Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques  
2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 785-793  
J. Environ. Treat. Tech. ISSN:  
309-1185  
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Journal weblink: http://www.jett.dormaj.com  
Productivity Improvement of Carton  
Manufacturing Industry by Implementation of  
Lean Six Sigma, ECRS, Work Study, and 5S: A  
Case Study of ABC Co., Ltd.  
Piyachat Burawat*  
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand  
Received: 03/06/2019  
Accepted: 08/09/2019  
Published: 13/09/2019  
Abstract  
The objective of this study is to improve productivity by means of lean six sigma, ECRS, work study, and 5S in carton  
manufacturing industry. The study was conducted from November 2017 to August 2018 from a case study of ABC Co., Ltd. The data  
were collected from managers and supervisors and the problems were analyzed by brainstorming, cause and effect diagram, and pareto  
chart. Referringto the results, itwas found that production problems occurred from a delayed process in cuttingand Die-cut department,  
messy area in warehouse, delayed and erroneous transportation. Considering the measurement process, the measurementmethod could  
be changed from using hand to using pattern. The standard time was then reduced from 21.17 minutes per 100 pieces to 18.10 minutes  
per 100 pieces, accounting for 14.50 percent of improvement. The lost cutting time was caused by excess movement of worker while  
sitting and working. So, when the movement was changed from sitting to standing, the worker felt less exhausted and could reduce the  
standard time from 19.32 minutes per 100 pieces to 15.05 minutes per 100 pieces, accounting for 22.10 percent of improvement. The  
messy in warehouse had caused erroneous retrievalas well as delayed and erroneous transportation. Once it was improved by cleaning,  
classifying products and areas with sign boards, the results showed that the cost of loss was reduced from 45,900 THB per quarter to  
2
1,600 THB per quarter, accounting for 52.94 percent of improvement. Employee satisfaction level was increased from 3.20 to 4.60,  
accounting for 43.75 percent of improvement.  
Keywords: Brainstorming; Cause and Effect Analysis; ECRS; Lean Six Sigma; Productivity; Work Study; 5S; Continuous  
Improvement.  
1
and theories of modern production and quality improvement  
were always developed.  
1
Introduction  
Presently, productivity improvement is one of the most  
According to high competition and rapid changing  
business conditions as well as bottleneck problem in cutting  
and die department, this study contributes recent studies by  
examining the productivity improvement by the application of  
lean six sigma, ECRS, and work study principle to reduce the  
work process and improve the working method, while setting  
up a newworking areaaccording to the principleof 5S to allow  
employees in the warehouse to work more easily. In addition,  
this study attempts to reduce transportation problems, wastes,  
delays and the number of errors that affect the cost of the  
company by continuous improvement principles which enable  
the company to be more competitive in the industry.  
important to business operation and management, which can  
be applied in both manufacturing and service industry. Due to  
fierce competition in all businesses, especially in carton  
manufacturing industry, which is competitive in aspects of  
price, product quality, time delivery, and customer  
satisfaction, cross-border business, electronic commerce  
business,opening countries and tradezones in both the Eastern  
and Western countries have become a stimulus for business  
needs to be adapted to keep up with the changing business  
circumstances. This new knowledge-based challenge requires  
effective management tools to assist the organization to meet  
customer requirements. During the past period, the principles  
Corresponding author: Piyachat Burawat, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand. E-mail:  
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Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques  
2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 780-793  
referred to as making the change stick. Once the solution has  
solved the problem, the improvements must be standardized  
and sustained over time (4).  
2
Literature Review  
Literature review will be gainful for advocating the model  
described in detail in the next section.  
2
.3 Work study  
Work study is an important management tool to achieve  
2
.1 Productivity  
A general definition of productivity is the relationship  
higher productivity. It is related to human work, method of  
doing work and standard of performance. The survival of any  
organization is dependent on use of the latest technology and  
efficient methods of production. To improve efficiency of  
production, it needs effective utilization of plant, equipment  
and labor. This can be achieved by using work study which  
studies methods and evaluate the performance. It divides work  
into smaller elements, studies it, and rearranges it to get the  
same or greater efficiency at reduced cost.  
International Labor Organization (ILO) defines work  
study as the technique of method study and work measurement  
employed to ensure the best possible use of human and  
materialresources in carrying out a specified activity. It is also  
a management service based on method study and work  
measurement used in examination of human work leading to  
investigation of all the resources that affect efficiency and  
economy of situation in order to bring about improvement.  
Further, ILO states that work study is aimed to minimize cost  
either by designing the work for high productivity or by  
improving productivity in existingwork through improvement  
in current methods by reducing ineffective and wasted time  
between the output generated by a production or service  
system and the input provided to create this output (15). Thus,  
productivity is defined as the efficient use of resources, e.g.  
labor, capital, land, materials, energy, information; in the  
production of various goods and services (2). In addition,  
higher productivity means accomplishing more with the same  
amount of resources or achieving higher outputs in terms of  
volume and quality with the same input (18). Moreover,  
productivity is viewed in terms of efficiency and effectiveness  
of work (2).  
Since globalization has an effect on continuous  
competition in all business industry, many researchers have  
recommended that the definition of productivity as the ratio  
between output and input as well as the terms of efficiency and  
effectiveness resultingfrom the use of that resources is narrow  
and inappropriate view for measuring the success of the  
current business (10, 16). Thus, modern notion of productivity  
includes consideration of social and ecological costs, ability to  
create value for customers and stakeholders in the supply  
chain, abilityto meet customers requirementsthat change over  
time, survival in high competition, and agility and speed in  
adapting to meet customer needs (10, 16).  
(
6).  
2
.4 ECRS  
2
.2 Lean Six Sigma  
Lean Six Sigma is the latest generation of improvement  
ECRS is an effective approach of the motion study  
technique used to improve production lines proposed by  
Mogensen (1932). ECRS represents the four core principles.  
First, eliminate waste (E) found in manufacturing such as  
waiting time, unnecessary movement and work step. Second,  
combine unnecessary work steps (C) to reduce the number of  
working steps and total processing time. Third, rearrange any  
process step(R) for reducingdistanceof moving or the number  
of movements. Finally, simplify (S) or propose easier method  
for working or introduce new equipment such as jigs, fixtures,  
support tools, or machine modification, to support operators.  
ECRS is a common technique in motion study; thus, when  
any process faces with inefficient working condition related to  
human works, ECRS is firstly considered and gives the  
effective results after implementation. When ECRS is  
introduced to improve any process, the results include  
reduction in processing time and proposing efficient working  
steps that can reduce unnecessarymovement and waiting time.  
The improvement from ECRS leadsto reduction in system cost  
and energy cost while the processing time is reduced.  
Furthermore, material cost and waste cost are reduced when  
the improvements are affected to reduce material loss from  
inappropriate working methods (8).  
methodologies invented during the late 1990s and early 2000s  
3). It is an integration of lean and Six Sigma methods. Lean  
manufacturing focuses on reducing losses but cannot reduce  
the process variation whereas Six Sigma can reduce the  
process variation but cannot reduce losses or production time  
(
(
3, 20). Therefore, both concepts are applied together, called  
the Lean Six Sigma which aims to eliminate losses in the  
production process and using statistical principles to reduce  
variation in the production process.  
A DMAIC improvement cycle is the core tool and can be  
used as the framework for any improvement applications. The  
completion of one cycle continues with the beginning of the  
next. A DMAIC-cycle consists of five consecutive steps or  
phases. First, define step (D) is intended to clearly articulate  
the business problem, goal, potential resources, project scope  
and high-level project timeline. This information is typically  
captured withinproject charter document. i.e. write down what  
you currently know, seek to clarify facts, set objectives, and  
form the project team. Second, measure step (M) aims to  
objectively establish current baselines as the basis for  
improvement. This is a data collection step, the purpose of  
which is to establish process performance baselines. Third,  
analyze step (A) aims to identify, validateand select root cause  
for elimination. Fourth, improve step (I) aims to identify, test  
and implement a solution to the problem, in part or in whole.  
