FACTORS AFFECTING KAIZEN PHILOSOPHY IMPLEMENTATION (WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ASSOSA UNIVERSITY, ETHIOPIA)

Abstract

Kaizen is considered as one of the most important approaches to achieve quality and waste minimization technique. This survey pursued to determine the factors influencing implementation of kaizen philosophy in Assosa University. Only university store, students' cafeteria, library, registrar, and laboratory assistances employees were involved in this study. Factors considered in the study were only employees' training, management support (commitment), team work and communication approach. The study adopted a descriptive research design and explanatory factor analysis research design. The study used stratified and simple random sampling to determine the sample size. Primary data for the study was collected using structured questionnaires. Collected data was analyzed through SPSS software (Version 20). The findings of this study revealed that employees training, management commitment, team work and communication approach directly influences the implementation of kaizen philosophy. The study recommended that university has to be train its employees on kaizen events initiatives, managements commit themselves in providing leadership and key resources needed, building up good team spirit, develop appropriate, effective and flexible communication systems that allow free flow of relevant information at all levels in the university. The study recommended that, further studies may be done to explore other factors.