Posting 16

Difficulty the JIT Implementation on India Manufacturers

Many companies experience difficulty in implementing Just-in-Time (JIT) in their manufacturing system. Based on observations, the article argues that the problem is partly due to confusion about JIT and its implications and partly due to a desire to implement JIT within an existing organisational structure. A four-level classification system is presented as a way of summarising the different degrees of JIT implementation and their difficulties. JIT philosophy has been of great interest to the manufacturers and researchers over the past few decades. JIT systems are designed to produce the goods & deliver services as and when required.JIT systems are capable to attain the far-reaching productivity and quality standards. Numerous benefits have been claimed by the firms implementing

JIT across the World. Efforts are being made day-by-day to look into the benefits and their feasibility in the Manufacturing Industries. Despite the profound interest in it, the extent of implementation in India has not been satisfactory. Many firms which had benefitted from JIT systems appear to address only a few features, rather than looking into the whole philosophy of JIT. The paper attempts to address the necessary initiatives required to be taken by the Management of Indian Manufacturing Industry for the implementation of the various JIT subsets, through a survey based on previous literature. Further, it analyzes and concludes the modification of procedures and operations required for its successful implementation along with the challenges encountered during the JIT philosophy implementation.

In order to survive today’s emerging competitive market; Indian manufacturers have been adopting innovative manufacturing philosophies and approaches to seek new ways to develop competitive edge. Despite the immense potential to improve performance, effectiveness and efficiency through JIT approach: Indian industries have not yet tested the full effect primarily due to the implication of a few features rather than the overall philosophy and system. Before an organization enjoys the benefit of JIT, it must accept JIT as a philosophy. This may require a high level of organizational modifications which may be technical, cultural or structural but the benefits claimed from successful implementation of JIT philosophies and theory by researchers ([1] and Voss and Robinson 1987 [3]) which include reduced lot sizes, improved quality, reduced waste and rework, improved motivation, greater process yield, increased productivity, increased flexibility, reduced space requirement, lower reduced overhead manufacturing cost, reduced lead time and improved problem solving capabilities outweigh the implementation modifications required. Hence in light of the potential benefits of JIT implementation a survey was conducted to find the hurdles faced in the implementation of various JIT elements and organizational modifications required for the successful deployment of the various JIT elements and necessary management initiatives required. Although in an Indian organization it is not an easy job but several attempts are being made to implement JIT in a phased manner with the belief that it would be helpful in facing global competition.

The results of the survey supported the notion that JIT has potential to increase the operational efficiency, quality and organizational effectiveness of Indian Manufacturing Industries. This paper helped in finding the level of difficulty in implementation of JIT approach in manufacturing organization in India. It also focused on Pre implementation modifications and their impact on reducing implementation problems and on eventual success on JIT project. We also investigated the importance of top management involvement in the initiation of JIT project and derived 6 basic management initiatives for the quick, efficient and smooth implementation of JIT approach. The potential benefits of JIT to Indian organization are not in doubt. However the art of designing the right strategy for implementing the JIT in Indian industries is still in question and requires further research and analysis.