The Kaizen Implementation in Ethiopia
| THE KAIZEN IMPLEMENTATION IN ETHIOPIAINTRODUCTIONAs the World Bank currently stated, Ethiopia has enjoyed a high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of more than 10 percent on average in recent years. Although, Ethiopia is this economic growth, its industrial development is still at a nascent stage and has a very narrow base. If we look at each sector growth, there has only been around a 10 percent share of GDP in the secondary industry; particularly the ratio of manufacturing to over all GDP is around 5 percent which is relatively low when compared with countries with similar income levels. Micro and small enterprises still account for a high proportion with low productivity. The sluggish development of the private sector is also another issue in Ethiopia.The industrial sector in Ethiopia is relatively small, heavily dependent on import, and it is quite susceptible to foreign exchange shortages. Thus, the sector needs greater attention and diversification to sustain high growth in the long run and that requires increased private investment in the export sector and in import substituting industries, and more public investment in developing infrastructure.Low level of quality and productivity among private enterprises is another barrier to the promotion of exports, import substitution and attraction of both domestic and foreign investment. Therefore, in order to realize sustainable economic growth, it is essential to bolster competitiveness through developing the private sector. Data reveals that Ethiopian private sector contributes almost 85% share to the GDP and 95% employment in Ethiopia.Enhancing quality and productivity in the manufacturing industry is the panacea for low industrial output of the country, according to this writer. As part of Ethiopia’s industrialization program, options are being sought that would improve the management and efficiency of enterprises. KAIZEN is one of the tools believed to be capable of promoting involvement of all
References: nh, P. et al. (2011). “Empirical study on Transferability of Kaizen Practices.” The 11th International DSI and the 16th APDSI Jint Meeting, Taipei, Taiwan, July 12-16, 2011. Aoki, K. (2008). “Transferring Japanese kaizen activities to overseas plants in China.” International Journal of Operations and Production Management. 28(6), 518-539. Assefa, B. (2010). “Examination of some Western versus Japanese Management Techniques in the Context of Ethiopia.” Becker, Kurt H and Snow, James (1997). “American KAIZEN: A Perspective on American Management Theories.” Journal of Industrial Technology. Winter, 1997. Beer, S. (1966). Decision and Control. Chichester: Wiley. Berihu Assefa (2010). “Examination of Some Western versus Japanese Management Techniques in the Context of Ethiopia.” Brunet, A.P & New, S. (2003). “Kaizen in Japan: An Empirical Study”, International Journal of Operation & Production Management, vol. 3, no. 12, pp. 1426-1446. Choudhury, S.R. ((November 2005). “The Spillover Effect of Japanese Foreign Direct Investment in Human Resource Management: A case Study of Honda Siel.” Centre for Studies in International Relations and Development (CSIRD), India. Choy, C.L and Jain, H.C. (1987). “Japanese Management in Singapore: Convergence of human resources management practices,” Asia Pacific Journal of Management. 4(2), 73-89. Chow, C et al., (1991). “The effects of Management Controls and National Culture on Manufacturing Performance: An Experimental Investigation.” Accounting Organizations and Society. Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 209-226. Dobi, Sandor (2006). “The KAIZEN and the Japanese Company Culture” Ethiopian Ministry of Industry, (Mar. 10, 2011). Ethiopia’s KAIZEN has Now a Manual. Fukuda, K.J. (1988). Japanese style Management Transferred: The Experience of East Asia. New York: Rutledge. Gebrehiwot, B. A. (2010). “Comparative analysis of some Western versus Japanese management techniques in the context of Ethiopia.” Genobz (July 15, 2010). “Understanding kaizen and 5S: Japan’s widely acclaimed key to competitive success.” http://genobz.wordpress.com/2010/07/15. Retrieved, March 30, 2011. Hayashi, S. (1988). Culture and management in Japan. Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press. Hosono, A. (October 2009). “Kaizen: Quality, Productivity and Beyond.” Introduction Kaizen In Africa. GRIPS Development Forum. Ihara, H. (2004). “Reexamination of Japanese Management System.” Management Japan, Vol. 36. Imai, M. (1986). Kaizen: the Key to Japanese Competitiveness Success: New York: Random House Business Division. Ishiwata, A. (October 2009) “Needs for kaizen Activities by African Manufactures.” Introuction Kaizen In Africa. GRIPS Development Forum. Kaplinsky, R. and Posthuma (1994). “Easternisations: The Spread of Japanese Management Techniques to the Developing Countries.” Lillrank, P. (1995). “The Transfer of Management Innovation from Japan.” Organization Studies. Vol. 16, No. 6, Pp 971-989. Malhotra, Y. 2003). “Is Knowledge the Ultimate Competitive Advantage?”, Businees Management Asia, 3Q, No. 4, 66-69. Mandel, (February 20, 2011). “How the Japanese “Kaizen” Method Can Change Your Life” Stress Management Site. http://www.bellaonline .com. Retrieved February 25, 2011. Ohno, K. (October 2010). “Industrial Policy in Africa: Learning Mindset and Methods from East Asia.” National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, Ohno, I. Hhno, K and Uesu, S. (October 2009). “Introducing Kaizen in Africa.” GRIPS Development Forum Tokyo: Roppongi, Minato-ku. Recht, R. (December 1, 1998). “Kaizen and Culture: On the transferability of Japanese suggestion systems” http://www.science direct.com/science? Retrieved, March 30, 2011. Shaari, Jamal Abdul Nassir and Nariai, O. (May 2006). International Review of Business Research Papers. Vol. 2. No. 1, May 2006. Pp. 100-114. Shaari, J. A.N (November 2010). “Barriers to Implement TQM in Japanese Way: A study of Companies in Malaysian.” International Review of Business Papers. Vol. 6, Number 5, Pp. 400-410. Sonobe, T. (2009). “Kaizen, skill Development, and Industrial Clusters”. Foundation for advanced Studies on International Development (FASID) and National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan. Tasie, G. (May, 2009). “Can Japanese management styles be applied to Africa? African Journal of Business Management. Vol. 3 (4), pp. 233-239. The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook (2011). “Overall Ranking and Competitiveness Factors.” http://www.imd.org/research /publications/wcy/wcy/__book.cfm. Retrieved March 28, 2011. Weldemariam, H. (2010). Ethiopia applying the Japanese management philosophy that promises big rewards through continuous incremental change: “kaizen”. http://hiwoteethiopia.blogspot.com/2010/09. Retrieved March 30, 2011. Yokozama, K. et al (2010). “The influence of national culture on Kaizen transfer: An exploratory study of Japanese subsidiaries in the Netherlands.” Yokozama, K. et al (2010). “Recent Experience with transferring Japanese Management Systems Abroad,” Journal of Strategic management Studies, 2 (1). Yong, AKB (1996). “Malaysian Human Resources management.” Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Institute of Management. Zimmerman, W. (1991). “Kaizen: the Search for Quality.” The Journal of Continuing Higher Education. Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 7-10. | | | |