Innovative lean: work practices and product and process improvements

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma - Tập 3 Số 1 - Trang 74-84 - 2012
JannisAngelis1, BrunoFernandes2
1Industrial Economics & Management, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
2Centro Universitario Positivo, Curitiba, Brazil

Tóm tắt

PurposeInnovation is a key source of competitiveness in the knowledge economy, and continuous improvement (CI) is a key element of such corporate pursuit. The purpose of this paper is to explore links to prevalent shop floor conditions which support or prohibit the effective realisation of CI. Lean is a globally competitive standard for product assembly of discreet parts. Successful Lean application is conditioned by an evolutionary problem‐solving ability of the rank and file. This is in itself contingent on employee involvement in improvement programs and the implementation of appropriate practices. But the challenge of operating innovative Lean systems lacks statistically valid guidance.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical study is based on 294 worker responses from 12 manufacturing sites in four industry sectors.FindingsThe study identifies particular practices that impact employee participation in improvement activities and their performance outcomes. Process suggestions are driven by a combination of difficult working conditions that the workers seek to improve and team‐based work. However, for suggestions on product improvements, significant practices are worker favorable industrial relations and human resource practices.Research limitations/implicationsTo test work practices, work practice variables were measured with single items, trading lower measurement reliability for increased scope. Also, there is a moderate sample size, if addressed by selecting sites with a variety of practices.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that the main business benefit is in enhanced product quality through process, rather than product, improvements, suggesting that management should pursue worker involvement on continuous process improvements, and employ designated design teams for product improvements.Originality/valueThe paper empirically identifies the relationship between particular work practices and product and process improvement in a Lean setting.

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International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

Tập 3 Số 1

74-84

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