Abstract:

This study used data collected through the World Manufacturing Survey study to establish the factors that contribute to explain the differences in the adoption of Lean manufacturing between the country of Colombia and a group of Latin American countries.

In a classroom environment, action learning was implemented to develop a project articulated to the World Manufacturing Survey study. This initiative revolved around the objective of identifying the factors motivating dissimilarities in Lean manufacturing adoption between Colombia and other researched Latin American economies. Capitalizing on data from the survey, this approach promoted practical insights and the notion of collaborative solving of problems.

Methodology:
The experiential characteristic of applying action learning to a class-based project carried out by Universidad del Atlántico's College of Industrial Engineering students concentrated on the adoption of lean manufacturing practices in Colombia. The administration of a questionnaire designed for analyzing data directly from the World Manufacturing Survey was one of the key steps within the methodology. The questionnaire played an important role in acquiring valuable understanding of the challenges, successes, and detailed relative factors impacting on the adoption of lean practices in the region. Students assisted with the data analysis process. This practical involvement allowed students to intensely engage with the complexities of lean manufacturing adoption in the Latin American industrial setting. The action learning approach facilitated a comparative analysis as the survey results were contrasted with those of a similar studies carried out at the broader Latin American (LATAM) region. This comparison exercise added richness to the research findings, allowing students to discern unique challenges and trends specific to Colombia within the larger regional context. Furthermore, it promoted a nuanced understanding of the cultural, economic, and organizational factors influencing variations in lean manufacturing adoption across LATAM.

Findings and results:
The study found that in Colombia exists a positive and intermediate relationship between the variables of performance management and lean practices adoption. Furthermore, the study found a robust and significant relationship between the organizational objectives and the efficiency of lean practices adoption. On the other hand, in the group of Latin American countries studied the research found a positive and significant relationship between the human resources management practices and the efficiency in the adoption of the lean practices. The study also found that there is a positive relationship between the human resources adoption and performance management practices. Finally, it was also found that the organizational objectives and performance management practices have a strong and significant relationship.

Keywords:

Experiential Learning, Action Learning, lean practices, management, organizational objectives.