Achieving operational resilience through kaizen practice: a case in a commercial livestock farm in Nigeria
ISSN: 1754-2731
Article publication date: 8 May 2023
Issue publication date: 29 April 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study is focused on achieving operational resilience through the practices of kaizen across the operational structure. The research is based on a case study of a commercial livestock farm in Nigeria. The study views the practice of kaizen from the perspective of the commitment of the members of the case study organisation who are directly involved with the operations of the organisation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applies a qualitative approach to explore the topic, engaging members of the case study organisation in the research to gather relevant data on the implementation of kaizen practices and the drive to attain resilience in the case study organisation. Semi-structured personal interviews and workshops were used for data collection. The study adopts systems theory to explore the topic, identifying and engaging relevant stakeholders.
Findings
Parts of the findings relating to kaizen are the issues with the livestock production process, aggressive leadership and the issue of livestock mortality in the case study organisation. These were discussed based on extant literature. The study affirms the importance of organisational members' commitment and adequate leadership support to achieve sustainable kaizen practices. The study highlights the need to align kaizen practices with relevant organisational practices, such as reward systems and contextual requirements for its implementation in an operational process. The study suggests that further study can focus on the dynamics of the legal system on the implementation of kaizen, especially from a developing economic background like Nigeria, where this study was conducted.
Originality/value
The study projects learning about the spatial factors that can affect the practices of kaizen in critical sectors like livestock management.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors appreciate the support of the Centre for Research, Innovation, and Discovery (CUCRID), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, in preparing this paper. The authors also acknowledge the support of ILMA University for this study.
Citation
Ufua, D.E., Itai, M., Kumar, A. and Al-Faryan, M.A.S. (2024), "Achieving operational resilience through kaizen practice: a case in a commercial livestock farm in Nigeria", The TQM Journal, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 1092-1112. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-01-2023-0013
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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