Operation tools meet sustainability 

What if the key to running a successful factory could also unlock solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental problems? As companies around the world come under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, an unlikely set of tools is emerging as a catalyst for change. 

Operational excellence (OPEX) methodologies, which outline philosophies for running businesses more efficiently, can be leveraged as a way to meet social and environmental goals. This has far-reaching implications for improving social and environmental sustainability in the world’s economy, according to Maher Maalouf, asociate professor of management science and engineering in the Socio-Technical Systems Lab at Khalifa University.   

“To be competitive in today’s world, organizations need to expand their goals beyond efficient operation and adopt more integrated sustainability strategies.” 

Maher Maalouf 

“OPEX methodologies improve efficiency, but their applications for sustainability have been majorly overlooked,” he says. “To be competitive in today’s world, organizations need to expand their goals beyond efficient operation and adopt more integrated sustainability strategies.” 

Hidden potential 

Traditionally, OPEX methodologies have been instrumental in helping the manufacturing sector streamline the production process. For instance, Lean focuses on reducing waste and improving efficiency, while Six Sigma seeks to reduce defective products by eliminating variations in the manufacturing process. In the 1990s, the combination of Lean Six Sigma gained traction. By the late 2000s, it had expanded to service-based businesses to optimize their operations.  

Beyond operational improvements, OPEX methodologies have the potential to boost economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Economic sustainability involves long-term profitability, social sustainability addresses employee and customer satisfaction, and environmental sustainability aims to reduce waste, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.  

Maalouf emphasizes the importance of accelerating the adoption of these methodologies in the service sector—everything from healthcare to telecoms—as these businesses account for at least half the gross domestic product in 168 countries. 

In a recent study, Maalouf, along with graduate student Shatha Siefan and colleagues, provided an in-depth view of exactly how OPEX helped service-sector businesses to improve on the three pillars of sustainability.  

They found, for example, that some hospitals improved patient satisfaction by increasing the time spent with patients during office visits. Many others were able to cut operational costs and reduce consumption of resources such as water, fuel and paper.  

Telecommunications providers were able to decrease carbon emissions by reducing the number of vehicles sent to customer houses for equipment installation; and a logistics company was able to extend a ship’s lifecycle, reducing waste. 

Measuring success 

The researchers also discovered that while 79% of the studies analyzed in the review reported operational benefits such as time savings, only 15% reported financial benefits, 3% social benefits, and 2.66% environmental benefits.  

This highlights a gap in research that could in turn influence the service sector’s willingness to adopt OPEX methodologies. “There are definitely qualitative improvements happening, but that’s not showing up as a measurable result,” says Maalouf.  

Setting key performance indicators for measuring success appears to be a significant hurdle. Unlike financial gains that can be assessed by return on investment and cost savings, social and environmental improvements are more difficult to define and track. Furthermore, the KPIs are industry-specific, so companies often do not have successful examples to use as role models. 

For a greener future in the United Arab Emirates and beyond, “Business leaders need to implement OPEX methodologies and link them to sustainability,” Maalouf says.  

Despite the challenges, Maalouf emphasizes that the UAE is uniquely positioned to be a leader in leveraging OPEX methodologies for sustainability. The country has announced long-term plans such as the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which aims to transform the UAE from an oil-based to a knowledge-based economy. The Net Zero 2050 Strategy is also driving the country toward net zero emissions, pressuring businesses to ramp up efforts on sustainability. The country’s diverse service industry would be an ideal base to build successful case studies for a variety of businesses. 

“OPEX methodologies, by their very structure, are beneficial for visions that take us toward a more sustainable society that cuts emissions and waste,” he says. “Policymakers should provide incentives for businesses, such as by providing funding and certifications for companies adopting sustainable operational excellence strategies.” 

Reference

Siefan, S.; Antony, J.; Mayyas, A.; Omar, M.; Swarnakar, V.; Lameijer, B. and Maalouf, M., The impact of operational excellence methodologies on sustainable performance in the service sector: a systematic literature review. Production Planning & Control, 1-28, 2025. | Article