Abstract

Lean manufacturing approach, in other words, the Toyota production system, is examined in the context of its historical development by using the articles researched from reputable journals in this field. Lean manufacturing, digitalization, and the interaction between these two developments are handled and attention is drawn to the change in the role of human factor in production. The aim of this study is to draw attention to digitalization in the automotive and electronics sectors, as well as in other branches of the manufacturing sector, where the lean manufacturing approach is widely used. As a result of this, it is stated that organizational transformation will be inevitable within the framework of future technological developments in enterprises. In this study, it will be revealed that the human role in production has changed and even decreased within the framework of the relationship between lean transformation and digital transformation. However, the concept of intelligent lean manufacturing was used for the first time in the literature.

Key Terms in this Chapter

Intelligent Lean Manufacturing: It is Lean Production supported by digital elements in the production cycle between the customer and the manufacturer, together with the rapidly increasing contribution and interaction of IT technology within the framework of Industry 4.0, where learning machines are used.

Change of Human Factor Role: It is the functional change of the human factor in production within the framework of lean production, lean transformation, digital transformation and digital lean transformation.

Lean Manufacturing: In the process from receiving the order to the delivery of the final product, it is the elimination of waste, which the customer does not want to pay and which does not have any value for him, but which only increases the company's costs, through continuous improvements. With Lean Production, also referred to as the Toyota Production System, the process from receiving the order to delivering the final product is shortened.

Human Factor: Human factors in production is the application of psychological and physiological principles to the engineering and design of products, processes and systems within an organizational and cultural framework.

Lean Transformation: It is the change of the production process within the framework of Lean Production expectations, especially in the manufacturing sector.

Digital Transformation: Due to the increasing social and sectoral needs in the customer-supplier relationship, the process of transferring, evaluating, finalizing and deciding on large-scale data regarding this needs to be accelerated. In this context, digital transformation is the process of finding solutions, development and change with the integration of digital technologies powered by artificial intelligence, which also requires organizational and cultural change.