Lean Manufacturing and Competitive Advantage of Selected Sugar Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

Augustine C. Iherobiem, Lateef O. Adegboyega, Mayowa E. Ariyibi & Samson A. Adeyemi

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Abstract

This study investigated the effect of lean manufacturing on the competitive advantage of selected sugar manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study used a correlational research design, and its population consisted of employees of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc in Nigeria. The sample population consisted of 30 respondents from the firms, including departmental managers and assistant departmental managers from departments such as sales, finance, procurement, and production. The questionnaire used to collect the study’s data was self-administered by the researcher to the participants and was constructed using a five-point Likert scale. Twenty-five copies of the questionnaire, out of the thirty that were distributed, were returned and used for the analysis. The study employed a linear regression model to determine the link between the variables, and the findings showed that lean manufacturing significantly and positively impacted sugar companies’ competitive advantage (β=0.475, p=0.000). It was concluded that manufacturing companies have a better chance of gaining a competitive edge when they implement lean manufacturing, and it is recommended that sugar companies, as well as manufacturing companies in general, allocate more resources and prioritise implementing lean manufacturing methods into their operations.

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