El papel de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones (TIC) en la búsqueda de la eficiencia: un análisis desde Lean Production y la integración electrónica de la cadena de suministro

In this paper an analysis is made of the existing inter-relationships between Information Technology (IT), the implementation of Lean Production, and the electronic integration of the supply chain. To analyse these relationships, an investigation was made on the impact of two different kinds of technologies, intra-organizational or internal IT and inter-organizational or external IT. The results from a sample of 84 first-tier suppliers of the automotive industry showed that the impact of internal IT on the implementation of Lean Production is greater, and the same for external IT on the electronic integration of the supply chain. Moreover, it showed how the relationship between internal IT and the implementation of Lean Production is stronger when it is controlled by the presence of external IT. In this case, a negative relationship was observed between external IT and the implementation of Lean Production. Finally, the results show how internal IT has no influence on the electronic integration with suppliers.