Indian Manufacturing Enterprises Research Articles

Contribution of green manufacturing for realizing business performance in Indian small and medium scale organizations (SME’s)

PurposeThe current manuscript is focused on evaluating the capabilities of green practices that affect various business performance (BP) parameters of small and medium scale Indian manufacturing enterprises (SME’s). This study aims to obtain multiple significant factors that influence the implementation of green practices.Design/methodology/approachThe manuscript focuses on statistical testing of responses obtained from 168 Indian SMEs to determine the relationship between input parameters and BP parameters. This paper starts with deploying tests such as Cronbach alpha and inter-item covariance test to obtain confidence in data collected, followed by various statistical tests such as Pearson correlation, multiple regression, canonical correlation to extract various significant factors the study. Further Games-Howell post hoc test is deployed to evaluate the significant improvements in BP gained over a reasonable duration of time. Finally, a discriminant validity test is used to find out the success or failure of the organizations that participated in the survey.FindingsThis research contributes to the holistic effect of green manufacturing (GM) toward gaining improvements in terms of different BP parameters taken for the study. It has been found that various input factors such as customer attributes, adoption of new technology, social pressure and government pressure are the main parameters for GM implementation. Further, it is observed that those at the maturity phase of GM implementation are reaping higher benefits than the organizations at the transition and stability phase.Originality/valueThe current study has been accomplished in Indian SME manufacturing organizations to investigate the effects of GM implementation in the organization. Although research findings imply the effective use of green practices within the organization to reap BP parameters and improve the market’s competitive image, the study cannot be generalized and can be used as an insight for both academicians and end-users in understanding the overall achievements of GM.

Exploring the effectiveness of maintenance and quality management strategies in Indian manufacturing enterprises

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of human-related support practices, total productive maintenance (TPM) practices, and total quality management (TQM) practices on manufacturing performance parameters and their inter-relationship.Design/methodology/approachA research project was carried out in 94 Indian manufacturing companies, using the questionnaire method. The survey data was drawn from 169 respondents working in these companies. In this paper, the impact of TPM and TQM practices on manufacturing performance parameters and especially the role of support practices is investigated empirically using various structural equation models.FindingsTwo factors namely top management and leadership and human resource development categorized as support practices were found to positively influence the adoption of technical practices, i.e., TPM and TQM practices. Hence support practices were found to indirectly affect the manufacturing performance parameters via the technical factors. Also analyzing various structural equation models (SEM), shop floor implementation of TPM practices were found to be influenced (or guided) by the philosophy of TQM practices. In other words, through the proper adoption of TQM practices, the effectiveness of TPM practices gets increased.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further using a case study approach.Practical implicationsThe present study provides useful insights to practicing managers. The result of the study explaining the interrelationship between support practices (behavioral aspect) and technical practices can be used by practicing managers to develop a better understanding of the contribution of support and technical practices towards the realization of organizational objectives of growth and sustainability. In practice, TQM plays a great role in the adoption of TPM practices, which in turn helps to achieve quality in processes and therefore in products.Originality/valuePrevious research has often either concentrated on technical practices as one dimension without studying the effects of support practices on improving the adoption of technical practices. The results of the study take one step further by investigating the relationship between multiple aspects (support and technical aspects) of manufacturing practices and their impact on manufacturing performance.

Analysis of the critical factors for integration of sustainability with lean practices for Indian manufacturing enterprises

Lean production is stated as a business structure which helps to organise and manage product development, operations, suppliers, and consumer association. It is done with reduced human attempt, reduced area, reduced money, reduced material, and reduced time taken to manufacture parts with not many defects to fulfil consumer expectations, in contrast to the earlier arrangement of mass production. Sustainable manufacturing is stated as the building of manufactured parts which utilise procedures that are non-polluting, preserve energy and natural resources, and are cost effective and there is safety for employees, communities, and customers. ISM has been used to identify and summarise interconnection among specific variables that states a problem. It presents us with a method through which order may be set on the variables. It is followed by the MICMAC analysis which has been performed with the help of the specified variables. Financial factor and government rules and regulations' have been identified as variables having highest driving power.

