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Adedeji and Okolie

Greener Journal of  Business and Management Studies  Vol. 3 (2), pp. 067-077, February 2013

ISSN: 2276-7827 ©  2011 Greener Journals

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 011613384

Evaluation of Workplace Psychoanalytic Dynamics and Impediments to Staff Participation in Lean Implementation: A Case of South African Automotive Companies

^1*Adedeji Adeyemi Charles and ²Okolie Kevin Chuks

¹Department of Industrial Engineering Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Port Elizabeth South Africa

²Department of Building Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Anambra State Nigeria

^1*Corresponding Author’s EMail: charlie2004ade @ yahoo.co.uk; kevinokolie @ rocketmail.com;

kc.okolie @ unizik.edu.ng

Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which functional measures of employees’ work-context psychology influences Lean implementation for continuous improvement (Kaizen) in the South African automotive industry. The methodology employed in the study included a thorough review of the relevant literature and a questionnaire. A questionnaire relating to the contents of lean tools and diverse work context constructs was developed and administered to both the management and employees of the South African automotive companies in Eastern Cape. The target companies constituted the units of analyses and therefore provided the opportunity for a detailed investigation of the influence of organizational citizenship behaviours at workplace on lean implementation as established in the literature review. Data generated from the questionnaire were analysed using Excel spread sheet and statistical; Version 9.0. The study reveals that majority of the respondents opine a lack of systematic mechanism for the enhancement of adequate employees’ Organizational citizenship, engagement and participation in decision making in most Eastern Cape automotive companies. This demerit is found to have negatively affected maximum employee satisfaction and participation in proper lean implementation for improvement within the automotive companies in the Province. The study has established a basic level of awareness and understanding among employees/employers relations that Lean is a vital tool for delivering strategic objectives in organizational processes, growth and employees’ commitment to continuous improvement. The study strongly advocates the inclusion of workplace and employees’ rewards, as well as the need for employees to acquire skills on critical aspects of Lean production systems.

Keywords: Competitive advantage, Kaizen, Lean, Motivation, Performance.

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Journal Name : citation_journal : Greener Journal of  Business and Management Studies 

Publication Status/Date : usp_status_date : February 2013