What is the Five S Method of Business Process Management?

The 5S Method is an approach to creating efficiency in workplace processes and activities. It is primarily used as part of business process management. The 5S model is integrated into various lean operation approaches. The objectives are process improvement and output quality. It does so by fostering employee independence, teamwork, and leadership. 5S Method is an acronym from five Japanese words:

• Seiri (Separate) - separate needed and unneeded things
• Seiton (Sort) - sort or locate needed and used things that they can be easily and quickly applied
• Seiso (Still clean) - maintaining cleanliness in the workplace and its surroundings
• Seiketsu (Standardize) - continuous and repeated improvement of the organizational work
• Shitsuke (Self-discipline) - maintaining perfect order and 4 previous S in the workplace at the time

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Academic Research on the 5s Model

• The 5S methodology as a tool for improving the organization, Michalska, J., & Szewieczek, D. (2007). Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering,24(2), 211-214. This paper is aimed at revealing the 5S methodology. This paper also shows the way to implement the 5S methodology in the company. Design/methodology/approach: The 5S rules in the production process based on the frames of research and implementation. This is based on own research. Findings: Based on own research, it can be stated that great changes in the company can be gotten by introducing the 5S rules. For example, improving process by cost reduction, increase of effectiveness and efficiency within the processes, maintaining and improving machines efficiency, increase in safety and reducing industrial pollution, proceedings according to decisions. Research limitations/implications: The methodology of the 5S allows the analysis of process running on the workplace. The methodology of the 5S is that of creating and maintaining properly organized, high effective, high quality, and clean workplace. Practical implications: it was clearly showed by Own research, that training is essential to workers regarding the 5S rules. The important thing is to maintain continuous improvement and also divide activities into some main steps. Originality/value: Each program of improvement in a company starts with the 5S method. The 5S method can be applicable to all companies. The effective organization in the workplace is a key result.
• Implementation of 5S practices in the manufacturing companies: A case study, Ab Rahman, M. N., Khamis, N. K., Zain, R. M., Deros, B. M., & Mahmood, W. H. W. (2010). American Journal of Applied Sciences,7(8), 1182-1189. A major technique to improve quality environment, health and safety are by 5S practice. 5S evaluation practice can be carried out by implementing the 5S audit at every division in the company. Approach:By the use of 5S audit, each company can be enabled to identify the potential level of improving quality and also analyze the strengths and weakness of each division in the company implementing the 5S audit plan. So, in a bid to assess the implementation of 5S practice, there was the involvement of two manufacturing companies in this study. Results:the first activity on the study was to understand the background of the company, recognize divisions to be assessed and come out with the complete 5S checklist for each division in the company for auditing process. The result showed that both companies perform a perfect 5S practice, although there were few weaknesses which include the arrangement of the documents, tool, and equipment that still need to be considered. Conclusion/Recommendations:Both companies studied agreed that the 5S practice is a technique that can improve standards such as housekeeping, health and safety and environmental performance standards in their workplace. However, another key factor that determines the success of the 5S practice is the effort and participation from top management. 
• Business improvement strategy or useful tool? Analysis of the application of the 5S concept in Japan, the UK and the US, Kobayashi, K., Fisher, R., & Gapp, R. (2008). Total Quality Management,19(3), 245-262. This research, the 5S concept, researches how a Japanese philosophy for life, has been applicable to improve business in the UK, US, and Japan. This study utilizes the framework of various scholars is an exploratory study towards an under-researched area. A quantitative content analysis approach of 217 businesses is used. The advent of World Wide Web business domains was lexically analyzed, and that facilitates the knowledge of how 5S has been adopted and implemented. Based on research, it was discovered that Japan places emphasis on 5S as a strategy for business excellence, and this requires both home and work participation. Although, both the UK and the US, views 5S as a system for only the workplace. One of the management approach to solve problems in the workplace and improve processes of organizations is the ultimate goal of 5S, and that is what this finding suggests. And also, a balanced understanding of both 5S as a philosophy and also 5S as a technique or tool could lead to the ultimate goal of 5S.
