Title: Identification of key lean practices within Indian automotive SMEs environment

Authors: R.K. Tiwari; Jeetendra Kumar Tiwari

Addresses: Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University (CSVTU), Newai, P.O. Newai, District-Durg, Chhattisgarh – 491107, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Shankaracharya Technical Campus (SSTC), Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract: Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing stiff competition both in and out of the county by the big players in particular. Indian SMEs are suffering from scarcity of vital resources and latest technical knowhow. It's imperative for them to use resources judiciously by implementing lean manufacturing. It's not feasible for SMEs to implement all the lean practices like big players. The objective of current study is to identify key lean practices for the Indian automotive SMEs to reap the maximum benefits out of it. Factor analysis was applied to identify independent lean practices because the various lean practices suggested by the different researchers were found overlapping and confusing in nature. Multiple regression analysis is used to identify the key lean practices which Indian SMEs can afford and must implement. Customer involvement is the most important lean practice followed by problem identification and prevention, total productive maintenance, and others.

Keywords: lean manufacturing; key lean practices; factor analysis; multiple regression; sustainable strategic advantages; Indian automotive SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2019.102040

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2019 Vol.33 No.1, pp.17 - 37

Received: 05 Jan 2017
Accepted: 29 Dec 2017
Published online: 04 Sep 2019 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article