Khaw Sui Minh, Suhaiza Zailani, Mohammad Iranmanesh and Shima Heidari
Due to the increasing trend of global competitiveness, lean manufacturing has received much attention in the international literature. Although previous studies have indicated the…
Abstract
Purpose
Due to the increasing trend of global competitiveness, lean manufacturing has received much attention in the international literature. Although previous studies have indicated the positive effects of lean manufacturing on the performance of the manufacturing firms, the impact of lean practices on two aspects of “job”, namely, characteristics and satisfaction, as of yet remains unclear. As a result, this study aims to evaluate job characteristics to understand the effects of lean manufacturing on job satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from a survey of 206 employees in lean manufacturing companies were gathered and analysed using the partial least squares technique.
Findings
The results indicate that customer relationship, human resources and product design practices had positive indirect effects on job satisfaction through job characteristics, whereas, process and equipment practices had a negative indirect effect.
Practical implications
The findings of the study will be useful for the companies that implement lean manufacturing practices. Companies could either adjust their lean initiatives or make a trade-off amongst job characteristics.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge on the effects of lean manufacturing practices on job satisfaction through job characteristics.
Details
Keywords
Shima Mirzaei, Sajjad Shokouhyar and Sina Shokoohyar
This study explores the sustainable supply chain trade-offs in the electronics industry.
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the sustainable supply chain trade-offs in the electronics industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a social media analytics approach and analyses Twitter posts from August 2017 to December 2021. Thematic analysis is applied to discover the pattern in sustainable supply chain trade-offs based on the consumers' perceptions. In addition, a chi-square test was used to measure whether a relationship exists between product groups and sustainable supply chain perceptions.
Findings
The results indicate that environmental practices are the most frequent topic among consumers on social media. Further, although basic sustainable supply chain practices are prioritised in the environmental aspect, advanced sustainable supply chain practices take precedence over basic ones in the social dimension. The result from the chi-square independence test reveals that there is no significant relationship between different products and perceptions of consumers except for economically advanced sustainable supply chain practices.
Practical implications
The main implications of the present study are to offer a fast and efficient method to marketers and companies for discovering customer perceptions. In a way, they can identify where the quality of practices needs to improve in their supply chains to gain customer satisfaction. Additionally, the authors suggest industries declare their trade-off preferences between sustainable supply chain practices transparently.
Originality/value
The findings extend the abundance of sustainable supply chain literature by identifying the sustainable supply chain trade-offs among consumer electronics. Also, the reason for customers' dissatisfaction is provided. In the end, six propositions are presented based on the explorations.