Article: The impact of Kaizen Events on improving the performance of automotive components| first-tier suppliers Journal: International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management (IJATM) 2009 Vol.9 No.4 pp.362 - 376 Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to explore the possibility of improving production indicators by implementing Kaizen Events. The teams are composed of both managers and operators with the aim of developing and/or implementing improvements in three to five days. Methodology – The empirical research will consists of the description of the results obtained in 11 industrial companies from the automotive components industry. In each company, we have followed up different interventions over a 9-12-month period. Findings – We shall present the initial situation, the activities carried out by the companies and the evolution of manufacturing performance approximately three months after the activities were finished and qualitative conclusions on the carrying out of Kaizen Events. Value – There has been little empirical research to establish the degree of improvement of the production indicators in companies advancing towards lean production. The paper tries to fill this gap. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: The impact of Kaizen Events on improving the performance of automotive components' first-tier suppliers

Authors: Juan A. Marin-Garcia, Julio J. Garcia-Sabater, Tomas Bonavia

Addresses: ROGLE. Departamento de Organizacion de Empresas, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera S/N 46022 Valencia, Spain. ' ROGLE. Departamento de Organizacion de Empresas, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera S/N 46022 Valencia, Spain. ' Departamento de Psicologia Social, Facultad de Psicologia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Blasco Ibanez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain

Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to explore the possibility of improving production indicators by implementing Kaizen Events. The teams are composed of both managers and operators with the aim of developing and/or implementing improvements in three to five days. Methodology – The empirical research will consists of the description of the results obtained in 11 industrial companies from the automotive components industry. In each company, we have followed up different interventions over a 9-12-month period. Findings – We shall present the initial situation, the activities carried out by the companies and the evolution of manufacturing performance approximately three months after the activities were finished and qualitative conclusions on the carrying out of Kaizen Events. Value – There has been little empirical research to establish the degree of improvement of the production indicators in companies advancing towards lean production. The paper tries to fill this gap.

Keywords: automotive suppliers; component suppliers; automotive components; automobile industry; production efficiency; performance; kaizen events; continuous improvement; supplier performance; manufacturing performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2009.028524

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.9 No.4, pp.362 - 376

Published online: 18 Sep 2009 *

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Title: The impact of Kaizen Events on improving the performance of automotive components' first-tier suppliers

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