• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.80-91
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• 2017

Multiple prior studies stress that continued Kaizen activity is conducive to building and maintaining competitive advantages of manufacturing companies. Meanwhile, it remains unclear as to what kind of management factors may exert impact on sustainment of Kaizen activity. This paper discusses a study conducted on the cases of two manufacturing lines, where such activity has been continued for more than ten years. At first, it was discovered that study period was divided into different periods. It was also found out that 'standstill conditions' which prevent smooth progress of activity exist in many periods, and that such conditions are hard to avoid. The study went on to categorize progress of activity in each period into different patterns, including at which points standstill conditions occurred, thereby, circumstances of standstill conditions were made clear. This paper verified a detailed process of Kaizen activity development in each period and the relationship between that detailed process and points of occurrence of standstill conditions. Thought was also given to factors and actions for smooth development, and effects brought about by overcoming such challenges. Lastly, consideration was given to the future perspectives of the study for elucidating how better Kaizen activity may be managed for continuation.

• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.258-266
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• 2014

This paper proposes a management system for the educational program of production managers on the basis of value co-creation by the learner and the instructor. The program combines an intelligent knowledge-based approach with the kaizen activity program. The program helps individuals acquire knowledge and skills to ensure the total rather than the partial optimization of processes and operations facilitating continuous improvement in the workplace. To achieve these goals, the program uses models of a learning process and a swing of enlightenment. In addition, the program is supported by a framework of academic, business people, consultants, and government officers. The program was developed using an instructional design approach. This paper discusses the process of developing and managing the educational program between 2006 and 2012 as well as the results obtained.