ICOPEX 2027 11th International Conference on Operational Excellence

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The International Conference on Operational Excellence (OPEX) was founded by Professor Jiju Antony (formerly known as Lean Six Sigma) in 2004 in Glasgow, Scotland. The conference has attracted over 1200 academics and practitioners from over 35 countries since then. The 11th International Conference on Operational Excellence (OPEX) will explore the importance of Human-Centricity and Sustainability of OPEX in the era of AI and Digitalization. The conference will be aimed at attracting like-minded quality and OPEX professionals from all sorts of sectors, including manufacturing, service, public sector and voluntary sector or third sector. Operational Excellence (OPEX) in the era of AI and Digitalization is the pursuit of superior performance by integrating advanced digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and automation, into industrial operations. It focuses on creating smart factories where machines, systems, and processes are interconnected, enabling real-time data exchange and decision-making. Continuous Improvement (CI) is driven by real-time analytics, transforming traditional manufacturing into agile, responsive systems that can meet modern market demands through the intelligent application of digital technologies. It may foster human-centricity by automating repetitive, “robotic” tasks, allowing employees to focus on high-value creative problem- solving and emotional intelligence. It can also reduce burnout and physical strain, enhance safety and personalization. But it also introduces the risk of “digital alienation” or the erosion of human intuition if systems become overly prescriptive. Moreover, implementing these technologies can also make the workers feel that they may be replaced by the machines they oversee. Naturally, these dilemmas should also be addressed by the academicians and managers. Although several organizations are embracing OPEX as a philosophy for business transformation, yet only a few achieve sustained success with this change. Research also indicates that while OPEX adoption has positively impacted financial, environmental, and operational performance, its influence on social and governance aspects remains limited. In practice, many organizations launch OPEX programs with strong tools and methodologies, yet struggle to embed them into everyday decision-making and leadership behaviours. While gains in cost, efficiency, and environmental performance are often realized, social and governance dimensions such as employee engagement, ethical leadership, and accountability are frequently treated as secondary. Successful organizations are those that move beyond isolated improvement projects and integrate OPEX into their culture, management systems, and governance structures. Doing so enables OPEX to become a practical enabler of sustainable, people-focused, and responsibly governed operations rather than a short-term efficiency initiative. Thus, the primary goal of the upcoming conference is to convene academic scholars and industry practitioners to delve into the critical human-centric challenges of sustaining OPEX in the AI and digitalization era through discussions and collaborations that drive global research initiatives addressing these pertinent issues.