ACCEPTABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF KAIZEN AS A STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING SSMES’ PERFORMANCE IN TANZANIA
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Abstract
KAIZEN, a Japanese business management concept that calls for continuous improvement, has been introduced in Tanzania to strengthen Small Scale Manufacturing Enterprises (SSMEs) through productivity and quality improvement. This paper examines the acceptability and feasibility of KAIZEN among SSMEs in Tanzania. A survey of 500 stakeholders and 23 pialot enterprises was carried out using questionnaires, interviews and observations during sensitization seminars and on-site trainings on 5S-KAIZEN methodology held in Dar es Salaam region. The study revealed that participants demonstrated willingness to implement KAIZEN strategy. However, the study revealed some challenges confronting the feasibility of KAIZEN practices such as employee resistance, lackof motivation among employees, lack of recognition of hardworking employees, inadequate communication, bureaucratic organisational structures and lack of workplace meetings. The conclusion can be drawn that KAIZEN is acceptable among SSMEs though its feasibility is very uncertain because of the existing management styles as well as the attitude and misconception about KAIZEN among managers and employees
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