State-of-the-art of ‘Lean’ in the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul industry

Abstract

The increasing need for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations to meet customers' demands in quality and reduced lead times is key to its survival within the aviation industry. Furthermore, with the unpredictability in the global market and difficulties with forecasting characteristic of the MRO industry there is an increased need for the reevaluation of the operation models of organizations within this sector. However, severe economic turmoil and ever-increasing global competition introduce the opportunity for the adoption of a resilient, tried, and tested business operation model such as 'Lean'. In order to understand this concept, its long-term viability, and its application within the aerospace MRO sector fully, this paper presents the state-of-the-art in terms of the adoption of Lean within the MRO industry by carrying out a systematic review of the literature. This paper establishes the common perception of Lean by the MRO industry and the measurable progress that has been made on the subject. Some issues and challenges are also highlighted including the misconceptions that arise from the direct transference of the perception of Lean from other industrial sectors into the aerospace MRO industry. The 'enablers and inhibitors' of Lean within the aviation industry are also discussed. This paper exposes the scarcity of the literature and the general lagging behind of the industry to the adoption of the Lean paradigm and thus highlights areas where further research is required.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0954405411407122
Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Operations & Information Management
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Advanced Services Group
Aston University (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Lean,maintenance repair overhaul,service,outsourcing,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering,Mechanical Engineering
Publication ISSN: 2041-2975
Last Modified: 13 Nov 2024 08:05
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2012 08:57
Full Text Link: http://pib.sage ... ent/225/11/2108
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2011-11
Published Online Date: 2011-09-21
Authors: Ayeni, P.
Baines, T. (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-7518-2967)
Lightfoot, H.
Ball, P.

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