PurposeThis empirical study aims to explore the link between lean manufacturing practices (total quality management, just-in-time production, just-in-time purchasing, total productive/preventive maintenance), agile manufacturing, and operational and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 205 Tunisian manufacturing firms, and the results were analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicate that (1) lean manufacturing practices have a direct positive relationship with agile manufacturing except for just-in-time production, (2) agile manufacturing has a positive impact on operational performance and (3) lean manufacturing practices did not seem to contribute directly to operational performance. However, this relationship is significant when it is mediated through agile manufacturing.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper shows practitioners the importance of lean manufacturing practices to support agile manufacturing and the key role of agile manufacturing to ensure operational performance.Originality/valueThis paper presents an innovative approach since it studies simultaneously the three dimensions of lean manufacturing and their relationship with agile manufacturing and organizational performance.

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to analyze the reciprocal relation between total quality management (TQM) and innovation (product innovation and process innovation) and their impact on operational and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe data were obtained from a survey of 205 manufacturing companies. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to evaluate the research model.FindingsThe results reveal that there is a reciprocal relationship between TQM and innovation. Moreover, the findings indicate a significant positive effect of product innovation and process innovation on operational performance and insignificant direct impact of TQM on operational performance. However, this effect is significant when it is mediated through product innovation and process innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper helps practitioners to understand how TQM practices support both product and process innovation and the role of the latter in promoting the implementation of TQM practices and ensuring operational performance.Originality/valueThis study presents an innovative approach since it is among the first research studies that provide empirical evidence to a reciprocal association between TQM and innovation. Additionally, this paper examines the dimensions studied in different aspects. It considered financial performance and operational performance, and with respect to innovation, this dimension was analyzed through two different perspectives, namely product innovation and process innovation. This study is also among the first and few research studies that have studied the mediating effect of innovation.

PurposeThis empirical study aims to explore the relationship between Total quality management (TQM), Total productive/preventive maintenance (TPM) and Just-in time (JIT). It also seeks to examine the relationship between Just-in time (JIT) and agile manufacturing.Design/methodology/approachData for the study were collected from a survey of 205 industrial companies and the relationships proposed in the framework were tested using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicate that (1) TPM has a positive impact on TQM and JIT, (2) TQM has a positive effect on JIT and (3) JIT has a direct positive relationship with agile manufacturing. In addition, the results reveal an indirect effect of TPM and TQM on agile manufacturing through JIT.Research limitations/implicationsThe conceptual model proposed and tested in this study can be used by researchers for developing Lean manufacturing practices (TQM, TPM and JIT) and agile manufacturing theory. In addition, this model shows to practitioners the importance of integrating TQM, TPM and JIT in manufacturing firms. In other words, this study shows practitioners how firms can support their agile manufacturing system.Originality/valueThis research presents an innovative approach since it examines simultaneously the interdependencies between TQM, TPM and JIT and their direct and indirect link with agile manufacturing using structural equation modeling.

Il est généralement reconnu que les entreprises doivent être innovatrices afin de survivre. Certains spécialistes du management de la qualité suggèrent que la mise en place d'une approche qualité fournit une plate-forme nécessaire pour encourager l'innovation. Le principal objectif de cette étude est de comprendre la relation qui existe entre les pratiques du management de la qualité (PMQ) et l'innovation dans le contexte des entreprises tunisiennes. Pour ce faire, une étude empirique a été menée auprès d'un échantillon de 42 entreprises certifiées ISO 9000. Les résultats ont montré l'existence d'une relation positive entre trois PMQ et l'innovation.