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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to apply value stream mapping (VSM) for enabling leanness in an Indian camshaft manufacturing organisation.Design/methodology/approachLiterature on lean manufacturing and VSM has been performed. A suitable organisation has been identified for conducting the case study. The current state map has been developed after making necessary observations and calculations. Then various improvement proposals have been identified and the future state map has been developed.FindingsThe industrial impact as a result of implementing the proposals has been determined. The improvement in leanness parameters has been found.Research limitations/implicationsThe implementation study has been conducted in only one organisation. But the organisation has implemented world‐class strategies such as ISO quality management system. Hence, the experiences gained by the conduct of this implementation study are feasible and deployable in similar organisations.Practical implicationsIn order to acquire lean characteristics, modern organisations are focussed on the test implementation of various lean tools. The results of the implementation study indicated significant improvement in lean characteristics.Originality/valueThe implementation study reported in this paper is an original contribution of the authors, which has been conducted in a typical Indian industrial scenario. By the virtue of its research background and practical compatibility, the implementation study is considered to be highly valuable.

Purpose -This paper aims to explore the practical feasibility of deploying value stream mapping (VSM) for enabling lean manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach -The literature on lean manufacturing and VSM has been reviewed. VSM has been selected as a technique for solving the problem existing in the case organization. The current state map has been developed after making necessary observations and calculations. Then various improvement proposals have been identified and the future state map has been developed. The simulation approach has been used for validating performance improvements. The practicality of the approach has been validated. Findings -Two kinds of validation are being conducted in the case organization using questionnaire based approach. In the first stage, the practical receptivity of deploying the proposals has been gathered from the executives. In the second stage, statistical validation has been performed. Research limitations/implications -VSM has been applied for solving the problem in the case organisation. But the organisation has implemented world class strategies such as ISO quality management system and total quality management. Hence, the experiences gained by the conduct of this implementation study are feasible and deployable in similar organisations. Practical implications -In order to acquire lean characteristics, modern organisations are focussed on the implementation of various lean tools/techniques. The results of the implementation study indicated significant improvement in lean characteristics. Originality/value -The implementation study reported in this article is an original contribution of the authors which has been conducted in a typical industrial scenario. By the virtue of its research background and practical compatibility, the implementation study is considered to be highly valuable.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine the application feasibility of information technology (IT) for achieving agility in a typical manufacturing organisation. Design/methodology/approach -A literature study was conducted. It was found out that IT is not fully utilised for achieving agility in certain traditional manufacturing sectors. An implementation study was conducted in an Indian electronics switches manufacturing organisation to identify the causes of this insufficient utilisation. Finally, a feedback session was conducted to explore the practitioners' views of this research. Findings -The outcome of this research indicated the feasibility of adopting IT for infusing agility in contemporary manufacturing organisations.Research limitations/implications -This research was conducted in only one electronics switches manufacturing organisation situated in India. This may lead to the impression that the findings from this research may not represent all manufacturing organisations. However, the environment prevailing in the above organisation is similar to that which is prevailing in any other contemporary manufacturing organisation. Hence, the outcome of this research could represent other manufacturing organisations situated throughout the world. Practical implications -The research reported in this paper has shown the way of adopting IT for achieving agility and examined the hindrances that have to be overcome in future to integrate IT in practical scenarios. Originality/value -Significant researches have been pursued in agile manufacturing and IT fields. However, no researcher has attempted to examine the practicality of adopting IT for infusing agility in a practical scenario. Hence, this work is original and valuable.