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  • © 2019

Strategic Implementation of Continuous Improvement Approach

Improving the Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

  • Focuses on the strategic use of continuous improvement techniques for manufacturing performance improvement
  • Assesses potential barriers that may arise when implementing continuous improvement strategies
  • Includes case studies from selected manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern India

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Operations Management (BRIEFSOPERMAN)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvii
  2. Introduction

    • Jagdeep Singh, Harwinder Singh
    Pages 1-7
  3. Literature Review

    • Jagdeep Singh, Harwinder Singh
    Pages 9-24
  4. Design of Study

    • Jagdeep Singh, Harwinder Singh
    Pages 25-30
  5. Analysis of Preliminary Data

    • Jagdeep Singh, Harwinder Singh
    Pages 31-52
  6. Case Studies

    • Jagdeep Singh, Harwinder Singh
    Pages 53-85
  7. Synthesizing of Data

    • Jagdeep Singh, Harwinder Singh
    Pages 87-109
  8. Conclusions, Limitations, and Scope for Future Work

    • Jagdeep Singh, Harwinder Singh
    Pages 111-114
  9. Back Matter

    Pages 115-132

About this book

This book covers the strategic use of continuous improvement (CI) techniques for manufacturing performance improvement. It focuses primarily on strategies that can be adopted by small and middle-sized enterprises in manufacturing in order to meet the global challenges and competition. The book begins with an introduction to CI (or Kaizen), explaining different CI approaches and strategies. Chapter 2 offers a literature review of CI, examining conceptual frameworks, case studies, and surveys. Next, the book deals with the design of the study, detailing the work done in each phase along with the tools, techniques and models. Chapter 4 presents a detailed survey to determine the present status of continuous improvement strategies in the Indian manufacturing industry, to assess the important barriers that effect the implementation of CI strategies, and to also assess the role of key enablers leading to improve the performance of manufacturing operations. Chapter 5 is comprised of detailedcase studies to further analyze the application of the discussed CI strategies. The purpose of Chapter 6 is to develop the relationship among the different identified most important barriers in implementing CI approach using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and classify these barriers depending upon their driving and dependence power. Finally Chapter 7 provides conclusions, addresses potential limitations, and also looks to the future.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Industrial and Production Engineering Department, Dr B R Ambedkar NIT, Jalandhar, India

    Jagdeep Singh

  • Mechanical Engineering Department, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, India

    Harwinder Singh

About the authors

Jagdeep Singh holds a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Masters Degree in Production Engineering, and PhD Degree in Mechanical Engineering. The author has published a good number of research papers in International and National Journals. The author is working as an Assistant Professor in Industrial and Production Engineering Department at Dr B R Ambedkar NIT Jalandhar, Punjab. The author’s field of interest is management of production systems and operations management.

Harwinder Singh holds a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Masters Degree in Production Engineering, Masters Degree in Business Administration and PhD Degree in Mechanical Engineering. The author has published a good number of research papers in International and National Journals. The author is working as a Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Punjab. The author’s field of interest is management of production systems, operations management and Decision Making.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access