Cardiff School of Management MBA Dissertation: Lean Management Study

This dissertation, submitted in partial fulfillment of an MBA at Cardiff Metropolitan University, investigates the impact of lean management on the job satisfaction of merchandisers at Linea Aqua, Sri Lanka. The research explores the relationship between lean practices, such as Kaizen and PDCA, and employee attitudes. The study includes a literature review, a detailed methodology section outlining the research design and data collection methods, and a comprehensive analysis of the findings. The analysis reveals the influence of lean management on merchandisers' satisfaction levels, leading to recommendations for improving organizational processes and enhancing employee well-being. The dissertation also identifies limitations and suggests areas for future research, contributing valuable insights into the practical application of lean principles in the apparel industry.

Running head: DISSERTATION
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff School of Management
MBA
Impact of Attitude Towards Lean Management On the Job Satisfaction Level of a
Merchandiser- Case Study of Linea Aqua, Sri Lanka
Submitted in May 2018
By
[Your Name]
(Student ID - [your University ID] – [ICBT Id])
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

1DISSERTATION
DECLARATION
This work is being submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
………………………………………………………………………………………….and
has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not being
concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree.
Signed ............................................................ (Candidate) Date
- ...................................
SUPERVISOR’S DECLARATION STATEMENT
Student Name – Supervisor’s Name -
I acknowledge that the above named student has regularly attended the meeting, and
actively engaged in the dissertation supervision process.
Signed - ……………………………………………. (Supervisor) Date -
…………………......

2DISSERTATION
Abstract
This research has focused on lean management by Linea Aqua so that it can help in
increasing the level of job satisfaction among the high-end merchandisers. The first
chapter contains the meaning and a brief introduction regarding lean management and the
purposes for what it is used. The question and aim of the research has also been provided
in the first chapter. The second chapter deals with the various literature that is available
regarding the lean management system and the benefit that the process carries within
various industries. It provides an overview of the factors that are established by the
previous authors so that the research can be conducted in a proper manner. The third
chapter uses the processes that need to be followed by the researcher so that it can help
him in conducting the process in an effective manner. The use of the analytical tools that
is available will help the researcher in giving a proper shape to the research. The fourth
chapter consists of the analysis and the findings that has proved the impact of lean
management on the satisfaction level of the merchandisers so that they can work in a
better manner within the organization. The analysis has helped in establishing the
objectives that has been taken up in the research so that finite conclusions can be reached.
The fifth chapter provides the recommendations for the organization so that it can adopt
the methods, which will help in decreasing the waste of the organization and increasing
the level of satisfaction among the merchandisers as well.

3DISSERTATION
Acknowledgement
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my professor without whose, constant
support and guidance, the research would not have been possible.
Firstly, I would like to thank God the Almighty in giving me the strength and courage
without which I could not have completed the entire study. Secondly, I would like to
thank my family and relatives who gave me constant support mentally and physically so
that I can complete the study on time. Lastly, I would like to give thanks to my peers and
the friends who have helped me in providing the appropriate information throughout the
project and helped me in doing the in-depth analysis of the research. Without their proper
guidance, it is impossible for me to complete the project.
Thanks and Regards,
Yours Sincerely,

4DISSERTATION
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction........................................................................................................6
1.1 Background of Study.................................................................................................6
1.2 Research Problem Identification................................................................................7
Symptoms of the Problem...........................................................................................7
Justification of the problem.........................................................................................7
Defining Research Problem.........................................................................................8
1.3 Research Question.....................................................................................................9
1.4 Objectives of the Study..............................................................................................9
1.5 Significance of the Study.........................................................................................10
1.6 Limitation of the Study............................................................................................10
1.7 Chapter Outline........................................................................................................11
Chapter 2: Literature Review.............................................................................................12
2.1. Introduction.............................................................................................................12
2.2. Changing Attitudes Through Motivation................................................................12
2.3. Level of the Training and Changing Attitudes of Employees................................14
2.4. Job Specific Procedures and Attitudes...................................................................14
2.5. Attitudes through Appropriate Structure and The Technology..............................16
2.6. Affecting Organization Culture and Leadership.....................................................16
2.7. Changing Attitudes of Employees..........................................................................19
Chapter 3: Research Methodology....................................................................................22
3.1 Conceptual Framework of the research...................................................................22
3.2 Development of Hypotheses (Optional)..................................................................22
3.3 Operationalization....................................................................................................22
3.4 Research Design......................................................................................................24

