Lean Take Two! Reflection from the second attempt at lean implementation
Journal
Business Horizons
ISSN
0007-6813
ISSN-Digital
1873-6068
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2009-01-23
Author(s)
Abstract
It's not easy being lean. And for many companies, getting lean right the first time does not always happen. Lean is a management philosophy focused on identifying and eliminating waste throughout a product's entire value stream, extending not only within the organization but also along the company's supply chain network. Lean promises significant benefits in terms of waste reduction and increased organizational and supply chain communication and integration. However, implementing lean and achieving the levels of organizational commitment, employee autonomy, and information transparency needed to ensure its success is a daunting task. This article describes in detail two lean implementation projects within the same company; a global manufacturer of food processing machines and equipment. The first project was a failure, while the second one is viewed to be a success. Examining these projects in detail, the major criteria and conditions that led to lean success and failure are identified. Based on these conditions, a number of lessons learned are identified that may help other organizations ensure the success of their own lean implementation and improvement efforts.
Language
English
Keywords
Lean Production
Case Study
Best Management Practices
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Elsiver
Publisher place
Amsterdam
Volume
52
Number
1
Start page
79
End page
88
Pages
10
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
49897