Which of the following is not an attribute of lean operations?

The correct answer highlights a key principle of lean operations, which emphasizes decentralized decision-making rather than centralized control. Lean operations focus on empowering employees at all levels to make decisions that enhance efficiency and responsiveness to customer needs. This decentralized approach enables quicker responses to changes and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

Centralized decision-making, on the other hand, can lead to bottlenecks and slower responses, which are contrary to the goals of lean operations. Lean is about streamlining processes and reducing waste, including waste in decision-making. By pushing responsibility to the highest level, it can inhibit the agility necessary to respond effectively to challenges and customer demands, thus detracting from the lean philosophy.

In contrast, lean operations thrive on the attributes of eliminating excess inventory through Just-In-Time (JIT) production, educating suppliers for strategic collaboration, and fostering an ongoing commitment to process improvement, all of which contribute to a more efficient and responsive supply chain.