How can lean manufacturing and near-sourcing help a company gain a competitive edge and prepare for the future

2 answers

Theoretically, they'd increase profits, providing more money for the company to be competitive and research into future products.
Correct spelling helps a business.
Terms such as "lean" do not add much to manufacturing productivity, sales, nor quality. Competitive advantages are usually focused on quality, on-time, efficiently produced goods, and controlling input costs in supplies, material, and labor.

Now Prepare for the future: is that an upcoming campaign slogan in November? If so, I think I am going to be sick.

My advice is this: If your text or teacher uses this type of phasing to describe important concepts, avoiding teaching you how to schedule, manage, and monitor quality, I would drop the course forthwith. You are wasting your time if you think you are being prepared for the future.