Providing a Causal Model form Lean production Tools Affecting Sustainability of Supply Chain in Production Cooperatives in East Azerbaijan Province

Now days, the use of lean manufacturing techniques, as a constructive factor in sustainable supply chain planning, is emphasized not only to eliminate wastes, but also to create and improve customer value in the waste elimination process. This study aimed to provide a causal model between lean manufacturing tools affecting the supply chain sustainability in production cooperatives in East Azerbaijan Province. The statistical population of the study consisted of the managers of both industrial and agricultural production cooperatives in East Azerbaijan province, including 1573 mangers of cooperatives and 10 experts familiar with the research area. 301 mangers of cooperatives were selected based on the Krejcie and Morgan's table. A questionnaire was used to collect the data that its validity and reliability have already been confirmed. In order to data analysis, exploratory factor analysis and DEMATEL techniques were used. According to the results, nine main components can be considered as lean manufacturing tools affecting supply chain sustainability. Furthermore, the results of the developed model showed that the causal relations in the research conceptual model were confirmed, and can be effective for the supply chain sustinability of production cooperatives, increase profitability, reduce environmental proplems, and provide better performance to employees, customers and society.