THE ROLE OF LEAN PRODUCTION PRACTICES ON THE LOWER QUALITY COST AND HIGH PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN IRAQ

Abstract

Lately, lean production approaches have become indispensable for producing high-quality goods cheaply and with superior organizational performance. Researchers and politicians need to prioritize this element. This study explores the impact of lean production strategies such as total quality management (TQM), just-in-time (JIT), and total productive maintenance (TPM) on the high performance of manufacturing firms in Iraq. The study also investigates the function of lower quality cost as a mediator between TQM, JIT, and TPM and the high performance of manufacturing enterprises in Iraq. The researchers employed survey questionnaires to collect primary data from personnel of quality assurance departments in Iraqi industrial companies. Using PLS-SEM and smart-PLS, the researchers analyze the interrelationships between the understudy components. TQM, JIT, and TPM were found to have a good relationship with the high performance of Iraqi manufacturing enterprises. The results also revealed that the lower quality cost considerably mediates the relationship between TQM, JIT, and TPM and the manufacturing enterprises' excellent performance in Iraq. The research assists policymakers in formulating strategies to attain high performance at a cheap cost by implementing the finest lean production practices.