Effect of lean manufacturing tools on sustainability: the case of Mexican maquiladoras

Area of Science:

• Industrial Engineering
• Operations Management
• Environmental Science

Background:

• The Mexican maquiladora industry utilizes Lean Manufacturing Tools (LMT).
• Limited research exists on LMT's impact on social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
• This study addresses this gap by examining the relationship between LMT and sustainability outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a structural equation model (SEM) linking LMT to sustainability in Mexican maquiladoras.
• To investigate how specific LMT influence continuous improvement, supporting tools, and machinery/equipment effectiveness.
• To assess the impact of LMT on waste reduction, environmental impact, and socio-economic benefits.

Main Methods:

• A second-order structural equation model (SEM) was employed.
• Data were collected from 249 companies in the Mexican maquiladora industry.
• Partial least squares (PLS) was used for model validation.

Main Results:

• LMT application effectively minimizes waste generation and reprocessing.
• Improvements in production processes lead to reduced environmental emissions and energy consumption.
• Integration of environmental programs enhances workplace safety, labor relations, morale, and commitment, yielding economic and ecological advantages.

Conclusions:

• LMT are crucial for achieving environmental and economic sustainability in the maquiladora sector.
• The study validates the positive impact of integrated LMT on operational efficiency and sustainability performance.
• Implementing LMT fosters a synergistic relationship between production optimization and corporate social responsibility.