Open research questions in Quality and Supply Management
187 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,552 Quality and Supply Management papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.
What the literature leaves open
The construction industry's heavy reliance on raw materials strains global resource reserves and contributes to environmental degradation and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The construction sector's high energy consumption and waste generation pose significant challenges to sustainability. The industry's lack of awareness of ecologically friendly production techniques and resource-efficient methodologies hinders the adoption of sustainable practices.
Evaluating the Contribution of Lean Construction to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals · 2024 · DOIThe synergies between lean construction principles and SDGs remain unclear and ambiguous. There is a need to explore the combined efficacy of lean construction principles and SDGs in mitigating the environmental footprint of the construction industry.
Evaluating the Contribution of Lean Construction to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals · 2024 · DOISlow returns on investment (ROI) hinder the shift toward sustainable production practices. Inadequate waste management systems continue to hinder the shift toward sustainable production practices. Management limitations, such as the lack of standardization, represent significant impediments to competitive performance.
To further strengthen the understanding and applica- tion of lean in this sector, future research should focus on broader, quantitative validation and specific process mecha- nisms. Future work should address the key research questions concerning the social issues and challenges that arise from lean prac- tices and how they should be managed [44]. Future research should focus on building stronger evidence for Lean’s long-term benefits through large-scale and lon- gitudinal studies, identifying the factors and mechanisms that support successful implementation in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, and examining the social impacts, such as occupational health and safety (OHS) issues, that may emerge from high-efficiency work environments.
The complexity and uncertainty of the global market. The need to balance cost efficiency and market response. The challenge of implementing lean-agile principles in different industries.
There is a need to understand the integration of lean and agile principles in modern supply chain management. The study identifies a gap in the literature regarding the implementation of lean-agile principles and their implications for efficiency and performance.
The management practices of textile retail supply chains in Bangladesh are not well documented. There is a lack of research on the retail textile industry in Bangladesh.
Supply Chain Capabilities, Operational Constraints, and Performance in Bangladesh’s Textile Retail Sector: A Mixed-Methods Investigation · 2026 · DOIThe results provide a focus for the SCM literature to move away from the export-oriented garment industry in Bangladesh and towards the comparatively under-researched retail textile industry.
Supply Chain Capabilities, Operational Constraints, and Performance in Bangladesh’s Textile Retail Sector: A Mixed-Methods Investigation · 2026 · DOIThere is a limited empirical research on the relationship between lean supply chain practices and cost performance in Ghana's SMEs. The study aims to fill this gap by exploring the association between lean supply chain practices and cost performance among Ghanaian SMEs.
Based on the outcomes of this research, some recommendations are presented to enrich the adoption and effectiveness of lean supply chain practices among SMEs in Ghana: Firstly, customized training programs should be developed to equip SME managers and employees with practical knowledge of lean tools such as Kaizen, Just-in-Time (JIT), and Value Stream Mapping (VSM). Further collaboration with universities, business associations, and government 75 International Journal of Supply Chain and Logistics ISSN 2520-3983 (Online) Vol. 10, Issue No. 3, pp 62 - 78, 2026 www.carijournals.org agencies can provide certification courses and continuous professional development in lean supply chain management. Second, SMEs should extend lean practices beyond internal operations by fostering stronger supplier associations and collaborative procurement mechanisms. Building trust-based relationships with suppliers will improve responsiveness, reduce opportunism, and enhance overall supply chain efficiency. Lastly, SMEs should embrace digital solutions such as e-procurement platforms, e-sourcing technologies, and real-time data monitoring systems. These tools can streamline purchasing, optimize inventory control, and enable faster workflow adjustments, thereby reducing operational costs.
The study identifies a research gap in the scarcity of studies specific to the maintenance aspect in SMEs. The existing research on digital transformation in manufacturing has focused on broader organizational levels.
Assessing Critical Barriers to Smart Maintenance Implementation in Indian SMEs: ISM–MICMAC Based Structural Analysis · 2026 · DOIThere is a need to develop an outpatient service flow model that can reduce waiting times in internal medicine clinics. The current service flow design and processes are inefficient, leading to prolonged waiting times.
Applying Lean Hospital Strategies to Minimise Waiting Times in the Internal Medicine Clinic · 2026 · DOIRapid technological change, global competition, and heightened regulatory pressures. Limited resource buffers and lack of institutional support for medium-sized firms.
Strategic Flexibility and the Effectiveness of Quality Management Systems: Evidence from Medium-Sized Manufacturing Firms in Nairobi County, Kenya · 2026 · DOIThe lack of understanding of how Strategic Flexibility influences QMS effectiveness in medium-sized manufacturing firms. The need to investigate the role of dynamic capabilities in enhancing QMS effectiveness.
Strategic Flexibility and the Effectiveness of Quality Management Systems: Evidence from Medium-Sized Manufacturing Firms in Nairobi County, Kenya · 2026 · DOIChemical traceability expiration and torque issues remain unresolved. Lack of deep understanding of the Process Specification. Fluctuations in DPU performance during the two-year period of operations.
Evaluation of the Quality Performance of a Batangas-Based Manufacturing Company: Basis for Improvement and Management Initiatives · 2026 · DOIThe study identifies a gap in understanding the underlying causes of fluctuations in quality performance. The study aims to address this gap by employing an explanatory sequential mixed-method research design.
