Abstract
We examine the content of continuous improvement strategies and identify infrastructure decision areas that are important for continuous improvement initiatives. We present a framework of infrastructure based on the idea that continuous improvement can serve as a dynamic capability when it includes a comprehensive organizational context. Further, we study continuous improvement initiatives in five companies to investigate the practices used by them in each of the decision areas of our framework. This research adds to the conceptual understanding of continuous improvement and results in grounded propositions about critical areas of infrastructure for continuous improvement.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 444-461 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | Journal of Operations Management |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2009 |
Keywords
- Continuous improvement
- Dynamic capabilities
- Lean management
- Operations strategy
- Organizational learning
- Six Sigma
- Total quality management
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Strategy and Management
- Management Science and Operations Research
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering