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In an increasingly competitive global automotive landscape, the strategic integration of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Lean Practices (LP) has emerged as a crucial determinant of operational excellence and sustained organizational performance. Grounded in empirical evidence from the Thai automotive sector, this study explores the intricate synergies between TQM with Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) dimensions, lean implementation, and firm performance. This study employs the quantitative research method, where the measurement scales for each construct were adopted from the literature and reviewed by academics. Data were collected from 854 manufacturing firms in Thailand through a mail survey method. This study applied a two-step structural equation modeling (SEM) process. The findings reveal a robust direct effect of TQM (leadership, strategy planning, customer and workforce focus) on firm performance, underscoring its pivotal role. Notably, TQM also exhibited a substantial indirect effect on business performance, mediated sequentially through lean practices including continuous flow, 5S, and total preventive maintenance. Lean practices similarly demonstrated significant direct and indirect effects on firm performance. Collectively, the combined effects of MBNQA and lean practices on firm performance was also observed, substantiating their complementary contributions. These findings hold significant implications, both from an academic and a practical standpoint. From a theoretical perspective, this research enriches the discourse by providing empirical insights into the mediating roles of lean practices, elucidating the paths through which TQM's performance-enhancing effects can be transmitted. Concurrently, the magnitude of the impact these practices have on firm performance underscores their practical relevance, and insights derived from this study could play a key role in guiding automotive firms and suppliers to align critical components to drive performance excellence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Lean construction (LC) is an innovative approach in the construction industry that has shown significant success in developed countries. Although LC has potential in the construction sector of Pakistan, it has not been extensively explored. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by identifying and predicting current lean practices and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of LC implementation in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: Using robust statistical methods to analyze 92 valid responses, the study reveals that approximately 54% of lean practices are currently in use in the construction industry of Pakistan, with a population mean ranging from 52.7% to 55.6%. Findings: Surprisingly, the research identifies instances where some construction firms in Pakistan are implementing LC practices, even though they have only a limited understanding of its underlying principles. Notably, certain subprinciples, such as visual management, top management commitment to change, employee training, process cycle time reduction and production optimization, are less integrated within the construction industry. Exploring the possibility of implementing LC, recommendations for strategies to implement LC in Pakistan are suggested, aligning with the conceptual model proposed by the researchers. Originality/value: The novelty of this work offers insights that can serve as a comprehensive guide for developing nations. It provides a structured approach to assess and benchmark LC practices, which, in turn, can contribute to a more efficient and effective construction industry. Moreover, the strategies proposed in this research can aid developing countries in the efficient implementation of LC. This will have a positive implication for both economic and developmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of healthcare, an imperative necessity for all, institutions are increasingly recognizing the advantages of adopting lean strategies to enhance performance. Lean implementation in healthcare can lead to significant improvements in efficiency, patient care, and overall institutional performance. This paper aims to assess the readiness levels for implementing lean practices in healthcare institutes in Bangladesh, employing a fuzzy logic approach. The construction of a conceptual model is grounded in literature review and expert opinions, incorporating critical enablers, criteria, and attributes identified from extensive research. Factors measured include leadership commitment, workforce capability, operational processes, technological infrastructure, and organizational culture, each pivotal in determining readiness for lean implementation. The fuzzy logic approach is particularly useful in this context due to its ability to handle uncertainty and imprecision, which are common in complex environments like healthcare. This methodology not only provides a clear picture of current capabilities but also highlights specific areas that need enhancement, paving the way for more targeted and effective lean interventions. Data sourced from consultations with experts in three prominent hospitals in Bangladesh forms the basis of the analysis, enabling a detailed examination of readiness levels. The model's application of fuzzy logic facilitates a comprehensive assessment, revealing 12 critical attributes across the hospitals that require attention. Interestingly, the evaluation identifies varying levels of readiness, with two hospitals demonstrating moderate readiness and one showing a lower level. This conceptual approach has significant potential to assist top management in healthcare companies by providing a structured framework to prioritize crucial areas for improvement. By accurately assessing readiness levels and pinpointing weaker aspects before implementing lean strategies, this study aims to transform the healthcare industry. Ultimately, its implementation has the potential to enhance organizational performance and elevate standards in patient care, contributing to improved healthcare delivery in Bangladesh and beyond.

