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PERCEPTION OF SHOP FLOOR EMPLOYEES REGARDING SENIOR MANAGEMENT SUPPORT IN LEAN PROJECTS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH INITIATIVES SUCCESS

PERCEPÇÕES DOS FUNCIONÁRIOS DE CHÃO DE FÁBRICA EM RELAÇÃO AO SUPORTE DE GESTORES SENIORES EM PROJETOS LEAN E SUA RELAÇÃO COM INICIATIVAS DE SUCESSO

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Over the years, the lean production philosophy has shown satisfactory results for companies from different sectors in different countries. Aiming to contribute to the knowledge base on the mentioned philosophy, this study aims to verify the perception of shop floor employees regarding senior management support in lean projects and its relationship with initiatives success.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a literature review, 18 aspects of a lean journey were identified and divided into four constructs by a panel of specialists. This information was used to compose a questionnaire, and a survey was conducted with 198 shop floor employees of two auto parts companies. Data analysis was done via Structural Equation Modeling.

Findings

As a general result, it was possible to prove that when employees perceive more significant support from senior management in lean projects, the greater is the perception of initiatives success. Therefore, it is interesting that the involvement of senior management occurs at all stages of the project.

Originality/value

The results described here have practical implications, especially for managers interested in implementing lean projects; they must be aware of the importance of senior management support for the success of previous projects.

Keywords -
Lean manufacturing; Performance; Automotive Industry; Leadership

RESUMO

Objetivo -

Ao longo dos anos, a filosofia lean tem mostrado resultados satisfatórios empresas de diversos setores em diferentes países. Com o objetivo de contribuir para a base de conhecimento acerca da referida filosofia, este estudo tem como objetivo verificar a percepção dos funcionários do chão de fábrica em relação ao apoio da alta administração nos projetos lean e sua relação com iniciativas de sucesso.

Design/metodologia/abordagem

Por meio de uma revisão da literatura, 18 aspectos de uma jornada lean foram identificados e divididos em quatro construtos via um painel de especialistas. Essas informações foram utilizadas na estruturação de um questionário e uma survey foi realizada com 198 funcionários de duas empresas de autopeças. A análise dos dados foi feita por meio da Modelagem de Equações Estruturais.

Resultados

Como resultado geral, foi possível comprovar que quando os funcionários percebem um apoio mais significativo da alta administração nos projetos lean, maior é a percepção do sucesso das iniciativas. Torna-se interessante, assim, que o envolvimento da alta administração ocorra em todas as etapas do projeto.

Originalidade/valor

Os resultados aqui descritos aqui têm implicações práticas principalmente para gerentes interessados em implementar projetos enxutos; eles devem estar cientes da importância do apoio da alta administração para o sucesso dos projetos mencionados.

Keywords:
Lean manufacturing; Performance; Automotive Industry; Leadership

1 INTRODUÇÃO

Companies continuously try to improve their performance and stay competitive (Laser, 2020Laser, J. (2020). The best equilibrium in organizational flexibility-stability continuums. International Journal of Organizational Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-09-2019-1875
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; Martins et al., 2019Martins, V. W. B., Rampasso, I. S., Anholon, R., Quelhas, O. L. G., & Leal Filho, W. (2019). Knowledge management in the context of sustainability: Literature review and opportunities for future research. Journal of Cleaner Production, 229, 489-500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.354
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). According to Gamme and Aschehoug (2014Gamme, I., & H. Aschehoug, S. (2014). Assessing lean’s impact on operational integration. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, 6(2/3), 112-123. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQSS-02-2014-0013
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), the increase of global competition and production costs prompted a new attitude and critical analysis of concepts associated with the productive system.