This depends on the situation, e.g. identifying creative  
solutions to eliminate the key root causes in order to fix and  
preventing process problems. Finally, control step (C) is to  
embed the changes and ensure sustainability; this is sometimes  
2
.5 Continuous Improvement  
Continuous improvement can be viewed as several  
aspects. First, continuous improvement is as much  
a
philosophy as a set of specific qualitytools and methods. Thus,  
it would be seemed to be particularly important for managers  
to have an orientationtowardprocess focusing on the rightway  
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Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques  
2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 780-793  
of doing things. Second, continuous improvement can be seen  
as generic characteristics which focuses on the value of  
making continuous incremental changes (5). Users emphasize  
on makingsmall changes, modifying processes, and eventually  
creating a large cumulative effect (5). Although each small  
change may not have a measurable impact, the cumulative  
effect can be quite profound. Third, continuous improvement  
is viewed as improving method for both products and  
processes which involve employees from all positions and all  
departmentsin the company (14). The objective is to eliminate  
wasteful practices (17) and achieve lean production (23).  
Employees continuously chip away the fatty tissues of firm  
and create lean production processes (17). Finally, continuous  
improvement is a kind of meditation technique that reveals its  
profundity only through ceaseless repetition and change (21).  
The Deming’s quality cycle or PDCA-cycle is used to  
coordinate continuous improvement efforts. The completion of  
one cycle continues with the beginning of the next. A PDCA-  
cycle consists of four consecutive steps or phases. First, plan  
phase (P) is an analysis of what requires to be improved by  
taking into consideration areas that hold opportunities for  
change, e.g. decision on what should be changed. Second, do  
step (D) is an implementation of the changes that are decided  
on in the Plan step. Third, check phase (C) is a control and  
measurement of processes and products in accordance to  
changes made in previous steps and in accordance with policy,  
goals and requirements on products. Lastly, act step (A) is an  
adoption or reaction to the changes or running the PDCA-cycle  
through again, keeping improvement on-going (4).  
to maintain the clean workplaces. During cleaning, it checks  
the cleanness of machine, workplace and floor, tightness of  
equipment, cleanness of lines, pipes, sources of light, current  
data, legibility and comprehensibility of delivered  
information, etc. Indispensable is the taking care of and  
maintenance of personal tidiness of the operator. Next,  
Seiketsu (standardize) aims to be constant place for things,  
constant rules of organization, storage and keeping cleanness.  
Worked out and implemented standards in the form of  
procedures and instructions permit to keep the order on the  
workplaces. Standards should be very communicative, clear  
and easy to understand. Regarding this during preparation and  
improving, it should involve all participants of the process on  
the given workplace; it means direct workers. The group  
knows the best specificity of its own activities, and process of  
elaboration and after that, usage gives them possibility of  
understanding the essence and each aspect of the operation. In  
the aim of assuring all the easy access, obligatory standards  
should be found in constant and visible places. Finally,  
Shitsuke (sustain) aims to be automatic realization of the  
above-mentioned rules (19).  
Implementing the idea of the 5S will demand from workers  
the compact self-discipline connected with implementing and  
obeying the rules of regularity in cleaning and sorting. It leads  
to increasing the consciousness of employees, and decreasing  
the number of non-conforming products and processes,  
improvements in the internalcommunication, and through this  
to improvement in the human relations.  
3
Research Methodology  
The objective of this study is to improve productivity in  
2
.6 5S Practices  
The 5S practice begins each programme of improvement.  
carton manufacturing industry. The study was conducted from  
November 2017 to August 2018 from a case study of ABC Co.,  
Ltd. The data were collected from the managers and  
supervisors and the problems were analyzed by brainstorming,  
cause and effect diagram, and pareto chart. The current  
productivity is measured by the ratio between current output  
divided by current input. After measuringcurrent productivity,  
the analyzed and improved process were developed by using  
by means of lean six sigma, ECRS, work study, and 5S. Next,  
the productivity after improvement was measured by the ratio  
between output after improvement, divided by input after  
improvement. Meanwhile, productivity growth was calculated  
by the ratio between the difference of productivity after  
improvement and current productivity, divided by current  
productivity. In addition, employee satisfaction was assessed  
by questionnaires (5 is extremely satisfied and 1 is extremely  
dissatisfied). Descriptive statistic was used to analyze  
employee satisfaction data.  
It is the tool for helping the analysis of processes running on  
the workplace. The 5S is the methodology of creation and  
maintaining well organized, clean, highly effective and high  
qualityworkplace. Its resultis the effective organization of the  
workplace, reduction of work’s environment, elimination of  
losses connected with failures and breaks, improvement of the  
quality and safety of work (7). The philosophy of the 5S has  
its roots in Japan developed by Osada in the early 1980s (9).  
The name 5S is the abbreviation of five Japanese words  
including Seri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke.  