Purpose: Lean implementation has become popular over the past three decades in the industry and is becoming more prevalent in, service organizations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of social and technical Lean practices on sustainable performance (i.e. economic, environmental and social) in service organizations. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology includes the analysis of global results obtained from 139 managers from the service sector. Findings: The results demonstrate that Lean practices have a positive effect on the three perspectives of sustainable performance, regardless of the company size and duration of Lean implementation. Furthermore, both social and technical Lean practices have a similar impact on environmental and economic performance, but their impact on social performance differs, since social Lean practices have a stronger impact on social performance. Practical implications: This study has a significant contribution to Lean practitioners in service sectors, as it demonstrates that efforts to apply Lean practices can benefit economic results as well as environmental and social performance. Originality/value: Majority of existing studies focused on the isolated impact of Lean on one of the triple bottom line performance aspects and with a scarcity of studies within the context of services. The intersection of these three strategic areas – Lean, sustainability and services – has not been extensively addressed. There is also a lack of studies that observe sustainability in environmental, social and economic performance, mainly in the service sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the causal relationship between Lean practices and team performance. Specifically, the authors tried to demonstrate which practices act as enablers of continuous improvement and waste elimination and what is their impact on team performance. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was carried out in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Southern Brazil. The authors obtained a sample of 785 respondents. The data analysis procedures involved confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modeling. Findings: The results of the research provided support for the positive influence of continuous improvement on waste elimination and of these two practices on team performance. In addition, empirical support was obtained for the effect of leadership support, employee involvement and internal process customers on continuous improvement. Research limitations/implications: Data collection was carried out online, so we were not able to maintain full control of the research respondents. This research generates relevant insights for decision-makers in the HEI environment, especially concerning Lean practices and team performance. The effects analyzed are even more relevant given the pandemic context. Practical implications: This study shows how some higher education Lean practices can positively affect continuous improvement and better team performance. The results raise important insights for decision-makers to offer better higher education public services, especially given the context and changes imposed by the pandemic situation. Originality/value: This paper initiates the discussion about enablers of continuous improvement and waste elimination in HEI and demonstrates their impact on team performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to determine the effectiveness of lean practices and culture on the Industry 4.0 implementation. This aim is achieved in the context of Pakistan’s manufacturing industry keeping in view the mediating role of green practices. This is a quantitative study, positivism was used. The data was collected from 256 management-level professionals working in the manufacturing industry of Pakistan. Smart PLS was used for data analysis. Besides running structural and measurement models, some other advanced techniques namely Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IMPA) and PLS Predict were also utilized. The results revealed that lean practices and culture have a significant and positive effect on Industry 4.0 implementation in Pakistan’s manufacturing industry. Furthermore, green practices significantly moderate their effects. However, job experience has an insignificant role in this relationship. By implementing Industry 4.0 in the manufacturing sector, costs can be reduced and international competition can be met. Moreover, the current study revalidates the resource-based theory. The findings can be utilized by the manufacturing industry to implement Industry 4.0, successfully. The significance of lean practices and lean culture is well-established. This research would be helpful in strategic planning and decision-making for managers working in the manufacturing industry of Pakistan.