5DISSERTATION
Sampling Design........................................................................................................24
Population..................................................................................................................25
Sample Selection procedure......................................................................................25
Sample Size...............................................................................................................25
Data Collection Method and Techniques Used for Research Analysis.....................25
Chapter 4: Data Presentation and Analysis.......................................................................27
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations..................................................................64
5.1 Summary of the Study.............................................................................................64
5.2 Conclusion of the Study...........................................................................................64
5.3 Recommendations...............................................................................................67
5.4 Suggestion for Further Research.........................................................................68
Reference List....................................................................................................................70
Appendices........................................................................................................................73
Appendix 1: Survey Questions......................................................................................73
Appendix 2.....................................................................................................................75
Appendix 3: Ethics Form...................................................................................................75

6DISSERTATION
Chapter 1: Introduction
Today, none of the business will be able to survive without receiving the
competitive advantage and the economies of scale in the particular business due to
growing market rivalry. Therefore, visualization of problems and productivity
improvement are some of the key areas to sustain and enhance the business activities
while minimizing the costs of the business. Lean production is one of the systematic
approaches where it helps to enhance the management process of the organization based
on particular concepts through continued improvement, while improving the quality of
the process of manufacturing itself (Rodríguez et al. 2016).
According to the present global context, in the time value of money, the Lean will
help to increase the potential of earning capacity by reducing the waste time which helps
to produce at lowest average cost and boost the demand for the particular product or the
service.
As per the Lean manufacturing process, it is mainly based on “Kaizen”, which is
emphasized “Kai” as change and “Zen” as good, with continued improvement of the
process. However, other than the manufacturing process, it is applied into many fields
such as cross - functional organizational boundaries related to supply chain management
(SCM) and merchandising (Bhamu and Singh Sangwan 2014). Further to that, Kaizen
would be able to be enhanced by TQC (total quality control), where it is correlated with
the Lean process.
1.1 Background of Study
Merchandisers are one of the key stakeholders in the entire business process and
responsible for the interface between buyer and producer or the exporter based on the
nature of the business (Marin-Garcia and Bonavia 2015). Rendering to the value stream
mapping process, it is one of the significant methods of Lean management process where
it will bring more benefits in value chain of the apparel manufacturing sector due to its
market rivals (Hasle 2014).

7DISSERTATION
Based on the role of the merchandiser, should ensure that product will be reached
at the correct time and the correct place cost effectively. Therefore, a Lean method would
help to mitigate the cost and the time where it will enhance the supply chain management
process (SCM) with the highest customer satisfaction while developing the brand image
of the business (Hasle 2014).
Further, merchandisers will be able to design the appropriate process with
lowering the resources where it helps to enhance the profitability of the business
pertaining to the delivery time and the average cost of the business (Fullerton, Kennedy
and Widener 2014). However, according to the role of the Merchandisers, understanding
the stage of preproduction, application of Lean, minimising phases will help to increase
the marginal returns as per the particular method of production in the long run with
optimisation the profits of the business (Handel 2014). Therefore, identifying the areas of
wasting and applying the precautions through Lean would help to enhance the
productivity of the business as per the strategic plan of the organisation (De Koeijer,
Paauwe and Huijsman 2014). Generally, Sigma is one of the mathematical terms used for
continuous improvements through the process of the business, where it was first
introduced by Motorola in the year 1986 and it is also similar to Kaizen as per Bill Smith
of Motorola Solutions for communication in the USA (Marin-Garcia and Bonavia 2015).
Although, it is mainly based on increasing efficiency of the entire process
together for improving quality of the final product as per identification defect areas of the
system while understanding the appropriate sigma for the particular business area without
applying in general.
1.2 Research Problem Identification
Symptoms of the Problem
According to the apparel industry, it is significantly complex and there are more
competitive business areas due to fewer reasons such as product quality, costs of the
production, delivery times and maintaining the brand image of the business which is
highly collaborated with the process of the business (Handel 2014).

