Digital Leadership and Lean Manufacturing: An Analysis Using an Importance–Performance Map

Maria Marisela Vargas-Salgado; Aurora Irma  Maynez-Guaderrama; Erwin Adan Martinez-Gomez; Andres Hernandez-Gomez; Vianey Torres-Arguelles

doi:10.23762/FSO_VOL14_NO1_5

Published : 2026-03-31

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)

Digital Leadership and Lean Manufacturing: An Analysis Using an Importance–Performance Map

Maria Marisela Vargas-Salgado

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9670-5982

Aurora Irma Maynez-Guaderrama

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8174-3807

Erwin Adan Martinez-Gomez

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7753-2545

Andres Hernandez-Gomez

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2325-2051

Vianey Torres-Arguelles

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0978-3796

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23762/FSO_VOL14_NO1_5

Abstract

The success of lean manufacturing practices in Industry 4.0 is highly dependent on people and technology; therefore, an appropriate leadership style is essential when pursuing the implementation of lean manufacturing. This study explores whether digital leadership has direct and indirect effects on lean manufacturing practices via the mediation of the two dimensions of thriving at work; in parallel, the degree of its importance and respective performance is evaluated. The research design was quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and explanatory and was conducted in the Mexican border export manufacturing industry using a non-probabilistic sample of 1,123 people. The statistical techniques used were partial least squares structural equation modelling [PLS-SEM] and importance–performance mapping [IPMA]. The results reveal a direct effect of digital leadership on lean manufacturing practices and an indirect effect through the learning dimension of thriving at work; the vitality dimension has no significant effect on lean manufacturing practices. The importance–performance map highlights the significant effect of digital leadership on lean manufacturing; at the indicator level, it reveals that leaders need to improve their performance by seeking out and motivating employees to experience and use new technologies.

Keywords:

Industry 4.0, digital leadership, thriving at work, lean manufacturing, structural model, performance importance map.

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Vargas-Salgado, M. M., Maynez-Guaderrama, A. I., Martinez-Gomez, E. A., Hernandez-Gomez, A., & Torres-Arguelles, V. (2026). Digital Leadership and Lean Manufacturing: An Analysis Using an Importance–Performance Map. Forum Scientiae Oeconomia, 14(1), 81–97. https://doi.org/10.23762/FSO_VOL14_NO1_5

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