Evaluating the Impact of Lean 4.0 on Sustainability: An Empirical Study of Performance Outcomes in the U.S. Manufacturing Sector

This study explores the impact of Lean 4.0, which is an integration of Lean production (LP) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0), on sustainable performance. While existing research has frequently assessed lean and digital technologies in isolation, the combined effect of these approaches remains underexplored. To address this gap, this study aims to evaluate how Lean 4.0 influences sustainability outcomes across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between Lean 4.0 implementation and sustainable performance. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire that was distributed to 623 U.S. manufacturing companies, representing a range of industries and sizes, from which 160 valid responses were obtained. The results show that Lean 4.0 significantly improves sustainable performance, highlighting its role as a practical and strategic framework for modern manufacturers. This study contributes empirical evidence to the emerging field of Lean 4.0 and provides guidance for organizations pursuing sustainable industrial transformation through integrated operational strategies. Keywords Lean 4.0, sustainable performance, Lean Production, Industry 4.0, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)