Dissertation: Lean Management and Operations at JPR Tiling Consultants

This dissertation examines the application of lean management techniques to improve operations management, focusing on a case study of JPR Tiling Consultants Limited. The study explores the concept of lean management, identifies key techniques such as Kaizen, 5S, and Kanban, and analyzes their impact on operational efficiency and waste reduction. The research investigates the challenges faced during implementation and offers recommendations for optimizing production and other operations. The dissertation reviews relevant literature, outlines the research methodology, presents findings, and concludes with insights into the benefits of lean management in achieving continuous improvement and gaining competitive advantages in a globalized market. The study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of how lean management can be effectively utilized to enhance operational performance within the construction sector.

Dissertation
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................6
CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY............................................................................10
Research approach.....................................................................................................................10
Research design.........................................................................................................................10
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS and FINDINGS....................................................................................14
Key results and Analysis...............................................................................................................14
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................22
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................22
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................25
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................26
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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
In era of globalisation it has become difficult for companies to survive in market for long
term. This is because of stiff competition being faced by them. However, there is also decline in
their operational efficiency as well. But there are many new technologies which is available in
market. It is being installed and used in different types of operations. Through that, it has become
easy to perform operations (Al-Balushi, and Al-Mandhari, 2018). Moreover, in order to gain
competitive advantage, organisation is focusing on increasing value of product or service. For
this change are made into operations. There are various operational techniques that is applied. It
has resulted in making continuous improvement in entire operations. This has led to decrease in
cost of producing products or increasing efficiency. Furthermore, in organisation there are
different types of operations that is performed. It differs according to nature and type of
company.
Moreover, there are different types of operation approaches that exist such as TQM, lean, six
sigma, kaizen, etc. The use of approach depends on need of business. Also, each approach is
based on different concept and consist of varied features. Henceforth, each one works on certain
principles as well. In lean technique there are many other techniques like 5S, kaizen, poka yoke,
etc. that is applied to enhance efficiency of operations. Basically, they are used to improve
operational process and increase efficiency. It is necessary for to maintain quality and
productivity of operation so that goals and objectives are attained. Thus, if operations are not
managed in effective way then it leads to bring in inefficiency.
Background
In recent time, due to globalization corporate and other sector face many issues as it
increase the competition level high than before. Each and every organization efforts to become a
market leader and gain competitive advantages, they used several techniques and methods to
improve their operational efficiencies and manage operations in effective manner. Lean
management is helpful and useful method appropriate for managing operations management
(Biazzo, Panizzolo and de Crescenzo, 2016). It refers to technique created and used with aim of
minimizing procedure waster and increasing value of services or products. To carry research,
study is based upon JPR Tiling Consultants Limited which incorporated on 2012.
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Now a days, many businesses are focusing on increasing their operational efficiency to
generate value of product or service. Also, innovation is implemented to change operational
process. It is useful in reducing cost and also in increasing profit. The procedure or way of
performing task is changed (Belfanti, 2019). It has provided new tools and techniques for
company to carry out their operations. Besides with change in it, productivity of organisation has
improved. Apart from it, employees are able to work in effective way. In addition to it, with
continuous improvement weak areas in it are identified and then strategy is developed to improve
it. Also, organisation productivity increase as there is transform in way of operations. Besides,
there are many models as well of continuous improvement. The use of model depends on type of
operation and nature of change. It focuses on generating value of service to customers.
Moreover, waste is eliminated as well by making continuous improvement in operational
process. so, in this way by making small changes in operations its entire efficiency is increased.
The main purpose of it is to excellence in operation. Apart from it, there are certain principles as
well that is applied in it. These principles provide a framework that how improvement is to be
made. It consists of some tools as well that is applied in it.
Basically, in manufacturing firms’ changes are made in operational process. It is because
it enables in reducing cost of production and eliminating waste. Besides it, by making changes in
it weak areas are determined and then improved. In this way, profit on products is increased.
Henceforth, eliminating waste leads to increase efficiency of production.
Rationale
It can be said that to gain competitive benefits and become a leader in specific sector or
market organizations must adopt and implement effective techniques that enhance operational
efficiency more than before. In respect of conducting this study, the reason behind selecting
current topic is relating to evaluating benefits which firms obtain after implementing lean
management techniques that help to improve operations management. Researcher is interested to
know the fact about how lean management techniques can support the continuous improvement
of operations management. Thus, it is interesting to collect data from varied sources regarding
lean management techniques which companies adapted to improve production operations.
