ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH INNOVATIVE LEAN MANUFACTURING (IN CASES OF ETHIOPIAN METAL AND STEEL INDUSTRIES)

This paper examines the drivers and barriers that influence the implementation of lean manufacturing. Before direct investigation on the field, selected lean elements are identified from the literature using keywords related to lean production and implementation techniques. From literature, Lean manufacturing and innovation practices can bring continuous improvement. However, holistic approach studies and implementing lean production in continuous based process industries has found as a limitation. In addition to that, under this research investigation, the lean production system appears to be unknown and misinterpreted in selected sectors. Skill shortage, adoption of new technology, the linkage between upstream and downstream activities, product diversification and development, labor productivity and product quality, technological capability, and management problems are raised as problems. The most four critical problems have selected and conceptual frameworks and suggestions proposed for further improvement. On the leanness assessment, the necessity of having a contextualized and systematic approach to solving continuous improvement related problems facing metal and steel industries have given emphasis based on data analysis findings. So, that innovative leanness strategy is contextualized as an Ethiopian farming system.