Viability of Lean Manufacturing Tools and Techniques 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
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Apparel Industry ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Tools And Techniques

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.

Lean Manufacturing

2018 ◽  
pp. 334-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mousumi Roy
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Competitive Edge ◽  
Sustainable Environment ◽  
Lean Practices ◽  
History Of

Lean has become a new mantra in today's manufacturing sector. In this millennium, companies are facing a challenge to be economically competitive in manufacturing. Many of them have realized that the old style of mass manufacturing is no longer successful. Hence, lean manufacturing is being embraced by the companies to simultaneously achieve a competitive edge and economic growth. Many studies have shown that lean organizations are capable of meeting customer's expectations consistently, at each step of the production systems. Lean manufacturing also implies efficient use of non-renewable resources in order to maintain a sustainable environment. To reach the full potential of an organization, lean must be embraced as a holistic business strategy. In this chapter, the history of lean innovation will be briefly discussed, followed by the principles of lean manufacturing and various tools in implementing lean practices. Examples of organizations that have experienced significant improvements once transformed to lean manufacturing will also be cited.

Lean Manufacturing

2020 ◽  
pp. 117-135
Author(s):  
Mousumi Roy
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Competitive Edge ◽  
Sustainable Environment ◽  
Lean Practices ◽  
History Of

Lean has become a new mantra in today's manufacturing sector. In this millennium, companies are facing a challenge to be economically competitive in manufacturing. Many of them have realized that the old style of mass manufacturing is no longer successful. Hence, lean manufacturing is being embraced by the companies to simultaneously achieve a competitive edge and economic growth. Many studies have shown that lean organizations are capable of meeting customer's expectations consistently, at each step of the production systems. Lean manufacturing also implies efficient use of non-renewable resources in order to maintain a sustainable environment. To reach the full potential of an organization, lean must be embraced as a holistic business strategy. In this chapter, the history of lean innovation will be briefly discussed, followed by the principles of lean manufacturing and various tools in implementing lean practices. Examples of organizations that have experienced significant improvements once transformed to lean manufacturing will also be cited.

Exploring barriers in lean implementation

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagdish R. Jadhav ◽  
Shankar S. Mantha ◽  
Santosh B. Rane
Keyword(s):  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Literature Survey ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Lean Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of research on lean focusing on barriers in its implementation through a systematic literature survey. Design/methodology/approach – A literature survey of peer-reviewed journal articles, survey reports, master theses, doctoral theses and paradigmatic books with managerial impact is used as the research methodology. Findings – The findings derived from the evaluation of the publications analyzed have led to the identification of 24 lean barriers. The success of lean implementation will not be entirely based on application of appropriate tools and techniques alone but also on the top managements' involvement and leadership, workers' attitude, resources and the organizational culture. Research limitations/implications – This literature survey is primarily focused on lean implementation in the manufacturing sector. Practical implications – This paper explores barriers for successful lean implementation and provides a concise description of the barriers that will be helpful for further studies in the domain of lean manufacturing. Social implications – Government of many countries around the world is encouraging and helping small- and medium-scale industries to understand and implement lean systems by preparing accessible database of lean consultants, providing financial assistance for training by professionals and establishing professional associations. However, many industries experienced failure in lean implementation. This research work provides a launching pad to develop a strategy to tackle barriers for successful lean implementation. Originality/value – This paper puts forward the key barriers that should be tackled for successful lean implementation. It might represent new opportunities for rigorous and relevant research that would contribute to more translucent knowledge of lean being gained.

scholarly journals INCORPORATION OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY CONCEPT TO THE APPAREL INDUSTRY: LITERATURE REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. GOWSIGA ◽  
◽  
M. THAYAPARAN ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Economic Benefit ◽  
Apparel Industry ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Foreign Exchange Earning ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Novel Concept

The apparel industry is one the most foreign exchange earning industries for developing countries. However, it is one of the notable polluting industries in the world too. Additionally, there are numerous factors affecting the economy of the industry, for example COVID 19, and the industry needs to reinvent from those issues by forcing itself to live. Thus, Circular Economy (CE) can act as a potential solution to address the issues related to both environmental and economic factors of the apparel industry. CE is a business strategy to gain economic benefit, minimise environmental impacts and increase the efficiency of resource consumption. CE concept has been practised in various countries such as China, Bangladesh, Europe, Australia and Germany. However, it is still a novel concept in Sri Lanka even though Sri Lankan apparel industry has a solid reputation globally for their high-quality, reliability, lead time, and social accountability. Introducing the CE concept into Sri Lankan apparel industry will help to overcome the financial issues in a sustainable way. With the intention of introducing CE concept to Sri Lankan apparel industry, this paper intends to review the application of CE in global context and in the context of apparel industry, their benefits and challenges in order to further investigate the suitability of CE concept to SL apparel industry. This paper is therefore based on a comprehensive literature review. Hence, it highlights the literature findings on the applicability of CE in apparel industry, its benefits and challenges when adopting CE into apparel industry. This basic finding will aid to assess the possibility of incorporating CE concept within the Sri Lankan apparel industry. The key findings of the research, environmental gain, economic benefit, resource optimisation and collaboration among stakeholders are the key benefits of CE. The main challenges are expensive, advanced technology, measuring the benefits especially financially, lack of support, knowledge, awareness, commitment and leadership, systematic regulation, social and cultural acceptance.

