Kaizen Principle Of Constant Improvement: Could This Reengineer The Competitiveness Of Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector?

Abstract

Kenya is an emerging economy averagely industrialized with manufacturing at the core contributing significantly to the Kenyan economy. Manufacturinghas then been made Big Four Agendas industrialization component. However, quality concerns are traced down the value chain hamper theKenyan manufacturing sector competitiveness. Evidently, firms need to create public confidence regarding quality systems. Kenya hasneither national culture nor a long state coordinated manufacturing history so this poses a challenge. Further, while the manufacturing sector subscribes to several standards, certifications and quality management systems, these do not prescribe constant improvement as the Kaizen principles. The impact of the Kaizen principle of constant improvement pertaining competitiveness of Kenya’s manufacturing sector is examined. The study revealed lack of reinforcing quality culture despite subscribing to quality standards resulting to none adherence to quality standards. Recommendation isthe need to mainstream Kaizen constant improvement philosophy as manufacturing culture to improve global competitiveness.