First, Seri (sort) is aimed to sort, organize the workplace,  
and eliminate unnecessary materials. Through the suitable  
sorting, it can identify the materials, tools, equipment and  
necessary information for realization the tasks. Sorting  
eliminates the waste material (raw materials and materials),  
nonconforming products, and damaged tools. It helps to  
maintain the clean workplace and improves the efficiency of  
searching and receiving things, shortening the time of running  
the operation. Second, Seiton (set in order) aims to visualize  
of the workplace and place for everything (e.g. painting the  
floor helps to identify the places of storage of each material or  
transport ways, drawing out the shapes of tools makes it  
possible for the quick putting aside them on the constant  
places, colored labels permit to identify the material, spare  
parts or documents etc.). It should execute the segregation of  
things and mark the places of theirstoring. Third, Seiso (shine)  
aims to clean and remove wastes or dust. Regular cleaning  
permits to identify and to eliminatesources of disordering and  
Current Output  
Current Productivity=  
Current Input  
Output after improvement  
Productivity after improvement=  
Input after improvement  
(
Productivity after improvement - Current  
Productivity)  
Productivity Growth=  
Current Productivity  
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4
Results and Findings  
4
.1 Resultsfrom brainstormingandcause and effectdiagram  
Based on the participation and observation study together  
with brainstorming with managers, supervisors, and relevant  
employees, the results found that the major product and large  
order quantity is the carton sizing of 15x12x43.5 centimeter.  
Thus, this study focuses to the process of this product  
composed of 6 processes including dividing/cutting, printing,  
die-cutting, jump/slot, sewing, and gluing. Referring to the  
defined problem results,it was found that production problems  
occurred from a delayed process in cutting and die-cut  
department, messy area in warehouse, delayed and erroneous  
transportation.  
Figure 3: Improvement Measurement Method  
4
.3 Results of improvement in die-cut process  
Die-cut process is similar to sewing process; however,  
production time per one piece is significantlyslower. Based on  
work study and interview with three operators, the results  
found that the lost cutting time was caused by excess  
movement of worker while sitting and working. So, when the  
movement was changed from sitting to standing, the worker  
felt less exhausted and could reduce the standard time from  
1
9.32 minutes per 100 pieces to 15.05 minutes per 100 pieces,  
Figure 1: Results from Brainstorming and Cause and Effect Diagram  
accounting for 22.10 percent of improvement.  
4
.2 Results of improvement in cutting process  
Cuttingprocess is the firstprocess of carton manufacturing  
process. Step of cutting process begins with preparing raw  
material(large paper), followed by settingup cutting machine,  
picking up paper and inserting it to cutting machine, cutting  
paper, measuring size of paper, and transporting to next  
process. Based on work study, the results presented that there  
are many pieces of work in process in measurement phase as  
operators measureall paper by hand using measuringtape. The  
operators informed that there are many defects if they pass cut  
paper to next process without inspecting size of paper. ECRS  
is implemented by simplifying measurement process.  
Considering measurement process, the measurement method  
could be changed from using hand to using pattern. The  
standard time was then reduced from 21.17 minutes per 100  
pieces to 18.10 minutes per 100 pieces, accounting for 14.50  
percent of improvement.  
Figure 4: Current Method of Die-Cut Process  
Figure 5: Improvement Method of Die-Cut Process  
4.4 Results of improvement in warehouse area  
The initial process before cutting process is receiving raw  
paper crates from the supplierand then transportingraw paper  
crates from the truck to warehouse area by forklift. After work  
study, the results presented that raw paper crates located in  
wrong position, messy and unsafety resulted in delayed and  
erroneous transportation to the cutting department.  
