Furthermore, statistical analysis techniques of systems
fit models need to be further developed. Previous research
papers have thoroughly mapped and described statistical
techniques within a systems fit approach (Boyd et al., 2012;
Gerdin and Greve, 2008; Venkatraman, 1989). However,
new techniques are needed in order to better understand
how the control mechanisms function in a Lean organization,
i.e., how they co-function either as mutually
dependent elements or as independent elements without
synergy (i.e., just additive). These two different ways of
functioning cannot be distinguished in the Euclidian distance
technique used by Drazin and Van de Ven (1985)
and propagated by Gerdin and Greve (2004) for systems
fit model testing, even though the systems fit model is
founded upon a synergetic way of functioning. The statistical
technique of Euclidian distance cannot stand alone in
testing for the existence of synergy. However, research has
not moved beyond the use of Euclidian distance in testing
systems fit models. By enhancing the conventional profile
deviation analyses techniques, we are able to test for performance
effects of the Lean control forms package and
to assess whether these are based on complementarities
among the individual controls. This is an additional purpose
of the paper. Thereby, we respond to Gerdin (2005),
who sees an interesting potential in exploring holistic
approaches.
The remainder of the paper is structured in the following
way: Section 2 contains the theoretical background and
hypothesis development. In Section 3, the research method
is described, and, in Section 4, the analysis is presented.
Section 5 presents the conclusion. Finally, we present the
limitations of our study and point to future research directions
in Section 6.