It can be said that to gain competitive benefits and become a leader in specific sector or
market organizations must adopt and implement effective techniques that enhance operational
efficiency more than before (Grzelczak, and Werner-Lewandowska, 2016). In respect of
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conducting this study, the reason behind selecting current topic is relating to evaluating benefits
which firms obtain after implementing lean management techniques that help to improve
operations management. Researcher is interested to know the fact about how lean management
techniques can support the continuous improvement of operations management. Thus, it is
interesting to collect data from varied sources regarding lean management techniques which
companies adapted to improve production operations.
Aim
The aim of this study is to analyze how lean management techniques can help continuous
improvement of operations management. A case study on JPR Tiling Consultants Limited.
Objectives
 To develop understanding about the concept of lean management.
 To determine the lean management techniques that can be used in operations
management.
 To identify the impact of lean management techniques on operations management.
 To assess the challenges faces by JPR Tiling Consultants Limited while implementing
lean management methods.
 To recommend Lean management techniques to JPR Tiling Consultants Limited with
regards to the enhancement of production and other operations.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of lean management?
 What are the impacts on operations management of JPR Tiling Consultants Limited from
lean management techniques?
 What are the challenges faced by organization when they implement lean management
techniques?
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CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of lean management
According to Kornegay, (2020) lean is important for high value producing, it is complementary
to strategic decision making regarding production. For the past few years, competition among
companies in varied sector is getting tougher and hence tiling contractors across the world are
under persistent pressure to reduce costs and maintaining top level of quality while at the same
period meeting expectation of consumers. Lean management is considered as programme of
activities as well as techniques for running a service or manufacturing operation. It becomes a
global management tool used for delivering value & optimizing work procedures. The purpose of
this concept is developing value to target market by using available resources.
Parkhi, (2019) argued that there is no surprise that lean management is now increased
across sectors, because of their positive impact on organizations overall performance and core
values, lean concept appears to be word wide effective administration tool. Companies in all over
the globe would apply this concept in their businesses practices or manufacturing procedures
from production to marketing and development of software. It depends on three simple ideas
such as deliver value from client’s perspective, remove waste or unessential things and
continuous improvement. In context of business, this concept encourages and maximizes shared
leadership and accountability, lean management adopted widely across different sector to gain
many benefits such as increase profitability.
As said by Keyser and Marella, , (2016), lean management is an effective approach of
continuous improvement. It is based on improving process in continuous way. Moreover, it is
universal concept followed by all companies. Lean was firstly applied by Toyota in 1940. In this
they emphasized on eliminating process that does not generate value. this was done by making
continuous improvement in process. However, it is long term approach that led to enhance
quality and efficiency. There are 3 things on which lean focus that is to define value, eliminate
waste and to continuously improve process. furthermore, there are five principles on basis of
which lean management works. they are described as : (Lean management, 2019)
Identify value- This is first principle in which aim is to find out customer problem or issue.
Then focus in on developing a solution to resolve issue. Besides, if any process is not able to
generate value than it is considered as waste.
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Value stream – In this it refers to map out process in which all people and activities are included
so that product is delivered to customers. So, it becomes easy for manager to find out which
process are being carried out by what teams and the people who measure and improve process.
In this way it is simple to determine which part of process does not bring or generate any value.
Develop a work flow – Here, a work flow is developed in which there is no intervention in
process. for this, lean management is applied. It allows in communicating in team that what
changes are to be done and when (Nowotarski. and Pasławski, 2016). Thus, by breaking entire
process into sub parts a smooth work flow in created. Thus, it facilitates feasible to remove
process without any interruptions.
Develop pull system- This principle ensure that there is continuous work flow of process and
tasks re carried out in more effective way and goals are attained. Usually, it is specifically a
technique that leads to eliminate waste from operational process. Apart from it, technique state
that new work in stared when there is demand. Hence, it helps in reducing cost and optimizing of
resources.
Facilitate continuous improvement- It is most important principle which state that there are
various techniques that is applied in organization. this can be related to what change are done in
process, people etc. in order to overcome barrier in it. Furthermore, in lean management there
may occur several issues in it as the technique is not static. Thus, it becomes necessary for staff
to contribute in continuous improvement to solve issue in it.
Lean management techniques
According to Nawanir and et.al., (2018) lean management approach is consisting with varied
types of techniques or it can be said methods that are very beneficial for manufacturers operating
in several industries. This concept is one of the great tools that eliminate unnecessary things in
any procedures by implementing effective techniques. Kaizen, 5S and Kanban is considered as
lean management approaches that are quite effective and helpful for companies.
On the other handAl-Balushi and Al-Mandhari,(2018) highlighted that all the lean
management techniques are important and beneficial for producers, but Just in time, Six sigma
and Jidoka are the best instead of above one because it provide quick results in systematic
manner. All these approaches work to determine the cause of issues and then develop urgency to
find permanent & suitable solutions.
