Lean management - Assignment Example

? A BUSINESS REPORT By Lecturer: of Affiliation: and Executive summary The report provided a brief introduction of lean management and revealed that the main objective of lean management is to maximize customer value while minimizing resources. It included the repot purpose or objectives of the study. The method, which was employed during this work, was designed for the lean management introduction process for improvement initiative across the organization along with the effective organizational strategies. The report also utilized varied methods of collecting data including the sample surveys, use of questionnaires, interviews and the focused group discussions. The report offered an analysis on the way these methods were utilized for gathering adequate information about the topic under study. The report results were given and this included the outcomes of the research that was done through using varied data collection methods. The researcher packed up the report results with varied sources in order to enable the reader to understand the need for lean management in an organization. The conclusion also was given and this included a brief summary of what was discussed in the report. Lastly, the recommendations were given, which revealed some significant measures that should be taken in order to achieve successful organizational performance when employing lean management approach. A Business Report Introduction Lean management and organizational learning have become the fundamental driving forces for successful business in the contemporary society; thus contributing to a competitive advantage in an organization. The main objective of employing lean management is to maximize customer value while minimizing resources. Lean management simply means producing more value for customers while using fewer resources. Hayler and Nichols (2007, p.79) reveals the way leading companies are driving results by using lean management approach. Thus, the organization that employs lean management understands the meaning of customer value; thus focuses on key process for continuous increase of customer value. The ultimate objective of lean management concept is to offer perfect value to customers through minimizing resources. It also appears that lean management has only remained the popular strategy in many organizations; hence, it is applied at all strategies of production and management levels across the organizations. Thus, the report evaluates and offer recommendations on the feasibility and implications of applying lean management as a vital approach for improvement initiative across the organizational level. Report Purpose/Objectives The report aims to explore and examine the significant of the implementation of lean management from the perspective of organizational learning. The report attempts to find out the significant role of lean management approach for specific process improvement initiative across the organization. The report employs effective methods of analyzing the literature materials in order to determine the way lean approach percolates into a wider operation circles to enable businesses to achieve a competitive advantage. The report evaluates and offers effective recommendations on the feasibility and implications of applying lean management as a vital approach for improvement initiative across the organizational level. Methods The method, which was employed during this work, was designed for the lean management introduction process improvement initiative across the organization, along with the effective organizational strategies. The information used in this report was collected by consulting an independent review from scholarly, journals and academic management reports. The information was also collected through contacting the individual companies for additional information about lean approach for specific process improvement initiative across the organization. Further research methods including use of questionnaires, interviews, focused group discussions and surveys were employed for collecting information about the implications of applying lean management as a vital approach for improvement initiative across the organizational level. Focused Group Discussions This method integrated varied literature materials in order to examine and discuss the specific considerations for focused group in generating information from scholarly and other literature materials. The method also focused on generating information from the opinions expressed by varied participants in the study process. The steps involved a review of the strategies at different levels of the organization, as well as, detailed activities of the new lean management introduction processes particularly related to time and waste. Liu, Leat, Moizer, Megicks and Kasturiratne (2013, p. 2123) reveal the significant of decision focused knowledge management approach for providing effective decision making for use of lean management approach across the organization level. Hence, focused group discussion is an effective method because it enables participants to brainstorm; thus offering effective information behind the need for lean management approach in an organization. Additionally, focused group discussions were employed in order to determine the implications of applying lean management for specific process improvement initiative across the organization. The participants included the CEO from one of the public sector organizations, stakeholders and the employees from the company were among the participants who participated in the focused group discussion about the significant of lean management approach in an organization. The questions were posed to the participants during the process of