Figure 2: Current Measurement Method  
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4
.4.1 Results of improvement in warehouse area using 5S  
Practice  
First, Seri (sort) was implemented by sorting necessary,  
unnecessary and empty pallet. Then, unnecessary and empty  
pallet were moved or eliminated from the way of  
transportation. Second, Seiton (set in order) was implemented  
by keeping the pallet according to the frequent and important  
usage. Written and hanged labels were provided to reduce  
errors and easy to utilize. Third, Seiso (shine) was  
implemented by regular maintaining cleanliness, leading to no  
crumbs that cause problems in the speed and safety of the  
forklift as well as well sceneries in the workplace. Next,  
Seiketsu (standardize) was implemented by setting standard  
time and number of storage, scheduling and planning the  
storage based on standard quantity and time. Finally, Shitsuke  
(
sustain)was implementedby maintainingthe above improved  
systems, communicating and announcing to all employees that  
S is essentialand requirescollaboration from workers and the  
Figure 7: Improvement Warehouse Using 5S  
5
Table 1: Details of Transportation Wastes  
compact self-discipline connected with implementing and  
obeying the rules of regularity in cleaning and sorting. After  
applying 5S activities to improve warehouse area, the findings  
showed that warehouse’s employee satisfaction level was  
increased from 3.20 to 4.60, accounting for 43.75 percent of  
improvement.  
Cumulative  
Waste/Problem  
Details  
Number  
of trips  
Frequency  
(Percentage)  
Frequency  
(Cumulative  
Percentage)  
58.82%  
Delayed  
Erroneous  
90  
36  
58.82%  
23.53%  
82.35%  
Products damaged  
due to overlapping  
2
7
17.65%  
100.00%  
Figure 6: Current Warehouse Area  
4
.3.2 Results of improvement in warehouse area using Lean  
Six Sigma  
Delayed and erroneous transportation is improved by Lean  
Six Sigma using waste elimination and DMAIC-cycle.  
Problem and waste in transportation were defined by using  
pareto chart which was collected from 270 trips within 3  
months. Delayed and erroneous transportation occurred from  
151 trips. Problem details are showed in figure 8 and table 1.  
Measure phase was implemented by measuring loss of  
Figure 9: Current Carrying Method  
transportation cost. The average loss for 1 trip is equal to 300  
THB. Transportation problem came from 151 trips; thus, the  
loss in transportation accounted for 45,300 THB. Analyze  
phase was implemented by brainstorming which is presented  
in table 2.  
Improvement phase was implemented by work study,  
continuous improvement, and ECRS. Work study was  
implemented for setting standard time and specifying truck  
license plate as well as appropriate transportation route. ECRS  
was implement by rearranging the counting process and  
simplifying recorded document.  
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2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 780-793  
Figure 8: Defined root causes using pareto chart  
Table 2: Analyzing Transportation Wastes  
Wastes/Problems  
Details  
Targeted  
Delayed  
Deliver products to customers later than 30-60  
minutes.  
Reduce the delayed time from 30-60 minutes to 15  
minutes.  
Erroneous  
Missing or exceeds the order quantity.  
There is a control of the product quantity which is  
correct to order quantity. Count the number while  
carrying the products to truck.  
Products damaged due to  
overlapping  
The products are placed in the wrong position, placing  
heavy products overlapping light products.  
Reduce product damage  
Employees must count number of products before  
departure which is equal to order quantity. In addition,  
employees need to record number of delivered and remained  
products for all delivery. At the end of working day, employees  
must count actual quantitywhich is equal to remained quantity  
and the last recorded one Product defect was reduced by  
arranging the heavy weight products at the bottom, while the  
light weight products were always located on top. In addition,  
the paper was placed between the easily damaged products.  
After implementing improvement method, the results showed  
that transportation problem reduced from 151 trips to 72 trips.  
Thus, the loss in transportation decreased from 45,300 THB to  
5
Discussions and Conclusion  
The purpose of this study is to reduce waste and improve  
productivity in carton manufacturing industry. Brain storming,  
cause and effect, and pareto chart were used to identify root  
causes of wastes, bottleneck, and problems. From the define  
phase results, the wastes in carton production line occurred  
from a delayed process in cutting and die-cut department,  
messy area in warehouse, delayed and erroneous  
transportation. Thus, work study was applied to study and  
improve both work method and cycle time. Measurement  
process is non value added; however, it is necessary process  
which cannot be eliminated. Thus, ECRS was implementedby  
simplifying measurement process using measurement pattern  
instead of measurement by hands, which reduced cycle time  
from 21.17 minutes per 100 pieces to 18.10 minutes per 100  
pieces, accounting for 14.50 percent of improvement.  
Referring to die-cut process, it is a value-added and necessary  
process which cannot be ignored. Based on work study, the  
results showed that the lost cutting time was caused by excess  
movement of worker while sitting and working. Employees  
felt tired and fatigued because they had to bend and stretch  
21,600 THB, accounting for 52.94 percent of improvement.  