This study addressed the problem of retailers struggling with store operations, which negatively affects customer satisfaction, sales, and overall firm performance. The objective was to investigate the relationship between on-shelf availability and firm performance in Malaysian retail small and medium enterprises. The study examined the impact of operational and managerial factors as determinants of on-shelf availability, as well as the moderating effect of lean practice on these relationships. A survey was conducted among retail Small and Medium Enterprises owners in the central region of Peninsular Malaysia, resulting in 151 usable responses. Data analysis was performed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The main findings revealed that operational factors had a significant positive effect on firm performance, whereas managerial factors did not show a significant effect. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that lean practice moderated the relationships between operational factors and firm performance, as well as between managerial factors and firm performance. These findings have significant practical implications for retail small and medium enterprises owners, researchers, and policymakers. Retail small and medium enterprises, should invest in efficient operational practices, incorporating lean practices cautiously, emphasizing bottleneck and constraint management to boost firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies indicate that green supplier integration can promote supplier knowledge sharing as a core resource and capability to strengthen supply chain resilience and achieve green performance for sustainable development. However, due to the lack of an effective approach and technology to improve green supplier integration, it is difficult for suppliers to promote or even maintain sharing. Few studies note that green supplier integration through lean practices may efficiently promote supplier knowledge sharing, and blockchain combinations may produce efficiencies in maintaining supplier knowledge sharing intention. However, there are still disputes and a lack of deep verification. Thus, this study aims to explore the following questions. First, when green supplier integration is improved through lean practices, can it promote supplier knowledge sharing and further strengthen supply chain resilience and green performance? Second, to what extent do blockchain combinations moderate the relationship between supplier knowledge sharing and supply chain resilience and why? Based on the natural resource‐based view and knowledge‐based view, this study builds a theoretical framework and verifies it using PLS‐SEM based on 214 Chinese manufacturers. The results of our analysis show that suppliers' knowledge sharing with manufacturers can certainly be promoted when lean practices are adopted to improve green supplier integration. In addition, blockchain combinations can certainly maintain supplier knowledge sharing intention and ensure that supply chain resilience related to prevention is continuously strengthened. In sum, our findings make useful contributions to the literature on the efficiencies of lean practices and blockchain combinations in the context of green supplier integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the challenges and the implementation of lean practices by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. It was conducted as a multiple-case study based on six companies that participated in the Lean Transformation Project (LTP) organized by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC). Data were collected through a combination of observation, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed significant improvements in the companies after participating in the LTP. These improvements included enhancing material handling processes through proper labeling and arrangement of materials. This study provides valuable insights for academics and practitioners on the impact of lean practices on operational activities in SMEs, particularly in the Malaysian context. It highlights the significance of lean principles in driving positive changes in companies, focusing on improving process outputs and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global crisis caused by Covid-19 and its impact on the healthcare system has been far-reaching and challenging in virtually all countries. Lean six sigma in Malaysia has never improvised an account for this case of the uncommon event as it only focuses on daily operations and productions that are in stability and in alignment with the demand to capacity. This study, therefore, attempts to make comparison from the previous researches on lean practices, six sigma, industrial evolution, and healthcare sustainability to investigate where the paucity of literature lies and to deploy new strategies for the post-pandemic. The study employs a review of literature methodology by following 3 stages: review planning; conducting of the review; and report of the review. Currently, the healthcare industry is motivated to update its conventional delivery systems to smart sophisticated systems due to the growing challenges within the services organization. The study found that integrating industrial revolution (IR) 4.0 technologies into the services optimizes sustainable healthcare management. As providing affordable, reliable, and safe healthcare while improving efficient performance remains challenging in the healthcare industry, this study posits that a hybrid of lean practices, six sigma and industrial revolution technologies are enhancers of economic, social and environmental sustainability. The study also reveals the contribution of services and operations management practice and how the strategic implementation of modern technologies and performance variation can improve sustainable performance in the healthcare sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Green supply chain management (GSCM) is an initiative that is growing in popularity across organizations. The e-commerce industry, which is currently growing rapidly, has triggered the activities of the logistics industry to also grow and have an impact on the environment. This study aims to study the role of lean practices, innovation management strategies and environmental orientation on organizational sustainability through green supply chain management in the e-commerce industry in Indonesia. This study uses a sample of 115 respondents with managerial level from the four largest e-commerce companies in Indonesia with the assumption that a population of 362 people is processed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results of this study indicate that directly, innovation performance has no significant effect on green supply chain (0.309 < 1.65), lean practices have a significant and positive effect on green supply chain (2.497 > 1.65), environmental orientation has a significant and positive effect on green supply chain (2.757 < 1.65), and green supply chain have a significant and positive effect on sustainability performance (10.393 < 1.65). Indirectly, it can be seen that innovation performance has no significant effect on sustainable performance through green supply chains (0.298 < 1.65), lean practices have a significant and positive effect on sustainable performance through green