Structural equation models to investigate interaction and causal effects between JIT supply and JITManufacturing

Although the importance of JIT in improving companies\u2019 operational performance is recognized by several authors, conflicting opinions about the definition of JIT implementation boundaries could be found in the literature. This research aims to analyze different competing models about the relationships that can exist between the implementation of JIT within companies\u2019 boundaries (i.e. JIT production) and upstream (JIT supply) and operational performance, and in particular test whether JIT supply acts as a moderator in the relationship between JIT production and operational performance (efficiency and delivery) and/or whether these practices are causally related