Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore the impact that implementing lean has on a company’s ability to innovate, especially their ability to produce radically innovative products. Framework – The framework developed for the purpose of this study is made out of four propositions. Each of the propositions is aimed at covering a certain aspect of the area under investigation. The propositions are constructed through a comparison of the main principles and characteristics of both lean thinking and innovation management that are seen to be relevant to the area of product development. Methodology – The study employs a qualitative multi-case study design. Four Swedish SME’s that have been implementing lean in both manufacturing and product development are investigated. The data for the study is collected using two methods; an online questionnaire and a face-to-face interview. Findings - The study leads to the belief that the implementation of lean could lead to a company’s ability to produce radically innovative products being negatively impacted, but that this impact could be avoided if a company wishes to do so. Managerial Implications – Managers are made aware of the possible consequences of the implementation, as well as, of the possible balance. Solutions to achieving a balance are offered. Limitations – The approach to exploring the subject in hand, the choice of participating companies, and the interview guide employed, are all seen as limitation for this study.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hh-22574 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Sahyouni, Mohamad |
| Publisher | Högskolan i Halmstad, Sektionen för ekonomi och teknik (SET) |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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