Systematic Review of the Impact of Lean Six Sigma on Sustainability Practices in a Practical Approach in the Food Industry

Resumen

Lean Six Sigma, a methodology recognized for its effectiveness in continuous process improvement, has become a crucial catalyst for driving sustainability in industrial plants. This systematic review aims to identify an improvement in production processes, the lack of optimization in internal processes, negatively impacting the supply chain, raising production costs, and prolonging cycle times. For this, a systematic search was carried out in SCOPUS and Science Direct, where a total of 5629 articles were obtained under the PICO strategy, and 16 articles that met the inclusion criteria were determined between 2021 and 2024. The results showed a wide range of sustainability practices, including waste reduction, efficient use of resources, and improving food safety, demonstrating that Lean Six Sigma can positively impact food industry sustainability practices. Potential benefits include increased process efficiency, reduced resource consumption, and increased food security. It was concluded that the findings of this systematic review provide evidence of the potential of Lean Six Sigma to contribute to the sustainability of the food industry, as it provides benefits by identifying and eliminating waste, improving efficiency, and addressing production challenges. sustainability. Additionally, significant improvements were observed in sustainability indicators, such as energy consumption and waste. It is recommended that food companies consider implementing Lean Six Sigma to improve their sustainability practices.