Application of Kaizen and Kaizen Costing in SMEs

Abstract

The research problem revolves around an attempt to answer the questions: “Are enterprises from the SME sector interested in implementing strategic management accounting instruments, including Kaizen Costing? Is Kaizen Costing more widely used in SMEs operating in Poland?" The aim of the article is therefore to highlight the importance of Kaizen and Kaizen Costing and to draw attention to how much support these solutions can be for SMEs in the current social, economic, and environmental conditions. The article presents the results of surveys conducted in this regard. The accomplishment of the established objective of the work required conducting a review of the literature on the subject and presenting conclusions from previous own research in the above respect. The method of participant observation, critical analysis and synthesis was used in the study. According to the research results, there is little interest in these instruments in large enterprises, however, in medium-sized enterprises, the interest and degree of application of Kaizen and Kaizen Costing is negligible. The research results indicate the need for further development and broadening the dialogue on the usability and benefits which enterprises, in particular SMEs, may derive from the introduction of such innovative solutions.