Mediation of supply chain operations on the relationship between lean manufacturing and sustainability

The objective of the current research study was to examine the mediating effects of supply chain operations on the associations of lean manufacturing and firm performance in manufacturing companies in Pakistan. The research study was based on quantitative research methods to investigate the associations of the exogenous and endogenous variables with the mediating factors of the supply chain operations. The current research study was applied to analyze the developed hypotheses through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The lean manufacturing approach is positively associated with the operations of supply chain management, and the current research study provides significance greater understanding, and better relationships between the lean manufacturing approach and the operations of supply chain management in the manufacturing industry in Pakistan. The results indicate that the independent variables of quick setups, uniform production level, quality control level, and supplier networks are positively associated with lead time reduction, inventory minimization, and productivity. However, the supplier networks are not positively associated with lead time reduction or inventory minimization. The supplier networks are positively associated with productivity, cost reduction, lead time, positive impact on firm performance, and inventory minimization positively related to firm performance. Productivity has a positive effect on firm performance. The results indicate that productivity mediates the relationships of quick setups, uniform production levels, supplier networks, and firm performance. The results suggest that cost reduction mediates the associations of the factors of quick setups, uniform production level, quality control, and supplier networks with the firm performance. However, the Inventory minimization mediates the relationship between the supplier networks and the firm performance not supported. The Lead time reduction mediates the relationship between the supplier networks and the firm performance, but it does not mediate.