The lean supply chain management response to technology uncertainty: consequences for operational performance and competitiveness

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the lean supply chain management (LSCM) strategy's role as a mechanism to address technology uncertainty and provide organizations with competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study was conducted of 276 Spanish focal firms in industrial sectors that occupy an intermediate position in the supply chain to investigate the influence of technology uncertainty on LSCM implementation and the latter's effect on operational performance and competitiveness. A covariance-based structural equation model (CB-SEM) was used to test three hypotheses.FindingsTechnological uncertainty encourages progress in the implementation of lean throughout the supply chain and so is a mechanism that not only brings stability to the focal company but also improves its performance and puts it in a better competitive position.Practical implicationsManagers are suggested to consider the strategic integration with supply chain partners and the establishment of long-term relationships based on trust and commitment advocated by LSCM to enhance organizations' capabilities and effectively and flexibly respond to technological changes.Originality/valueThis study focuses on the effects of environmental uncertainty on the supply chain. The past literature has focused on the behavior of individual firms to deal with uncertainty, but this work shifts the level of analysis to the supply chain. Therefore, the strategic change to deal with what is happening in the environment is now switched to the supply chain level.

Supply chain 4.0 ambidexterity and lean supply chain management: interrelationships and effect on the focal firm’s operational performance

“…In fact, there is a branch of literature that presents contradictory results when analysing the relationship between LSCM and operational performance (Danese et al, 2012;Qamar et al, 2018;Tortorella et al, 2018aTortorella et al, , 2018b, which indicates a potential negative relationship between the two. However, Garcia-Buendia et al (2023) found that LSCM has a positive impact on operational performance and plays an essential role in achieving competitive advantage. We contribute to clarifying this debate by adopting a global perspective when analysing LSCM.…”

“…This theoretical framework has been used to analyse resource complementarity when implementing lean at a SC level (Iyer et al , 2019; Moyano-Fuentes et al , 2021; Yildiz Çankaya, 2020, among others). This is why, following the line of reasoning of the recent study by Garcia-Buendia et al (2023), this theoretical lens is used to explain how the exchange of resources and capabilities between supply chain members enabled by implementing lean at the supply chain level can translate into better performance and the achievement of competitive advantage. In addition, this theoretical framework maintains that there are capabilities at a supply chain level, i.e.…”

Does the integration of lean production and Industry 4.0 in green supply chains generate a better operational performance?

“…In recent years, scientists, academics and managers' interest in selecting the most appropriate GSC management strategy has increased due to its potential to improve firm performance and OP (Zimmermann et al, 2020;Garc ıa-Buendia et al, 2023). The relevance of GSC has been broadly addressed by previous studies (Garc ıa-Buendia et al, 2021) since GSC has several implications for manufacturing firms and green performance (Garc ıa-Buendia et al, 2023). It has been shown in the literature that GSC implementation can lead to OP improvements in a wide range of areas in manufacturing firms (Yildiz Cankaya, 2020;Moyano-Fuentes et al, 2021).…”

“…In recent years, scientists, academics and managers’ interest in selecting the most appropriate GSC management strategy has increased due to its potential to improve firm performance and OP (Zimmermann et al. , 2020; García-Buendia et al. , 2023).…”

Lean supply chain management strategy

“…The review is based on “The lean supply chain management response to technology uncertainty: consequences for operational performance and competitiveness” by Garcia-Buendia et al (2022) and was published in the Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management .…”