Avaliação do sistema de produção baseado na manufatura enxuta e sua aderência a ferramentas de melhoria da qualidade e produtividade em uma empresa da Serra Gaúcha

Abstract

In recent years, the metal industries are facing competition its manufactured items. The search for better productivity rates is a question that guides the thinking of the managers in the organizations. The Lean Manufacturing (LM) methodology is becoming an alternative to improve the performance of companies making it a competitive advantage. Productivity improvement, process control and development of products and services, all become a differential and for this reason the importance of control and definition of performance indicators. This research addresses the LM under the aspects of definitions, objectives, implications for the implementation, gains, ways of measuring, chances of success or failure, as well as impacts related to organizational change. The main objective is to see how is the degree of maturity of the LM methodology, implemented 10 years ago in a company, and its relations to other tools and methodologies aiming at improving quality and productivity. A survey questionnaire was applied to 317 workers, among them participants and non participants in Quality Circles, a system in place for the last 25 years. Sixteen variables were identified to measure LM tools. Main results pinpoint high degree of organizational commitment, good understanding about LM tools e opportunities for improvement. Analysis of Variance indicates different perceptions about LM tools depending on the level of education of employees. Particularly, subgroups of respondents according to gender, age, time with company, participant or not in Quality Circles, perceive significant difference in two variables: Total Productive Maintenance and Conflict between LM tools and other Quality Tools.