A New Application Model of Lean Management in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Although Lean management has been implemented by Vietnamese small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) for more than ten years, the success rate as well as the sustainable effectiveness achieved by these firms remains limited. As revealed by the survey, the current model of implementation mainly focuses on Lean management tools such as 5S, Kaizen (continuous improvement) and Mieruka (visual management). A better implementation model is proposed with the focus laid on the central factor of “Tam the”a Vietnamese word refers to the deep understanding of employees and managers about the benefits of their tasks and Lean management for themselves. A simulation model run by Crystal Ball software confirms the higher effectiveness of the proposed model, which provides scientific evidence to persuade practitioners to swiftly employ the new model of implementation. (Received in August 2014, accepted in October 2014. This paper was with the author 1 month for 1 revision.)