• Implementing 5S within a Japanese context: an integrated management system, Gapp, R., Fisher, R., & Kobayashi, K. (2008). Management Decision,46(4), 565-579. This research builds on previous works of both managerial and developmental applications of the 5S concept. The aim is to from a Japanese management perspective - identify and present important concepts. More than a simple management tool, this finding links 5S to Japanese management approaches that are in-line with an integrated management system 
• Development of 5S practice checklist for manufacturing industry, Khamis, N., Abrahman, M. N., Jamaludin, K. R., Ismail, A. R., Ghani, J. A., & Zulkifli, R. (2009, July). InProceedings of the World Congress on Engineering(Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 1-5). This paper puts into practical use and application of the environments 5S checklist. This checklist covers the environment, health and house keeping, and improvement in safety purposes using two organizations. The objective of this research was to access the development of the 5S activity and the implementation of the 5S. This includes: identifying problems, considering critical factors, their recommendations and outcomes. Furthermore, constraining factors to the implementation of the 5S activity and proposed solutions for the industries were identified through observation. A systematic approach was used to conduct this study with specific software. In summary, the commitments of the top-level management, complete staff involvement in all levels, business functions, and background are factors the implementation of the 5S activity depends on. 
• An application of 5S concept to organize the workplace at a scientific instruments manufacturing company, Gupta, S., & Jain, S. K. (2015). International Journal of Lean Six Sigma,6(1), 73-88. To create the teams for implementing 5S, a simple approach was adopted. For shop-floor analysis, cause-and-effect diagrams were studied. Four data applications were further used to ascertain that 5S was implemented appropriately.
• A second look at5S, Van Patten, J. (2006). Quality progress,39(10), 55. Organizations sometimes attempt to try the 5S activities and also imbibe them into their day-to-day functions. As commendable as this is, it requires a lot of both expertise and understanding. The challenge has been how the 5S can be launched as a project. But indeed, the 5S is related to regular day to day activities like losing weight or learning a new skill. This paper details the intricacies to the approach of 5S incorporation with ease
• The 5S and kaizen concept for overall improvement of the organisation: a case study, Gupta, S., & Jain, S. K. (2014). International Journal of Lean Enterprise Research,1(1), 22-40. In this study, some of the 5S and Kaizen principles were implemented. These principles are to aid small scale organizations involved in manufacture to become more productive and efficient. The paper further analyzed the rules of 5S and kaizen in an organization. The case study reveals that the introduction of the 5S and kaizen rules brought about great changes in the organization. The application of 5S and kaizen tools range from micro to large organizations. The 5S and kaizen methods begin each programme of improvement from each workstation of the organization. The effective organization is its ultimate result. 
• Implementation of 5S practices: A review, Singh, J., Rastogi, V., & Sharma, R. (2014). Uncertain Supply Chain Management,2(3), 155-162. 5S, coined from five Japanese words; Seiri (Sort), Seiton (Set in order), Seiso (Shine), Seiketsu (standardize) and Shitsuke (sustain), is used in organizations as a systematic technique. This system eradicates non-profit activities while enhancing organization efficiency, productivity and quality in the workplace. It also seeks to review previous frameworks about the implementation of 5S, its efficiency in organizations and its benefit. The result from this study shows that regardless of the type of organization, size, service or production, 5S is an effective tool for improving organization performance. For an organizations improvement and productivity, the 5S technique would consequently support its performance. 
• Steps for implementation of 5S, Kumar, K., & Kumar, S. (2012). International Journal of Management, IT and Engineering,2(6), 402-416. This paper reveals that for enterprise management, 55 is an effective approach. It further describes steps taken for the implementation of 5S and further states its benefits to organizations. Furthermore, discussions have been made on implementation from start to execution. Ways of implementing each of the 5 Ss of 5S was also further emphasized.
• A review on 5S Implementation in Industrial and Business Organizations, Ghodrati, A., & Zulkifli, N. (2012). IOSR Journal of Business and Management,5(3), 11-13. 5S, coined from five Japanese words; Seiri (Sort), Seiton (Set in order), Seiso (Shine), Seiketsu (standardize) and Shitsuke (sustain), is used in organizations as a systematic technique. This system eradicates non-profit activities while enhancing organization, efficiency, productivity and quality in the workplace. It also seeks to review previous frameworks about the implementation of 5S, its efficiency in organizations and its benefit. The result from this study shows that regardless of the type of organization, size, service or production, 5S is an effective tool for improving organization performance. For an organizations improvement and productivity, the 5S technique would consequently support its performance.