"Respect for People" Principle and the Creation of Lean Community Paper Example

Introduction

Often, in the manufacturing industry, the term "Lean" is a common term known to many stakeholders since this approach of manufacturing has been used one or two times to revolutionize the manufacturing industry. Lean manufacturing is the process of eliminating waste from the manufacturing process. Therefore lean manufacturing concentrates on all processes that optimize production and eliminate waste. Moreover, this approach helps an organization to cut production cost but still produce high quality products that many consumers want and are willing to pay for (Melton, T. 2005. 664). Lean is a clear representation of an organization change since it is integral to the way many organization supply chain operates hence it is more than just using tools and changing the production techniques (Melton, T. 2005. 663). Besides, Lean encompasses how an organization supply chain is linked up with other processes like, how managers operate and how employees carry out their routine work.

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Notably, the lean production technique was pioneered by Toyota which was also a subject of the machine the revolutionized the globe. It relates to Japanese production techniques that were at par compared to the long existing western mass production system besides categorically indicating the high quality performance of this approach (Womack, J., Jones, D. & Roos, D. 2007. 137). Essentially, the key to Toyotas tremendous growth from a Japanese maker of textile looms to one of the globes best organization is solely based on the adoption of the lean based production approach which was mainly based on eliminating waste and increasing wealth to the organization through increased customer value (Womack, J., Jones, D. & Roos, D. 2007. 137).

Achieving lean manufacturing

Lean manufacturing is achieved by minimizing the waste and undertaking businesses processes more efficiently, but the key point of concern to take into account is how to reduce the waste and at the same time not compromising the quality of the organizations products (Nordin, N., Deros, B., Wahab, D.A. & Rahman, M., 2012. 111). Waste comprises, overproduction, defective products, over processing, waste on inventory among others as illustrated in the diagram below.

The approach is based on the managers evaluating the business process to ensure that they are on the right track. Similarly, the organization should also focus o removing or adapting to all steps that maybe possibly generating waste. The waste is commonly referred to as Muda, and it includes any processes that do not add value to the final consumers product (Nordin, N., Deros, B., Wahab, D.A. & Rahman, M., 2012. 111).

As a result of uncertainty and challenges associated with increased international market competition, many organization are on the verge of adopting new and unique management tools especially In the manufacturing sector in order to improve competitiveness, growth in market share and competitiveness in the long (Nordin, N., Deros, B., Wahab, D.A. & Rahman, M., 2012. 103). Lean manufacturing has also been achieved by different organizations through creating smooth high quality products at the rate of final consumers demand without experiencing any waste (Nordin, N., Deros, B., Wahab, D.A. & Rahman, M., 2012. 104). In summary, by achieving and adopting the lean approach, an organization will enjoy continued growth and improvements.

Benefits of lean manufacturing

The benefits of lean manufacturing have been evident especially among non-process industries as well as the automotive industry. The benefits associated with lean approach include; improve management knowledge, reduced inventory for customers and decreased lead time for customers (Melton, T. 2005. 663). Importantly, lead time is the duration in days, years or minutes that must be allowed between the initiation and execution of a process. For instance, the lead time can occur between placement of an order and the delivery of an ordered vehicle in the automotive industry which may be between 3 weeks and seven months. Below is a diagrammatic representation of the benefits associated with lean manufacturing

Lean manufacturing enables organization processes to be fast and efficient. For instance, the speed of customer response after inquiry to an organization will be faster, and since most of the organization processes are linked with supply chain system, significant financial advantages will be realized by the organization (Melton, T. 2005. 664). However, the existence of a notion that, most business processes are already efficient is often an illusion as described by Melton (2005). He further asserts that function wise many business processes may seem very efficient. However, the incorporation of lean concept pushes the management to review the entire supply chain which is the building block of most business processes, and this has occasionally revealed setbacks and instances of inefficiency (Melton, T. 2005. 664).

Collectively, the benefits of lean manufacturing can be evident in the following categories. First is the financial benefit. The approach will decrease organizations cost and potential capital avoidance. Secondly, it will make an organization to have a better understanding of the customers they serve and hence delivering quality products based on customer's specifications besides empowering multi-skilled manpower in an organization. Lastly, lean manufacturing improves management understanding of the supply chain and other manufacturing processes within the value chain (Melton, T. 2005. 663).