Analysis of the critical factors for integration of sustainability with lean practices for Indian manufacturing enterprises

Analysis of the critical factors for integration of sustainability with lean practices for Indian manufacturing enterprises

Globalization and Indian Manufacturing Enterprises

Indian manufacturing enterprises (IMEs) are undergoing a phase of transformation. Changing economic policies and global outlook have brought both opportunities as well as thought points before IMEs. This piece of research has brought assessment as well as discussion on present state and viewpoints on IMEs through the lenses of globalization. The discussion revealed that the Government of India needs to undertake several policy decisions to make Indian manufacturing firms more globalized. The perspective moves in a sequential manner starting from evolution to manufacturing, overview of Indian manufacturing, covers the journey of globalization facets/dimensions, undertake the state of IMEs to justify the points of authors and draw conclusions on this field.

An evaluation of effectiveness of 5S implementation initiatives in an Indian manufacturing enterprise

5S has emerged as one of the fundamental techniques needed for growth and improvement for any manufacturing organisation in a globally competitive manufacturing scenario for imbibing various lean manufacturing techniques. The literature reveals that the 5S technique has potential to significantly improve the working environment, culture, workplace with proper safety and health standards, self-discipline and enriched morale values among all employees in organisations. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate effectiveness of 5S implementation technique in manufacturing environment that effectively facilitated the manufacturing organisation in solving specific issues and problems regarding productivity, quality, cost, safety and morale values of the manufacturing company. The study depicts methodology for systematic implementation of 5S technique at the plant for specific time period and examined the results during the period of 5S practice. The analysis of results have shown significant realisation of company's goals and brought considerable difference of improvement in desired parameters of plant performance.

An evaluation of effectiveness of 5S implementation initiatives in an Indian manufacturing enterprise

An evaluation of effectiveness of 5S implementation initiatives in an Indian manufacturing enterprise

Drivers of firm growth: micro-evidence from Indian manufacturing

This paper investigates the determinants of firm growth for Indian manufacturing enterprises. The study uses the data obtained from the Prowess database, provided by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), covering the period 1991–2010. The study explores the growth of Indian manufacturing firms with respect to 1) its cross-sectional distribution, 2) its dynamics over time, and 3) its determinants. The cross-sectional distributional analysis exhibits high levels of heterogeneity in firm growth patterns, even across firms operating within the same sector, which increases over time. The inter-temporal dynamics observed with the help of transition probabilities matrices suggests that firm growth rates are not highly persistent in time, which is in contrast with the evidence from developed countries. It also reveals the coexistence of firms with very different characteristics and performance within sectors. Given the wide heterogeneity and non-persistent behavior of firm growth rates, this paper resorts to quantile regression analysis to identify the differential effect of regressors at different deciles of the conditional distribution.

Justification of green logistic practices in Indian enterprises using analytic hierarchy process

Logistics is the integrated management of all activities which are required to move products through the supply chains. By practicing greening efforts in the logistics system, manufacturing enterprises may improve their efficiency and also have several other long-term benefits in addition to the basic objectives of achieving the organisational goals of the manufacturing enterprises. This paper tries to highlight the benefits of green logistics practices over non-green logistics in manufacturing enterprises. The justification is done by using analytical hierarchy process. On the basis of literature review, major benefits of green logistics have been identified as energy saving, reduction in carbon emission, protection of ecological environment, managing waste disposal, reduction in distance and quality improvement. The global desirability index of green logistics over non-green logistics is analysed using AHP and then compared to justify the concepts of green logistics in Indian manufacturing enterprises.

An evaluation of transfusion of TQM-TPM implementation initiative in an Indian manufacturing industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to include investigations of current status of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) implementation initiatives as well as benefits attained through synergetic TQM-TPM implementation in the manufacturing organization to assess roadmap followed by Indian manufacturing entrepreneur toward affecting manufacturing performance enhancements. Design/methodology/approach – The study has been carried out in the large scale manufacturing organization in the country that have implemented or are in the process of implementing TPM alone and TQM-TPM both. The study emphasizes upon comparing of business performance enhancements accrued through these quality improvement approaches. Findings – The study revealed that Transfusion of TQM-TPM initiatives can significantly contribute toward the better improvement of manufacturing performance in the organization, rather than TPM alone initiatives, also leading toward realization of core competencies for meeting global challenges. Research limitations/implications – The study is conducted to develop an understanding of contributions of TQM and TPM initiatives in Indian manufacturing industry. The present study endeavors to investigate the effect of an aggressive TQM-TPM implementation plan for strategically meeting global challenges and competition. Originality/value – The study highlights the contributions made by holistic TQM-TPM implementation in an Indian manufacturing enterprise.

