Digital Automation and Data-Driven Decisions through Lean Culture on Performance in Chinese-Owned Digital Retail Firms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71154/a5e1f580Keywords:
Data-Driven Decisions, Digital Automation, Lean Operations CultureAbstract
This study examines how digital automation and data-driven decisions influence operational performance and service reliability through lean operations culture in Chinese-owned digital retail firms. A quantitative approach was applied using survey data collected from managers and supervisors responsible for operations and information systems. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed relationships among the constructs. The results indicate that digital automation significantly strengthens lean operations culture, while data-driven decisions also show a positive and meaningful effect on the same mediator. Lean operations culture demonstrates a strong influence on both operational performance and service reliability, confirming its central role in translating technological resources into operational outcomes. These findings highlight that technology adoption alone is insufficient without a supporting cultural orientation toward waste reduction, continuous improvement, and disciplined execution. The study contributes to operations management literature by integrating technological and cultural perspectives within a single explanatory framework. From a managerial standpoint, the results suggest that leaders in Chinese-owned digital retail firms should align automation investments with data-based routines and lean values to achieve sustainable performance improvements and reliable service delivery globally.
Downloads
References
Akter, S., Wamba, S. F., Gunasekaran, A., Dubey, R., & Childe, S. J. (2022). How to improve firm performance using big data analytics capability and business strategy alignment? International Journal of Production Economics, 243, 108303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2021.108303
Alves, A. C., Sousa, R., & Moreira, F. (2020). Lean service and reliability. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(13–14), 1527–1543. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2018.1486537
Anggraeni, O., Puspasari, E., Triyono, B., Hasibuan, R. R., Perwita, D., & Mulasiwi, C. M. (2025). Inclusive Economic Education for Empowering Local Tourism MSMES Through Human Capital and Innovation in The Lake Toba Region. Modern Economic Science, 47(6), 77-99.
Antony, J., Sony, M., McDermott, O., & Desai, D. A. (2021). Critical success factors for continuous improvement. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 38(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-02-2020-0054
Bortolotti, T., Danese, P., & Romano, P. (2020). Lean culture and performance. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 40(2), 235–262. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-01-2019-0038
Bortolotti, T., Danese, P., Flynn, B., & Romano, P. (2021). Lean implementation and behavioral mechanisms. Journal of Operations Management, 67(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1002/joom.1113
Buer, S. V., Strandhagen, J. O., & Chan, F. T. S. (2021). The link between Industry 4.0 and lean manufacturing: Mapping current research and establishing a research agenda. International Journal of Production Research, 59(16), 4924–4940. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2020.1810761
Choi, T. M., Wallace, S. W., & Wang, Y. (2019). Big data analytics in operations management. Production and Operations Management, 28(3), 525–534. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.12926
Côrtes, M., Gonçalves, M., & Martins, P. (2022). Digital automation and operational routines. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 165, 107936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2022.107936
Cua, K. O., McKone, K. E., & Schroeder, R. G. (2018). Relationships between lean culture and performance. Journal of Operations Management, 62, 21–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2018.03.002
Dubey, R., Gunasekaran, A., Bryde, D., Dwivedi, Y. K., & Papadopoulos, T. (2021). Big data and operational control. International Journal of Production Economics, 231, 107867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.107867
Dubey, R., Gunasekaran, A., Childe, S. J., Wamba, S. F., & Papadopoulos, T. (2019). The impact of big data on world-class sustainable manufacturing. International Journal of Production Economics, 205, 202–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2018.09.005
Fatorachian, H., & Kazemi, H. (2021). Impact of Industry 4.0 on supply chain performance. Production Planning & Control, 32(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1712487
Gupta, S., Modgil, S., & Gunasekaran, A. (2021). Digital transformation and performance. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 166, 120593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120593
Hasanah, Y. N., Anggraeni, O., Suwali, S., Kusnaman, D., Hasibuan, R. R., & Efendi, B. (2025). Entrepreneurial marketing and marketing performance in gen z entrepreneurs: exploring the mediating pathways to entrepreneurial resilience. Journal of Ecohumanism, 4(1), 3583-3602.
Hasibuan, R. R., Suliyanto, S., & Novandari, W. (2025). Bridging Digital Marketing and Tourism Development: The Role of Social Media Marketing in Enhancing Business Performance. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 14(2), 351-360.
Hasibuan, R. R. (2024). Dampak personal branding dan influencer marketing terhadap keputusan pembelian konsumen generasi z. House of Management and Business (HOMBIS) Journal, 3(2), 57-62.
Hasibuan, R. R., & Najmudin, N. (2024). Content marketing, customer engagement on marketing performance mediated by digital marketing in batik MSMEs in Banyumas Regency. International Journal of Economics, Business and Innovation Research, 3(03), 287-304.
