Proposition of a model for measuring adherence to lean practices: applied to Turkish automotive part suppliers

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop a model for measuring adherence to lean practices for automotive part suppliers and to assess the relationship between the firm performance and the adoption of lean principles. This model has been developed by utilising the lean practices defined in the literature. The proposed model has been successfully applied to a large number of automotive part suppliers, and has been tested for its statistical validity. To test the proposed model, data were obtained from 207 automotive part suppliers by using the Computer-aided Telephone Interview method. Validity and reliability tests of the developed model of leanness are realised through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Correlation analyses are used to examine the relationships between the lean applications and company performance and size. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is applied to reveal whether there are differences in the use of lean techniques across different company categories. The study shows that, in general, Turkish automotive part suppliers are performing their internal production in compliance with the lean manufacturing principles. Furthermore, it is found that there is a significant relationship between adaptation of lean principles by the supplier firms and their performance. The proposed model of leanness can be used by companies in the automotive industry to measure their leanness levels.

Measuring lean readiness through the understanding of quality practices in the Turkish automotive suppliers industry

“…In addition, Tekin et al (2003) suggest that SMEs in the Turkish automotive industry do not achieve an adequate and successful LM implementation level due to financial limitations and lack of workforce and technology. Moreover, except for the study conducted by Sezen et al (2012), there are no relevant studies in the literature that directly discuss quality practices of SMEs in the T-ASI. Nonetheless, considering the academic literature, which mainly indicates that large organisations are more effective in conducting quality activities than their smaller counterparts (Sun and Cheng, 2002), SMEs in T-ASI are expected to have less effective quality initiatives than large companies.…”

“…However, very limited evidence exists of the study of LM or quality practices in the automotive suppliers industry of Turkey (Sezen et al, 2012). Therefore, this paper investigates the level of readiness of the T-ASI to provide a good foundation for the implementation or sustainment of the LM philosophy by adapting a measurement framework developed by Al-Najem et al (2013).…”

A framework for choosing among different lean-based improvement programs

“…According to Barratt et al [4], works on operations management that use case study research methodology contribute frameworks (such as Wu and Choi [34], Danese et al [5], and Grutter et al [11]), propositions, and descriptive insights (such as in Oliva and Watson [24], Mohanty and Deshmukh [22], and Stenger [27]). …”

Assessing the Cost Impact of Multiple Transportation Modes to Enhance Sustainability in an Integrated, Two Stage, Automotive Supply Chain

“…Modeling the relationship between the adoption of lean principles and the performance of supplier companies and its application to Turkish automotive part suppliers are studied by Sezen et al [16]. The study finds that that there is a significant relation between the adoption of lean principles by the supplier firms and their performance.…”