Leveraging Micro-enterprise Sustainability (SDG 8 and 9) Through Lean Manufacturing Approach

Abstract

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are a vital component in the productive networks of all countries, generating more than half of the sources of work and contributing significantly to the gross domestic production of each country. In many of these cases, particularly in micro-enterprises, although they manage to enter the market, sustaining themselves becomes an extremely challenging and demanding task. Micro-enterprises often have difficulties in improving their organizational and productive processes due to the lack of necessary technical resources. This work presents a case study in which the productivity of a micro-enterprise is substantially leveraged by implementing lean manufacturing approaches. The shop-floor layout was redesigned, orienting the design to improve productivity, and the integral functioning of the company was analyzed following the 5 S methodology. This case study shows how tools such as lean manufacturing can contribute to sustaining this type of companies that represent a key agent in the societies, which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 9 of the United Nations (Decent work and economic growth, and Industry, innovation and infrastructure, respectively).