Applicability of Lean Manufacturing on Operational Performance - A Case Study in the Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
S. K. P. N. Silva
Author(s):  
Dr. Indumathi Welmilla

This study aims to identify the human resources challenges existing in the apparel sector of Sri Lanka and provide recommendations to secure with managing the barriers to go ahead with future sustainability in the industry. The research approach is qualitative and followed the case study method. Face to face interviews was the method of collecting data by following a semi-structured questionnaire for the research, and the data analysis method was the thematic analysis. The finding demonstrates nine core human resources challenges in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka.


2011 ◽  
Vol 110-116 ◽  
pp. 4013-4022 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.K.P.N. Silva ◽  
H.S.C. Perera ◽  
G.D. Samarasinghe

Lean Manufacturing can be considered as a business strategy which was originated and developed in Japan. It tries to identify waste and eliminate it. Thus it leads to improvement in productivity and quality and companies can achieve a competitive advantage over others. Sri Lankan industries, especially apparel sector have attempted to implement this, but a little research work is carried out in regarding its suitability. This research is an attempt to identify a suitable Lean model for the apparel industry in Sri Lanka. As the initial stage of this study, a literature review is carried out to study about the Lean Manufacturing. It starts by looking at how Lean Manufacturing first began. Then it seeks to identify the core principles, tools and techniques and how those tools and techniques are currently being used worldwide. After studying the global scenario the next step is to look at the Sri Lankan context using real world data. This was undertaken by means of structured surveys, observations, and on site interviews. Also the study will reveal period of Lean implementation, suitable implementation methods, order of implementation, tools which are avoided, sustainability of different tools, challenges faced, ways of overcoming challenges and benefits achieved after applying Lean Manufacturing concepts in the apparel sector of Sri Lanka. The findings state Lean Manufacturing can be applied to mass production apparel industries and has created a positive mindset on employees. As implementation of Lean concepts is still in developmental stage, the full benefit is not yet achieved. But current situation suggests that the industry can go forward with Lean and capitalize on its full potential. In this research the authors have proposed a model which can be used to implement Lean in a systematic manner and each manufacturer must develop their own Lean system through training, experiments, employee empowerment, right leadership and kaizen mindset. Originality of the research— The research builds up a Lean Model which is not yet developed for the apparel sector in Sri Lanka. It can be further modified to suit the global apparel industry and other industries as well.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G.C.I. Gunarathne ◽  
W.D.C.K.T. Kumarasiri

The increasingly competitive local and international market for the Textile and Apparel industry has forced the manufacturers to adopt practices that lead to cost reductions and improve Operational Performance (OP). According to Gamage et al. (2010) lean had been initiated to fulfill this requirement. Yet it was crucial to be aware whether Lean Practices would essentially have a positive impact on OP. This research was therefore conducted to identify the relationship between Lean and OP and the impact Lean utilization creates on the OP levels. The objectives also covered the identification of issues that hinder the ability to derive the expected benefits and suggesting how Lean could be used effectively to attain the expected OP levels. A survey questionnaire was used to gather data from Textile and Apparel factories that met the criteria of possessing Lean manufacturing as the standard of operation for more than a period of one year, to ensure adequate time to gain results on an impact on the OP measurement criteria identified in the model. This was studied in a sample of thirty medium to large scale factories registered in the Board of Investments. Data were specifically gathered on Lean utilization under three constructs, Just in Time (JIT), Waste Elimination (WE) and Flow Management (FM) extracted from literature. OP was measured through 12 Key Performance Indicators identified from industry. Descriptive Statistics, Multiple Regression Analysis and Correlation Analysis were employed to analyze the data. Results indicated that there is a positive relationship between Lean Utilization and OP in the Textile and Apparel industry. WE techniques utilized in the industry had a highly significant relationship with OP compared to JIT and FM. Also it was evident that lack of awareness of the human factor, lesser number of studies and consultancy expenses has hindered their ability to gain expected outcomes. The study encourages WE techniques such as elimination of bottlenecks and would support the management in long term decision making. KeywordsKey Performance Indicators, Lean Practices, Operational Performance,Textile and Apparel Industry


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