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AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE KANBAN APPROACH TO MANUFACTURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN U.S. FIRMS (UNITED STATES)
Abstract
There are two critical questions that need to be answered regarding implementation of kanban by American companies: (1) is it possible that a manual kanban system can serve a manufacturing system better than a computer-based MRP system? and (2) how can a kanban system be implemented successfully in an American company? For the first question, we suggest a new research methodology based on the systems approach. We selected six major system concepts: (1) filtering, (2) law of requisite variety, (3) decoupling, (4) clustering, (5) open system versus closed system and (6) centralized system versus decentralized system. Based on these concepts, three representative types of production planning and control systems--ROP. MRP and kanban--are evaluated with an emphasis on their manufacturing information systems aspect. For the second research question, a cross sectional field survey is conducted. Based on major findings of the survey, a three-stage implementation plan of a JIT system with kanban is developed. At the first introduction stage, top management and workers should be educated about the JIT system. Top management commitment and worker participation are critical. At the second planning stage, a company should select an appropriate class of JIT system based on its characteristics. We classified JIT systems into three categories: class A JIT system, class B JIT system, class C JIT systems. A class A JIT system is not necessarily the best alternative for all kinds of manufacturers. The second step in this planning stage is to develop an implementation schedule of JIT practices. At the final implementation stage, a pilot project should be selected to implement JIT practices in a limited environment. When the pilot project works satisfactorily, a gradual approach is suggested to apply JIT practices usually from a final assembly line to other work stations in a backward fashion.
Subject Area
Management
Recommended Citation
IM, JIN H, "AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE KANBAN APPROACH TO MANUFACTURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN U.S. FIRMS (UNITED STATES)" (1986). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8624595.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8624595