The link between configurations of lean bundles and operational performance. A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises

Keywords
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Issue Date
2019-09-12
Language
en
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This research addresses the different perspectives associated with the development of lean bundles by identifying pathways to develop a lean organization. It requires a focus on lean bundles that is important for the organization. This focus concentrates on how an organization tries to distinguish itself and the context in which the organization operates. Previous research on lean bundles identified complementarities between lean bundles as well as their link with operational performance. This research identifies strategy-related configurations of lean bundles linked to substantive operational performance. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was performed on data of 44 manufacturing SME’s. Data on operational performance and on the lean bundles of supplier integration, customer involvement, just-in-time, total productive maintenance, and human resource management were collected by the Research Group Lean / World Class performance at HAN University of Applied sciences. The findings of this research confirm that the development of lean bundles are strategy related. Three different pathways to substantive operational performance were identified based on the strategies of Treacy and Wiersema: operational excellence, product leadership and customer intimacy. This research provides an alternative explanation for the relationship between lean bundles and operational performance and therefore provides guidance for lean practitioners that seek to develop lean bundles in manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, this research opens new ways for lean theory development as it provides focus and a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between lean bundles and operational performance.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen