manufacturing Industry Through Lean Tool Implementation
Abstract
Lean methodology, widely recognized for its ability to optimize efficiency by reducing waste, has proven to be highly effective in supply chain and manufacturing environments, including medical device production. This study explores the application of lean tools, such as Kaizen, 5S, Root-Cause Analysis, and Kanban, within the medical equipment manufacturing sector, an industry under increasing pressure to enhance product quality, reduce costs, and ensure patient safety. Using qualitative research methods, including interviews and focus group discussions, the study examines how these tools are applied in practice and their impact on manufacturing processes. The findings indicate that lean practices can significantly improve operational efficiency, reduce defects, and enhance product quality, contributing to both cost savings and better healthcare outcomes. Despite challenges such as data confidentiality and a limited respondent pool, the results suggest that the careful implementation of lean tools is critical for navigating the complex regulatory landscape and driving continuous improvement. The study concludes that, when effectively adopted, lean principles can streamline operations, enhance competitiveness, and play a pivotal role in advancing healthcare quality as the industry evolves.
Keywords:
Medical device supply chain, Lean tools, Focused group discussion, 5S Methodology, Root-cause analysisReferences
- [1] Upadhyaya, K. S. M. (2024). A comprehensive analysis of inventory management and its potential implications on financial reports. International journal for multidisciplinary research (ijfmr), 6(3). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i03.20262
- [2] Bwanbale Akello, J. (2024). Effect of Risk Management on the Nigerian Industry. RESEARCH invention journal of current research in humanities and social sciences, 3(2), 37–42. https://kiu.ac.ug/assets/publications/2006_effect-of-risk-management-on-the-nigerian-industry.pdf
- [3] AArredondo-Soto, K. C., Blanco-Fernández, J., Miranda-Ackerman, M. A., Solís-Quinteros, M. M., Realyvasquez-Vargas, A., & García-Alcaraz, J. L. (2021). A plan-do-check-act based process improvement intervention for quality improvement. IEEE access, 9, 132779–132790. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3112948
- [4] Realyvásquez-Vargas, A., Arredondo-Soto, K. C., Carrillo-Gutiérrez, T., & Ravelo, G. (2018). Applying the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to reduce the defects in the manufacturing industry. A case study. Applied sciences, 8(11), 2181. https://doi.org/10.3390/app8112181
- [5] Ikpe, V., & Shamsuddoha, M. (2024). Functional model of supply chain waste reduction and control strategies for retailers—The USA retail industry. Logistics, 8(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics8010022
- [6] García-Alcaraz, J. L., Arredondo Soto, K. C., Realivasquez Vargas, A., Hernandez Escobedo, G., & Sanchez Ramirez, C. (2022). Production capacity increase in medical device manufacturing assembly lines. Instituto de ingeniería y tecnología. https://cathi.uacj.mx/bitstream/handle/20.500.11961/22787/Production%20Capacity%20Increase%20in%20Medical%20Device.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- [7] Arora, M., Gigras, Y., & others. (2018). Importance of supply chain management in healthcare of third world countries. International journal of supply and operations management, 5(5), 101–106. https://www.sid.ir/paper/350248/en
- [8] Serdarasan, S. (2013). A review of supply chain complexity drivers. Computers & industrial engineering, 66(3), 533–540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2012.12.008
- [9] Usman, I. (2020). Lean hospital management implementation in health care service: A multicase study. Systematic reviews in pharmacy, 11(3), 361–371. https://repository.unair.ac.id/105289/1/Indrianawati U_Karil06_Lean Hospital.pdf
- [10] Sutherland, J., & Bennett, B. (2007). The seven deadly wastes of logistics: applying Toyota Production System principles to create logistics value. White paper, 701, 40–50. https://www.researchgate.net
- [11] Minh, N. D., Nguyen, N. D., & Cuong, P. K. (2019). Applying lean tools and principles to reduce cost of waste management: An empirical research in Vietnam. Management and production engineering review, 10(1), 37–49. https://bibliotekanauki.pl/articles/407008.pdf
- [12] Tahasin, T. A., Gupta, H. Sen, & Tuli, N. T. (2021). Analyzing the impact of 5S implementation in the manufacturing department: a case study. International journal of research in industrial engineering, 10(4), 286–294. https://doi.org/10.22105/riej.2021.229039.1230
- [13] Sushil, S., Islam, M. S., Islam, T., & Khan, M. S. I. (2020). Approach of green and lean manufacturing study of the small industries in Bangladesh. Research journal of engineering sciences, 9(3), 19–22. https://www.researchgate.net
- [14] Hasan, S., Khan, G., Hoque, M. R., Hassan, F., & Ahmed, N. (2022). Lean practices in the Bangladeshi ready-made garments industry and global significance. International journal of logistics research and applications, 25(3), 309–327. https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2020.1847262
- [15] Xiao, Q., & Khan, M. S. (2024). Exploring factors influencing supply chain performance: Role of supply chain resilience with mixed method approach empirical evidence from the Chinese healthcare Sector. Cogent business & management, 11(1), 2287785. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2287785
- [16] Priyadarshini, J., Singh, R. K., Mishra, R., He, Q., & Braganza, A. (2024). Implementation of additive manufacturing in the healthcare supply chain for circular economy goals: paradoxical tensions and solutions from an Industry 5.0 perspective. Information systems frontiers, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-024-10482-1
- [17] Slattery, O., Trubetskaya, A., Moore, S., & McDermott, O. (2022). A review of lean methodology application and its integration in medical device new product introduction processes. Processes, 10(10), 2005. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10102005
- [18] Ashok Sarkar, S., Ranjan Mukhopadhyay, A., & Ghosh, S. K. (2013). Root cause analysis, Lean Six Sigma and test of hypothesis. The tqm journal, 25(2), 170–185. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542731311299609
- [19] Gulzar, S., Hussain, K., Akhlaq, A., Abbas, Z., & Ghauri, S. (2024). Exploring the psychological contract breach of nurses in healthcare: an exploratory study. Asia-pacific journal of business administration, 16(1), 204–230. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542731311299609
- [20] Alam, M. K. (2021). A systematic qualitative case study: questions, data collection, NVivo analysis and saturation. Qualitative research in organizations and management: an international journal, 16(1), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1108/QROM-09-2019-1825

