Title: Tweddle Group: a case study in blending lean and STS systems

Authors: Tiffanie Van Ness; William M. Mothersell; Jaideep Motwani

Addresses: Tweddle Group World Headquarters, 24700 Maplehurst Dr, Clinton Twp., MI 48036, USA ' Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University, 3073 L. William Seidman Centre, USA ' Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University, 3075 L. William Seidman Center, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-6431, USA

Abstract: Lean, Six Sigma, business process reengineering, Kaizen, socio-technical systems (STS), and high performance work systems, among others, are some of the systems, strategies and philosophies that organisations have implemented to reduce cost, improve efficiency, enhance customer service and boost profitability. By means of a detailed case study, this paper illustrates how the management of the Tweddle Group, an organisation that provides exemplary publishing services to the automotive industry, was able to successfully incorporate the elements of both lean production and socio-technical systems (STS) into their organisations processes and systems to better serve their customers, reduce costs, and enhance profitability.

Keywords: automotive management; automobile industry; case study; lean production; socio-technical systems; STS; customer service; cost reduction; profitability improvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2015.066025

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2015 Vol.5 No.1, pp.74 - 89

Published online: 30 Nov 2014 *

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