Essay On Continuous Improvement

1105 Words3 Pages

LITERATURE REVIEW
Continuous improvement (CI) refers to a philosophy consisting of improvement activities that increase successes and reduce failures in a production process (Bhuiyan & Baghel 2005, p. 761). It involves activities and processes that focus on continuous and incremental innovation (Bessant et al., 1994, p.17). CI is a new approach that enhances productivity, performance, and achieves competitive advantage needed in the highly competitive industries. It may also serve as a complementary approach to other quality improvement initiatives such as total quality management (TQM) (Pike, Barnes, & Barnes 1995, p. 23; Larson 2003; Lassen, Gertsen, & Riis 2006; Oakland 2007, p. 227). The purpose of this research is to explore the application of production systems engineering methods in the CI at manufacturing plants.

There is a lot of literature on the concept of continuous improvement (CI). Studies show that CI is very important to creating competitive advantages in highly competitive industries such as the automobile industry (Bhuiyan & Baghel 2005; Li et al. 2009; Schaeffer, Cadavid, & Backström 2010). These studies suggest that manufacturing firms use CI to eliminate waste in all organisational systems and processes (Bhuiyan & Baghel 2005; Li et al. 2009). Currently, manufacturing firms use lean manufacturing, six sigma, lean six sigma, and the Kaizen methods of CI methodologies to reduce wastages, simplify the production line, and improve quality (Swink & Jacobs 2012).
Lean manufacturing refers to systematic identification and elimination of waste through CI processes in pursuit of perfection (Khan et al. 2013; Yang & Yang 2013). Lean production is now used worldwide in manufacturing plants to eliminate waste from all ar...

... middle of paper ...

...ploratory conversation. The closed ended questions will be used merely to confirm the participant’s opinion of a given issue. In addition, past evaluation reports on the improvement of the production performance of the plant will be reviewed (Bryman, 2001). The interview data will be coded before analysis and interpretation, and the results of the interviews presented thematically.

WORK PLAN

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The investigator will be obliged to follow all TUT ethical requirements during the cause of the study. First, the investigator obtained ethical clearance from TUT before proceeding with the research. In addition, the investigator obtained permission from the management of the production plant to be allowed to conduct the study. The participants will be handed an information sheet which they will complete to acknowledge informed consent (Verdugo, 1998).

Show More
Related

  • Six Sigma, Lean Management, Theory Of Constraints And Continuous Process Improvement

    716 Words  | 2 Pages

    Business improvement techniques such as Six Sigma, Lean Management, Theory of Constraints (TOC) and Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) are successful and accepted worldwide. Many successful firms, for instance Toyota uses production planning techniques to achieve world class quality output. AGI in this paper illustrates the before and after stages by implementing various business improvement techniques to achieve the desired output. Also, high end business such as, U.S Navy implements the integrated blend of TOC, Lean and Six Sigma approach- “AIR” to eliminate the problems arising from uncertainty and inefficiency. Furthermore adding speed and direction to their project. On the other hand, Youngman demonstrates the production planning using

    Read More

  • Lean Benefits Of Quality Management

    1255 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Quality of lean systems is based on kaizen, the Japanese term for “change for the good of all” or continuous improvement” (Russell & Taylor, 2013, pg. 737). Continuous improvement involves “every employee at every level” (Russell & Taylor, 2013, pg. 737). It is the process of employees identify “quality problems, halt operations when necessary, generate ideas form improvement, analyze processes, perform different functions, and adjust their working routines” (Russell & Taylor, 2013, pg. 737). “The idea focuses on improving processes and products while using employee creativity to help define the way procedures and systems can be improved” (Wagner, N., 2015). The kaizen approach encourages an organization to achieve better operational excellence and improve their productivity. The key component to achieve a successful kaizen “is finding the root cause of a problem and eliminating it so the problem does not reoccur” (Russell & Taylor, 2013, pg. 738). One of the techniques for achieving the root cause of a problem is asking the “5 Why’s”: “repeatedly asking “why?” until a root cause is identified” (Russell & Taylor, 2013, pg. 738). Kaizen is that big results from many small changes accumulated over time. This does not mean that kaizen means small changes. What is does mean, is that everyone involved is making improvement for a more streamline process. Kaizen is part of the quality of source that involve; visual control,

    Read More

  • Six Sigma And Total Quality Management

    3312 Words  | 7 Pages

    The 21st century has brought new challenges to manufacturing and service organizations, and one of these important challenges is that the industry is constantly changing (Maleyeff, 2012). Therefore, the systems, processes and procedures of successful businesses will be able to evolve according to the constantly changing industry needs. Six Sigma is one method being widely used by both manufacturing and service businesses today to provide a framework for continuous process improvement (Maleyeff, 2012).

