The Overlooked Element in Continuous Improvement: Why People ('MAN') Matter More than Ever in the 4Ms Framework

Abstract

Across all industries, especially in the recent century, the 4Ms framework - Man, Machine, Material, and Method - is a fundamental component of Continuous Improvement (CI), providing an articulated means of improving operational effectiveness. Although the "Machine" and "Method" components have been transformed by Industry 4.0 technology, this study argues that the "Man" component is not just crucial but pivotal, even if it is often prone to underestimation. Through an analysis of essential human-centered elements such as organizational culture, skill development, leadership, and adaptability, this study emphasizes the workforce's indispensable contribution to maintaining CI initiatives in the face of automation. This article demonstrates how people-centric strategies are crucial to developing CI initiatives by providing a thorough examination of human-technology synergy. This allows organizations to scale new heights in creativity, resilience, and sustainable success in a rapidly changing digital ecosystem. The review demonstrates why organizations should prioritize human capital and human capital development, even as they invest in technology, positioning people at the center of and as active drivers of CI in Industry 4.0 and beyond.