In this sense, lean manufacturing has proved to be a successful alternative since it aims to identify and improve activities that add value to the customers while it seeks to eliminate all activities and operations that do not add value (Nascimento et al., 2019Nascimento, D. L. de M., Goncalvez Quelhas, O. L., Gusmão Caiado, R. G., Tortorella, G. L., Garza-Reyes, J. A., & Rocha-Lona, L. (2019). A lean six sigma framework for continuous and incremental improvement in the oil and gas sector. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma . https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-02-2019-0011
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/...
; Nunes et al., 2019Nunes, R. D. S., Jacobsen, A. D. L., & Cardoso, R. D. S. (2019). Manufatura enxuta em um fabricante de produtos hospitalares: implantação e avaliação na percepção dos gestores. Revista de Administração Da UFSM, 12(1), 88-106. https://doi.org/10.5902/1983465917638
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; I. S. Rampasso et al., 2017Rampasso, I. S., Anholon, R., Gonçalves Quelhas, O. L., & Filho, W. L. (2017). Primary problems associated with the health and welfare of employees observed when implementing lean manufacturing projects. Work, 58(3), 263-275. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-172632
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3233/...
; Shahin et al., 2020Shahin, M., Chen, F. F., Bouzary, H., & Krishnaiyer, K. (2020). Integration of Lean practices and Industry 4.0 technologies: smart manufacturing for next-generation enterprises. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-020-05124-0
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/...
; Yang et al., 2020Yang, T., Wen, Y. F., Hsieh, Z. R., & Zhang, J. (2020). A lean production system design for semiconductor crystal-ingot pulling manufacturing using hybrid Taguchi method and simulation optimization. Assembly Automation, 40(3), 433-445. https://doi.org/10.1108/AA-11-2018-0193
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/...
). However, as Shi et al. (2019Shi, Y., Wang, X., & Zhu, X. (2019). Lean manufacturing and productivity changes: the moderating role of R&D. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management , 69(1), 169-191. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-03-2018-0117
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) emphasise, companies need to completely implement lean production to observe more significant benefits from it. These authors also show the moderating role of research and development for lean manufacturing to enhance companies productivity. In addition to the notable contributions of lean manufacturing to operational performance, it was also verified its contribution to companies innovation processes (Möldner et al., 2020Möldner, A. K., Garza-Reyes, J. A., & Kumar, V. (2020). Exploring lean manufacturing practices’ influence on process innovation performance. Journal of Business Research, 106(September 2018), 233-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.09.002
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
; Solaimani et al., 2019Solaimani, S., Haghighi Talab, A., & van der Rhee, B. (2019). An integrative view on Lean innovation management. Journal of Business Research , 105(July), 109-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.042
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
) and can contribute to waste management (Vasconcelos et al., 2019Vasconcelos, D. C., Viana, F. E., & Neto, J. D. P. B. (2019). Lean and green: the contribution of lean production and environmental management to the waste reduction. Revista de Administração Da UFSM , 12(2), 365-383. https://doi.org/10.5902/1983465921750
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).

Despite benefits, Maskell et al. (2007) emphasise that transforming a traditional company into a lean one is not easy. To Jadhav et al. (2014Jadhav, J. R., Mantha, S. S., & Rane, S. B. (2014). Exploring barriers in lean implementation. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma , 5(2), 122-148. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-12-2012-0014
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/...
) and Laureani and Antony (2012Laureani, A., & Antony, J. (2012). Critical success factors for the effective implementation of Lean Sigma. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma , 3(4), 274-283. https://doi.org/10.1108/20401461211284743
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), it is possible to observe many barriers to lean manufacturing implementation: lack of resources, the resistance of workers, and lack of senior management involvement. Focusing on senior management involvement, it is possible to say that it is crucial and the basis for successful lean implementation (de Oliveira et al., 2019de Oliveira, R. I., Sousa, S. O., & de Campos, F. C. (2019). Lean manufacturing implementation: bibliometric analysis 2007-2018. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 101(1-4), 979-988. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-018-2965-y
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/...
). Nogueira et al. (2018Nogueira, D. M. da C., Sousa, P. S. A., & Moreira, M. R. A. (2018). The relationship between leadership style and the success of Lean management implementation. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 39(6), 807-824. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-05-2018-0192
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/...
) and Tortorella and Fogliatto (2017Tortorella, G., & Fogliatto, F. (2017). Implementation of lean manufacturing and situational leadership styles: An empirical study. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 38(7), 946-968. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-07-2016-0165
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) corroborate this argument and emphasise that leadership performs an essential role in lean implementation.