Regarding control phase, the satisfied results motivated  
company to share and apply improvement concept in other  
remained departments as well as setting standard work  
instruction and guidelines for both transportation process and  
other remained processes.  
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their arms while operating machine, resulting in frequent  
breaks during working hours. Thus, the movement was  
changed from sitting to standing, and the workers felt less  
exhausted and could reduce the standard time from 19.32  
minutes per 100 pieces to 15.05 minutes per 100 pieces,  
accounting for 22.10 percent of improvement.  
addition, the number of crashing accident was significantly  
reduced.  
Figure 12: Level of Employee Satisfaction  
Figure 13: Transportation Loss  
Figure 10: Light Weight on top with paper between the Easily  
Damaged Products  
Figure 14: Frequency of Transportation Waste  
Employees were familiar and inclined to work in the  
current method, which makes unsuccessful 5S practice. Thus,  
company announced and enforced 5S practice as one of the  
important policies. Meanwhile, managers and employees must  
follow them strictly, becoming a part of daily work. External  
customers satisfaction is the most important to successful of  
any business. Customers frequently feedback that company  
delivers incorrect quantity and defect products, which leads to  
both low level of customers satisfaction and high level of  
transportation loss. Thus, ECRS and Lean Six Sigma were  
applied. Rearranged counting process and simplified recorded  
document assisted to correct quantity. Employees must count  
the number of products before departure which is equal to  
order quantity. In addition, employees need to record number  
Figure 11: Standard Time  
Based on cause and effect diagram, one of the delayed  
problems in cutting process occurred from delayed and  
incorrect quantity transportation from warehouse department.  
Raw paper crates were located in wrong position and messy  
area caused waste of time for searching raw paper crates and  
crashing among forklift and messy pallets. Therefore, 5S  
practice was implemented. Once it was improved by cleaning,  
classifying products and areas with sign boards, the results  
showed that employee satisfaction level was increased from  
3
.20 to 4.60, accounting for 43.75 percent of improvement. In  
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2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 780-793  
of delivered and remained products for all delivery. At the end  
of working day employees must count actual quantitywhich is  
equal to remained quantity and the last recorded one. Defect  
products occurred from compressed, scratches, and lacerates  
defects which are eliminated by arranging and simplifying  
carrying process. Employees must check and manage all  
shipment products. The heavy weight products are located at  
the bottom, while the light weight products are always located  
on top. In addition, the appropriate paper was placed between  
lays of the easily damaged products. Once it was improved by  
correcting quantity and reducing defects, the results showed  
that the cost of loss was reduced from 45,900 THB per quarter  
to 21,600 THB per quarter, accounting for 52.94 percent of  
improvement. In addition, the level of external customers  
satisfaction is significantly increased.  
performance which can be applied in any industry as well as  
any size of company. It can be regarded as the promotion of  
the improvement techniques amongst the employees and as a  
trainingmethod for the employees. The findings demonstrated,  
however, that there are obstacles in the effective  
implementation of the improvement techniques for any  
improvement purpose. The most significant obstacles  
identified are related to depletion of communication, gap  
between the top management and shop floor operators and also  
the insufficiency of training and consciousness of this activity  
amongst the employees. Thus, the full advantages of the  
improvement techniques cannot be experiencedin the business  
sector until all the drawbacks related with application of the  
improvement techniques are recognized, completely  
comprehended and addressed. Continuous evaluation in all  
levels of firms is one major driver to change the improvement  
culture of the company. This evaluation should be emphasized  
on the progress and improvement of quantity and quality of  
products, level of morale and satisfaction of employee, level  
of quantity and quality of communication, financial  
performance, and customer satisfaction.  
Continuous improvement is known as Kaizen in Japanese.  
The applicationof the Kaizen principlessupposesa continuous  
communication between the manager and the employees  
(
vertical communication) and between the employees on the  
same hierarchical level (horizontal communication). The  
application of the Kaizen principles involves no major  
expenses, but only more attention to details and practical ways  
to do things better and more efficiently. The directly  
productive employee is particularly encouraged so that they  
can suggest and make improvements (22). After a detailed  
analysis, the results have noticed that, even in the areas where  
no improvements are needed such as warehouse area, there are  
still plenty of possibilities to improve. A good management of  
human resources in the organization is one of the strategic  
objectives of the organization which should be clearly defined  
and accepted by all members. The continuous improvement  
principles are the resistance structure that should be built on,  
so that we can get to a continuous and step by step  
improvement of the company performance. Problems should  
not be connected to employees because blaming employees  
does not solve the problem. Problem solving should use feed-  
back techniques.  
