Configurations of lean manufacturing enablers for advanced digital technology adoption

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate how lean manufacturing (LM) enablers influence the adoption of advanced digital technologies in manufacturing. While lean capabilities are widely recognised for improving efficiency, limited research has explored their relative and combinational effects on digital technology adoption. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 222 manufacturing practitioners worldwide using an online survey. Seventeen LM enablers derived from the literature were evaluated against 16 digital technologies. Responses were analysed using the relative importance index (RII) to rank enablers and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to uncover combinational effects. Findings Results show that process optimisation and continuous improvement (POCI), data-driven decision-making (DD), leadership commitment (LC) and standardisation (SD) consistently enable the successful adoption of foundational technologies such as Internet of Things, big data analytics, cloud computing, cyber security, vertical and horizontal integration and mobile technologies. Interestingly, quality management, which is highly recognised for its role in LM, is found to have hindering effects. Also, visual management and waste reduction, which are conventionally recognised as strong LM enablers, are found to be less critical in technology adoption. Radio frequency identification and machine-to-machine communication do not share common configurations of LM enablers. Research limitations/implications Although the survey yielded 222 valid responses across diverse manufacturing contexts, potential biases may remain, such as self-selection bias, uneven geographical distribution and the sample contains a higher proportion of large firms compared to small and medium-sized enterprises. Practical implications For practitioners, the study provides clear guidance on which LM enablers to prioritise for effective digital transformation. By focusing investments on POCI, DD, LC and SD, firms can optimise resource allocation, reduce risks and build a robust foundation for technology adoption. Policymakers can leverage these insights to design targeted interventions, including training programmes and financial incentives, to accelerate lean-enabled digital adoption. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to empirically examine the relative and combinational effects of LM enablers on digital technology adoption. The findings advance lean–digital integration literature by demonstrating that not all lean enablers equally support technology adoption, offering new theoretical insights and actionable strategies for firms seeking structured, lean-enabled digital transformation. By integrating RII and fsQCA, it provides a novel methodological approach to explore both relative importance and synergistic configurations.