This book reports four structural equation models (SEM) for quantifying the relationship between the most important lean manufacturing (LM) practices applied to the manufacturing industry. The SEMs are evaluated using 220 responses to a survey applied to manufacturing companies applying LM principles in the production system and are related to: distribution and maintenance, production process and quality system, supply chain and quality, and an integrator model. The findings identify the most important activities for every LM practices and how they are related. These relationship¿ values will help administrators, managers, engineers to focus their efforts on these most important activities, facilitating the decision-making process.

Dr Jorge Luis García Alcaraz has a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, a master's degree in industrial engineering sciences, a PhD in Industrial Engineering Sciences, a PhD in Innovation in Product Engineering and Industrial Process, a PhD in Sciences and Industrial Technologies and a Post doctorate in manufacturing process. He is a National Researcher level 2 recognized by Mexican National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), expert in lean manufacturing methodologies and advanced manufacturing technologies. He has over 10 years of experience in manufacturing industry and his main research areas are related to Multicriteria decision making applied to lean manufacturing, production process modeling and statistical inference. He is founding member of the Mexican Society of Operation Research and active member in the Mexican Academy of Industrial Engineering.  Currently, Dr. Garcia is working with research groups from Colombia, Spain and Dominican Republic.  

Diaz-Reza José Roberto has a degree in Industrial Engineering, a master's degree in Industrial Engineering with a specialty in Quality, a Ph.D. in Innovation in Product Engineering and Industrial Processes, and a Ph. D. in Advanced Engineering Sciences. His research areas are industrial processes optimization through Lean Manufacturing tools. Currently, he is coursing a Postdoctoral stay at the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (Mexico).

 Morales García Adrián Salvador has a degree in Industrial Engineering and a master's degree in Industrial Engineering with a specialty in the supply chain. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Advanced Engineering Sciences at Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (Mexico).

Chapter 1. Concepts of lean manufacturing and research objectives.- Chapter 2. Lean manufacturing tools and their activities.- 3. Methodology.- 4. Model 1. Distribution and Maintenance.- 5. Model 2. Production and quality system.- 6. Model 3. Supply chain and quality.