Development of index for measuring leanness: study of an Indian auto component industry

Purpose – The extant literature fails to provide an efficient method to measure leanness of any manufacturing firm. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of leanness and to provide an efficient measurement method for measuring leanness. Design/methodology/approach – Measurement method is based on the judgment and evaluation given by leanness measurement team (LMT) on various leanness parameters such as supplier's issues, investment priorities, Lean practices, and various waste addressed by lean and customers' issues. Further fuzzy set theory is introduced to remove the bias of human judgment and finally defuzzification is done and results are presented in the form of leanness index. Findings – Leanness indices have been developed and presented separately on 100 points scale for all parameters of leanness i.e. LI Suppliers = 47.98, LI Investment = 50.66, LI practices = 58.38, LI Waste = 60.01, LI Customers = 47.1. Research limitations/implications – This leanness measurement method used the views of experts and may contain human judgment error. Practical implications – It will be helpful to both academician and practitioners as an assessment tool for evaluation of lean status of any industry utilized. Originality/value – Leanness measurement method based on judgment of experts is used first time for evaluation of leanness.