Model for Supporting Lasting Managerial Efforts in Continuous Improvement: A Case Study in Product Engineering

Abstract

Lasting continuous improvement in product engineering, a process to produce and develop high value products, is critical to companies’ competitive position. Although continuous improvement described in literature as an important principle for business development, creating a culture of ongoing improvement is not a trivial task. While poorly designed processes and misguided use of tools may explain difficulties in achieving successful continuous improvement, extent research reports that the main barrier to success is lasting managerial effort. Research has been conducted on identifying the management as a pertinent success factors, but little focus has been directed towards supporting efforts to overcome managerial barrier to succeed. Thus, this paper aims to provide a model as a theoretical contribution supporting managerial effort in achieving lasting continuous improvement based on an action research approach within product engineering. This paper will be of value to practitioners by guidance in managerial efforts to overcome the barriers for the management. For academics, this study will contribute on a better understanding of enablers to overcome the pertinent success factors; lasting managerial effort.