Considering the importance of senior management support for lean success and the automotive industry relevance, this article aims to assess the perception of shop floor employees regarding senior management support in lean projects and its relation with initiatives success.

2 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Lean manufacturing is based on several fundamental principles: elimination of waste, minimisation of process variability, continuous process improvement, employee involvement, transfer of activities such as quality inspections and periodic maintenance to operators and maintenance of synchronised production flow through visual signals (Angelis et al., 2011Angelis, J., Conti, R., Cooper, C., & Gill, C. (2011). Building a high commitment lean culture. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 22(5), 569-586. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410381111134446
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). The mix of hard and soft practices in lean improves companies cost-saving, products quality and delivery reliability (Signoretti, 2020Signoretti, A. (2020). Overcoming the barriers to the implementation of more efficient productive strategies in small enterprises. Employee Relations: The International Journal , 42(1), 149-165. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-11-2018-0298
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).

According to Lewis (2000Lewis, M. A. (2000). Lean production and sustainable competitive advantage. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 20(8), 959-978. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443570010332971
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/...
) and Bhasin (2012aBhasin, S. (2012a). Prominent obstacles to lean. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 61(4), 403-425. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410401211212661
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), each lean journey is unique for each company. Many aspects need to be considered on a lean journey. Through a literature review process, 18 aspects of a lean journey were identified. They are presented in Table 1. Table 1 also shows the codes used to identify each aspect in data analyses.

Table 1
Lean journey aspects identified in the literature (see references in Table)

A lean journey is long and hard. For Bhasin (2012aBhasin, S. (2012a). Prominent obstacles to lean. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 61(4), 403-425. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410401211212661
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), despite the prevalence of lean philosophy for more than three decades, some aspects do not receive enough attention, resulting in a low number of successful lean implementations.

Lean manufacturing, based on the Toyota model, involves a more profound cultural transformation (Bhasin, 2012bBhasin, S. (2012b). An appropriate change strategy for lean success. Management Decision, 50(3), 439-458. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251741211216223
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). Many barriers to the implementation of the lean philosophy can be noted. Zhang et al. (Zhang et al., 2017Zhang, L., Narkhede, B. E., & Chaple, A. P. (2017). Evaluating lean manufacturing barriers: an interpretive process. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management , 28(8), 1086-1114. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-04-2017-0071
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) identified, through a literature review, 44 barriers to the implementation of the referred philosophy, which were classified in 10 areas, being the same ones related to knowledge (which includes, among others, lack of training, insufficient understanding of potential benefits, lack of implementation knowledge, lack of management skills to implement the philosophy, lack of methodology, and lack of willingness to learn and see), conflicts, resources, management, technology, employees, financial situation, culture, clients and experiences.

To minimise these barriers, the authors suggest developing a lean culture and in this situation, it is essential the senior management support in all lean projects implementations. (Wong et al., 2009Wong, Y. C., Wong, K. Y., & Ali, A. (2009). A study on lean manufacturing implementation in the Malaysian electrical and electronics industry. European Journal of Scientific Research, 38(4), 521-535.) emphasise de importance of a supportive culture of employees engagement.

For Binti Aminuddin et al. (2016Binti Aminuddin, N. A., Garza-Reyes, J. A., Kumar, V., Antony, J., & Rocha-Lona, L. (2016). An analysis of managerial factors affecting the implementation and use of overall equipment effectiveness. International Journal of Production Research, 54(15), 4430-4447. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2015.1055849
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/...
) and Scherrer-Rathje et al. (2009Scherrer-Rathje, M., Boyle, T. A., & Deflorin, P. (2009). Lean, take two! Reflections from the second attempt at lean implementation. Business Horizons, 52(1), 79-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2008.08.004
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), lack of commitment of senior management is the most critical barrier to lean manufacturing success.