A case study of Indian manufacturing organisation for utilisation of advanced manufacturing technologies

In this globalised world, it is very difficult to stay in market due to competitiveness, so for its survival each organisation has to provide something extra as compared to others competitors. The research is aimed at developing an understanding for improving the utilisation level of new technologies in an Indian manufacturing enterprise using flexible systems methodology. Keeping this in view, a case study has been conducted in leading tractor manufacturing organisation in two different ways: 1) utilisation of machines with respect to time; 2) utilisation of different machines by comparing the processing time. It has been proved that the overall technology utilisation level of advanced manufacturing technologies in the organisation is 37.57%; which is quite low.

Subcontracting and the Size and Composition of the Informal Sector: Evidence from Indian Manufacturing

This paper analyzes the relationship between formal sector subcontracting and the evolution of the informal sector using nationally representative survey data of Indian manufacturing enterprises for the period 1995-2006. In these years of fast economic growth, subcontracting by formal enterprises gained importance, while the informal sector continued to account for 90 percent of total manufacturing employment. In order to contrast between a 'modernization' and a 'stagnation' view on formal-informal production linkages, we test whether subcontracting is related to the size of more modern versus more traditional segments of the informal sector. The results show that formal sector subcontracting is positively related to the size of the informal sector only for the most modern informal activities, supporting the view that subcontracting is related to informal sector modernization. We find no support for the claim that the continued expansion of very traditional informal activities is related to increased outsourcing by formal manufacturing enterprises.

Utilization of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies in an Indian Manufacturing Enterprise

In the present turbulent times, survival and success of any organization increasingly depends on effective use of resources available in any organization. The present study has been carried out to assess the utilization of new technologies in the manufacturing organization. A feasibility study has been carried out to find out the utilization level of different technologies for strategic success. The study has been conducted by considering the following aspects:- Utilization of different operations with respect to time. Utilization of machines by comparing the costs of automatic machines with conventional machines. It has been observed that the utilization level of all the sections is more than 70% with respect to time. The research has been carried out using flexible systems methodology. SAP-LAP (Situation Actor Process-Learning Action Performance) is a holistic framework that blends hard systems and soft systems paradigms. For this reason, the enterprises aim for improving the utilization level of existing resources.

Impact of information sharing on competitive strength of Indian manufacturing enterprises

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find the effect of different types of information sharing on the competitive strengths of the Indian manufacturing enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on the responses received from the Indian manufacturers to a questionnaire based survey. Statistical analysis has been done to identify the relationship with the type of information sharing and the competitive strengths of the manufacturing enterprises.FindingsIt is observed that information sharing has significant impact on the competitive strengths of the manufacturer in order winning parameters like cost effectiveness and service level.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper reflects Indian manufacturing perspective and only positive impacts of the information sharing has been discussed in the paper.Originality/valueThe paper verifies that the various types of information sharing can lead firms to acquire different competitive strengths. Managers should focus on right information sharing in their way to enhance particular competitive strength.