scholarly journals Impact of HR Practices on Employee Engagement among Machine Operators in the Large Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
HPASU Pinto ◽  
UK Thalgaspitiya
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Apparel Industry ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Hr Practices ◽  
Machine Operators ◽  
The Impact

Area of the Study This study is mainly focused on examining the impact of HR practices on employee engagement among machine operators in the large apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Problem of the Study There is an empirical gap of how HR practices affect to employee engagement in the Sri Lankan context. Therefore researchers addressed: How HR practices affect employee engagement among machine operators in the large apparel industry in Sri Lanka? Method of the study The data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 384 machine operators who are employed in top three companies in the large Sri Lankan apparel industry. A structured questionnaire which included Bakar’s (2013) 16 items for measuring HR practices and Bakker, et al.’ (2002) 17 items for measure employee engagement was administered. The data were analyzed using Pearson’sCorrelation and simple regression analysis. Findings of the Study The findings exhibited that there is a positive relationship between HR practices and employee engagement among machine operators in the large apparel industry in Sri Lanka. As well as HR practices of the Sri Lankan large apparel industry companies are at a satisfactory level and employee engagement of machine operatorsare at a high level. Moreover, all dimensions of HR practices are positively and significantly correlated with employee engagement, namely selective staffing, reward system, performance appraisal, comprehensive training and employee participation program. Lastly, the regression analysis between HR practices and employee engagement indicated that 59.8% of total variance of employee engagement was explained by HR practices. Conclusion of the Study It is concluded that there is a positive impact of HR practices on employee engagement among machine operators in the large apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Thus organizations in this sector need to develop proper and well-structured HR practices to attain high employee engagement level among the machine operators. Keywords: HR Practices, Employee Engagement, Machine Operators

scholarly journals Inspire Intrapreneurship through Management Support - The New Competitive Edge

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-115
Author(s):  
Rochelle Anushini Bartholomeusz
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Apparel Industry ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Business World ◽  
Competitive Edge ◽  
Managerial Support ◽  
The Impact

In the contemporary business world, innovation is more critical than ever. Unlike before, every organization is aware of the significance of innovation in gaining and sustaining competitive advantage over rivals. However, organizations can be more innovative just by triggering and uplifting the intrapreneurial spirit of the employees with the management support. But currently the policies, structures and systems which are developed by the management of the organization tend to isolate innovative and creative employees by demoralizing them from sharing valuable novel insights. There are certain instances where the management agrees with the new idea but later on they encourage employees to continue their work in the traditional way as they are reluctant to move away from their comfort zones. However, there is scant number of evidences from Sri Lankan context. Therefore, the objective of the study is to assess the impact of management support on intrapreneurship with special reference to apparel industry in Sri Lanka. With a standard questionnaire, responses were obtained from 240 non-executive employees from three leading apparel sector organizations in Sri Lanka. Results of regression analysis proved that managerial support significantly impacts on intrapreneurship and as a percentage it is 53.2%. Even in reality, intrapreneurs cannot recognize, nurture or inspire without the support of the management. Hence, management of the organization needs to create a better atmosphere not just to create intrapreneurs but also to recognize and encourage such intrapreneurial employees at workplace.

scholarly journals Role of Ethnicity in Sri Lankan Politics

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. 58-70
Author(s):  
R.A.W Ranasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Central Authority ◽  
Major Purpose ◽  
Conceptual Base ◽  
South Indian ◽  
Political Implications ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Northern Territories

The study attempts to discuss the role of ethnicity and its socio-economic and political implications with the Sri Lankan society. As it is the major purpose of the paper, it does not pay much attention to examine the conceptual base of ethnicity except to examine the role of ethnicity in Sri Lankan politics in pre and post independent Sri Lanka. Objectively the more emphasis is given to discuss the causes and consequences of the conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamils with a historical overview of the conflict. At the initial stage, the conflict did not take the form of conflict based on ethnicity but was a war organized by Sinhalese against the South Indian Dravidian invaders. At the second stage in which South Indian Tamil invaders established their colonies in Northern territories, the conflict occurred as the form of the strengthening the central authority over the peripheral disobedient rulers. Yet during the colonial rule especially under the British Empire, the role of ethnicity shifted from its previous form of the conflict between the central authority and the territorial autonomy to acquire more opportunities in colonial politics and administration under the banners of ethno-cultural identities. The role of ethnicity during the post independent Sri Lanka moved towards the conflict between the unitary(ism) and separatism which made a severe damage to the development and progress of the country in human and physical perspectives. Still the ethnicity plays a prominent role in socio-economic and political spheres of the Sri Lankan society.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document