discussions as to whether this approach can contribute to effective business performance; thus enabling the company to achieve a competitive advantage. The focused group method is crucial because this method enabled the participants to learn more about lean management approach. The questions that were asked in an interactive manner; thus they allowed participants to freely shed their opinions on the topic, which was under discussion. Surveys This method was employed whereby a certain population was sampled and data collected by using questionnaire design in order to examine the significant of the implementation of lean management from the perspective of organizational learning. Sample surveys are useful because they enable the researcher to collect information that cannot be observed directly such as opinion on library services. Extensive survey was carried out including wider information collected from library materials in order to offer significant information on the role that lean management approach play in the organization level. Cabral, Grilo and Cruz-Machado (2012, p. 4831) reveal the case study survey that way conducted in the supply chain management in a manufacturing company. The authors explore the concept of lean management as an effective approach employed for production processes; hence increasing the performance level of the company. Additionally, the sample survey was carried out through selecting number of respondents from the targeted population in the study area of interest. The targeted population included stakeholder, CEOs and employees from public service organizations. The participants were issued with written questionnaires, personal interviews was carried out, which aimed to find out the significant role of lean management approach in relation to process improvement initiative across the organizations. Questionnaire and Interview methods The researcher employed questionnaire and interview methods in conducting the feasibility and implications of applying lean management for specific process improvement initiative across the organization. First, the researcher used structured interview by asking clearly the defined questions and also unstructured interview by allowing some of the questions to be led by the responses of the interviewee. Secondly, the questionnaires were formulated and distributed to the participants. Although some participants had adequate information about the implications of applying lean management in an organization, others were not aware of this strategy. The questionnaires were distributed to the targeted population that was sampled and collected later for further analysis. The questionnaires included the six lean sigma improvement processes effective for improving the organizational performance. Results From the research survey methods that were employed, it was found out that lean management approach showed a number of improvement performance in the organization level. Evidently, a number of factors are needed for lean success but not only is it crucial to implement effective technical tools, but an organization culture needs transformation too (Petschnig, 2009, 91). Moreover, it was found that alternations need to be made throughout the organization level. This is because lean management has a major strategic significance, human resource implications and its implementation procedure should be taken into considerations to achieve the lean initiatives effectively. Ramesh and Kodali (2012, p. 2233) argue that it takes more than two years for an organization to become competent in applying varied marketing strategies, but a firm can implement lean management; hence achieve a competitive advantage. This is because lean management focuses on customer value while minimizing the organizational resources in order to create more value for customers. Since the resources have become scarce, organizations should find effective ways of manufacturing products while utilizing fewer resources in order to reduce the production cost problems. Moreover, from the sample surveys that were distributed and collected from the targeted population, it was found that lean management plays significant roles in organization level. The lean management need to understand the needs of customers and it should focus on increasing customer value continuously (Northouse, 2007, p. 34). Therefore, to accomplish or achieve organizational objectives effective, managers should understand the needs of customer value. This is significant because the ultimate goals of the business are to maximize profits, but this can be achieved in case human resource managers understand the needs of customers (Friedman and Miles, 2006, p. 89). Camacho-Miano, Moyano-Fuentes and Sacristan-Diaz (2013, 1099) argue that to accomplish the organization goals, lean management should be implemented but it should focus on management process by optimizing separate technologies, product flow and assets. Eliminating waste across the value streams, can create an effective way of using less human and resource efforts at less costs; thus increasing organizational performance. From the research interviews and questionnaires distributed to varied participants, it was found that developing a detailed knowledge of lean management principles and techniques across the organization levels is crucial. This is because many leading organization that disseminates lean management principles in the business process have been able to achieve customer values; thus achieving competitive advantage in the global market. Fliedner (2012, p. 123) argues that companies are able to respond to the changing desires of their customers with high quality and low cost products at all times when employing lean management