A case study of total productive maintenance implementation at precision tube mills

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the contributions of successful total productive maintenance (TPM) initiatives to competitive manufacturing. It also seeks to critically examine the implications of strategic TPM implementation initiatives in an Indian manufacturing organisation.Design/methodology/approachThe study is carried out at a precision tube mill that has successfully implemented TPM and has reaped significant benefits as a result of TPM implementation, to study the TPM implementation issues and achievements realised as a result of strategic TPM implementation. The approach is directed towards the justification of TPM implementation for its support to competitive manufacturing in Indian industries.FindingsThe study reveals the exploits of Indian entrepreneurs with TPM practices and highlights the contributions of TPM in realising the overall organisational goals and objectives. The study reveals that strategic TPM initiatives can significantly contribute towards the improvement of manufacturing performance in the organisation, leading to the realisation of core competencies for meeting global challenges.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is conducted to develop an understanding of contributions of TPM initiatives towards building manufacturing competencies in Indian manufacturing industry. The present study endeavours to investigate the effect of an aggressive TPM implementation plan for strategically meeting global challenges and competition.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the contributions of strategic TPM initiatives to organisational performance and highlights the need for the successful management of TPM programmes for establishing sustained maintenance improvement initiatives.Originality/valueThe study highlights the contributions made by holistic TPM implementation at a precision tube mills in an Indian manufacturing enterprise.

Total productive maintenance implementation in a manufacturing organisation

Maintenance has traditionally been viewed as a support and 'nonvalue adding' function of a business. Managing equipment performance has not been a top priority until recent years in manufacturing industry. The inadequacies of maintenance practices in the past, have adversely affected organisational competitiveness. The manufacturing sector globally has witnessed drastic changes in the later part of 20th century. In the highly challenging environment, the quest for reliable manufacturing equipment has necessitated manufacturing organisations to accept equipment maintenance as an indispensable function for ensuring sustained profitability of enterprises. As organisations across the globe have faced stiff cut throat competition in the last three decades, Indian industry too could not escape the brunt of globalisation. The purpose of this study is to highlight achievements of an Indian manufacturing enterprise through strategic Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives. TPM implantation initiatives in an Indian manufacturing organisation have been investigated to ascertain benefits accrued as a result of successful TPM implementation.

An evaluation of TPM implementation initiatives in an Indian manufacturing enterprise

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify maintenance‐related losses for ascertaining and addressing the performance losses, and affecting improvements in the manufacturing performance in an organization through strategic total productive maintenance (TPM) initiatives.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper TPM initiatives in the steel manufacturing plant have been elaborated to ascertain the tangible and intangible benefits accrued as a result of successful TPM implementation. The approach has been directed toward justification of TPM implementation for its support to competitive manufacturing in the context of Indian manufacturing industries.FindingsThe paper establishes the long‐term effects of TPM on organizational performance in the Indian context. TPM implementation initiatives have shown marked improvements in the equipment efficiency and effectiveness, and have also brought about appreciable improvements in other manufacturing functions in the organization. It has been observed that systematic interventions regarding TPM deployment have significantly contributed toward improving the manufacturing system productivity, quality, safety, morale and besides ensuring the cost effectiveness of the manufacturing function within the organization. The case study reveals that holistic TPM implementation has lead to establishment of strategic proactive maintenance practices in the organization for avoiding future system and equipment‐related losses, and has marshaled the organization toward capability building for sustained competitiveness in the global marketplace.Practical implicationsThis paper highlights the contributions of maintenance function to ensure enhanced equipment reliability, thereby affecting improvements in the manufacturing system performance. In this study the TPM implications in a steel manufacturing plant have been highlighted, which may be implemented in other manufacturing plants to improve their performance.Originality/valueThe present study encompasses systematic identification of maintenance‐related losses, setting up of targets regarding maintenance performance improvements and developing guidelines for achieving enhanced manufacturing system performance through strategic TPM initiatives in the steel manufacturing plant, which can also be important to all concerned with maintenance and safety in various manufacturing enterprises.

The determinants of outward foreign direct investment: a firm‐level analysis of Indian manufacturing

This paper analyses the determinants of the overseas direct investment activity of Indian manufacturing enterprises. In general, several firm‐specific characteristics such as age, size, R&D intensity, skill intensity and export orientation are observed to be important explanatory factors in the outward foreign direct investment (O‐FDI) activity of Indian firms. The impact of age and size on O‐FDI has been observed to be non‐linear. The product differentiation activities and the productivity of firms are other useful factors in overseas production expansion in certain industries. The study reveals that the performance of these firm‐specific variables is subject to sectoral dynamics. Internationalization of production activities of Indian firms has been observed to be partly fuelled by policy liberalization during the 1990s.