3 METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES

This section presents the steps carried out in this study. The first step was the literature review, performed to establish the study’s theoretical background. As mentioned, the 18 aspects of a lean journey as identified and presented in Table 1. In the sequence, a panel of specialists composed of five doctors in production engineering and five lean companies managers was performed to divide the 18 aspects into constructs. Table 2 presents the 18 aspects divided into four constructs.

Table 2
Aspects of the lean journey divided into constructs.

The structure presented was used on questionnaire development. As recommended by Hair et al. (2011Hair, J. F., Wolfinbarger, M., Money, A. H., Samouel, P., & Page, M. J. (2011). Essentials of Business Research Methods (2nd ed.). Routledge.), a pre-test was performed on the questionnaire. Researchers on Industrial Engineering analysed the first version of the questionnaire in this pre-test process and proposed improvements regarding corrections and understanding.

Before survey conduction, the study was approved by an ethical committee. The survey was conducted with 198 professionals. Respondents indicated for each aspect, through a scale from 1 to 10, the intensity (1 = aspect unnoticed or minimally perceived observation; 10 = high observation of the aspect)

Data was analysed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), using the Partial Least Squares method (PLS), known by its acronym (PLS-SEM). PLS-SEM is a valuable tool to analyse data in exploratory research (Imam & Chambel, 2020Imam, H., & Chambel, M. J. (2020). Productivity or illusion? Assessing employees’ behavior in an employability paradox. Employee Relations: The International Journal, 42(6), 1271-1289. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-11-2019-0446
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). In order to facilitate the analysis, nine steps were defined based on several authors (Henseler et al., 2009Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sinkovics, R. R. (2009). The use of partial least squares path modeling in international marketing. In Advances in International Marketing 20 (pp. 277-319). https://doi.org/10.1108/S1474-7979(2009)0000020014
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; Júnior et al., 2012Júnior, S. B., Silva, D. Da, Moretti, S. L. do A., & Lopes, E. L. (2012). UMA ANÁLISE DA CONSCIÊNCIA ECOLÓGICA PARA O CONSUMO “VERDE” NO VAREJO SUPERMERCADISTA. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.5773/rgsa.v6i2.533
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5773/...
; Ringle et al., 2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
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).

The first step was the definition of the model to be tested. The second step consisted of the calculation of the minimum sample required using G*Power software. We considered test power of 80%; error probability of 5%; and median effect size of 15% (Hair et al., 2014Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M. (2014). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage Publications.).

The third step aimed to start the validation of the proposed model. For this analysis, the PLS algorithm is run using parameters recommended by Ringle et al. (2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
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).

The fourth step is characterised by convergent validity evaluation through analysis of Average Variances Extracted (AVE). According to Henseler et al. (2009Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sinkovics, R. R. (2009). The use of partial least squares path modeling in international marketing. In Advances in International Marketing 20 (pp. 277-319). https://doi.org/10.1108/S1474-7979(2009)0000020014
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/...
) and Ringle et al. (2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5585/...
), AVE values should be higher than 0.5 for convergent validity. Ringle et al. (2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
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) highlight that if AVE values are lower than 0.5, variables with the lowest factorial loads from the construct need to be removed. Since it is a reflective model, this remotion does not change construct meaning (Jarvis et al., 2003Jarvis, C. B., MacKenzie, S. B., & Podsakoff, P. M. (2003). A Critical Review of Construct Indicators and Measurement Model Misspecification in Marketing and Consumer Research. Journal of Consumer Research, 30(2), 199-218. https://doi.org/10.1086/376806
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).

