A Management Approach to Lean Production System Implementation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises – Results of a Research Project

Resumen

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are facing everyday new challenges and permanently changing conditions of today’s business environment, which is characterized by a constantly rising product variety, an increasing customer demand for lower prices, higher product quality and shorter lead times. SMEs just like large enterprises are forced to adapt and improve their strategies, structures, and activities continuously. Therefore, in recent years numerous approaches and management frameworks have been developed and implemented in order to improve enterprises’ competitiveness and to support the adaptation to new conditions. One of the successful frameworks is the implementation of a Lean Production System (LPS). LPS do not only help to reduce waste in the production process but also allow the company to focus on customer value. This paper presents a holistic management approach to Lean Production System implementation in SMEs which has been developed in a publicly financed research project and successfully implemented in six SMEs. The experiences gained from the research project are presented to facilitate the hands-on application of this management approach in other interested SMEs. Keywords: Lean Production System, Implementation, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises