Abstract
A Study was conducted in a leading apparel manufacturing plant in Kandy district, Sri Lanka. The specific objectives of the study were to identify the dimensions of management support, to examine the level of team performance in the organization, and to analyze the impact of management support on team performance. A questionnaire was developed based on empirical models, and was administered for a sample of 114 employees. The sample was drawn by using stratified random sampling. Key informant discussions and focus group discussions were conducted to gain further insight into the findings. Descriptive and inferential (correlation, regression tests etc.) statistical analysis were done by using the SPSS software. Management support had six dimensions namely; defining key performance indicators, vision statement, decision making, problem solving, human resources & administration service, and training & development. Problem solving had the highest impact on team performance. Organization had a ‘suggestions culture’, which was promoted through management support. Employees perceived a high level of management support. Teams have recorded desirable levels of performance. Respondents were of the view that management support had increased team performance, which was reflected through a significant relationship in the correlation analysis. Creating successful work teams through optimal management support would add vitality to the performances. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 23 (3): 228-236 (2012) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v23i3.4660
Highlights
Production and manufacturing management has absorbed new concepts in rapid succession viz. manufacturing strategy, focused factory, just-in-time manufacturing, concurrent engineering, total quality management, supply chain management, flexible manufacturing systems, lean production, and mass customization, to name a few (Nesan and Holt, 2002)
What is the impact of management support in Sri Lankan private sector organizations, especially in the apparel manufacturing industry? This paper focuses on the impact of management support as a mean enhancing performance
Among the six subscales of management support, problem solving scored the highest mean value of 5.25 (SD of 0.96), indicating that employees were highly satisfied of their problem solving culture and the management support for the same
Summary
Production and manufacturing management has absorbed new concepts in rapid succession viz. manufacturing strategy, focused factory, just-in-time manufacturing, concurrent engineering, total quality management, supply chain management, flexible manufacturing systems, lean production, and mass customization, to name a few (Nesan and Holt, 2002). Production and manufacturing management has absorbed new concepts in rapid succession viz. Textiles and apparel manufacturing industry is the country’s largest foreign exchange earner, accounting for 46 % of export earnings. It employs over 200,000 people directly and about another 400,000 indirectly, of nearly 750 factories in the industry (Central Bank, 2010). Apparel manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka has witnessed many challenges and demands, and increased competition. The impact of management support for team performance in an apparel manufacturing organization is a key factor. Empirical findings on management support and the effect on team and organizational effectiveness are limited in the Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing industry
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