Human resources - a critical success factor for quality and sustainability in the industry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29019/enfoqueute.1121Keywords:
Management commitment, Operators, Suppliers, QUA, SustainabilityAbstract
Quality (QUA) in industry encompasses several critical success factors (CSF), including human resources (HR), and the production process is of paramount importance; consequently, quantifying their impact and contribution is essential for sustainability. This study presents a structural equation model (SEM) that relates managerial commitment (MAC) as an independent variable, operators (OPE), suppliers (SUP), and lean manufacturing tools (LMT) as mediating variables, and QUA as a sustainable response variable. The variables were interconnected through six hypotheses, each validated using data from 286 responses to a questionnaire administered to the Mexican maquiladora industry. The SEM was validated using the partial least squares (PLS) approach, and a sensitivity analysis was also performed. The findings indicate that MAC has direct and positive effects on OPE, LMT, and SUP, with the former exhibiting the strongest influence. Similarly, OPE, LMT, and SUP directly affect QUA for sustainability, with the latter demonstrating the most significant impact. The study concludes, statistically and empirically demonstrates that human factors (managers, SUP, and OPE) and production systems can ensure product QUA and economic sustainability, thereby reducing defects and customer returns.
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