supply chains (2.123 > 1.65), and orientation the environment has a significant and positive effect on sustainable performance through green supply chains (2.376 < 1.65) in the e-commerce industry in Indonesia. Bahasa Indonesia Abstrak: Manajemen rantai pasokan hijau (GSCM) adalah inisiatif yang semakin populer di berbagai organisasi. Industri e-commerce yang saat ini sedang bertumbuh pesat memicu aktivitas industri logistik yang juga bertumbuh dan turut memberi dampak terhadap lingkungan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari peran dari praktik lean, strategi manajemen inovasi dan orientasi lingkungan pada keberlanjutan organisasi melalui manajemen rantai pasok hijau pada industri e-commerce di Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan sampel 115 responden di level manajerial dari empat perusahaan e-commerce terbesar di Indonesia dengan asumsi jumlah populasi 362 orang yang diolah dengan piranti lunak Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa secara langsung, kinerja inovasi tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap rantai pasok hijau (0,309 < 1,65), praktik lean berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap rantai pasok hijau (2,497 > 1,65), orientasi lingkungan berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap rantai pasok hijau (2,757 < 1,65), dan rantai pasok hijau berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap kinerja keberlanjutan (10,393 < 1,65). Secara tidak langsung, dapat dilihat bahwa kinerja inovasi tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap kinerja berkelanjutan melalui rantai pasok hijau (0,298 < 1,65), praktik lean berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap kinerja berkelanjutan melalui rantai pasok hijau (2,123 > 1,65), dan orientasi lingkungan berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap kinerja berkelanjutan melalui rantai pasok hijau (2,376 < 1,65) pada industri e-commerce di Indonesia.

Lean practices are known to increase operational performance. Previous research has identified critical success factors for implementing lean practices. This research aims to examine the extent to which success factors are critical for various degrees of lean practice implementation. Using multiple-respondent self-assessments from 33 Dutch manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), we conducted a Necessary Condition Analysis. Our findings indicated that the criticality of success factors is progression dependent. In the initial stages of the lean journey, SMEs could improve their lean practices in a bottom-up manner through local factors such as a learning focus, improvement training and support congruence. When lean practices are more advanced, some company-wide factors must be present: top management support, a shared improvement vision and a supplier link. Our findings question the universality of success factors such as strategic involvement and indicate the need for a more dynamic model of lean implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of R&D implementation on the relationship between lean manufacturing practices and a firm’s sustainable performance. Design/methodology/approach – A survey strategy was used to understand the research argument empirically. The collected data were analyzed using regression analysis to validate the proposed model. Findings – This study has practical contributions for managers of food and beverage manufacturing firms; they can understand the lean manufacturing implementation practices that may enhance the firm’s sustainable performance. The results are especially useful in helping them to revise the current lean manufacturing model by considering the R&D concept, which accelerates the relationship between lean practices and a firm’s sustainable performance. Research limitations/implications – This study provides researchers new insight into the effect of lean practices on a firm’s sustainable performance. However, the study cannot show the dynamic nature of sustainable performance. Therefore, the sample's small size and time limitation to finish the research will consider as research limitations. Practical implications – This research provides certain lean practices that will affect the firm’s sustainable performance with the moderation of R & D. Originality/value – This paper studies the effect of R & D implementation on the relationship between lean practices and a firm’s sustainable performance in the Egyptian food and beverage manufacturing sector. This will help decision-makers arrange their priorities for selecting which lean practices should apply and monitor. Finally, R&D should be considered during the implementation of lean programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bangladeshi export-oriented ready-made garments (RMG) industry sector is encountering many issues including low rate of productivity and efficiency, high lead time, high cost of quality, low rate of 'Right First Time'. These problems at RMG manufacturer's end ultimately induces unacceptable level of risks and uncertainties to the international customers. Such problems can potentially be tackled through implementation of various lean practices. This study used qualitative research methods to assess the state of implementation of lean practices in the Bangladeshi RMG sector. Some of the important progresses made in implementing lean tools in the industry include increased information exchange using the enterprise resource planning system; pull production; enhanced focus on just-in-time production; and establishment of cross-functional quality inspection teams. Despite the noteworthy progress top management of RMG manufactures in Bangladesh needs to develop a holistic approach, concrete vision, mission and objectives to implement lean practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organizational development following the philosophy of sustainability is becoming the prerequisite for companies, which urges and emphasizes them to incorporate social, economic, and environmental aspects into their manufacturing and operations. Despite plethora of researches exploring lean practices as the solution for improving productivity, it is limited to the operational aspects only, thus ignoring the other aspects of sustainability. Moreover, there is a dearth of studies that explored the combined effect of sustainable innovation, process innovation, and lean practices on the three aspects of sustainability. The current study is an attempt and contribution in the existing literature through the sample of 431 respondents from ISO 14001 certified Chinese organizations during COVID-19 pandemic conditions. The estimations were performed through the Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling. The results revealed a positive association among the proposed hypothesis of aforementioned studied phenomena. In addition, the current study explores the role of sustainable innovation as a mediator between lean and three dimensions of the sustainability, which is reportedly found to be a partial mediator as both direct and indirect effects are found to be statistically significant. Through the findings of the current study, the managers and decision makers can comprehend the potential of the possible benefits which can be reaped by incorporating both lean and sustainability within their operations.

