Assessment of the efficiency of the continuous improvement system based on Kaizen in an example company

Abstract

The article presents an attempt to show how the continuous improvement system based on the Kaizen philosophy works and how to evaluate the effectiveness of the system in an example of a production enterprise in Poland. It describes the principles of the Kaizen system and the methods available to allow for the assessment of its effectiveness. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the Kaizen system was based on available economic data, but, due to confidentiality or the inaccessibility of most of the data that could directly demonstrate the efficiency of this system, it was decided to also conduct surveys among workers and low- or mid-level managers. Research has shown, among other things, that the main motivator for employees to undertake activities related to continuous improvement are financial factors (bonuses, financial rewards) and a willingness to show themselves in a good light in front of their superiors, which is not consistent with the original assumptions of the creators of the Kaizen philosophy. Despite these differences, the application of the continuous improvement system in the company studied can be considered effective in light of the economic benefits and quality improvement.