Continuous Improvement Processes, just a trend or a proven success-factor for organisations? The disparity between operational and office employees

Sammanfattning: Background and Objectives: This research explored the possibility of organisations implementing the work of CIP for the right beneficial reason, or if the implementation was done because the subject is a trend. While CIP-methods are getting more and more popular, it remains in many cases unclear which concepts suit best to what organisation. Having a single organisation implementing a numerous variety of concepts suggests that the use of CIP-method is sporadic and is closely linked to popularity and a word-of-mouth style. This area of research is approached with a quantitative data collection strategy. By gathering a significant amount of data from research units from a different nationality, the area of expertise and working experience, it was possible to conclude a sample as generalised as possible. The objectives for this study was to provide possibilities for organisations to take into consideration for improving the work of CIP and see if companies work with CIP-methods because they see a real benefit in using them or if it is being used because of the trend. Findings: With the usage of the qualitative research strategy, and using a questionnaire as the collective data method, it was achievable to acquire much information about employees from different industries, divided from Sweden and Germany. The gathered data were analysed manually and divided into five different categories. These categories were administrative & operational employees, employees working 0-4 years, 5-9 years and 10+, to more clearly being able to analyse, interpret and draw conclusions. Implications and Conclusion: The findings from this research are an indication of how the situation looks like today. We could see a mix of responses from the survey, both pointing to the fact that certain CIP-methods are being used for their respective beneficial use, and certain CIP-methods are being used because it is a trend to work with them. Thus, a definite difference in usage of certain CIP-methods and how it was considered necessary for the organisation between employees working in an operational position and employees working in an administrative position.