This book covers the strategic use of continuous improvement (CI) techniques for manufacturing
performance improvement. It focuses primarily on strategies that can be adopted by small and
middle-sized enterprises in manufacturing in order to meet the global challenges and
competition. The book begins with an introduction to CI (or Kaizen) explaining different CI
approaches and strategies. Chapter 2 offers a literature review of CI examining conceptual
frameworks case studies and surveys. Next the book deals with the design of the study
detailing the work done in each phase along with the tools techniques and models. Chapter 4
presents a detailed survey to determine the present status of continuous improvement strategies
in the Indian manufacturing industry to assess the important barriers that effect the
implementation of CI strategies and to also assess the role of key enablers leading to improve
the performance of manufacturing operations. Chapter 5 is comprised of detailed case studies to
further analyze the application of the discussed CI strategies. The purpose of Chapter 6 is to
develop the relationship among the different identified most important barriers in implementing
CI approach using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and classify these barriers depending
upon their driving and dependence power. Finally Chapter 7 provides conclusions addresses
potential limitations and also looks to the future.