How Respect for People is linked to Lean Manufacturing

Since lean manufacturing entails optimization of the business process while eliminating waste and maintaining quality, respect for people principle is a critical factor that helps an organization to eliminate unnecessary waste like overproduction (Cardon, N. & Bribiescas, F., 2015. 46). The global market is dynamic, and the organization needs to adjust to the needs of the customer due to the frequent change in taste and preference. However, this has not been the limit of most organization, and hence they have gone an extra mile to incorporate the principle of respect for people as a core element in the organization. Notably, for companies to achieve their objectives of customer satisfaction and elimination of waste, organizations look for various methodologies, philosophies, and principles like "respect for people" is one of the principles that have been adopted by many organizations since it is associated with lean manufacturing.

But how do managers show respect to people? This can be achieved by respecting the employees, giving them fair achievable goals and making them accountable for the results (Cardon, N. & Bribiescas, F., 2015. 48-50). Moreover, companies have shown great respect for their customers since they are the reason why the business exists. Respect has been shown through prompt response to customer's complaints and preference and delivering and selling high quality brand products to the consumers at the affordable prices (Cardon, N. & Bribiescas, F., 2015. 46). This will eventually eliminate unwanted waste and instead optimize production.

"Respect for people" may seem a very new concept to many managers, however, this concept have existed for many decades. Lean transformers have failed to put this principle into practice and ever since production processes have not been efficient until recently when most organizations realized the importance of incorporating the principle since it revolved around enhancement of corporation through respect among the management and employees. This move would eventually reduce waste and improve the optimization of business processes (Cardon, N. & Bribiescas, F., 2015. 49). Being wary of this principle earlier incorporated by Fredrick Taylor, the father of scientific management, Toyota Corporation adopted it and capitalized on it as one of their main principles.

The principle problem solving between the managers and the employees form the core part of the respect of people. The managers are not at a sole position of solving organization problems alone, but instead, they should incorporate their employees to take part in the problem solving process to come up with an optimal solution to the problem. This gives high importance of workers capability in the organization hence, lean will be achieved since waste will be eliminated significantly (Cardon, N. & Bribiescas, F., 2015. 48). For instance, former Toyota corporation sales chairman, Fujio Cho demonstrated how respected for people can be used to achieve lean manufacturing, he said, "the respect for people where they are allowed to explore their capabilities, through active involvement in running the organization forms the highest point of human respect" (Cardon, N. & Bribiescas, F., 2015. 50).

Implementation of lean

For successful implementation of lean manufacturing successfully, many researchers have created an intense emphasizes on the involvement and commitment of top management and organizations should make adequate use of strong leadership capabilities to demonstrate powerful project management styles (Taleghani, M., 2010. 289). Therefore these qualities will enhance the integration of infrastructure and supply chain system within the organization through strong leadership and strong organization strategy. Moreover, leadership plays a critical role in providing an adequate resource for implementation of change (Alefari, M., Salonitis, K. and Xu, Y., 2017. 757). Good leadership is accompanied by its benefits like promoting effective skills and knowledge among the employees and also avoiding non-value adding activities hence eliminating waste and eventually promoting lean manufacturing (Netland, T.H., 2016. 2436)

Similarly, for successful implementation of lean manufacturing, the principle for respect of people has to be incorporated. For instance, Taiichi Ohno, the originator of Toyota Production System, emphasized on the importance of including people to achieve continuous improvement (Coetzee, R., Van der Merwe, K., and Van Dyk, L., 2016. 80). The following procedures have to be put in place for successful implementation of lean manufacturing and incorporation for the respect of people. First, is the formation of a proper team that has a strong suggestion for lean thinking, secondly is the developing sound strategy and feedback models that will eliminate non adding value activities. Thirdly is the incorporation of impacted employees to find a key solution to various organization problems, which involves the gathering of relevant ideas, explaining goals and eventually providing employees with contact information. Lastly, incorporation of lean culture to all areas of the organization (Taleghani, M., 2010. 287-291).

Respect for people

Respect for people enables many organizations to create sound lean community by putting much focus on people instead of the tools. Many companies operate on the principle of "people first" above anything else since the principle, in the long run, concentrates on cost saving by reducing organizations waste and improving organization processes (Bicheno, J., 2016. 13). Respect for people enables the company to be more efficient by providing value to customers and hence creating a cohesive community that put customers first. Moreover, lean companies have demonstrated respect for those working in the organization by taking necessary initiatives to involve them in all aspects of coming with a suitable solution to organization processes (Lindman, M., 2010. 48-56).

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