Title: The 5S and kaizen concept for overall improvement of the organisation: a case study

Authors: Shaman Gupta; Sanjiv Kumar Jain

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Haryana, 134003, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Ambala College of Engineering and Applied Research, Devsthali, Ambala, Haryana, 133101, India

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to implement some of the 5S and kaizen principles to assist small scale manufacturing organisations to become more efficient and more productive. The paper systematically categorises, analyses, and reviews methodically the published literature. In the frames of a case study, the 5S and kaizen rules in the organisation have been analysed and implemented. On the basis of the case study, it can be stated that introducing the 5S and kaizen rules brings great changes in the organisation, for example, increasing of effectiveness and efficiency in the processes, improved visibility of the process, improved morale and safety of the employees, reduced delays, searching time and dangerous conditions. 5S and kaizen is a powerful tool and can be implemented in any industry, whether it is micro, small, medium or large. Implementation of 5S and kaizen has large horizontal development and they can be implemented in all the workstations of the organisation. The 5S and kaizen method begins each programme of improvement in a company. Its result is the effective organisation of the workplace. The publications and case study presented in the paper will be useful to researchers, professionals and others concerned with this subject to understand the significance of 5S and kaizen.

Keywords: 5S; kaizen; continuous improvement; organisational effectiveness; small firms; manufacturing industry; case study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLER.2014.062280

International Journal of Lean Enterprise Research, 2014 Vol.1 No.1, pp.22 - 40

Received: 26 Apr 2013
Accepted: 20 Aug 2013
Published online: 05 Jul 2014 *