Top management commitment and lean team members’ prosocial voice behaviour
International Journal of Lean Six Sigma
ISSN: 2040-4166
Article publication date: 10 June 2021
Issue publication date: 19 November 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Top management commitment (TMC) and prosocial voice behaviour in Lean teams are vital for the successful Lean implementation. This study aims to investigate how TMC influences Lean team members’ prosocial voice behaviour and how such changed voice behaviour affects the outcome of Lean implementations.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have used a qualitative research methodology to examine six dimensions of TMC (communication, involvement, support, empowerment, encouragement and monitoring) in two ready-made garment (RMG) factories in Bangladesh. Operational performance was measured by efficiency, quality, value stream mapping, single-minute exchange dies and 5S scores. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) was assessed by acceptable head and back positions, machine safety, use of masks and housekeeping.
Findings
The findings reveal that TMC influences Lean team members' voice behaviour positively and, thereby, company's performance. Six dimensions of TMC are all critical for mobilizing prosocial voice, which then improves productivity, OHS and enhancing employee capacity and job satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
This research involved two sewing lines in two RMG factories in Bangladesh. Cross-sector and large-scale international quantitative research is also needed.
Practical implications
This research shows how TMC and Lean problem-solving teams can mobilize employee voice.
Originality/value
Employee voice is a central issue in the implementation of Lean. To the best of the author’s knowledge, for the first time, the authors show how the six dimensions of TMC influence Lean team members’ voice behaviour in the workplace and thereby how prosocial voice affects team performance.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The work was supported by the DANIDA, Denmark [grant no.14-07AAU].
Citation
Latif, M.A. and Vang, J. (2021), "Top management commitment and lean team members’ prosocial voice behaviour", International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 12 No. 6, pp. 1289-1309. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-01-2020-0002
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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