    Read More

  • Weave Tech Executive Summary

    1079 Words  | 3 Pages

    The production base merit and total quality management is effective approach for the organization. It kept morale high and it will continue to drive production even in a customer based work

    Read More

  • Six Sigma Case Study

    1171 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Six Sigma approach was designed by Motorola in 1986. The primary objective of the concept was to develop a tool for tallying the process defects and, as the result, improving business operations. The foundations of the approach are the customer needs, statistical analysis of data and facts, and timely execution. The method promises numerous benefits such as increasing performance and profitability of an organization, improving product or service quality and employee morale, decreasing costs, the growth of market share, the higher level of satisfying customer needs, etc. (Meredith & Shafer, 2013). The primary advantage

    Read More

  • How Did Henry Ford Improve The Use Of The Assembly Line?

    1298 Words  | 3 Pages

    Therefore, Henry Ford with some other engineers invented some theories that could help eliminate waste during production. In addition to this, other theories and developments such as the study of time, standardize work and the elimination of non-value added activities were also invented and applied to the Toyota production system. This proves that lean concept began from Craft Production through to Mass Production and finally

    Read More

  • Informed Consent In Research

    1047 Words  | 3 Pages

    Participant must be safe and feel protected by the researcher whenever they sign he consent and agree to participate. Full explanations and information must be detailed to participants. To use easy words and simple language for details so that they will fully understand and to avoid miss understand of the

    Read More

  • Swot Analysis Of Auto Industry

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    The auto components industry is an integral part of the Indian automotive industry, with this industry’s growth being driven by increasing demand for vehicles, low cost manufacturing and availability of low cost skilled manpower. The component industry’s scale of operations has increased substantially, hence making it possible to invest in technologies which are designed for high volume production. The focus on improving quality levels and basic shop floor practices like Kaizan, Total Quality Management (TQM), 6 Sigma and Lean Manufacturing has also played a critical role in its transformation. The industry has substantially developed the capability to keep pace with the international quality standards, which are constantly moving upwards.

    Read More

  • Continuous Quality Improvement: An In-Depth Analysis

    708 Words  | 2 Pages

    Continuous Quality Improvement is an approach to quality management that builds upon traditional quality assurance methods by emphasizing the organization and systems: focuses on “process” rather than the individual; recognizes both internal and external “customers”; promotes the need for objective data to analyze and improve processes.

    Read More

  • Continuous Improvement Plan Essay

    711 Words  | 2 Pages

    Through the support of the professional development program, the effectiveness of the teachers enhances the quality of instruction and increases the student achievement and learning. The delivery of professional development program leads to alterations in professional learning, leading to changes in professional practice, which ultimately impact student achievement.

    Read More

  • Ball Game Process Cycle

    928 Words  | 2 Pages

    In order to teach continuous improvement for the most efficient flow of work, we suggest the Tennis Ball Game for Grange Insurance to use during their ‘Lean’ Workshop. The Tennis Ball Game is a competitive simulation exercise to introduce the Plan-Do-Check-Act processes in continuous improvement. It demonstrates the ability to use insights from one process cycle to improve the next cycle because multiple cycles of the same process can improve over time through cognitive awareness of the included parties and steps. The theory is that by monitoring a process, steps are able to be altered after each run-through. Furthermore, it is no secret that if more tests are done on a process, more knowledge will be gained, thus enabling better improvements

    Read More

  • Total Quality Management (TQM) Challenges in Implementation

    589 Words  | 2 Pages

    Improvement in the quality is a continuous process; by discontinuing the continuity will shatter the business competitiveness in the market. Generally, six sigma, lean and Kaizen are being used for continuous improvement by the companies. But in case of manufacturing companies, they need to be more calculative and carful in the continuous improvement is essential but the company should be cautious in not investing in destructive research. It is not possible for implementing the TQM in all process (Ashkenas, 2013).

    Read More

  • Performance Management Essay

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    Performance management is a process that guarantees an organisation and all of its available resources are working collectively and effectively towards achieving the organisation’s mission or goal. Performance management affords an understanding of what drives an individuals, and even organisations, performance at all levels. An understanding of performance management allows for the identification and minimisation of unproductive areas of an organisation, as well as an ability to predict future performance. It is a powerful tool that can be used by managers at all levels of an organisation to help improve a company’s productivity.

    Read More

  • Lean Production And Kaizen

    1042 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lean production is an approach to production developed in Japan. Toyota, the Japanese car manufacturer was the company that invented lean production. The whole aim of lean production is to reduce the quantity of resources used up in production. By doing this, lean production uses less of - factory space, materials, stocks, suppliers, labour, capital and time. Lean production reduces costs, increases efficiency and output and improves motivation. Lean production involves using a range of practices designed to reduce waste and improve productivity and quality.

    Read More

  • Process Management Essay

    1361 Words  | 3 Pages

    Process Management can be defined as a concept which helps integrate performance excellence and quality into the strategic management of organizations. Process management includes activities such as defining a process, establishing responsibilities, evaluating process performance and also identifying opportunities for improvement. Innovation, on the other hand, can be defined as the conversion of knowledge and ideas into new or improved products, processes or services to gain competitive advantage. After reading the first article it is clear that it focuses mainly on three different programs that are associated with process management. These three processes are listed as TQM, ISO 9000, and Six Sigma.

    Read More

More about Essay On Continuous Improvement

Open Document