A. Memari, Hamidreza Panjehfouladgaran, Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahim, R. Ahmad
{"title":"The impact of lean production on operational performance: a case study","authors":"A. Memari, Hamidreza Panjehfouladgaran, Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahim, R. Ahmad","doi":"10.1108/apjba-04-2022-0190","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impact of adopting lean manufacturing principles on operational efficiency by eliminating seven major lean wastes (or Muda) in a Malaysian stationery manufacturer. Much of the research on lean considers its application to larger organisations with stable demand patterns. This research examines a small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) with a volatile demand pattern.Design/methodology/approachA process activity mapping (PAM) methodology was utilized to identify the potential for waste elimination. PAM is a visual tool that considers every step in a production process. Value-added and non-value-added activities are therefore examined to understand hidden wastes and their sources.FindingsThe results revealed that the adopted lean principles significantly reduce the waiting times. This time reduction resulted in savings (reduction of cycle time) and to a certain extent, can be a crucial driver in continuous improvement sustainability in the production process.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on a single case study and provides a springboard for further research. Future studies examining the results across a broader sample of organisations would develop the findings further.Practical implicationsThe extant literature cites mixed success for lean implementation programmes. The results demonstrate that lean is still recognised as a powerful approach to improving operations in SMEs.Originality/valueThis paper reflects on the application of lean in a real case study showing the impact of lean on operational performance of an SME.","PeriodicalId":45401,"journal":{"name":"Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3000,"publicationDate":"2022-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"2","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/apjba-04-2022-0190","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BUSINESS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 2
Abstract
PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impact of adopting lean manufacturing principles on operational efficiency by eliminating seven major lean wastes (or Muda) in a Malaysian stationery manufacturer. Much of the research on lean considers its application to larger organisations with stable demand patterns. This research examines a small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) with a volatile demand pattern.Design/methodology/approachA process activity mapping (PAM) methodology was utilized to identify the potential for waste elimination. PAM is a visual tool that considers every step in a production process. Value-added and non-value-added activities are therefore examined to understand hidden wastes and their sources.FindingsThe results revealed that the adopted lean principles significantly reduce the waiting times. This time reduction resulted in savings (reduction of cycle time) and to a certain extent, can be a crucial driver in continuous improvement sustainability in the production process.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on a single case study and provides a springboard for further research. Future studies examining the results across a broader sample of organisations would develop the findings further.Practical implicationsThe extant literature cites mixed success for lean implementation programmes. The results demonstrate that lean is still recognised as a powerful approach to improving operations in SMEs.Originality/valueThis paper reflects on the application of lean in a real case study showing the impact of lean on operational performance of an SME.
期刊介绍:
The Asia Pacific Journal of Business Administration (APJBA) publishes original research on: Business Strategy and Policy, Accounting and Board Governance, Marketing and People Management, and Operations and Supply Chain Management. The journal welcomes practical and skill-based submissions in these areas. There is particular interest in submissions regarding: Sustainable Business Practices, Quality Management Practices, Innovation and Creativity in Management, as well as Managing a Learning Organisation. The Asia Pacific region is full of collaborations between government, NGOs and private enterprise. Submissions are welcome which contribute to our understanding of partnerships and the cross-cultural issues. Research methods vary, and the journal is interested in the full diverse of qualitative (case and action research, etc) as well as quantitative survey studies and their recommendations. The APJBA seeks to become a forum for both established scholars and early career researchers in all aspects of management and business in the Asia-Pacific region. Emphasis is on rigour and relevance, on theory and practice, in a globalised scholarly environment.