The Impact of Lean Manufacturing Practices (LMP) on Sustainable Operational Performance in the Electrical and Electronics (E&E) Manufacturing Sector in Southern Malaysia

Abstract

The electrical and electronics (E&E) manufacturing sector plays a crucial role in Malaysia’s economy, accounting for 5.8% of GDP and 40% of export revenue. Despite its economic significance, the sector faces sustainability challenges particularly in managing electronic waste (e-waste) which exceeds 365 000 tonnes annually and is projected to reach 24.5 million units by 2025. This study examines the role of lean manufacturing practices (LMP) specifically just-in-time (JIT), statistical process control (SPC) and pull system (PS) in enhancing sustainable operational performance in Southern Malaysia E&E manufacturing sector. A sample of 70 firms was selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. The findings indicate that JIT has the most significant impact followed by PS and SPC in optimizing production processes, minimizing waste and mitigating e-waste generation. These findings highlight the importance of integrating multiple LMP to improve sustainability and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 9 and 12. Practitioners can use these insights to enhance resource efficiency and competitiveness. Policymakers can design incentives, regulations and training programs to drive sustainable industrial practices. Future research should explore additional LMP and their application in other industries to support sustainable operational performance.