What really matters for a successful implementation of Lean production? A multiple linear regression model based on European manufacturing companies

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to provide a framework of factors for succeeding in Lean implementation, in particular in the manufacturing sector. From a literature review, 11 potential factors for a successful Lean implementation were found and tested as hypotheses to develop a multiple linear regression model. The factors were presented as questions in an on-line questionnaire completed by 108 Lean managers and production managers of European manufacturing; the managers could also contribute qualitative notes on the questions to improve our analysis of the data. Findings showed that a successful Lean implementation is connected with the setting of Lean strategies, training people, developing team building and effort, as well as putting in place a performance measurement system and measuring financial and economic results. The first three factors correlated with a catch-all leadership factor. However, other findings showed that empowerment and autonomy of workers were not relevant for Lean implementation. The managers also commented on the financial sustainability of the program, the relationship with ISO 9001 certification and the supply chain involvement. The results of this research, even if subjected to some limitations, contradicted some of the findings of other research and also introduced some novel and unexpected findings.

Keywords:

• Lean manufacturing
• critical success factors
• regression analysis
• quantitative models

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrea Chiarini

Andrea Chiarini held a position as senior lecturer at the University of Verona – Italy and as senior partner at Chiarini & Associates, a European consulting firm specialised in Business Management. He earned a PhD and a Master of Arts from Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He also earned a Master Degree in Electronic Engineering and a Post Graduated Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Bologna, Italy. He is a Senior Member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ). He was the Editor-In-Chief of the series Measuring Operations Performance published by Springer. He is also a member of the editorial boards of the journals ‘Business Strategy and the Environment’, ‘Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management’, ‘Leadership in Health Services’ and ‘The TQM Journal’.

Federico Brunetti

Federico Brunetti full professor at the University of Verona – Italy, holds a Degree in Economics from Verona University and a PhD in Business Administration from Venice University – Italy. He teaches degree and postgraduate courses in Business Management, Corporate Identity and Business Ethics, Digital Business and Web Marketing and Place Marketing. He is the Coordinator of the postgraduate course in Marketing and Business Communication at Verona University. He is Associate Editor of Sinergie Italian Journal of Management and acts as a reviewer for international conferences (Marketing Trends, Toulon-Verona Conference, QMOD, Euromed). Since 2017 he is member of the Scientific Committee of Excellence in Services International Conference (EISIC) and of the Scientific Committee of ‘Il Salone della CSR e dell’innovazione sociale’; since 2015 he is Associate Editor of Sinergie Italian Journal of Management while through 2011–2016 he has been Director of the Post Graduate course in ‘Event Management 3.0’.