Evaluation of the Quality Performance of a Batangas-Based Manufacturing Company: Basis for Improvement and Management Initiatives · 2026 · DOIThere is a gap in the literature on the extent to which specific inventory management dimensions influence perceived financial performance. Prior work has emphasized operational performance, cost reduction, and efficiency gains, with limited focus on perceived financial outcomes.
Inventory management practices and perceived financial performance among managers in cement manufacturing firms in Tororo, Uganda · 2026 · DOIThe study suggests potential recommendations for future logistics management. The research highlights the need for continuous improvement activities, lean implementation, and employee training.
A Research on Supply Chain Management & Logistics in the Context of ASM TECHNOLOGIES LTD · 2026 · DOIThe study identifies the need for effective supply chain management and logistics in the tech sector. The research highlights the importance of technology in logistics management.
A Research on Supply Chain Management & Logistics in the Context of ASM TECHNOLOGIES LTD · 2026 · DOIExisting studies are generally fragmented, focusing on individual methods or limited combinations of approaches. There is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding how these methods can be integrated to improve workshop performance.
Pendekatan Integratif Untuk Peningkatan Efektivitas Layanan dan Operasional Bengkel Otomotif: Systematic Literature Review · 2026 · DOIThere is a lack of research examining how SRM contributes to the organizational effectiveness of food and beverage manufacturing companies in the UK. The study aims to fill this gap by reviewing existing literature.
Supplier Relationship Management For Improved Performance Of Manufacturing Firms In United Kingdom · 2026 · DOIThe healthcare system has common issues such as errors, infections, and rising health expenditures. There is a need for structured educational interventions to improve lean implementation in healthcare settings.
There is a gap in understanding lean principles and their practical application within healthcare settings. The study identifies the need for structured educational interventions to improve lean implementation in healthcare settings.
The study identifies a gap in the understanding of how lean practices can enhance organisational agility. The research aims to contribute to the understanding of the mediating role of continuous improvement culture.
Lean Implementation and Organisational Agility: The Mediating Role of Continuous Improvement Culture in Nigerian Manufacturing Firms · 2026 · DOIThe complexity of project management involving multiple stakeholders and limited resources. The need to address the gap in performance management in the refrigerated transportation industry. The challenge of developing a strategic map with clear goals and key performance indicators.
Development of Performance Management in Refrigerated Transportation Company PT WET Logistics Indonesia Based on the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) · 2026 · DOI
Most-cited papers in Quality and Supply Management
- Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines · Journal of Business Research · 2019 · 8,536 citations
- Human Resource Bundles and Manufacturing Performance: Organizational Logic and Flexible Production Systems in the World Auto Industry · Industrial and Labor Relations Review · 1995 · 1,758 citations
- Strategic Issues in Product Recovery Management · California Management Review · 1995 · 1,056 citations
- INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: A HUMAN CAPITAL PERSPECTIVE. · Academy of Management Journal · 1992 · 777 citations
- Manufacturing Strategy, Environmental Uncertainty and Performance: A Path Analytic Model · Management Science · 1987 · 721 citations
- Managing the Extended Enterprise: The New Stakeholder View · California Management Review · 2002 · 649 citations
- The Rhetoric and Reality of Total Quality Management · Administrative Science Quarterly · 1998 · 590 citations
- Accessing information sharing and information quality in supply chain management · Decision Support Systems · 2006 · 587 citations
- Revisiting importance–performance analysis · Tourism Management · 2001 · 580 citations
- Integrative strategic performance measurement systems, strategic alignment of manufacturing, learning and strategic outcomes: an exploratory study · Accounting Organizations and Society · 2004 · 580 citations
Most recent work
- Framing Quality 5.0 through purpose governance: a conceptual model for humanizing organizations · The TQM Journal · 2026
- Digitalisation of food supply chains: transformation factors for sustainable logistics in the digital era · Journal of International Logistics and Trade · 2026
- Exploring the relationship among lean manufacturing practices, supply chain integration, agility and corporate sustainable performance: evidence from Tunisian companies · The TQM Journal · 2026
- Implementation of VSM, simulation and DMAIC methodology for the productivity enhancement of sewing operations in the apparel industry · International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management · 2026
- Visualizing marketing knowledge via main path analysis (MPA): an exposition via the salesperson performance literature · European Journal of Marketing · 2026
- Beyond Material Flow with Cognitive Waste Theory: Formalizing the Ninth Waste of Lean Manufacturing Through Quantitative Models of Cognitive Inefficiency · Big Data and Cognitive Computing · 2026
- Research on Marketing Mix Activities at Manufacturing Enterprises in Ha Dong District, Hanoi City · International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies · 2026
- Strategic prioritization of sustainable Lean-Green initiatives in the farming industry using an integrated BWM-Fuzzy TOPSIS framework · The TQM Journal · 2026
- Evolving involvement: participatory governance in postgraduate medical education and residents’ role in quality management systems – insights from an Italian experience · The TQM Journal · 2026
- Applications of lean manufacturing in the textile garments industry · The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology · 2026
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