Strategic Alliance of Transformational Leadership and Motivation in Operational Excellence

Abstract Operational excellence is a multidimensional concept that goes beyond implementing best practices. While many companies invest heavily in performance management tools, few pay sufficient attention to the role of leadership and employee motivation. This study aims to fill this gap and seeks to decipher the influence of two fundamental pillars of this concept: leadership and employee motivation. By combining a literature review and an analysis of large-scale empirical data from the Moroccan automotive sector, we seek to understand how these two elements interact to shape an organization's overall performance and to answer the following question: to what extent does the human factor contribute to operational excellence? Strong leadership, capable of inspiring and motivating teams, as well as a committed and motivated workforce, are essential assets for any organization seeking to stand out. This exploration aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the human factor's role in achieving operational excellence and offers insights for leaders and managers looking to build high-performing and sustainable organizations.