approach. Moreover, from the questionnaire analysis, it was found that information management in an organization becomes much accurate and easier when utilizing lean management knowledge. Conclusions In conclusion, lean management was found to be an effective approach of improving business performance; thus enabling the company to achieve a competitive advantage. Therefore, the report provided a brief introduction of lean management and revealed the main objective of lean management, which includes maximizing customer value while minimizing resources. The researcher provided some objectives that revealed the main purpose of the report. The method, which was employed during this work, was designed for the lean management introduction process for improvement initiative across the organization. This along with the effective organizational strategies was argued to be of great significant to an organization that wants to maximize profits in the competitive global market. The report also utilized varied methods of collecting data including the sample surveys, use of questionnaires, interviews and the focused group discussions. The report offered an analysis on the way these methods were utilized for gathering adequate information about using lean management approach with fewer resources. The report results were given and these included the outcomes of the research that was done through using varied data collection methods. Lastly, the researcher packed up the report results with diverse sources; thus enabling the reader to effectively understand the need and role of lean management in an organization. Recommendations Based on the report study, there are several areas that should be taken into consideration in order to achieve organizational success when implementing lean approach. First, it is recommendable for resource managers to identify best management practices for applying lean approaches to environmentally sensitive processes. This is through identifying and encouraging approaches for applying lean to certain environmentally sensitive process, which are common in sectors (Bratton and Gold, 2000, p. 78). This is essential because it will minimize organizational costs and enable managers to maximize resources effectively; thus increasing the performance level. Secondly, developing a guide to lean coordination and integration is effective in a company. Hajmohammad, Vachon, Klassen and Gavronski (2013, p. 315) argue that improving coordination and integration of lean management in an organization is effective. This is because it will enable the company to fully leverage these opportunities towards improving production while utilizing less cost for production process. The development of clear and best practices in a company is essential because it will enable them to enhance performance through use of lean management in an effective manner. Lastly, initiating lean training is effective; thus when a company decides to implement a certain lean approach, they should create apposition for lean leader and also train lean leaders. Fullerton, Kennedy and Widener (2013, p. 59) argue that lean leadership should be trained in order to become capable of coaching and mentoring the implementation of lean. This is vital because it will contribute to effective organizational success; thus enabling the company to achieve their objectives successfully. Bibliography Bratton, J., & Gold, J., 2000. Human resource management: Theory and practice. Mahwah, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum. Cole, G. A. ,2004. Management theory and practice. London: Thomson Learning. Camacho-Minano, M, Moyano-Fuentes, J, & Sacristan-Diaz, M 2013, 'What can we learn from the evolution of research on lean management assessment?', International Journal Of Production Research, 51, 4, pp. 1098-1116. Cabral, I, Grilo, A, & Cruz-Machado, V 2012, 'A decision-making model for Lean, Agile, Resilient and Green supply chain management', International Journal Of Production Research, 50, 17, pp. 4830-4845. Friedman, A. L., & Miles, S. ,2006. Stakeholders: Theory and practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press. =Fliedner, G.,2012. Leading and managing the lean management process. New York, N.Y.] (222 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017: Business Expert Press. Fullerton, R, Kennedy, F, & Widener, S 2013, 'Management accounting and control practices in a lean manufacturing environment', Accounting, Organizations & Society, 38, 1, pp. 50-71. Hayler, R., & Nichols, M. ,2007. Six sigma for financial services: How leading companies are driving results using lean, six sigma, and process management. New York: McGraw-Hill. Hajmohammad, S, Vachon, S, Klassen, R, & Gavronski, I 2013, 'Lean management and supply management: their role in green practices and performance', Journal Of Cleaner Production, 39, pp. 312-320. Liu, S, Leat, M, Moizer, J, Megicks, P, & Kasturiratne, D 2013, 'A decision-focused knowledge management framework to support collaborative decision making for lean supply chain management', International Journal Of Production Research, 51, 7, pp. 2123-2137. Northouse, P. G., 2007. Leadership: Theory and practice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications. Plenert, G. J. ,2007. Reinventing lean: Introducing lean management into the supply chain. Burlington, Mass: Butterworth-Heinemann. Petschnig, S.,2009. Effects of Lean Management on company value. Mu?nchen: GRIN Verlag GmbH. Ramesh, V, & Kodali, R 2012, 'A decision framework for maximising lean manufacturing performance', International Journal Of Production Research, 50, 8, pp. 2234-2251. Subba, R. P., & Kumar, V. T.,2010. Management: Theory and practice : text & cases. Mumbai [India: Himalaya Pub. House. Read More