This study following socio-technical approach of lean production seeks to clarify (1) how the use of lean production practices influences socio subsystem, and (2) how different matches of work organization and production organization (i.e., production systems) influence operational performances. According to the results, implementation of lean production practices enhances the extension of HRM best practices. However, this association is quite weak. Considering (2) the study presents clear evidences that ‘lean’ production organization and ‘formalized’/’empowered’ work organization lead to superior performance. However, their excellence is not unique: same work organizations integrated with process-focus production organization leads to the same operational outcomes.