Lean Manufacturing and Business Performance in Brazilian Firms

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the relationship among lean manufacturing management,competitive skills, and business performance from the perspective of managers of companies doingbusiness in Brazil. We conduct a survey of 68 Brazilian companies that use lean manufacturing andanalyze data using structural equation modeling based on partial least squares method. Results show,considering competitive skills as mediating variable, a positive relationship between lean manufacturingand business performance. Results also suggest that managers lack awareness about the importance ofthe competitive skills to enhance business performance.DOI: 10.12660/joscmv6n1p91-105URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/joscmv6n1p91-105