Lean Technical Factors and Customer Relations: An Assessment of Readiness to Deploy Lean Manufacturing within SMEs

The study aims to assess lean readiness level within manufacturing SMEs from technical perspective by examining the relationship between process management and planning & control on customer relations. The research applied quantitative survey approach by administering questionnaire to SMEs managers. Responses received were analyzed using SMART-PLS 4 to examine measurement model, structural model, and path coefficient. The findings of the study show that process management and planning & control have a positive and significant relationship on customer relations. The study implies that manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria have an appreciable lean readiness from technical perspective. It also indicates that processes, planning and control activities within SMEs are compatible with lean practices and techniques. The study is among the few that assess lean readiness from technical perspective, hence given a new insight in evaluation of lean readiness