Onofrei, George and Fynes, Brian and Nguyen, Hung and Azadnia, Amir
(2021)
Quality and lean practices synergies A swift even flow perspective.
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 38 (1).
pp. 98-115.
ISSN 0265-671X
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between investments in quality and lean
practices, and their impact on factory fitness. Using concepts originating in the theory of swift even flow, this
study asserts that manufacturers, in order to improve their production swiftness and evenness, must leverage
the potential synergetic effects between quality and lean practices.
Design/methodology/approach – This research uses data from the Global Manufacturing Research Group
(GMRG) survey project (with data collected from 922 manufacturing plants, across 18 countries). The
constructs and measurement model were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the
hypotheses were tested using ordinary least square (OLS) models.
Findings – This study highlights that both investments in quality and lean practices have direct impact
factory fitness. The results provide insights into the efficacy of the investments in manufacturing practices and
their role in augmenting the operational performance. The investments in quality practices were found to
enhance the efficacy of investments in lean practices, which in turn impact the factory fitness.
Practical implications – From a practical perspective, the study informs managers on how to leverage
investment in quality practices to enhance the impact of lean practice on performance. The results provide
empirical evidence to support management decision-making concerning the development of competences in
quality and lean practices, which may create competitive advantage.
Originality/value – This study contributes to the quality and lean literature and provides empirical evidence
of the synergetic effects between investments in quality and lean practices. The analysis offers a greater
understanding of the mechanisms that can be used to maximise the impact of investments in lean practices,
from a global perspective. The findings are important to the advancement of theory in operations management,
as it integrates three research streams: quality practices, lean practices and swift even flow research.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Quality practices; Lean Practices; Factory fitness; Operational performance; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Business |
| Item ID: |
15903 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-11-2019-0360 |
| Depositing User: |
Amir Azadnia
|
| Date Deposited: |
03 May 2022 14:07 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management |
| Publisher: |
Emerald |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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