Value stream mapping for sustainable change at a Swedish dairy farm

Sammanfattning

This case study increases our understanding of Lean implementation in which value stream mapping (VSM) is used to create an action plan at a small dairy and cattle farm in southwest Sweden. The researchers, the  farmer-owner, and farm employees followed a step-by-step approach that resulted in ideas for operational improvements for the dairy activity. Data were collected in interviews with the farmer/owner, researcher participation in workshops, and researcher observations. The results reveal that VSM is an effective way to create a culture of collaboration among the farm staff and to better define their roles and responsibilities as well as improve routines, communications, and task completion. In the two-to-three year period following the VSM project, specific improvements were observed in milk production/quality and animal health. The results also reveal that while Lean principles are relevant given the repetitive nature of agriculture routines and tasks, the VSM element of lead-time reduction is less relevant owing to the unique value adding biological processes in the agriculture sector.

Nyckelord

lean; value stream mapping; agricultural production; productivity; farmers

Publicerad i

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management
2020, Volym: 25, nummer: 1, sidor: 130-140

SLU författare

• Melin, Martin

  • Institutionen för människa och samhälle, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

UKÄ forskningsämne

Jordbruksvetenskap
Arbetslivsstudier


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEWM.2020.104367

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/103222