8DISSERTATION
140
120
100
80
Cash Inflow of the Business in SLR
Justification of the problem
With the progress of technology, organizations are being highly competitive
among each other. Almost all of the companies are using same types of technology for
enhancing their product quality and reducing cost of production. However, technological
breakthrough in the supply and logistic system often hamper the delivery times of the
organizations (Zhou 2016). Ineffective use of lean management in the supply becomes
indirectly related to the job satisfaction of the merchandisers.
Defining Research Problem
Ultimate outcomes will be expected in the level of returns to the business, which
have not yet been met as per the particular business plan since the last few years,
according to the financial statements of the organisation (Cullinane et al. 2014).
Analysing the present environment of the particular organisation, Linea Aqua, that found
certain issues on employee attitudes, which are negatively related to the merchandising
system which based on supply chain management (SCM) of the organisation (Rodríguez
et al. 2016). However, it reflected that certain issues on cash inflow of the business when
comparing to previous years as peer the table 1.1.
Cash Inflow of the Business
Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Cash Inflow of the Business in
SLR
(SR in Million.)
119 107 101 103 102 97 95 89
Table 1: Cash Flow of Business
Source - Linea Aqua (Finance Division)
Cash Inflow of the Business (2010 - 2017)

9DISSERTATION
20172016201520142013201220112010
60
40
20
0 Figure 1: Business Cash Flow
(Source- Masholdings.com 2018)
1.3 Research Question
(i) What is the impact of the attitude towards KAIZAN & Error Proofing on the Job
satisfaction level of Merchandisers?
(ii) What is the impact of the attitude towards PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act)on the
Job satisfaction level of Merchandisers?
(iii) What is the impact of the attitude towards Job Specific Procedures on the
Job satisfaction level of Merchandisers?
(iv)What is the impact of the attitude towards Appropriate Structure and the
Technology on the Job satisfaction level of Merchandisers?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
According to the aims of the research, they mainly emphasise on the impact of Lean
management on the attitudes of merchandisers of the Linea Aqua. However, following
are the other areas which are significantly concerned as per the objectives of the
particular research.
(i) To examine the impact of the attitude towards KAIZAN & Error Proofing on the
Job satisfaction level of Merchandisers
(ii) To examine the impact of the attitude towards PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) on
the Job satisfaction level of Merchandisers?
(iii) To examine the impact of the attitude towards Job Specific Procedures on
the Job satisfaction level of Merchandisers?

10DISSERTATION
(iv)To examine the impact of the attitude towards Appropriate Structure and the
Technology on the Job satisfaction level of Merchandisers?
1.5 Significance of the Study
Today, the uncertainty of the business has been increasing due to market rivals
and level of achieving the competitive advantage will be able to receive the economies of
scale and survival of the business with enhanced competencies of the particular business.
However, due to the amount of labour involvement and the nature of the business will
increase the level of dependency and uncertainty of the business performance as per the
present business context which pertaining to the merchandisers (Netland, Schloetzer and
Ferdows 2015).
Therefore, identifying problematic areas which related to the attitudes of the
merchandisers of the particular business and applying certain solution on Lean process
would be not depending on the size and nature where it highly affects the survival of the
particular organisation currently.
1.6 Limitation of the Study
According to the limitations, the particular organisation is incorporated as a
private limited company where it will not have published the annual report. Therefore,
the research totally depends on secondary data of the financial division of the
organisation. Apart from that, the research study may also have limitations of time
constraints, which can limit the access to more authentic information. Apart from that,
with budget limitation, it may not be possible to gather most authentic information about
the research topic, which can ultimately reduce the overall quality of the research result.
1.7 Chapter Outline
Introduction: This chapter will provide the significance of study and a brief of
problem statement to be incorporated in the research study. Apart from that, the study
will also formulate effective research question and objective for extracting accurate
information about the research study.

11DISSERTATION
Literature Review: This chapter will be associated with describing the previous
literature about the research topic. Apart from that, various theories and models
associated with the research topic will also be described in this study.
Research Methodology: This chapter will be associated with selection of
appropriate research methodologies for gathering authentic research information.
Moreover, this chapter will choose appropriate research approach, research philosophy,
research design, sample size, sampling method and many more.
Findings and Analysis: This chapter will collect appropriate quantitative data for
reaching are accurate research result.
Conclusion and Recommendation: In this chapter, an overall conclusion of the
research study will be provided. Apart from that, the chapter will also suggest some
appropriate suggestions for minimizing the issues of research.