Sustaining Process Improvement Activities - Foresight Vehicle Programme 2002-01-0463
This paper outlines research conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader's (SMMT) Industry Forum (IF) and the Lean Enterprise Research Center at Cardiff University into the sustainability of Process Improvement activities (PI) activities undertaken by UK-based automotive components sector firms. The research methodology involved both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the case companies to identify those factors that positively and negatively affect sustainability.
This paper will outline a definitional model of sustainable Process Improvement before presenting the research findings which identify ten enablers associated with more successful activities and highlights that, in addition to these enablers, a great diversity of issues associated with managing workplace sustainability. The paper concludes that companies should adopt a formal approach to PI similar to the IF method, should invest resources to exploit the ten basic enablers whilst simultaneously eroding the presence and impact of the counter-enablers identified during reviews of workplace improvement activities.
