by
(Huda Hadi Hassan AL-Amery)
supervised
Dr. Faris Jupaz Shlash
Dr. Hakim Muhsen Mohammed
Abstract
The present study sheds the light on lean manufacturing using the tool (Kaizen, Cellular Manufacturing, Five-S Workplace Organization, Total Productive Maintenance, Value Stream Mapping, Standardized Work, Kanaban) and its role in achieving the competitive advantage in its dimensions(cost, quality, flexibility and delivery) The subject of lean manufacturing is undoubtedly one of the important and modern subject. If organizations wanted the cope with the present developments, they should adopt the best production methods that enable them achieve a competitive advantage that is difficult to be duplicated by other organizations and that ensures them a position in markets. The study aims at the following:- 1- Knowing how for the Sample company adopts the concept of lean manufacturing in its tools in achieving the competitive advantage. 2- Identifying the connection relationship between lean manufacturing and competitive advantage. 3- Identifying the effectiveness relationship between lean manufacturing and competitive advantage. To achieve these aims, the study adopts a hypo the tidal diagram, expressing the logical relationships between the study variables. The study is divided in to five chapters. The first chapter deals with the literature about the subject and the methodology of study in two sections. The second chapter focuses on the theoretical park of the study and consists of two section, the first section deals with lean manufacturing and with competitive advantage. The third chapter presents a description and identification of study variables and result analysis in to sections. The fourth chapter presents the test of the study diagram and its hypotheses in two sections. The last chapter presents the conclusions and the recommendations To carry out the present study and test its hypotheses, the General Southern Company for Cement is chosen for it is one of the important and vital companies, especially Iraq is undergoing building and construction processes. A questionnaire is used as a main tool in data collection in addition to personal interviews and observation in the empirical part. The sample of the study comprises (100) person (heads of sections, department and units) form originally (150) persons of the two factories. The statistical program SPSS (12-For Windows) is used to carry out the statistical treatments. The following are the most important conclusions reached at:- 1- The statistical results show that there is a positive connection relationship that is statistically significant between lean manufacturing and competitive advantage with various degrees for the sample company. 2- The statistical results show that there is a statistically significant multi – immaterial effect to adopt the lean manufacturing with its tools to achieve the competitive advantage with its dimensions but with various degrees. The study recommends the following:- 1- Making use of the experiments of the advantage countries, especially Japan which is regarded as the origin of lean manufacturing, through knowing the ways used to reach lean manufacturing and achieve its aims. 2- Depending on a flexible organizational structure that ensures the relationship between lean manufacturing and competitive advantage, encouraging telecommunications and wide participation, and opening the way for innovative ideas. 3- Saving the electric power, the vital element at work, through contracting with foreign companies for new generators which would increase productivity and gain profits. 4- Coping with the international development for Iraq has become an open market for all staff. motional industry has to be developed through supporting and encouraging it by the government in order to be in the same rate with international industries, preparing all circumstances that might help.
