Track: Automotive Manufacturing Systems

Abstract

The geopolitical position and expertise position Morocco as the top producer of passenger cars in Africa, ranking 25th globally in 2022 and 8th in terms of growth by 15%. This achievement deserves an in-depth analysis of the sector, both from a statistical perspective and in terms of integration of Operational Excellence (OpEx) philosophy.

Many studies have confirmed that cultural values have a direct impact on the success of organizational strategies and managerial actions. Similarly, success in integrating OpEx practices requires more than just using its toolbox. Although many organizations worldwide implement OpEx practices, the dimensions of national culture and leadership can significantly influence the expected outcomes. Based on theoretical and practical knowledge of leadership and cultural data, this research presents the results of an exploratory study on the moderation of leadership effectiveness by dimensions of national cultural values. The study focused on evaluating Leadership practices and national culture within all Moroccan automotive companies. A questionnaire was developed, validated, and distributed to 264 individuals in various managerial positions, with a response rate of 81%. The results of this study will be used to identify perspectives for developing an effective OpEx model tailored to the Moroccan socio-cultural context.

Until now, no large-scale study has examined the adoption and integration of the OpEx approach within Moroccan automotive companies. This study makes a significant contribution to academics, practitioners of the OpEx philosophy, and researchers dedicated to performance optimization.