In globalized times the integration of information and communication technologies in companies and their supply chains is required, but there is uncertainty regarding the true impact that these have on efficiency indices or benefits gained in the productive system. This article reports a structural equation model that contains ten hypotheses with five latent variables associated with the integration of information and communication technology in production systems such as information exchange, operations management, production control, distribution activities, and operational benefits obtained. The paper aims to quantify the relationships among those variables, facilitating managers to make decisions in information and communication technologies (ICT) implementation. The model is validated with information from 80 responses to a questionnaire applied to manufacturing companies, and partial least-squares technique is used to statistically validate the hypotheses; the results indicate that the implementation of information technologies facilitates the exchange of information, operations management and production control. This means that ICT integration can create visibility for a supply chain in a material’s flow among partners, facilitate operations management in production lines and distribution activities, and these benefits are ultimately transformed into operational benefits that managers measure as flexibility, low cost and short cycles times with customers.

This article reports a model regarding the structural equations of the impact of the planning phase and the benefits acquired in the implementation of the kanban system. It begins with a literature review of the activities of the planning phase, based on which a questionnaire was developed and applied in manufacturing companies in the state of Baja California, in the municipalities of Ensenada, Tijuana, Tecate, and Mexicali. The responses were obtained from 118 questionnaires and were validated by the Cronbach’s alpha index for internal validity and the R-squared index for predictive validity. A model of the structural equations of the planning phase was developed and validated through three latent variables, namely, human resources, preliminary analysis, and kanban integration, which correspond to 22 activities and one variable that integrate 11 operational benefits. The model shows six hypotheses to verify the causal relationships between these variables. Partial least-squares algorithms are used to validate the hypothesis, and the results indicate that the preliminary analysis is the basis for the success of the implementation of the kanban in the planning stage, through the application of activities, such as 5’s, value stream mapping (VSM), material handling, flow diagram, and visual aids with a sustainable approach, according to the efficient flow of materials and minimum downtime.

This article reports a model of structural equations that integrates four latent variables and six hypotheses among them: Integration of information and communication technology (ICT), investment in ICT, training in ICT, and operational benefits obtained in the supply chain (SC). The model is validated with information obtained from 80 surveys applied to manufacturing companies in the municipalities of Ensenada, Mexicali, Tecate, and Tijuana in Mexico. The information is validated by the Cronbach alpha index for internal validity and the R-square index for predictive validity. Partial least-squares algorithms are used to validate the hypotheses in the model and the results indicate that the integration of technology is the basis for the success of the implementation of information technologies, and that the application of these guarantees the obtaining of operational benefits in the productive system.

It is mentioned that companies’ competition is currently more associated with supply chains (SC) than production processes since sometimes logistics costs represent up to 70% of the total production cost in a product. To improve efficiency in SC, companies are implementing information and communication technologies (ICT). This paper reports a structural equation model that incorporates four latent variables related to ICT applied in SC: technological innovation, information management, and information availability as independent variables, and operating benefits gained as a dependent variable. These variables are related using six hypotheses that are validated using information obtained from 80 responses to a survey applied to small and medium-sized enterprises in Baja California (Mexico). The partial least squares technique is used to validate the hypotheses in the structural equation model. Findings indicate that technological innovation is the basis for the successful implementation of ICT and its application guarantees greater information availability and efficient management, leading to obtaining operating benefits in SC.

This paper reports a second order structural equation model (SEM) with four latent variables and six hypotheses to analyze the Planning, Execution, and Control of the information and communication technologies (ICT) implementation in supply chains (SC) and the operational Benefits obtained. The model is validated with information obtained from 80 responses to a questionnaire applied direct to manufacturing companies in Baja California state (Mexico), specifically in Ensenada, Mexicali, Tecate, and Tijuana municipalities. The variables are statistically validated using the Cronbach’s alpha index for internal and R-squared for predictive validity. Partial least squares algorithms are used to validate the model’s hypotheses in software WarpPLS version7.0 ScripWarp Systems, Laredo, TX, US. Findings indicate that the direct impact of Execution and Control is positive and therefore are the basis for successful integration of ICT and obtaining agility and flexibility benefits in the SC.