An evolutionary model of continuous improvement behaviour

In today's complex and turbulent environments the need for continuous impro vements in products and processes is widely recognised. But the mechanisms whereby such a continual stream of innovation can be achieved are often les s clearly identified. One option is to mobilise a high proportion of the wo rkforce in a process of sustained incremental problem-solving, but experien ce with this approach suggests that successfully doing so is far from simpl e. Although many programmes for 'kaizen' or 'continuous improvement' based on employee involvement are started, the failure rate is high. This paper r eports on extensive case-study based research exploring how high involvemen t in continuous improvement can be built and sustained as an organisational capability. It argues that this phenomenon needs to be viewed as a cluster of behavioural changes which establish innovation routines in the enterpri se, and presents a reference model for assessment of progress in the evolut ion of such capability. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.