A VSM improvement-based approach for lean operations in an Indian manufacturing SME

Abstract

Abstract:The current economic environment in the Indian manufacturing industry is offering a perfect opportunity to SMEs of this country to develop and grow by acting as suppliers of large multinational original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). To meet the challenge of offering high standards of quality, cost and delivery (QCD) to these multinational OEMs, Indian manufacturing SMEs must implement effective approaches, such as lean manufacturing, to continually and systematically improve their operations. However, the academic literature indicates that the adoption of lean manufacturing and some of its tools, such as value stream mapping (VSM), by Indian manufacturing SMEs is feeble, or in many cases lean initiatives have been unsuccessful. This paper presents a successful application of VSM in an Indian manufacturing SME. The results of the study and operational improvements achieved indicate that the application of VSM is an effective 42 A. Saboo et al.strategy for organisations of this type to improve their processes and thus meet their current challenges. This paper contributes by providing empirical evidence of the application of VSM in India and thus it can be used as a guiding reference for managers and engineers to undertake specific process improvement projects, in their organisations, similar to the one presented in this paper.Keywords: India; lean operations; manufacturing; SME; value stream mapping; VSM.Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Saboo, A., Garza-Reyes, J.A., Er, A. and Kumar, V. (2014) 'A VSM improvement-based approach for lean operations in an Indian manufacturing SME', Int.

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