Purpose The relevance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in contributing to the economy and social development is increasingly felt in the current business environment. Focusing on sustainable development, SMEs have also implemented many acting strategies of large-scale enterprises such as lean and green practices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the linkage between lean manufacturing practices (LMPs) in SMEs and their sustainability performances. Further, this study explores the relationship between the triple bottom line sustainability performances. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a survey conducted and data collected from 252 manufacturing SMEs in India. The hypothesized relationships are then analyzed with structural equation modeling. Findings The outcome of the analysis shows that LMPs are positively associated with various sustainability performances categorized as economic, environmental, and social performances. Further, this study shows that environmental sustainability is correlated with economic and social sustainability performances. Research limitations/implications The study conducted was limited to a particular state in India. Moreover, the study uses the data from a cross-sectional survey from single respondents. Practical implications The findings of the study become an added advantage for the managers to convince their various stakeholders for implementing LMPs in SMEs. Originality/value The research findings provide theoretical and practical insights to derive the importance of LMPs in maximizing sustainability performances. It gives an enhanced perspective of the importance of LMPs on the sustainability performance of SMEs.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the adoption of Lean manufacturing (LM) contributes towards the sustainability performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a multi-case study approach conducted among five independent Indian manufacturing SMEs. The information from direct observation, structured questionnaire interviews with key persons and archival data are used to analyse and cross-check the relationship. An assessment tool, developed using the variables collected from the previous works, is used to measure the relationship. Findings The study provides a solid basis for the contribution and positive influence of LM towards the sustainability performance in SMEs. The manufacturing SMEs that have adopted Lean principles and practices are benefited more towards their economic, environmental and social sustainability performances, irrespective of their operational characteristics such as firm size and final product. Research limitations/implications This is a limited study conducted in a particular state in India by selecting only five independent case companies with divergent operational characteristics such as size of the firms, product and manufacturing process. Originality/value The study contributes by authorising the contribution of LM towards sustainability performance of SMEs. The findings will inspire academic community and industrial practitioners to expend for the adoption of Lean principles looking forward the sustainable development of the SMEs.