Title: Modelling of barriers and initiatives of continuous improvement approach for enhancing the performance of SMEs of Northern India

Authors: Jagdeep Singh; Harwinder Singh

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, Punjabi University, Patiala Punjab, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Punjab – 141006, India

Abstract: Continuous improvement is a management approach of enhancing processes using small incremental improvements. This study attempts to access the significant barriers and benefits using interpretive structural modelling, options field methodology (OFM), options profile methodology (OPM), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), fuzzy set theory (FST) and impact of independent initiatives on dependent initiatives using structural equation modelling. Result indicates that barriers including lack of management commitment, lack of continuous training and education to employees, lack of employee trust in senior management and inadequate knowledge of continuous improvement approach have high driving power and low dependency power. Moreover, customer and supplier relations play a high significant role in improving the performance of firm.

Keywords: continuous improvement; small- and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; customer and supplier relationship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2018.089248

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2018 Vol.29 No.2, pp.184 - 213

Received: 19 Nov 2015
Accepted: 23 May 2016
Published online: 11 Jan 2018 *

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