Title: The relationship between innovation and kaizen culture among electrical and electronics manufacturing companies in Malaysia

Authors: Siew Mui Kong; Rajendran Muthuveloo

Addresses: Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia ' Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia

Abstract: In the current dynamic business landscape, kaizen culture is crucial for organisations to hone their competitive edge and business sustainability. This study aims to examine the relationship between innovation and kaizen culture among electrical and electronics (E&E) manufacturing companies in Malaysia. The socio-technical systems theory underpins the research framework. A total of 123 responses were gathered from 123 E&E manufacturing companies and analysed with SPSS and SmartPLS. The findings indicated that kaizen culture can be nurtured through process innovation and organisational innovation to create a sustainable competitive advantage. However, it must be embedded into the business strategy if long-term advantage is to be achieved. Results from this study should enable practitioners of E&E manufacturing companies to prioritise types of innovation for nurturing kaizen culture.

Keywords: kaizen culture; innovation; process innovation; organisational innovation; electrical and electronics; E&E; Malaysian manufacturing companies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2022.121308

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2022 Vol.35 No.2, pp.241 - 261

Received: 23 May 2020
Accepted: 20 Sep 2020
Published online: 04 Mar 2022 *

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