Title: A model for evaluating the success factors for implementation of lean manufacturing in small and medium scale enterprises

Authors: T. Ramadas; K.P. Satish; T. Girish

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government Engineering College, Thrissur, India ' Department of Production Engineering, Government Engineering College, Thrissur, India ' Department of Production Engineering, Government Engineering College, Thrissur, India

Abstract: In recent years, the world has given attention on the progress of small and medium enterprises. Meanwhile, the world has also been looking ahead to lean manufacturing concept as a facilitator for companies to attain prosperity. Hence, it is suggested that lean can be applied to small and medium scale enterprises. However, modern SMEs are suffering to identify the key success factors for implementation of lean manufacturing. The identification of key success factor demands the need to develop the model, rather a strong model using structural equation modelling (SEM) that can enable to establish the key factors for implementation of lean manufacturing. In order to fulfil the need, a model is designed to indicate the key success factors using SEM. The results show that two constructs named as managerial, and structure factors of SMEs has a significant role in the lean implementation.

Keywords: lean manufacturing; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; structural equation modelling; SEM; critical success factors; CSFs; lean implementation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLER.2016.078233

International Journal of Lean Enterprise Research, 2016 Vol.2 No.1, pp.66 - 80

Received: 14 Jul 2015
Accepted: 25 Feb 2016

Published online: 09 Aug 2016 *

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