Journal article 1408 views 649 downloads
The social benefits of kaizen initiatives in healthcare: an empirical study
Thomas Bortolotti,
Stefania Boscari,
Pamela Danese,
Hebert Alonso Medina Suni,
Nicholas Rich 
,
Pietro Romano
,
Pietro Romano
International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Volume: 38, Issue: 2, Pages: 554 - 578
Swansea University Author:
Nicholas Rich
-
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DOI (Published version): 10.1108/IJOPM-02-2017-0085
Abstract
AbstractPurpose – This paper aims to identify the most influential determinants of employees’ problem-solving capabilities and attitude towards kaizen initiatives in healthcare and clarify how determinants are related with these two social outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on the input...
| Published in: | International Journal of Operations & Production Management |
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| ISSN: | 0144-3577 |
| Published: |
Emerald
2018
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37400 |
| Abstract: |
AbstractPurpose – This paper aims to identify the most influential determinants of employees’ problem-solving capabilities and attitude towards kaizen initiatives in healthcare and clarify how determinants are related with these two social outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on the input-process-outcome framework applied to kaizen initiatives, we distinguished determinants into input and process factors, and developed hypotheses on the direct effect of input and process factors on social outcomes, and the indirect effect of input factors on social outcomes through process factors. The hypotheses were tested through multiple regressions using data from 105 kaizen initiatives in two hospitals.Findings – Among the 14 determinants investigated, goal clarity, team autonomy, management support, goal difficulty and affective commitment to change are the most influential determinants of kaizen capabilities and/or employees’ attitude. Additionally, we found that goal clarity, goal difficulty, team autonomy and management support influence social outcomes directly and/or indirectly through affective commitment to change, internal processes and/or action orientation. Practical implications – Results guide healthcare practitioners in understanding how to set-up focused actions levering on specific determinants to positively influence social outcomes.Originality – This study provides an original contribution to the literature on kaizen initiatives in healthcare by empirically testing a comprehensive model of the relationship between kaizen initiatives determinants and social outcomes. Unlike previous studies, mostly anecdotal and focused on one or few determinants, this research adopted a holistic view by investigating the effect of a wide set of determinants on social outcomes through a systematic and quantitative approach. |
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| Keywords: |
Keywords – Kaizen, Social outcomes, Healthcare, Survey, Lean |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Issue: |
2 |
| Start Page: |
554 |
| End Page: |
578 |