Critical success factors for lean implementation within SMEs

• The main objectives of the research were to:
• explore the operational activities of SMEs in order to identify their cost drivers;
• investigate the dimensions of lean manufacturing applications within SMEs; and
• outline critical factors that determine its successful application within SMEs.
• Literature review
• successful corporate initiatives like lean manufacturing, should be properly planned prior to implementation.
• Management involvement and commitment are perhaps the most essential prerequisites in aiding any of the desired productivity improvement initiatives
• In attempting to implement any productivity improvement drive in any organisation, a business should have a clear vision and strategy in forecasting a project’s likely costs and duration.
• changes brought about by new productivity like lean manufacturing may cause disruptions in the very process it is meant to improve. This is because employee in some cases, derive fear of infringements and job loses and are, therefore, prepared to cause sabotage.
• Research Results
• This research investigation has realised four key main factors that are fundamental, hence critical for the implementation of lean manufacturing within SMEs. They include; leadership and management, finance, skills and expertise, and culture of the recipient organisation
• Leadership and management Thus, in order to succinctly implement the concept of lean manufacturing successfully within SMEs, the recipient companies should harbour strong leadership traits capable of exhibiting excellent project management styles.
• Financial capabilities :. The study has also realised that SMEs are financially inept and harbour poor financing arrangements. Financial inadequacy is thus a major hindrance to the adoption and subsequent implementation of successful lean manufacturing within SMEs.
• Skills and expertise the very basic core of improvement strategies such as lean manufacturing, since some technicalities in the application process require employee skills and expertise
• Organisational culture. High-performing companies are those with a culture of sustainable and proactive improvement.