Determinants and barriers of implementing lean manufacturing practices in MSMEs: a behavioural reasoning theory perspective

Abstract

The implementation of lean manufacturing practices (LMPs) in large-scale enterprises is growing globally. However, its implementation in micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in developing countries is still slow. Despite the slow adoption, prior literature has mainly focussed on investigating the motives for the implementation of LMPs in MSMEs. There is an urgent need to investigate both reasons for (RF), i.e. determinants and reason against (RA), i.e. barriers in LMPs adoption. This study attempts to address this gap by utilizing behavioural reasoning theory (BRT) to present a behavioural reasoning perspective of MSME employees on the implementation of LMPs. We investigate the relationships between employee values (VALs), reasons (for and against), attitude (ATT) and behavioural intentions (INTs) towards LMPs implementation. Furthermore, we also analysed the moderating effect of the employee education level on LMPs implementation. The hypotheses are tested through a cross-sectional survey conducted on 299 Indian MSME employees. The analysis is performed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings suggest that the variable RF has a significant positive influence on both ATT and INTs. However, RA shows a significant association (negative) only with the ATT but not with the INTs for adopting LMPs. These results provide new insights to MSME managers, policymakers, governments and consultants for understanding the behaviour of MSME employees towards the adoption of LMPs in their enterprises.