Lean Supply Chain Practices and Operational Efficiency of Quoted Industrial Goods Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria

Abstract:

This study explored the relationship between lean supply chain practices and operational efficiency of quoted industrial goods manufacturing companies in Nigeria. The study adopted the positivism research philosophy and correlational research design. The population comprised 12 quoted industrial goods manufacturing companies in Nigeria, and a census approach was adopted at the company level. The study analyzed data from 64 completed questionnaires returned by managers drawn from the 12 companies. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed statistically, while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and SPSS version 25 were used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed significant relationships between lean procurement and waste reduction, lean procurement and cost reduction, lean manufacturing and waste reduction, and lean manufacturing and cost reduction. The study concludes that lean supply chain practices are significantly associated with operational efficiency among quoted industrial goods manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study recommends the application of lean principles across supply chain activities to reduce avoidable waste and costs. However, because the data were collected through a single self-report questionnaire at one point in time, the possibility of common method variance should be considered when interpreting the unusually strong correlations.