Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the digitalization of operational processes and activities in lean manufacturing firms and explore the associated learning implications through the lens of cumulative capability theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a multiple-case design, we examine four cases of digitalization initiatives within lean manufacturing firms. We collected data through semi-structured interviews and direct observations during site visits.

Findings

The study uncovers the development of learning capabilities as a result of integrating lean and digitalization. We find that digitalization in lean manufacturing firms contributes to the development of both routinized and evolutionary learning capabilities in a cumulative fashion.

Originality/value

The study adds nuance to the limited theoretical understanding of the integration of lean and digitalization by showing how it cumulatively develops the learning capabilities of lean manufacturing firms. As such, the study supports the robustness of cumulative capability theory. We further contribute to research by offering empirical support for the cumulative nature of learning.

中文翻译：

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精益制造企业的数字化：累积能力发展的视角

目的

本文的目的是研究精益制造企业运营流程和活动的数字化，并通过累积能力理论的视角探索相关的学习含义。

设计/方法论/途径

采用多案例设计，我们研究了精益制造企业中数字化举措的四个案例。我们通过半结构化访谈和实地考察期间的直接观察收集数据。

发现

该研究揭示了精益与数字化相结合所带来的学习能力的发展。我们发现精益制造企业的数字化有助于以累积方式发展常规化和进化式学习能力。

原创性/价值

该研究通过展示精益和数字化整合如何累积发展精益制造企业的学习能力，为对精益和数字化整合的有限理论理解增添了细微差别。因此，该研究支持累积能力理论的稳健性。我们通过为学习的累积性质提供实证支持来进一步为研究做出贡献。