Definition:
Kaizen, a term signifying Continuous Improvement, finds its origin in two Japanese words:
Change: Kai
Good/Better: Zen
Brief History:
Post-World War II Era: The philosophy of Kaizen, ingrained in Japanese work culture, primarily surfaced following World War II, marking Japan's industrial ascent.
W. Edwards Deming's Influence: Post the war, American statistician and Quality Control Expert W. Edwards Deming significantly influenced Kaizen's evolution via his seminars on Total Quality Management (TQM) in Japan.
Toyota's Adaptation: During the 1950s, Toyota Production System (TPS) emerged, rooted in Kaizen principles. Spearheaded by Taiichi Ohno, TPS ardently championed the tenets of "Continuous Improvement" and "Eliminating Waste."
Global Recognition: The late 1980s saw the global acknowledgment of Kaizen, thanks to Masaaki Imai's pivotal work, "Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success". This book elucidates Kaizen's foundational principles and their application in Japanese enterprises.
Application in Purchasing:
Supplier Performance: Adopting a continuous improvement perspective to incessantly evaluate and enhance supplier performance, thereby streamlining supplier management.
Efficient Procurement: By standardizing processes, delays and errors are minimized, paving the way for swifter procurement procedures.
Simplified Records: Process standardization facilitates an uncomplicated and rapid access system for records.
Stock Optimization: Ensuring materials are ordered 'just-in-time', optimizing stock levels.
Sustainability: A determined effort to curb waste and superfluous processes ensures a commitment to sustainability.
References,
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