Impact of lean and agile workforce strategies on operational efficiency in Nigerian manufacturing firms

Abstract

This study examined the impact of Lean and Agile workforce strategies on operational efficiency in Nigerian manufacturing firms, with particular emphasis on the moderating role of employee empowerment and workforce skills. The objectives were to assess the individual and joint effects of Lean and Agile workforce strategies on operational efficiency and to determine how employee empowerment and skills influence these relationships. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 482 valid respondents drawn from selected manufacturing firms in Lagos and Ogun States using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression techniques were employed for data analysis using SPSS. The findings revealed that Agile workforce strategies (β = 0.412, p < 0.05) and Lean workforce strategies (β = 0.385, p < 0.05) significantly improved operational efficiency. Employee empowerment and workforce skills also significantly strengthened the relationship between workforce strategies and operational efficiency. The study recommends increased investment in employee training, empowerment initiatives, multiskilling programmes, and decentralized decision-making structures to enhance organizational responsiveness and efficiency.