Industry 4.0 and lean manufacturing practices for sustainable organisational performance in Indian manufacturing companies

Abstract

The current literature claims the direct effects of industry 4.0 technologies (I4 T) on lean manufacturing practices (LMP) and sustainable organisational performance (SOP). LMP are also found to have a positive influence on SOP. However, the integrated effect of I4 T and LMP on SOP has not been empirically investigated. To address this gap, this research study investigates the indirect effects of I4 T on SOP with LMP as the mediating variable; furthermore, it aims to confirm or not the direct effects of I4 T on LMP and SOP. The study is based on data collected from 205 managers, working in 115 manufacturing firms. The findings suggest significant direct and indirect effects of I4 T on SOP and confirm the presence of LMP as a strong mediating variable. The results of the study extend the literature on I4 T by identifying I4 T as an enabler of LMP, leading to enhancement of the SOP. Implications and future research directions for academicians, practitioners, and consultants are provided.