Lean Supply Management in the Canadian Agri-food Sector
Abstract
This thesis examines a novel conceptualization and operationalization of the lean supply management (LSM) construct and investigates its practical relevance for the Canadian agri-food sector. The thesis consists of three integrated essays, intended to advance the LSM scholarly theorization and managerial understanding. The first essay offers a systematic literature review to gain a better comprehension of the current state of research on LSM regarding its definition, practices, and frameworks, as well as context and contingencies related to its implementation. The second essay offers a conceptual development of the LSM construct presenting a new definition and a new contextual contingent model that is supplemented by an empirical validation of its practical utility through a Delphi study. The new model shows an alignment association between supply challenges and performance objectives that aligns and influences the selection of lean pillars. Findings identified the main supply challenges faced by Canadian agri-food processors and the lean pillars used to address them when pursuing specific performance objectives, their associations, and alignments. The third essay offers a qualitative inquiry to deepen the understanding of LSM in the Canadian agri-food sector using multiple case studies, which reveal how and why LSM is being utilized in the industry. This study determined the specific lean concepts, tools, and practices to deploy to achieve performance objectives when facing supply challenges. Results from this thesis contribute new insights to reorient the scholarly examination of LSM and practical illustrations to guide managers in LSM implementations.