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According to Prinz,. and Kuhlenkötter, (2018) in lean management technique there are
several other techniques as well that is applied. It depends on need of organization that what
technique is suitable in it. Besides, each technique varies from one another in terms of their use
and concept. Also, all techniques are effective enough to bring improvement in process. Thus,
they are defined as below:
Kaizen- It is a Japanese word which is segregated as Kai means change and zen means good. So,
the purpose of this technique is to improve process in different ways. This continuous
improvement methodology will incorporate all elements of lean management technique.
However, in order to be successful each team will need to be empowered, they will have freedom
to make changes, and to be analyse, creative, and problem solvers. This combination will allow
teams to make rapid improvements to a specific product or process.
Poka yoke- This is also a Japanese word that means mistake proofing. it is commonly used lean
technique. The purpose is to prevent occurring of mistake in process. It uses a wide variety of
creative resources to prevent mistakes. Moreover, it employs visual signals that make mistakes
clearly stand out from the rest. Here, mistake is prevented from all operations such as
manufacturing, customer service, etc. (Wnuk-Pel, 2016)
5S- in this the 5S are sort, set in, shine, sustain and standardize. It focusses on organizing things
in effective way. The purpose is to reduce wasteful time and motion at a micro level. It is an
organized approach to housekeeping that ensures tools, parts and other objects are in optimum
locations. Actually, it is a framework to create and maintain workplace.
Impact of lean management techniques on operations management
Lee and Snyder,(2017) discussed that lean management is more like a guide for developing s
stable company that includes constantly and aid to determine actual issues and remove them
within operations or productions management. It can be said that lean management impact on
operations management of tiling companies in effective manner, it effects positively and improve
the production procedures much better than before. Continuous improvement is a main part of
lean management assuring that every worker is included in procedure of improving. It directly
impact on manufacturing activities in positive manner which in return increase profit margin and
sales of products.
Oliveros, Granja and Dionisio, (2018) contraction that lean by implementing Kaizen
method companies improve their work process in different of ways. It is a common Japanese
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word for making or improving products or services better than before. This approach put positive
impact on business operations management as it improves the moral of staff and recommend for
betterment
As the impact of the continuous implementing of the guide in developing the proper
determination in the term of the actual issues and turning it out form the operational and
production managements in perfect manner. This procedure has the involvement of the all the
impact in positive and negative impact in manufacturing acts as procedure of improvising in
term of manufacturing industries in positive manner in term of the return in way of increasing
there profit margins and sale of products (Kornegay, 2020). It has provided new tools and
techniques for company to carry out their operations with the respect of change and
productivity of organization to be improved. Thus, it is interesting to collect data from varied
sources regarding lean management techniques which companies adapted to improve production
operations. This is the have the facts as the lean management have the supporting the continuous
impregnates o term of operation managements. This is the need to have the various sources
regarding the lean managements techniques which companies adapted to improve production
operations. This have turned out to be becoming the global managements tool in order for the
offering the value and optimizing level of services which area visible at the mare in the perfect
manner. Besides, each technique varies from one another in terms of their use and concept. Also,
all techniques are effective enough to bring improvement in process. Lean management is
applied. It allows in communicating in team that what changes are to be done as new work in
stared when there is demand. Hence, it helps in reducing cost and optimizing of resources.
As per the understanding it can be celery stated as the long-term approach that led to enhance
quality and efficiency (Lee and Snyder, 2017). It focuses on generating value of service to
customers as work flow is developed in which there is no intervention in process. This have
turned the manager the easier aspects to find out which process are being carried out by what
teams and the people who measure and improve process. As the impacts , there is clear level of
dependences for the company to have the look of there perspective of the clients in term of
reducing and resolve of waste as concept which maximizing there graded level of leadership
and adsorption of the lead mandating along with acceptability across different sector to gain
many benefits such as increase profitability.
Challenges faced by companies when they implement lean management techniques
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Siasos and et.al., (2017) stated that when management implements lean approaches they can
enhance performance as well as productivity level rather than before. But while implementing
techniques organizations had face different challenges due to certain reasons. Leadership
problem create biggest challenge in front of administration to use Kaizen and other methods at
workplace. Ineffective leadership style affects negatively upon progress and success of business
as it restrict people to work with lean management methods and do not allow them to follow its
principles in effective manner. In simple words, without appropriate leaders and their styles
workers are unable to determine the issues and improve performance. They always need
guidance and directions to move towards long term success which is possible only when leader
guide people in ethical manner.
