 Sustainability of process improvements: an application of the experiential learning model (ELM)Satya S. Chakravorty and Douglas N. Hales International Journal of Production Research, 2017, vol. 55, issue 17, 4931-4947 Abstract: Despite the pervasiveness of process improvement (Lean or Six Sigma) programmes, there is a rising concern regarding the sustainability of these programmes. Several studies point out that initial operational efficiency gains as a result of these programmes simply disappear over time. Using process improvement implementation experiences in an aircraft manufacturing and distribution operation, we studied long-term sustainability of process improvement events. We found that process owners of successful improvement events applied experiential learning model (ELM). The ELM is a cycle of – (1) concrete experience, (2) reflective observations, and (3) abstract conceptualizations, and (4) active experimentation. This study finds that when the ELM cycle is repeated many times over an extended period to continuously improve, and documented using A3 reports, that the improvement is sustained. Date: 2017 Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:tprsxx:v:55:y:2017:i:17:p:4931-4947 Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2016.1277278 Access Statistics for this article International Journal of Production Research is currently edited by Professor A. Dolgui More articles in International Journal of Production Research from Taylor & Francis Journals |
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