Title: A model to assess the lean capabilities of automotive industries

Authors: P.G. Saleeshya; D. Austin; N. Vamsi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita University, Coimbatore, 641 105, India ' Quality Assurance Department, Naser Al Baddah & Partner Trading and Construction, Qublah 9-14009, Kuwait ' Industrial Engineering Department, Wheels India Limited, Pimpri-412303, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: Changing customer and technological requirements force manufactures to develop lean capabilities. Many organisations have adopted lean thinking paradigm in their drive to optimise performance and improve competitive position. In this paper, the application of lean production systems is described in an automotive context. The results reported are based on the data collected from a survey covering around 15 manufacturing companies in India using a standard questionnaire. The study was driven by a conceptual model which relates lean practices to competitive objectives. The method of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to analyse and identify which among the various lean production tools and enablers are likely to have greater impact on realising a lean production system.

Keywords: lean manufacturing; agile manufacturing; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; supply chain management; SCM; automotive manufacturing; automobile industry; lean production.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2013.052024

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2013 Vol.11 No.2, pp.195 - 211

Published online: 31 Mar 2014 *

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