Examining lean practices on warehouse performance: a study on electrical and electronics manufacturing industry

• Main Author: Adrian, Foong Hong Nian
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: HD28-70 Management. Industrial Management
• Online Access: https://etd.uum.edu.my/8597/1/s900083_01.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/8597/2/s900083_02.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/8597/3/s900083_references.docx; https://etd.uum.edu.my/8597/

Literature has recognized lean production and lean warehouse as prominent manufacturing philosophies that are based on customer-focused process improvements. To further enhance customer satisfaction, many Electrical & Electronics (E&E) manufacturers are turning to lean manufacturing practices to increase their business performance. However, numerous studies argued that the theory and practice show inconsistent results between lean practices and warehouse performance. In the Malaysian context, few researches have been conducted on lean warehouse practices in E&E manufacturing, notably in Penang; where concentration on manufacturing warehouse is high. Therefore, this study sought to establish the inter-relationship of lean warehouse practices of standardization, supplier network, quality at source and inventory management and MNC’s customer satisfaction, underpinned by the Resource-Based View (RBV). A quantitative and the crosssectional research design were adopted, and one hundred and fifty-two research questionnaires were administered to managers/executives in Penang. A valid response of one hundred and twenty-seven questionnaires was obtained and the data was analyzed using the SPSS and Smart PLS. From the research outcome, the hypothesized relationship between lean practices of standardization and warehouse’s customer satisfaction was supported. Secondly, the hypothesized relationship between lean practices of supplier network and warehouse’s customer satisfaction was supported. Thirdly, the hypothesized relationship between lean practices of quality at source and warehouse’s customer satisfaction was also supported. Finally, however, the hypothesized relationship between lean practices of inventory management and warehouse’s customer satisfaction was not supported. Theoretical and applied implications, as well as recommendations and future research are discussed in this study.