As per the (), it can be clearly sated as the issues in order to pertaining the slow moving
business level of intelligence , the requinto of the flexible invertasomes m data integrity and the
modular processing’s which are extended to the several various issues, as the parts of there lean
implementations which have the major level of imperative IT issues which have the
requirement of the addressed at simultaneously levels to ensure the greatest level of impacts in
the business outcomes in perfect manner. On the other the Pearce. and Pons., (2019) have stated
that’s the product engineer tends to have the nor level of direct contacts with the requirement of
clients. So, there is basic need to have their sales and the customer service and departments
which are more level of specialized un the solving the client problems with the off the shelf
consultations in the most efficient manner. It focuses on generating value of service to customers
as work flow is developed in which there is no intervention in process. As per the view of the ()
there is need for he more level over investment an return in term of business unit as this can be
lead to have the finances uncertain projects with the cross department funds in order to have
the maximizing the pivot possibilities. Thus, it is interesting to collect data from varied sources
regarding lean management techniques which companies adapted to improve production
operations. Hence the is the need to be successful each team will need to be empowered, they
will have freedom to make changes, and to be analyses, creative, and problem solvers. This
combination will allow teams to make rapid improvements to a specific product or process.
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JUSTIFICATION AND CONTEXTUALIZATION
Importance of this research and important to find what researcher are trying to find
In respect of this research, the reason behind investigation is to investigate the impact of
lean management methods on production and other functions of JPR Tiling Consultants Limited.
Conducting research based on above topic is really very essential because it helps to understand
lean management concept and its benefits for companies such as tiling manufactures. With this
research it is quite easy to examine the techniques comprise with lean management used by
many companies to improve and enhance their business practices rather than before after
implementing lean management methods. The main aim of this investigation is to assess lean
management techniques which directly impact on production process and help to eliminate
ineffective things that do not require storing for longer within organization (Garza-Reyes and
et.al., 2018). While conducting this research researcher is able to determine varied lean
management techniques such as Kaizen, Just in time, 5S, Poka Yoke, Six sigma and KANBAN.
JPR tiling consultants limited supply stone, porcelain and ceramic tiling within luxury and
commercial residential sector, they need to provide the better quality work to consumers
according to their needs and expectations. It is possible when management use and apply
effective and most suitable technique that save time and reduce waste things which in return
enhance production activities as well as functions better than organization competitors.
In context of this research, researcher tries to investigate and evaluate how lean
management approaches supports and help continuous improvement of operations management
in effective manner. Investigator is interested to know fact; they seek to find out the best
technique appropriate for chosen company (Pearce and Pons, 2019). Researcher wants to
evaluate benefits and impact of lean management techniques on production and other operation
management which is quite beneficial for growth and success of business. With the help of this
investigation researcher analyze how organization improves their operations and manage their
business practices by implementing lean management techniques. All the method is simply
production strategy that strives to improve and enhance a business return on investment by
reducing & eliminating in procedure inventory and related carrying costs.
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CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research types
It is one of the most effective methods which can be utilize by researcher in this study to carry on
whole investigation and is of two kinds that is quantitative and qualitative research. For the
current research project, investigator has made use of qualitative research type. It is mainly
because of reason that investigator want to obtain theoretical knowledge of benefits of lean
management techniques on JPR Tiling Consultants Limited business operations.
This have been considered as the essential’s aspect of the research methodology as there is
helpful in collecting with information. In addition to the achieving the data in respect with aims
and objectives. The qualitative approach as there study have the major level of focus on the term
of observations and survey as the time to dedicated the with aid of accomplishing the aim and
ejectives of the research. .
Research approach
This is another way researcher can use while conducting research in order to gather data
regarding research topic that help to analyze how lean management techniques help continuous
improvement of production and other business function management. It defines as assumption on
which entire investigation is based and is of two kinds deductive and inductive. In context of this
study research can be used inductive research approach because it is not based on developing
hypothesis more it is rely on formulation of objectives and aims. The benefit of this method is
flexible as investigator does not have to follow any pre-identified data.
This is the process which have the scanting of the different stages of the wider premises to have
detailed approaches of the gathering, analysing an interpreting the information. Inductive
approaches have the concerned as the emerging theory of their information. W this have been,
apposite approaches in doing the qualitative research’s as the ensuring the desired growth to take
places is takins places which is need to aid for the accomplishing the aims and objectives.
Research philosophy/Paradigm
Along with above research methods, it is also considered as one of the most important one.
Research philosophy defined as values & thinking’s that linked with continuation of
investigation. It is distinguished into two categories that are positivism and interpretivism. In
context of this research, research can be used interpretivism because of purpose that this
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