The fifth step consisted in verifying the internal consistencies through Cronbach’s alpha and Composite Reliability. These two parameters are used to confirm if the sample is bias-free and if its data are reliable (Rampasso, Anholon, da Silva, Ordóñez, & Quelhas, 2019Rampasso, Izabela S., Anholon, R., da Silva, D., Ordóñez, R. E. C., & Quelhas, O. L. G. (2019). Maturity analysis of manufacturing cells. Production Planning & Control, 30(15), 1250-1264. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2019.1612108
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/...
; Silva et al., 2018Silva, M. C., Anholon, R., Rampasso, I. S., Quelhas, O. L. G., Filho, W. L., & Silva, D. Da. (2018). Analysis of the Brazilian entrepreneurial ecosystem in the perception of business incubator professionals. International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 16(4), 507. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBIR.2018.093524
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). Values of references are Cronbach’s alpha above 0.60 and Composite Reliability above 0.70 (Hair et al., 2014Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M. (2014). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage Publications.; Ringle et al., 2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5585/...
). Ringle et al. (2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
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) argue that Composite Reliability is adequate for the technique applied.

In the sixth step, it was analysed the discriminant validity. Chin criterion was used to this (Ringle et al., 2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
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). Under this criterion, the factorial loads of each variable should be higher in their constructs than in the others.

In the seventh step, the analysis of the structural model was performed through the Pearson determination coefficients (R2). According to Ringle et al. (2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
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), R2 = 2% is classified as small effect, R2 = 13% as medium effect and R2 = 26% as large effect.

In the eighth step, the ‘Bootstrapping’ function was used to verify if it is possible to use linear regression and correlation in the PLS-SEM. Values above 1.96 correspond to p-values ≤ 0.05, making it clear that in less than 5% of cases’ correlations and linear regressions cannot be used (Silva et al., 2018Silva, M. C., Anholon, R., Rampasso, I. S., Quelhas, O. L. G., Filho, W. L., & Silva, D. Da. (2018). Analysis of the Brazilian entrepreneurial ecosystem in the perception of business incubator professionals. International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 16(4), 507. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBIR.2018.093524
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1504/...
).

In the ninth step, other indicators of adjustment quality for the proposed model were analysed: Redundancy (Q2) and Cohen’s indicator (f2). Redundancy should have values bigger than zero, and Hair et al. (2014Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M. (2014). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage Publications.) considers f2 = 0.02, 0.15 and 0.35 as small, medium and large, respectively. Hair et al. (2017Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc., p. 201) emphasise that “effect size values of less than 0.02 indicate that there is no effect”.

It is essential to highlight that authors such as Wetzels et al. (2009Wetzels, M., Odekerken-Schoroder, G., & Oppen, C. V. (2009). Using PLS path modeling for assessing hierarchical construct models: guidelines and empirical illustration. MIS Quarterly, 33(1), 177-195. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20650284
http://www.jstor.org/stable/20650284...
) argue that the model quality can be measured through an indicator called Goodness of Fit (GoF). However, Hair et al. (2017Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.) argue that this indicator is not always adequate and that the previously mentioned steps are more reliable to validate the model.

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Through literature review followed by a panel of specialists, it was possible to define the model to be tested, presented in Figure 1. In this theoretical model, Senior Management Support influence other constructs.

Figure 1
The model used on the SEM

In the sequence (Step 2), using the G*Power software, it was calculated the minimum sample required (55 respondents). The sample used was composed of 198 respondents, higher than that recommended.

In the first validation round, some AVE values did not reach the minimum value (0.5), indicating that it is necessary to eliminate the variables with the lowest factor loadings values (constructs that presented AVE values lower than 0.5). Figure 2 shows the new version of the model after excluding the variables with lower factor load (P1, P6, P10 and P16).

Figure 2
Validated model from PLS-Algorithm

For the model presented, AVE values are ensured for all constructs (step 4). Composite Reliability values were above 0.70, and for Cronbach’s alpha, only one construct (Operational Management) did not reach the minimum value of 0.60. Considering that Ringle et al. (2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
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) argue that Composite Reliability is an adequate to applied technique and the value obtained was close to the reference value, the authors of this study decided to keep this construct. These values are presented in Table 3.