Hasibuan, R. R., Sabil, S., Pamikatsih, M., & Latif, E. A. (2024). The Impact of Human Resource Management on Financial Performance: A Case Study in the Manufacturing Industry. International Journal of Technology and Education Research, 2(03), 64-76.
Hasibuan, R. R., & Sudarto, S. (2024). The Role of Digital Capability and Social Media Engagement in Mediating Entrepreneurial Marketing on MSME Marketing Performance in Banyumas Regency. International Journal of Business and Quality Research, 2(04), 39-56.
Hasibuan, R. R., Novandari, W., & Setyanto, R. P. (2024). The role of digital literacy on the social media performance of batik MSMEs with digital capability as an intervening variable. International Journal of Business and Quality Research, 2(03), 39-54.
Hasibuan, R. R. (2022). The Impact of Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ) and Word of Mouth on Patient Satisfaction Educational Dental and Oral Hospital. Telaah Bisnis, 23(2), 129-143.
Huo, B., Ye, Y., Zhao, X., & Zhu, K. (2021). Operational reliability in digital supply chains. Journal of Business Logistics, 42(2), 247–268. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbl.12263
Ivanov, D., Dolgui, A., Sokolov, B., Ivanova, M., & Werner, F. (2019). A dynamic model of digital supply chain. International Journal of Production Research, 57(3), 829–846. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1498095
Kamble, S. S., Gunasekaran, A., & Sharma, R. (2020). Data-driven decision making in operations. International Journal of Production Economics, 227, 107670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.107670
Liu, H., & Lee, J. (2022). Cultural influences on digital transformation in Asian retail firms. Journal of Business Research, 139, 1022–1033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.10.047
Losonci, D., Demeter, K., & Jenei, I. (2020). Behavioral foundations of lean. International Journal of Production Research, 58(17), 5143–5160. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2019.1708987
Mann, D. (2018). Creating a lean culture. CRC Press.
Marodin, G. A., Frank, A. G., Tortorella, G. L., & Netland, T. (2018). Lean product development and lean manufacturing. International Journal of Production Economics, 201, 33–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2018.04.013
Mikalef, P., Boura, M., Lekakos, G., & Krogstie, J. (2020). Big data analytics capability. Information & Management, 57(2), 103169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2019.05.004
Netland, T. H., Powell, D. J., & Hines, P. (2019). Demystifying lean leadership. International Journal of Production Research, 57(7), 2107–2123. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1508902
Peng, J., Quan, J., Zhang, G., & Dubinsky, A. J. (2021). Operational performance measurement. Journal of Business Research, 125, 293–305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.12.051
Queiroz, M. M., Fosso Wamba, S., Machado, M. C., & Telles, R. (2020). Smart manufacturing and operational performance. International Journal of Production Research, 58(20), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2020.1775906
Rai, A., Patnayakuni, R., & Seth, N. (2021). Firm performance impacts of digitally enabled supply chain integration. MIS Quarterly, 45(3), 1173–1203. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2021/15218
Ranjan, J., & Foropon, C. (2021). Analytics and managerial control. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 26(1), 109–125. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-07-2020-0305
Suarez-Barraza, M. F., Smith, T., & Dahlgaard-Park, S. M. (2020). Lean service reliability. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(13–14), 1453–1470. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2019.1597167
Syed, R., Bandara, W., French, E., & Stewart, G. (2020). Robotic process automation. Business Process Management Journal, 26(7), 1861–1884. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-02-2020-0080
Tortorella, G. L., & Fettermann, D. (2018). Lean service implementation. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 35(7), 1312–1330. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-05-2017-0093
Tortorella, G. L., Fogliatto, F. S., & Esposto, K. F. (2019). Lean culture and service performance. International Journal of Production Economics, 218, 273–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.05.017
Tortorella, G. L., Miorando, R., & Tlapa, D. (2021). Lean automation alignment. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 32(3), 609–628. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-07-2020-0264
van Assen, M. F. (2018). Lean practices and productivity. International Journal of Production Economics, 198, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2018.01.012
van Dun, D. H., Hicks, J. N., & Wilderom, C. P. M. (2017). Values and behaviors of lean culture. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 37(6), 812–832. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-07-2015-0453
van Dun, D. H., & Wilderom, C. P. M. (2021). Lean leadership and routines. Journal of Operations Management, 67(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/joom.1112
Wamba, S. F., Dubey, R., Gunasekaran, A., & Akter, S. (2020). The performance effects of big data analytics. International Journal of Production Economics, 241, 118094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2021.118094
Zhang, Y., & Chen, J. (2021). Digitalization and operational efficiency in Chinese retail firms. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 61, 102563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2021.102563
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal Business and Entrepreneurship
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The work is distributed under a 