Manufacturing companies in today's industrial world are seeking to use the new manufacturing process methods. The primary goal of corporations is to achieve optimum production while deploying minimal capital. The fundamental purpose of this study is to examine the influence of various lean manufacturing practices on the sustainability performance of companies and the mediating role of green supply chain management (GSCM). The data was gathered using questionnaires from 250 Pakistani manufacturing firms and analyzed using AMOS 25. Results demonstrate that process and equipment, product design, supplier relationships, and customer relationships significantly affect sustainable performance. It is also recognized that Green Supply Chain Management mediates the interaction between HR processes, product design, supplier relationship, customer relationship, and environmental performance. The findings of this study will enable managers and decision-makers of manufacturing companies to increase sustainable efficiency and reduce waste through the use of lean manufacturing and GSCM implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The adoption of lean and green practices, sequentially or simultaneously, in the context of supply chain management has been recommended by researchers and practitioners as strategies to gain a sustainable competitive advantage while reducing negative social and environmental impacts. Hence, there is a growing interest in this topic. This attention is evident through the increased number of publications on lean and green supply chain practices. However, only a few studies have listed and classified these practices according to the different levels of the supply chain. Moreover, there is a restricted number of research papers that have highlighted the specific practices that impact each measurement of sustainable performance. Thus, this research aims to contribute to the literature in the field of supply chain management by presenting, in a simple and structured way, the different lean and green practices that have been studied by previous researchers, focusing on their impact on sustainable performance measurements. Methods: A rigorous literature review in seven steps was followed, based on the study and analysis of 23 research articles dealing with lean and green practices and their impact on the supply chain's sustainable performance. Results: The novelty of this research is that it presents, at the same time (i) a review of lean and green practices used in the context of supply chain management, and classified based on their citation frequency and level of use (upstream, internal and downstream), (ii) a focus on the practices that have been empirically studied as having an impact on supply chain's sustainable performance, as well as highlighting the indicators that are directly influenced by these practices, and (iii) a development of a conceptual framework, to present in a simplified way the lean and green practices that have an impact on one or more sustainable performance dimensions. The results of the study indicated that regarding the different levels of the supply chain, there is a dominance of practices used internally, with a greater number of lean practices compared to green practices. In addition, the majority of the practices identified have a positive impact on sustainable performance, except for some practices, namely « Cooperation with suppliers », « JIT philosophy », « Total Productive Maintenance », « Small lot-sizing » and « Reverse logistics », that have shown a disagreement between previous studies. It was concluded that the supply chain's environmental performance aspects are the most studied, followed by economic performance, then social performance Conclusions: Numerous recommendations are provided to help managers and decision-makers in their choices of lean and green strategies according to their sustainability objectives, and to guide academics in their future studies on this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing companies in today's industrial world are seeking to use the new manufacturing process methods. The primary goal of corporations is to achieve optimum production while deploying minimal capital. The fundamental purpose of this study is to examine the influence of various lean manufacturing practices on the sustainability performance of companies and the mediating role of green supply chain management (GSCM). The data was gathered using questionnaires from 250 Pakistani manufacturing firms and analyzed using AMOS 25. Results demonstrate that process and equipment, product design, supplier relationships, and customer relationships significantly affect sustainable performance. It is also recognized that Green Supply Chain Management mediates the interaction between HR processes, product design, supplier relationship, customer relationship, and environmental performance. The findings of this study will enable managers and decision-makers of manufacturing companies to increase sustainable efficiency and reduce waste through the use of lean manufacturing and GSCM implementation.