The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted both the Indonesian and global economies, leading to uncertainty and economic recession. This downturn is expected to influence Indonesia’s economic growth in the coming years. Businesses operating in an increasingly competitive market must adapt to rapid changes and emphasize customer orientation. Consequently, companies must explore innovative strategies to enhance supply chains, one of which is the adoption of lean management. This approach focuses on improving quality and productivity while reducing costs, time, and waste across operations.
Despite the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability, implementing green manufacturing remains a challenge, particularly in developing countries, as it often does not yield immediate benefits for the industrial sector. However, an increasing trend toward eco-friendly production and consumption persists even during economic downturns. One such example is the ‘eco-furniture’ or ‘green furniture’ movement, which seeks to minimize the environmental impact of furniture manufacturing.
Indonesia’s wooden furniture industry, known for its high market potential, struggles with low efficiency and high levels of waste, contributing to significant environmental degradation. To address this issue, Lean-Green manufacturing has emerged as a viable model. This integrated approach effectively evaluates waste processing in the supply chain, helping businesses adopt sustainable measures. By applying Lean-Green principles, furniture manufacturers can optimize resource utilization, particularly for natural wood materials, ensuring that resources remain valuable even when they are no longer in primary use.
Lean-Green manufacturing is applicable across companies of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Various sub-sectors within the supply chain can also benefit from this approach by following established Lean-Green guidelines and initiatives. Companies implementing these strategies can improve operational efficiency while advancing sustainability goals.
Recent research on Lean-Green implementation highlights six key criteria for success: leadership, workforce involvement, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, process optimization, and measurable results. The Lean-Green assessment provides managers with valuable insights into areas requiring improvement, enabling continuous progress toward sustainability.
While the current study focuses on waste processing within the furniture manufacturing supply chain, its conceptual framework can be adapted for other industries, including aluminum, plastics, textiles, and paper manufacturing. Future research could expand by analyzing multiple companies and examining supply chain dynamics across various stakeholders, including suppliers, customers, and employees. By embracing Lean-Green manufacturing, industries can achieve both economic resilience and environmental sustainability.
Authors: Febriana Wurjaningrum & Begawan Hero Bhaskoro
