Continuous improvement has long been considered a key business strategy to the success of any business that needs to be competitive and survive in a world that is continually evolving, particularly with the increased focus on meeting cost and quality targets that are set by a far more knowledgeable customer. Unfortunately, many organisations invest countless hours of their key personnel's time on training without creating a clear vision and consolidated strategic plan as to how continuous improvement will be driven in the business. Marginal elements of success are obtained, but the harnessing of these skills, as well as the true synergy that could be realized, are watered down due to the silos in which many of the activities are performed. Within the context of this dissertation, a conceptual approach to the strategic implementation of continuous improvement tools within the organization will be sought in order to enhance all facets of the business and not only the traditional arenas of the manufacturing disciplines. Murray and Roberts Foundries Group is embarking on the integration of current and new continuous improvement tools that form part of its continued improvement drive. This research was conducted with other organisations and will help shed light on Murray and Roberts Foundries Group’s way forward in the implementation of these tools to ensure long-term sustainable success. The intent of this dissertation is therefore to offer a comprehensive set of recommendations for Murray and Roberts Foundries Group’s top management in terms of its strategic implementation and the successful application of Lean manufacturing tools and techniques. In addition, areas and directions for further research are identified.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:8752 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Spence, Mark George |
| Publisher | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Masters, MBA |
| Format | viii, 111 leaves ; 30 cm, pdf |
| Rights | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
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