Lean bundles and operational performance: the moderating effect of operational absorptive capacity

Cong Wu, Zhan-wen Niu, Chao-chao Liu and Fudong Yang

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2023, vol. 37, issue 1, 24-48

Abstract: The positive effect of lean bundles (LBs) on operational performance (OP) has been widely investigated. However, the moderating mechanism on the relationship between LBs and OP remains unclear. Lean literature suggested that the contextual factors (such as, plant size) would affect the effectiveness of LBs. However, existing literatures focused on external environmental factors, whereas this research examined the effect of contextual factors inside of firms. As a source of competitive advantage, operational absorptive capacity (OAC) can improve the ability to integrate resources through acquiring and utilising knowledge effectively, thereby enhancing the efficiency of production management activities. Hence, OAC were introduced to explore the moderating effect of OAC on the relationship between LBs and OP. This research identified four bundles of lean practices, namely just in time (JIT), total preventive maintenance (TPM), total quality management (TQM) and human resource management (HRM). Ordinary least square analysis was adopted for analysing whether OAC can enhance the effectiveness of the LBs. This research deepens the exploration of the relationship between the LBs and OAC. Moreover, this research contribute to literature on the mechanism that LBs effect OP by offering new insights with contingency theory.

Keywords: operational performance; operational absorptive capacity; OAC; lean bundles. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=131022 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijmtma:v:37:y:2023:i:1:p:24-48

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management from Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sarah Parker ().