A competitive progression perspective of JIT systems: evidence from early US implementations

This study investigates the holistic implementation of just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing. We contend that the most important elements of holistic JIT systems - focused factory, reduced setup times, group technology, total productive maintenance, multifunction employees, uniform workload, just-in-time...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of production research 2010-10, Vol.48 (20), p.6103-6124
Main Authors: White, Richard E., Ojha, Divesh, Kuo, Ching-Chung
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applications
Applied sciences
competitive progression theory
cumulative capabilities
Exact sciences and technology
Firm modelling
Flexibility
Group technology
Inventory control, production control. Distribution
JIT implementation
Just in time
Manufacturers
Mathematics
Operational research and scientific management
Operational research. Management science
Probability and statistics
Quality circles
Quality control
Reliability, life testing, quality control
Sciences and techniques of general use
SEM
Statistics
Studies
Value added
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Summary:This study investigates the holistic implementation of just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing. We contend that the most important elements of holistic JIT systems - focused factory, reduced setup times, group technology, total productive maintenance, multifunction employees, uniform workload, just-in-time purchasing, Kanban, total quality control and quality circles - should be implemented in a sequential manner for a firm to reap sustainable operational gains. The right sequence of implementation of JIT practices is derived using the theory of competitive progression and based on four JIT practice bundles - conformance quality related practices, delivery reliability related practices, volume flexibility related practices and low cost related practices. Data collected in a cross-sectional field study of US manufacturers are used to test the suggested implementation sequence of JIT practices and the impact of the JIT practice bundles on improvement in non-value added performance. The results indicate that implementations of JIT management practices should be in the order - first, conformance quality related practices; second, delivery reliability related practices; third, volume flexibility related practices and; finally low cost related practices. In addition, significant improvement in operational performance, as reflected in improvement of non-value added performance, is achieved via the cumulative capability building.
ISSN:0020-7543
1366-588X
DOI:10.1080/00207540903226914