Research On Lean Transformation Of Manufacturing Enterprises

With the diversification of customer demands and the acceleration of economic globalization,the market environment has changed dramatically,and the deteriorating market competition has caused the manufacturing companies to face greater pressure for survival.So,manufacturing companies have to introduc lean manufacturing theory and tools to transform themselves into lean operations and improve their operational capabilities.With the practical needs of companies to carry out lean transformation,this study conducts a discussion of the concept connotation of lean transformation and a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the lean transformation issues,based on a comprehensive review of the existing research results and the current status of enterprises transformation practices.In this context,this study focuses on “the lean transformation of enterprise—dynamic capabilities—the process of transformation evolution” as the key line of this study.This study comprehensively uses a series of research methods such as literature research,theoretical theories,and questionnaire surveys,as well as statistics tools such as CMA,SPSS,and AMOS.The integration of lean production theory,performance frontiers theory,enterprises transformation theory,and dynamic capability theory is the theoretical basis.This study contains four dimensions,clearly clarifies the theoretical connotations and interrelationships between lean transformation,dynamic capabilities,and transformation process,resulting in the following major research conclusion.Research Conclusion 1: Under the guidance of lean theory,enterprise transformation theory and the theory of performance frontiers,the basic elements of lean transformation are explored.This study believes that the lean transformation of enterprise is based on the improvment of the enterprise operating system,integrates the transformation of the organizational structure,culture,and other dimensions,so that the enterprise production and operation system can adapt to the needs of the enterprise’s operations strategy,and the continuously optimized behaviors and processes of the enterprise operating system can be achieved.According to the the theory of performance frontiers,the lean transformation is essentially a process in which the enterprise continuously pushes the operational performances boundary to the the assets boundary.The purpose is to increase the efficiency of the use of the assets boundaries by minimum investment.Research Conclusion 2: Dynamic capability is the capability of a company to quickly respond to changes in internal and external environments and have a significant impact on enterprise transformation.Therefore,this study analyzes the theory of lean transformation from the perspective of dynamic capability theory.First,this study analyzes that the dynamic capabilities in the context of transformation which is consist of planning and design capabilities,resource integration capabilities,management and control capabilities,change and update capabilities.Second,from the perspective of dynamic capabilities,enterprise lean transformation model is constructed by incorporating dynamic capabilities,lean transformation processes,lean transformation factors,and lean transformation content.Finally,this study test the moderating effect of the dynamic capability on the relationship between lean practice activities and enterprise operation performances.The empirical analysis results show that the dynamic capability does not have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between HRM and operation performances,and dynamic capability has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between lean practices(JIT,TQM,TPM)and operation performances.Research Conclusion 3: Through non-linear relationship verification and the performance frontiers theory,this research proposes that the process of lean transformation of enterprises is a process of self-organization evolution under the influence of internal transformation and promotion capabilities.Applying Logistic equations,this research establish the evolution model of the lean transformation process,thus proposing the node and phase characteristics of the four stages of lean transformation(initial,transitional,advanced,and excellent).In addition,according to the current practice of lean transformation,the lean transformation participation can be divided into active participation,passive participation,and non-participation.Based on this situation,the self-organization evolution process can be divided into three modes:collaborative mode,neutral mode,and confrontation mode.The equilibrium stability conditions of each model are analyzed respectively.Research Conclusion 4: In order to accurately measure the state of lean transformation,an assessment model,combined entropy weight method with fuzzy nearness degree,was proposed for determining lean transformation stage.First,based on the three dimensions(basic capacity,process capacity and transformation results capacity)of the transformation,the characteristic metrics of lean transformation stage and enable metrics were identified which was followed by the description of its patterns in different stage.Second,entropy weight method was applied to calculate the characteristic index score and fuzzy nearness degree was applied to determine the stage of lean transformation.Finally,a machinery manufacturing company was put up to examine the validity of the method.Based on the characteristics of lean transformation process,this assessment model can measure the lean transformation stage of manufacturing firm from enterprises level,and it is also applicable to other sectors.Based on the research content and conclusions mentioned above,the main innovations and contributions of this study are as follows:First,this research initially proposes a conceptual model of lean transformation through theoretical analysis which helps refining the definition of lean transformation and theoretical connotation by organizing existing research results.Under the guidance of lean theory,enterprise transformation theory,and the performance frontiers theory,the lean transformation concept is understood from the overall level which has important theoretical value for the future studies and practical significance for improving the lean transformation practice level.Second,by introducing the internal elements of business organizations named dynamic capabilities,this research explores the moderate effects of dynamic capabilities on the lean transformation.As the carrier of lean transformation and its practical activities,the organizational structure of business organizations will inevitably influence the process and effect of the lean transformation.Based on a model for lean transformation established from the perspective of dynamic capabilities,this research proposes the moderate role of dynamic capabilities for lean transformation through theoretical analysis and empirical research.Third,based on the self-organization theory,the self-organization evolution process of the lean transformation is constructed.There is a generalized theoretical model for the stage division and evolution of the lean transformation.This research builds a dynamic change process model for enterprise transformation through the introduction of self-organizing evolutionary theory and Logistic equations,hence providing in-depth analysis of the stages and the evolutionary model of lean transformation under different driving abilities.