Development of tacit knowledge in lean management in an organization: The case of automotive industry in Malaysia

Nowadays, the implementation of lean management has been on the rise globally especially in the automotive industry.However, there are several organizations still fail to apply lean management effectively and continuously.Each failure can be attributed in two different causes, which are lack of understanding of the concept of waste, and the fundamental issues of lean culture.To be successful in the implementation of lean management may not be easy.In order to create the foundation for lean to take hold, a significant organizational change must occur within the organization. The organization must fully understand the knowledge of lean management system and the lean management tools as well. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate development of tacit knowledge during the lean implementation.This study applied a qualitative method.A single case study was conducted in a Malaysian based automotive company. Based on the interview and observation conducted, the sources of development of tacit knowledge in lean management were developed from the training, database sharing, factory visit, previous case studies and internet(video) resources.Therefore, lean tacit knowledge is essential to the development of a successful organizatio

Change Agent System in Lean Manufacturing Implementation for Business Sustainability

This paper aims to propose a model of change agent system in lean manufacturing implementation to achieve organizational sustainability in terms of knowledge co-creation process with employees by changing their behavioural and mind-set thereby increase organizational performance. This study conducted multi-case design which contains more than a single case company viz., company A and company B are presented here. Results demonstrated with mentioned concept. Lean manufacturing accomplished by change agent system in manufacturing industry. The mentioned system is a promising way to ensure the translating of lean concept and its implementation to all workers in the company, by this means company achieving lean manufacturing culture to offer desired services to customers. This research contributes to create strategic corporate ways to succeed in lean manufacturing implementation by making knowledgeable and skilled human resource with the integrating of change agent system that will ensure value creation and organizational sustainability. There have been few scientific studies and research done on the mechanism involved in the change agent in lean manufacturing implementation. Our proposed model of change agent system to translate lean manufacturing concept is original and unique in practical field

A framework for managing change in lean manufacturing implementation

Lean manufacturing is a proven approach for success in manufacturing industry.However, several organisations failed in their attempt to implement lean manufacturing system.The transition to lean manufacturing requires radical change which involves a total reshaping of purpose, system and culture of the organisation.The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that could assist a manufacturing firm to implement lean manufacturing system successfully.The insights of literature and multiple case studies are combined to develop the organisational change framework.Leadership and direction, and change agent system found to be the most critical factors in managing change to lean manufacturing.Furthermore, the smooth transition also requires effective communication, workers’ empowerment and lean review system.Failure in recognising the required organisational change factors to be adapted in lean transition may hinder the long-term benefits of the company

Organisational Change Framework for Lean Manufacturing Implementation

Lean manufacturing system is a proven approach for success in manufacturing companies worldwide. However, several companies have failed in their attempt to implement this system. The transition to lean manufacturing system requires a radical change which involves a total reshaping of purpose, system, and work culture. This paper develops a framework that may assist manufacturing companies to implement lean manufacturing system. This study has employed explanatory mixed method approach, which begins with survey distribution and is followed by in-depth interviews at Malaysian automotive companies to further refine the general picture attained from the survey. Both quantitative and qualitative results show that the key factors to managing a smooth transition to lean manufacturing are: change readiness, leadership and management, the change-agent system, team development and empowerment, communication, and the review system. The results also serve as the basis for developing organizational change that aids the framework implementation for lean manufacturing system. This framework has strong theoretical significance because of its explicit focus on the relationship between lean manufacturing and the management of its implementation. This framework may also provide practitioners with a better understanding of the transition process to lean manufacturing, which will minimize potential resistance and conflicts and thus improve the systems chances of success. Failure to recognize the organizational changes towards lean manufacturing system may hinder the systems long-term benefits to organization

Sustainable environmental manufacturing practice (SEMP) and firm performance: Moderating role of environmental regulation

Theoretical evidence shows that a considerable amount of attention has been given to environmental issues in academic researches in the past years and the link between sustainable environmental practices and firm performance remains inconclusive.One of the reasons for this inconsistent relationship is due to the increasing regulatory requirements of the environmental sustainable practices which have become increasingly stringent on yearly basis.This study investigates the moderating effect of environmental regulation on the relationship between sustainable environmental manufacturing practices and firm performance. Data was collected by using a mail survey questionnaire from the manufacturing companies in Malaysia and analyzed with PLS-SEM.The result of the empirical investigation found that environmental regulation only moderates the relationship between SEMP and environmental performance.The relationships between SEMP; and financial and operational performance were not significantly moderated by stringent environmental regulation.The study recommends that environmental policy makers should revisit the blueprint about environmental regulation on environmental practices to provide supportive environmental policies that will enhance a better financial and operational performance in manufacturing industry

Model of Tacit Knowledge Transfer in Lean Management Implementation in an Organization

The increase in competition worldwide had driven organizations to face with new challenges. The situation had prompted the manufacturers to perform a variety of effective strategies such as the implementation of lean manufacturing system in their organization. In this study, the key elements in developing the lean tacit knowledge transfer within the organization were identified. In addition, this study also investigates the transfer of lean tacit knowledge, which involves the sender and the recipient of lean knowledge within the organization. Data were collected through a single case study for a period of 2 months in an automotive manufacturing plant in Malaysia. The results of the study found that the lean knowledge could be developed through a number of key elements. A model of tacit lean knowledge transfer was developed to help improve work performance during the implementation of lean manufacturing system. In addition, the development of the model can explain how lean knowledge was developed and transferred from one party to another in the organization. The existence of such a model could assist an effective lean manufacturing implementation with every organization should has a good lean knowledge and understand how to properly implement lean in the production process

Lean manufacturing implementation: Developing a qualitative research design

Lean manufacturing have been widely used by manufacturing companies worldwide.However, low rate of success towards lean manufacturing transformation in many countries had created a cause of concern.Change agent system is a crucial element in lean transition as most of the employees are not familiar with lean work environment, and requires a behavioural and mindset change due to the different expectation for performance and value.This study attempts to investigate the role of change agent in the successful implementation of lean manufacturing. Qualitative case study approach is chosen as it offers a more holistic perspective.Therefore, the aim of this paper is to discuss on developing the research design in answering the research questions.A manufacturing company was selected. The four different methods for gathering data: interviews, observation, documents and focus group will contribute towards the categorization and code development process.This enabled a precise analytic approach to the study, which is an induction of highly specified and valid constructs concerning the knowledge development and conveyance process

Driving factor of sustainable environmental manufacturing practices in Malaysia

An increased demand has been placed on the manufacturing industries to be more responsible to their environment with respect to their operational activities.This demand is due to various antecedent factors driving sustainable environmental practices in manufacturing firms. This study therefore, investigated the factors that drive the sustainable environmental practices in Malaysian manufacturing sector. Survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 103 manufacturing firms and was analyzed using PLS path modelling technique. The result of the study found that top management commitment and stakeholder pressure significantly influence sustainable environmental manufacturing practices while public concern did not show significant evidence

Driving factor of sustainable environmental manufacturing practices in Malaysia

An increased demand has been placed on the manufacturing industries to be more responsible to their environment with respect to their operational activities.This demand is due to various antecedent factors driving sustainable environmental practices in manufacturing firms. This study therefore, investigated the factors that drive the sustainable environmental practices in Malaysian manufacturing sector.Survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 103 manufacturing firms and was analyzed using PLS path modelling technique.The result of the study found that top management commitment and stakeholder pressure significantly influence sustainable environmental manufacturing practices while public concern did not show significant evidence