TITLE:
Why Continuous Improvement Programs Fail in the Egyptian Manufacturing Organizations? A Research Study of the Evidence
AUTHORS:
Mohammed Hamed Ahmed Soliman
KEYWORDS:
Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Industrial Management, Lean Leadership, Improvement Sustainability
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Industrial and Business Management,
Vol.7 No.3,
March
29,
2017
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to present the core variables derived from
literature that contributes to the failure of continuous improvement (CI)
programs in the Egyptian manufacturing industry. The approach used is to find
the previous literature reviews of the problem, group the variables affecting
the problem, develop the research model and theoretical frameworks, and test
the variables through a survey using the appropriate scale and measurements.
From the data measurements and analysis, continuous improvement programs can
fail due to multi factors; they can be grouped under six themes: strategic
planning, change management, knowledge management, performance measurement, CI
performance & sustainability, and motivation. The research is limited to
the manufacturing industry. Continuous improvement programs/initiatives defined
for the purpose of the study as TQM, Lean, Six Sigma, and Plan-Do-Check-Act
(PDCA) cycle. The value of this research is to create awareness for the
manufacturing organizations about the requirements of change in the form of CI
implementation.