Impact of Lean Management Practices on Supply Chain Flexibility in Congo

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of lean management practices on supply chain flexibility in Congo.

Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.

Findings: The study found that lean management practices significantly enhance supply chain flexibility by emphasizing waste reduction, continuous improvement, and efficient resource utilization. These practices foster a more responsive and adaptable supply chain, capable of swiftly adjusting to changes in demand and market conditions. By streamlining processes and eliminating non-value-added activities, lean management enables quicker production cycles and reduces lead times. Additionally, lean practices such as Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory management and cross-functional team collaboration improve coordination and communication across the supply chain. This enhanced collaboration leads to better decision-making and faster response to disruptions. Overall, the implementation of lean management practices results in a more agile and resilient supply chain, better equipped to handle variability and uncertainty.

Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Resource-based view theory, contingency theory and dynamic capabilities theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the impact of lean management practices on supply chain flexibility in Congo. In practice, organizations are encouraged to adopt a holistic approach to lean management that encompasses various lean practices tailored to their specific industry and operational context. At the policy level, it is important to advocate for initiatives that support the adoption of lean practices in supply chain management.