FRAMEWORK TOWARDS SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF WORLD CLASS MANUFACTURING PRINCIPLE(S). A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY OF THE FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS (FMCG) IN ZIMBABWE.

Abstract

The paper is the development of a framework based on a field study of four companies in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) manufacturing industry in Zimbabwe. The study was concerned with the phenomenon of failure or success in the implementation of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) principle(s). The Eisenhardt’s Model of developing theory from case studies was used in this qualitative study. The process of data collection and analysis was heavily iterative using the Grounded Theory approach. NVIVO 10 software was used to analyse data and develop emerging themes and subsequently for development of a framework embedded in the data. The study draws upon WCM principles that had been developed as way back as the 1950’s, yet companies in Zimbabwe were still struggling to implement them successfully, more than 60 years later. The key challenges as experienced by the case study-companies were established and their interrelationships developed. The WILGOR Framework of Manufacturing Excellence was developed. The six step framework towards constructing the WILGOR House of Manufacturing Excellence is presented. The framework uses the “house metaphor” in ensuring the construction of a strong house, signifying, successfully implementing appropriate WCM principles. The framework has not been fully tested, apart from some aspects of it, during consultancy work. This paper adds to the body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence of key challenges faced by case study companies mainly in the FMCG sector in Zimbabwe. In order to mitigate the identified key challenges, the WILGOR framework is proposed for use in the implementation of WCM principles in Zimbabwe. Enfolding literature established similarities and differences with other models. These were used to strengthen the WILGOR Framework of Manufacturing Excellence. Organisations are thus presented with a suitable framework that they can use, to increase their chances of successfully implementing WCM principle(s).