Exploring the relationship among lean manufacturing practices, supply chain integration, agility and corporate sustainable performance: evidence from Tunisian companies

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship among lean manufacturing practices (LMPs), supply chain integration (SCI), supply chain agility (SCA) and corporate sustainable performance (CSP) in the context of a developing country, considering SCI and SCA as mediators and information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a survey questionnaire to collect data from 158 manufacturing companies in Tunisia and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling to analyze the collected data and test the research hypotheses. Findings The study results first showed that LMPs positively affect SCI and SCA and that SCI partially mediates the relationship between LMPs and SCA. Second, SCA positively impacts firms' operational and social performance and fully mediates the relationship between LMPs and these performance dimensions. Third, ICTs do not moderate the relationship between LMPs and SCA (as the effect is statistically insignificant). Research limitations/implications The results of this study are specific to manufacturing companies in Tunisia and cannot reflect other sectors or geographic contexts. Originality/value Drawing on dynamic capabilities theory and the existing literature, the authors developed and tested a conceptual framework that links LMPs, SCI, SCA and CSP.