Time is a scarce resource for customers and frustration occurs when customers are forced to wait in lines. Firms need to value customer time and use concepts like queuing theory to reduce waiting time. The Performance Advantage , May 2000. Most firms have had difficulty in achieving successful lean manufacturing. Benchmarks, primary elements, principles, and a road map for successful lean manufacturing implementation are presented.
Performance measurement is viewed as vital for successful implementation.
It Worked for Toyota. Alexander Doll Company has turned around its operations and finances from bankruptcy to profitability, and it has improved its operations processes by utilizing the same lean production system concepts used by Toyota Motor Corporation. Firms using ERP data are improving response to order changes, customer needs, and market conditions. Poka-Yoke , Richard B. Chase and Douglas M. Stewart, USC Business , Spring 1994. In essence, it builds a step into a process that must be completed before the next stage can be performed.