Table 3
Analysed values of the quality of the validated model

The discriminant validity was analysed (Step 6). The analysis was performed according to Chin criteria, in which the factor load of each variable should be higher in its construct than in the others. All variables presented higher loads in their constructs, showing that their allocation was correct.

Step seven analysed the Pearson determination coefficient (R2), and all values were above 0.4. According to Cohen (1988Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed.). Psychology Press.), values of this intensity indicate a significant effect. Values of AVE, Composite Reliability and R2 together indicate that the proposed model is adjusted and presents quality to be interpreted (Júnior et al., 2012Júnior, S. B., Silva, D. Da, Moretti, S. L. do A., & Lopes, E. L. (2012). UMA ANÁLISE DA CONSCIÊNCIA ECOLÓGICA PARA O CONSUMO “VERDE” NO VAREJO SUPERMERCADISTA. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.5773/rgsa.v6i2.533
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), considering only essential variables for the analysis.

The evaluation of the correlations and linear regressions (Step 8) was made by Bootstrapping re-sampling, using parameters recommended by Ringle et al. (2014Ringle, C. M., Da Silva, D., & Bido, D. D. S. (2014). Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 13(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v13i2.2717
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). Figure 3 show Bootstrapping results with all values above 1.96; then, correlations and linear regressions logics are acceptable.

Figure 3
Bootstrapping results

In the sequence (Step 9), other indicators of adjustment quality for the proposed model were analysed: Q2 and f2. The results are present in Table 4.

Table 4
Stone-Geisser (Q2) and Cohen (f2) values

From Table 4 analysis, it is possible to note that the proposed model presents accuracy and that the constructs are essential for the general adjustment of the model studied. Analysing path coefficients, via Figure 2, the minimum value is 0.636 between construct Senior Management Support - Lean Projects Management (see other values in red in Figure 2).

Through the results presented, it is concluded that the proposed model was validated. Considering the high values for path coefficients, it is possible to confirm the argument that when shop floor employees of auto parts companies perceive the support of senior management, they notice the success of the lean philosophy in their companies. Thus, it is interesting that senior management involvement occurs in all stages of projects. The results described here have practical implications mainly for managers of companies interested in lean projects implementations; they must be aware of the importance of top management support for the success of these projects beforehand. As mencioned previously, lack of commitment of senior management is the most critical barrier to lean manufacturing success (Binti Aminuddin et al., 2016Binti Aminuddin, N. A., Garza-Reyes, J. A., Kumar, V., Antony, J., & Rocha-Lona, L. (2016). An analysis of managerial factors affecting the implementation and use of overall equipment effectiveness. International Journal of Production Research, 54(15), 4430-4447. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2015.1055849
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/...
; Scherrer-Rathje et al., 2009Scherrer-Rathje, M., Boyle, T. A., & Deflorin, P. (2009). Lean, take two! Reflections from the second attempt at lean implementation. Business Horizons, 52(1), 79-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2008.08.004
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
).

The success of global manufacturing strategies, such as lean, is not only based on the application of appropriate tools and techniques but also on the development of strategies to overcome implementation barriers. Thus, senior management can play a significant role in developing these strategies (T. & K.P., 2021).

5 CONCLUSION

This research aimed to analyse the perception of shop floor employees regarding senior management support in lean projects and its relation with initiatives success. Considering the results presented, it is possible to affirm that the main objective was achieved.

From the presented findings, it can be concluded that lean implementation success does not depend only on the use of techniques and tools; the support and commitment of senior management are essential; when shop floor employees note this support, the perception of success in initiatives is better.

This research presents some limitations that should be mentioned, such as the sample size and the fact that the respondents act only in two auto part companies. However, we believe that the exploratory character of this research justifies the mentioned limitations. The results presented here can be used for senior management in order to improve its participation in lean activities and academics in futures studies.

As future research, we suggest the development of studies with employees from other sectors, different from the sector analysed here (automotive) and performing comparisons to evidence similarity and differences among results.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    01 June 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    02 Mar 2021
  • Accepted
    22 Aug 2021
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