Application of Lean Manufacturing Tools in the Automotive Industry, a Multiple Case Study

• Autorzy: Wiesław Urban , Daniel Tochwin
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate Lean Manufacturing tools application in automotive companies with a special attention to their early stages of introduction. The scope and methodology of Lean tools implementation are identified. Conditions of their successful operation in company's manufacturing systems are attempted to be determined. Design/methodology/approach: The exploratory multiple case study method is employed in this study. It provides learnings through a real-life investigation in automotive multinational companies' plants. The qualitative data along with insights are gathered by following purposely designed research protocol applied to each investigated case, it consists of open interviews with managers, data and documents analysis along with observations in research objects. Findings: It was found that investigated Lean tools in three companies operate effectively and bring a lot of benefits. Lean tools need to have a clear vision of how they would contribute to the company's improvement concept before starting their implementation. Appropriate pace of introduction along with carefully considered steps are of special importance, they need to be adjusted individually to a company specificity. Observed tools are typically changed towards better usability and productivity during theirs use. The responsible team has to be lunched when starting tools implementation, empowerment is necessary, supervisors and line managers should treat Lean tools initiatives with personal involvement. The study discovers that final implementation effect depends on preparation stage and employee engagement. Research limitations/implications: The study possesses all the limitations typical for the qualitative research method. The conclusions are based on fragmentary view of the three business objects. Studied companies are located in one EU country, Poland. In other regions/countries, the view of Lean tools might differ. Originality/value: The study provides an in-depth insight in Lean tools application and operation in automotive companies, the automotive industry is leading in Lean implementation. The observations, generalizations and concussions are unique in the literature, the study offers a research input to further studies, it also contributes to management practice.(original abstract)

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Lean production; Automotive industry; Management tools; Production management

PL

Odchudzanie produkcji; Przemysł motoryzacyjny; Narzędzia zarządzania; Zarządzanie produkcją

• Czasopismo: Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i Zarządzanie / Politechnika Śląska
• Rocznik: 2023
• Numer: z. 181 Nowoczesność przemysłu i usług = Modernity of industry and services
• Strony: 603--618

Twórcy

autor

Wiesław Urban

• Bialystok University of Technology, Poland

autor

Daniel Tochwin

• Bialystok University of Technology

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Identyfikatory

DOI

10.29119/1641-3466.2023.181.38