Title: Application of visual management in small medium enterprises in Vietnam

Authors: Nguyen Dang Minh; Luu Quoc Dat; Nguyen Hong Son; Pham Minh Tuan; Nguyen Dang Toan

Addresses: Faculty of Business Administration, University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, E4 Building, 144 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam ' Faculty of Development Economics, University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, E4 Building, 144 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam ' University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, E4 Building, 144 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam ' University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, E4 Building, 144 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam ' Faculty of Business Administration, University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, E4 Building, 144 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract: Lean manufacturing (LM), often simply named as 'lean', plays an important role in enterprises to eliminate waste, increase productivity and efficiency. Visual management (VM) is one of the most efficient and widely used tools and techniques in LM in addition to other techniques like 5S, Kaizen, just-in-time, etc. Lean has been introduced in Vietnam for more than ten years, but few enterprises have applied and attained significant achievement. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the barriers to VM implementation in small- and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) in Vietnam. In this study, in-depth semi-structured interviews, surveys, plant visit (factory tour) and, in some cases, observed managers' statements and conversations with blue-collar workers are used to collect relevant data. Based on the results, a VM model which consists of five main factors including human mindset, employee participation, board of management's long-term commitment, training program, and reward/punishment policy, is proposed for further development of LM in SMEs in Vietnam.

Keywords: lean management; Toyota production system; TPS; management methods; small- and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; visual management; Kaizen; 5S; human mindset; 5whys analysis; Vietnam.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2017.086950

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2017 Vol.21 No.6, pp.509 - 529

Accepted: 30 Jun 2016
Published online: 03 Oct 2017 *

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