Continuous improvement in manufacturing companies in Jordan

Abstract

This research examines the motives and means used by Jordanian manufacturing companies to promote, support and sustain their Continuous Improvement activities. The researchers surveyed all Jordanian manufacturing companies listed under the industrial category in Amman Stock Exchange, with their Continuous Improvement (CI) being measured through the CI survey developed by the Continuous Innovation Network (CINet). Data analysis revealed that customer satisfaction, cost reduction, quality control and improvement, and productivity improvement were the main motives for CI in Jordanian companies. When implementing improvement activities, these companies were found to face some problems related to performance measures, culture, time, funding and organisational commitment. The survey results also indicated that CI contributed to improvements in productivity, quality, customer satisfaction, safety and working conditions, employee commitment/attitude towards change, cooperation and communication, and supplier and customer relations