6
Recommendations  
There are several recommendations as followed:  
6.1 Japanese management and TPS techniques require a  
top-down approach that becomes part of the corporate fabric.  
Teaching TPS techniques cannot take place in a classroom or  
through seminars, but where the operations actuallytake place.  
To be effective, everyone must be fully aware of the various  
forms that waste can take and be constantly vigilant of any  
opportunities to attack and eliminate these wastes. Senior  
executives must regularly walk through the operations,  
observing the activities, asking questions, and demonstrating  
their commitment to the process. Too often, companies treat  
these processes as programs that can be started and stopped as  
needed. They seldom give it the necessary support and time to  
become part of the corporate culture.  
The results demonstrated that the implementation of 5S,  
work study, ECRS, Lean Six Sigma, and continuous  
improvement techniques can be applied in small scale  
industry. These techniques involve with Toyota Production  
System (TPS) which focuses on the active involvement of all  
employee categories, aiming to small but continuous  
development. Lean manufacturing is one of the options to  
reduce non value-added activity (wastes) and improve  
operational efficiency of the organization. The efficient  
implementation of 5S technique leads to improvement in  
environmental performance and thus primarily related to  
reduction of wastes in manufacturing. It promotes neatness in  
storage of raw material and finished products, reduction in  
accident, and increase of awareness and moral of employees  
6
.2 Though principle of Japanese management and TPS  
techniques are related to no major expenses, only more  
attention to details and practical ways is required to do things  
better and more efficiently together with continuous  
improvement over time. Thus, it can be applied in both  
manufacturing and services business. Due to the lower  
resource investment, it can be implemented in any company  
like small, medium, and large company.  
6.3 There are several Japanese management and TPS  
techniques. This study applied some of them, i.e. Lean Six  
Sigma, ECRS, work study, Kaizen, and 5S, the results are  
satisfied.It is necessary for all businesses to analyze and select  
suitable tools for their situations which may be similar or  
dissimilar to this study, for instance just in time (JIT), lean  
production, six sigma, push-pull system, Jidoka, Poka Yoke,  
Kamban, 8 wastes, single-minute exchange of die (SMED),  
Hejunka, Genchi Genbutsu, visualization, respecting  
employees, team and suggestion system.  
(
22). Regarding ECRS concept, all 4 principles are  
unnecessary to be applied at the same time depending on  
problem analysis and limitationsof each company. The results  
showed that even though this study applied only three  
principles (eliminate, rearrange, and simplify), the  
improvements are in satisfactory level.  
The findings demonstrated that Lean Six Sigma, ECRS,  
work study, Kaizen, and 5S can be seen as an effective  
technique that can reduce waste and improve business  
6.4 Though Japanese management and TPS techniques  
are pervasive implementation in worldwide business,  
European and Western management and techniques are  
widespread applied as well. Since European and Western  
management are involved with high technologies, machines,  
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2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 780-793  
and innovations, which require high level of investment, a  
business needs to calculate break event point and payback  
period before deciding to invest in training course for novel  
equipment utilization.  
10. Lammon D. An examination of productivity in the utility industry  
(thesis master of Arts). New York: Empire State College, State  
University of New York, 2010.  
1
1. Mogensen AH. Common sense applied to motion and time study.  
New York and London: Factory and industrial management,  
McGraw-Hill book company, Inc, 1932.  
Acknowledgements  
12. Mogensen AH. Carry out a methods improvement program.  
Factory Management and Maintenance, July 1949; 66-88.  
The author would like to express appreciation to all  
participants who gave priceless information, including ABC  
Co., Ltd., for the permissions that enabled the author to  
successfully carry out this study.  
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3. Osada T. 5S’s: five keys to a total quality control environment.  
Tokyo: Asia Productivity Organization, 1991.  
4. Poe R. The new discipline: unleash group intelligence in your  
company. Success, July/August, 80, 1991.  
5. Prokopenko J. Productivity management: a practical hand book.  
Geneva: International Labour Office, 1987.  
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