factors affecting the success of kaizen implementation: the case of homicho ammunition industrial factory

Abstract

Kaizen has become global activity spread to multi companies and their employees including manufacturing sector. It is a continuous development in quality of products or services, continuous improvement in productivity, cost/waste reduction, better safety and employee’s satisfaction. However, proliferation of kaizen in Africa is still very small due to the limited number of players who bring in the practice. Now a day manufacturing industry are facing challenges due to the fastest changes of pace in technology and market demands. Manufacturing industries have also experienced unprecedented degrees of change in management, process technology, customer expectations, supplier attitudes and competitive behaviour. This study focuses to analysing the factors influencing the success of kaizen implementation at Homicho Ammunition industrial factor. To achieve the objective of the research 133 respondents were selected through simple random sampling and data was collected through questionnaire, in-depth interview and observation. The study employed the statistical methods mean, standard deviation, correlation, and multiple regression analysis to analyse the data. The regression results showed all independent factors significantly explain 67% of the variations in success of kaizen implementation in Homicho Ammunition Industrial factor. The result from regression analysis was found that top management factor, training factor and change management factor were statistically significant and influence the success of kaizen implementation at considered industrial factory. Finally, the researcher recommends that since top management, training and change management factor were influence the success of kaizen implementation, the company should focus on improving the performance of high management and employee through long- and short-term training