Employee perspective on lean implementation - a qualitative study in a Finnish pension insurance company
Mohamed, Amina (2016)
2016
Master's Degree Programme in Business Competence
Johtamiskorkeakoulu - School of Management
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2016-06-03
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201606061813
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201606061813
Tiivistelmä
The principles of Lean management and Lean implementation is being increasingly applied to various different organizations, due to the benefits of enhancing productivity, the avoidance of excess waste whilst still creating value for customers as well as for the employees. The core of Lean philosophy is based on the understanding of people, their motivations and aspirations. It was established that the most important factor in the success of Lean implementation is employee participation and employee competence. This has resulted in Lean philosophy having a stronger focus on employee motivation, which is crucial in enhancing employee competence and work performance.
The purpose of this research is to uncover and explore the employee perspective to the Lean implementation process. The research will uncover and explore the factors that employees deem important before and after Lean implementation. Furthermore, examining factors perceived by employees as the drivers and obstacles of the Lean implementation process. In order to be able to motivate employees towards change, it is crucial to understand and uncover their perspective to the process and what employees consider important. This will increase the organization's knowledge on employee perspective, thus increasing the success rate of Lean implementation.
The research data was gathered from two sets of questionnaires. The first questionnaire was issued to employees who participated in a Lean workshop. The second questionnaire was based on the themes that arose from the first questionnaire. It was issued to employees who handle the everyday work of various processes and services, who have not been part of Lean workshops. Recent studies and literature were considered in order to enhance the findings from the questionnaires.
The employee perspective on Lean implementation is positive. All the respondents considered Lean implementation to be necessary. The respondents highlighted the importance of open communication before and after Lean implementation. Furthermore, respondents highlighted the importance of training. Being able to adapt to the changes that arise from Lean implementation through suitable training. Additional themes that arose from the study is the relevance of employee involvement, and its main importance as a main driver of Lean implementation; i.e. the importance of choosing the right people with the right set of skills to be a part of the Lean implementation process.
The purpose of this research is to uncover and explore the employee perspective to the Lean implementation process. The research will uncover and explore the factors that employees deem important before and after Lean implementation. Furthermore, examining factors perceived by employees as the drivers and obstacles of the Lean implementation process. In order to be able to motivate employees towards change, it is crucial to understand and uncover their perspective to the process and what employees consider important. This will increase the organization's knowledge on employee perspective, thus increasing the success rate of Lean implementation.
The research data was gathered from two sets of questionnaires. The first questionnaire was issued to employees who participated in a Lean workshop. The second questionnaire was based on the themes that arose from the first questionnaire. It was issued to employees who handle the everyday work of various processes and services, who have not been part of Lean workshops. Recent studies and literature were considered in order to enhance the findings from the questionnaires.
The employee perspective on Lean implementation is positive. All the respondents considered Lean implementation to be necessary. The respondents highlighted the importance of open communication before and after Lean implementation. Furthermore, respondents highlighted the importance of training. Being able to adapt to the changes that arise from Lean implementation through suitable training. Additional themes that arose from the study is the relevance of employee involvement, and its main importance as a main driver of Lean implementation; i.e. the importance of choosing the right people with the right set of skills to be a part of the Lean implementation process.