Continuous Improvement in Action: : Strategies for Successful Implementation and Operation

Work Study

ISSN: 0043-8022

Article publication date: 1 June 1998

279

Keywords

Citation

Gallagher, M., Austin, S. and Caffyn, S. (1998), "Continuous Improvement in Action: : Strategies for Successful Implementation and Operation", Work Study, Vol. 47 No. 3, pp. 104-104. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.1998.47.3.104.2

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited


A programme of continuous improvement (CI) aims to involve as many people as possible in an organisation in making improvements on an on‐going basis. Although many of the individual improvements realised are on a small scale, the cumulative effect can be considerable. However, the apparent simplicity of the concept of CI can be misleading and organisations attempting to introduce it can run into difficulties. This book records the experiences of eight very different companies ‐ ranging from a large multi‐national to a small family‐run business ‐ that have implemented CI.

The case studies illustrate the wide range of CI techniques and applications available and show that there is no single formula for successful implementation. A commentary highlights the learning points raised in each case and expands on common themes. The authors thus identify and discuss some of the problems most often encountered, and offer practical tips and strategies to overcome obstacles.

The variety of case studies selected demonstrates the wide applicability of CI and helps with understanding different approaches that may be necessary in different organisational contexts.

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