Groundbreaking Study on Lean Manufacturing in the Nike Supply Chain Receives the Shingo Research Award
August 30, 2023 – the Shingo Institute
LOGAN, Utah – August 30, 2023 – The Shingo Institute, a program in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, is pleased to announce that the research study “Does Lean Improve Labor Standards? Management and Social Performance in the Nike Supply Chain” has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Shingo Research Award.
Authored by Greg Distelhorst, Jens Hainmueller, and Richard M. Locke, and published in Management Science, this influential study examines the impact of Lean manufacturing practices on labor standards in emerging markets. Drawing on data from over 300 factories across 11 developing countries, the study analyzes Nike, Inc.’s initiative to promote Lean adoption throughout its global apparel supply chain.
The research finds that factories implementing Lean experienced a 15-percentage point reduction in noncompliance with labor standards, particularly in areas related to wages and working hours. However, the study reports no significant change in compliance with health and safety standards. The findings suggest that Lean improves social performance primarily by transforming labor-management relations rather than by enhancing formal management systems.
“This study provides compelling evidence that capability-building interventions like Lean can play a meaningful role in reducing social harm within global supply chains,” said Ken Snyder, Executive Director of the Shingo Institute. “Receipt of the Shingo Research Award signifies an author’s significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in organizational excellence.”
Since its publication in 2017, the study has catalyzed a new wave of research on Lean leadership, including its effects on organizational culture, team dynamics, and performance at multiple levels.
For more information about the Shingo Research Award and the Shingo Institute, visit www.shingo.org.
About the Shingo Research Award
The Shingo Research Award is given to research that significantly extends understanding of the philosophy, principles, or methods of enterprise excellence consistent with the Shingo Model™. Redesigned in 2022, the award now exclusively recognizes academic research, with recipients selected by the Shingo Research Advisory Committee.
About the Shingo Institute
The Shingo Institute is home of the Shingo Prize, an award that recognizes organizations that demonstrate an exceptional culture that fosters continuous improvement. Part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, the Shingo Institute is named after Japanese industrial engineer and Toyota adviser, Shigeo Shingo. Dr. Shingo distinguished himself as one of the world’s thought leaders in concepts, management systems, and improvement techniques that have become known as the Toyota Production System.
Drawing from Dr. Shingo’s teachings and years of experience working with organizations worldwide, the Shingo Institute developed the Shingo Model which is the basis for its several educational offerings, including workshops, study tours, and conferences. Workshops are available in multiple languages through the Institute’s Licensed Affiliates. For more information on workshops, affiliates, or to register to attend the Shingo Conference, please visit www.shingo.org.
Media Contact
Mary Price, Events and Marketing Manager
Shingo Institute
Phone: +1.435.760.0711
Email: [email protected]
About the Shingo Institute
The Shingo Institute is home to the Shingo Prize, an award recognizing organizations that demonstrate an exceptional culture fostering continuous improvement. Part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, the Shingo Institute is named after Japanese industrial engineer and Toyota adviser Shigeo Shingo, one of the world's thought leaders in the Toyota Production System.
Drawing from Dr. Shingo’s teachings and years of experience working with organizations worldwide, the Shingo Institute developed the Shingo Model, the basis for its various educational offerings, including workshops, study tours, and conferences. Workshops are available in multiple languages through the Institute's Licensed Affiliates. For more information on workshops and affiliates or to register to attend an event, please visit https://shingo.org.
Shingo Media Contact
Mary Price, Events and Marketing Director
Shingo Institute
Phone: +1.435.760.0711
Email: [email protected]