Facing the new challenges in production processes, companies should adopt lean and green practices in product development. In SMEs, the application of these practices is more complex. This work explores the maturity of lean–green methodologies in the product development process in Brazilian and Japanese SMEs. The methodology used is multicriteria, combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and TOPSIS 2-tuple method, applied to four Japanese SMEs and four Brazilian SMEs in the metalworking sector. The criteria for evaluating SMEs are company flexibility, difficulties with NPD, innovation, limited resources, and personnel authority high. The TOPSIS method alternatives refer to 18 lean–green enablers. In the AHP method, the prioritisation of criteria between Japanese and Brazilian specialists presented divergences. In the Japanese context, the incidence of innovation is predominant, while in the Brazilian context, the most important is the limited resources. In the TOPSIS 2-tuple method, the results showed a higher level of maturity in lean–green methodologies in Japanese companies than in Brazilian ones. Lean practices are more evolved compared to sustainable practices in both countries. The study also addressed how open innovation adoption may contribute to innovation and NPD practices. Policymakers need to understand the heterogeneity of innovators within SMEs and how they differently innovate, developing distinct internal and external activities.

Purpose: This paper examines the relationship between different manufacturing strategies and Industry 4.0's (I4.0) critical success factors (CSFs) and technology adoption.Design/methodology/approach: For that, the authors surveyed 165 practitioners from different manufacturers. Participants provided information about the levels of product customization and production volume in their companies. They also indicated the adoption level of I4.0 technologies and CSFs. Using multivariate data techniques, the authors identified four clusters of different manufacturing strategies and two readiness levels based on the establishment of I4.0 CSFs. The adoption level of I4.0 technologies was then cross compared among clusters to identify which technologies are more likely to be supported.Findings: The findings indicate that, in low-readiness companies, the adoption level of I4.0 technologies does not significantly differ between manufacturing strategies. However, when companies present a higher I4.0 readiness, the adoption of I4.0 technologies seem to vary according to the existing manufacturing strategy.Originality/value: This study sheds light on the influence that manufacturing strategies may have on the digital transformation of companies, highlighting which strategies are more likely to offer a context to successfully adopt I4.0 technologies. The identification of these relationships helps to define the expectation regarding the company's digital transformation, determining coherent benchmarks and allowing managers to anticipate potential issues.

This paper aims to present a systematic for the analysis of the economic viability of investment projects (SAEVIP) in fixed assets. In the literature, it is possible to identify the fundamental elements to evaluate the merit of the investment project (IP). To assess the dimension 'return', indicators are analysed: net present value (NPV), NPV annualised (NPVA), index benefit/cost (IBC), return on investment annualised (ROIA), index ROIA/minimum rate of attractiveness (MRA) and return on investment (ROI). An indicator analysis for dimension 'risk' is performed by internal rate of return (IRR), Payback, index MRA/IRR, index Payback/N and Fisher point. In addition, a joint assessment of indicator of risk and return is performed. A sensitivity study is promoted on the main variables involved in economic performance of the IP (MRA, costs and revenues). To validate the SAEVIP proposal, a case study shows the wealth of information generated by the application of this systematic.

Before selecting a proper hydraulic turbine for power generation, conflicting factors frequently emerge from the wide range of available technology alternatives. The preliminary selection of hydraulic turbines (PSHT) has been usually carried out by overlooking and/or overshadowing downstream and upstream processes. The development of a new conceptual framework that allows for including more parameters into the decision-making process at company levels is still required to avoid the danger of engaging in a one-dimensional approach, which would not only result in a reduced and simplistic vision of the choice but would also overlook the trade-offs between individual aspects and the possible unintended side-effects. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence for the PSHT by proposing a well-thought-out framework based on a mixed methodology approach (analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy-VIKOR multi-criteria methods) and focused on small hydropower projects. A total of 16 criteria are proposed and divided into 4 main categories—(i) turbine performance, (ii) turbine and generator costs, (iii) other equipment costs, and (iv) civil costs. Findings reported here reveal a specific alignment between investors’ preferences and experts’ judgments with real market practices. The 16 proposed criteria can be further considered to support the decision-making process for PSHT in different head and flow conditions.

RESUMO Este artigo analisou a viabilidade econômica da instalação de uma usina de reciclagem de resíduos da construção civil, por meio das expectativas de retorno e risco associadas à sua implantação. A análise do investimento em estudo foi realizada utilizando-se a metodologia multi-índice por meio do sistema Web $LV€P. Também foi realizada uma análise estocástica utilizando a Simulação de Monte Carlo como forma de melhor analisar os riscos envolvidos no projeto. Os resultados mostraram que há viabilidade econômica e baixo risco na implantação dessa usina, pois a probabilidade de o valor presente líquido (VPL) ser menor que zero é de 0,22%. A análise preliminar realizada mostrou que a decisão de investir nesse empreendimento se apresenta como uma boa opção de investimento, sendo recomendada a sua implementação por ser um projeto com possibilidades de bom retorno financeiro.