As a learning theory, the continuous improvement (CI) discourse has benefited countless manufacturing enterprises to improve and adapt their methods of production. As one of the pillars of total quality management, it has generally included a range of dynamic concepts from high involvement...

This paper defines foresight as being a mental model about the future and considers the role of foresight in shaping actions and events reflected in imperious, heroic, tragic and chaotic futures (defined within the paper). The paper contends that success in foresight is not about acquiring...

To maintain or achieve competitiveness and profitability, a manufacturing firm or enterprise must respond to a range of challenges, including rapid improvements in technology, declining employment and output, globalisation of markets and environmental requirements. In addition, substantial...

For firms to survive in the highly competitive Aerospace Component Supply Market, they must have some sustainable competitive advantages. Customers are demanding continual price reductions and improvements in lead times from their suppliers. In the Asia Pacific region, developing economies such...

This paper discusses results from an international study of continuous improvement in product innovation. The empirical research is based upon a theoretical model of continuous product innovation (CPI) that identifies contingencies, behaviours, levers and performances relevant to improving...

Innovative narratives are represented, at times almost prescribed, in the management literature. While the key to developing competencies is fundamentally linked to many innovative practices and processes, the fundamentals of innovation cannot be separated from values, from learning, from...

Continuous improvement (CI) has proved to be a useful way of business investing in people-centred low cost, high return improvements in firms both large and small. CI methods have become widely adopted and regarded as providing an important component of increased company competitiveness. CI...

As knowledge-based economies emerge and develop there should be increasing interest in the knowledge work of individuals, groups or organisations. This issue prompted a review of recent research efforts to determine what the term ?knowledge work? means and how this term has been used. The review...