Lean production has been the most prominent method for improving operational performance in manufacturing companies. Recently, research has shifted to examining how digital technologies can make Lean more effective. The purpose of this paper is to explore which digital technologies used in production are associated with which internal Lean practices. The paper is based on a large-scale survey of manufacturing plants in Sweden and Croatia, and the data is analysed using correlation-, principal component- and regression analysis. Eight commonly used technologies in production were selected and linked to six internal dimensions of Lean. Statistically significant associations were found between around half of the digital technologies and the six dimensions of Lean. The overall conclusion is that the internal dimensions of Lean are highly intertwined with the usage of digital technologies in production. The paper thus offers insights for managers in Lean organisations that seek to implement digital technologies in production. The paper contributes to the digital Lean discussion by providing quantitative evidence on specific links between Digital technologies and specific Lean dimensions in manufacturing.

@article{robinhaartman-2025-1663,
  title={Matching Digital Technologies with Lean Practices in Production},
  author={Robin  Haartman and Jasna  Prester and Lars  Bengtsson and Camilla  Niss},
  journal={Operations and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal},
  year={2025},
  volume={18},
  number={1},
  pages={19--33},
  doi={10.31387/oscm0600452}
}

Robin  Haartman, Jasna  Prester, Lars  Bengtsson, Camilla  Niss (2025). Matching Digital Technologies with Lean Practices in Production. Operations and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 18(1), 19-33. https://doi.org/10.31387/oscm0600452