Relationship among organizational support, JIT implementation, and performance

As a result of progressive implementations of just‐in‐time (JIT) management practices, researchers have attempted to identify those elements critical to the success of implementation. While the literature shows general agreement on organizational support as a key element, a paucity of empirical studies exist to test this proposition. This study tests the relationship among organizational support, JIT implementation, and performance in US production systems with the use of LISREL confirmatory factor analysis. Data collected via a survey are used to test the proposition that organizational support positively influences JIT implementation, and that organizational support and JIT implementation collectively contribute to improved performance. JIT implementation, organizational support, and performance are, respectively, independent, moderator, and dependent variables. The findings suggest that organizational support influences the implementation process and is therefore deemed an appropriate starting point in the causal relationship model. Identifies a successive causal relationship from organizational support to improved performance through JIT implementation.