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Full-Text Articles in Business
The Impact Of Gemba Walks On Preventative Maintenance Productivity, Jake Donald Taylor
The Impact Of Gemba Walks On Preventative Maintenance Productivity, Jake Donald Taylor
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Gemba Walks are a tool to get management involvement in areas where the work is taking place. Gemba Walks allow individuals involved first-hand to voice and reduce waste within the process and general operations. This research measured the benefits and improvements Gemba Walks had on the availability of equipment. For example, reducing the number of events that equipment is down for maintenance and its duration to repair these events, therefore improved availability. Maintenance is a critical aspect of keeping a company running, and making improvements found during this research significantly impacted the company by creating lean improvements. The improvements focused …
How Kaizen Group Leader Selection Affects Group Participation, M. Joleen Byerline
How Kaizen Group Leader Selection Affects Group Participation, M. Joleen Byerline
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Organizational communication research indicates group member participation increases as the legitimate power differences among group members decreases. Lean principles and practices indicate Kaizen Event members will contribute regardless of legitimate power levels, due to member training, education, and the Lean team-oriented culture. Further study is needed to determine if Lean culture and training maximize group member contribution, or if legitimate power levels in Lean environments manipulate participation. The focus of this case study is a central Kentucky Lean manufacturing organization that practiced Lean principles for at least three years and completed a Kaizen Event within twelve months previous to the …