Title: Level of lean practices among large scale manufacturing companies in South-Western Nigeria

Authors: T.I. Ogedengbe; T.E. Abioye; R.K. Apalowo

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria ' Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria ' Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract: The level of lean manufacturing (LM) practice among large-scale manufacturing companies in the South-Western Nigeria was investigated. Data for the study were collected using questionnaire administered to the respondents and backed up with a personal interview where it was considered necessary. 24 randomly selected companies and 39 respondents' responses were analysed. The results show that the degree of LM practice is low but the level of understanding of lean related terms is relatively high. Based on the respondents' observations, lack of support from top management, employee resistance to change and ignorance of LM benefits are identified as main obstacles against LM implementation. Due to the inconsistent economy resulting in fluctuating market prices, it was found that inventory reduction is not an incentive for adopting LM by the manufacturers. More effort should be geared towards educating Nigerian manufacturers about the concept and benefits of LM to their organisations.

Keywords: lean manufacturing; implementation; large scale; obstacles; manufacturing; Nigeria; lean tools; inventories; lean manufacturing benefits; questionnaire; personal interview.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2017.088873

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2017 Vol.11 No.2, pp.195 - 204

Accepted: 23 Sep 2017
Published online: 21 Dec 2017 *

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