Enablers of Continuous Improvement When Using a PDCA Cycle Based Information Technology Tool : A Comparative Study of Two Swedish Logistics Centers Within Grocery Retail

Abstract: Logistics centers can implement continuous improvement in order to stay competitive. Enablers of continuous improvement have been widely researched in academia. However, there is a gap regarding research about enablers in organizations using a plan-do-checkact (PDCA) cycle based IT tool to support their continuous improvement process. This study investigates the enablers of employees posting, implementing, and following up continuous improvement suggestions when using a PDCA cycle based IT tool and the support this IT tool provides for a logistics center. This was done by conducting a comparative study of two logistics centers working with grocery retail; one center in Västerås, where the employees had exceeded their goals for amount of posted, implemented, and followed up suggestions for 2017, and another one in Kallhäll, where they did not meet their goal for 2017. Qualitative data was gathered by carrying out eight interviews, four at each logistics center, with employees holding different positions within the organization. The study identified that for a logistics center to succeed with its continuous improvement efforts, it should have a well developed understanding of continuous improvement and the IT Tool. Employees need to be supported by providing them with an easy way to give suggestions and a leadership where improvement initiatives are supported. Employees should also be provided with sufficient resources, examples of successful improvement implementations, and feedback on all their suggestions. The organization must also consider continuous improvement as a long-term commitment and set a clear goal for their work with it. Lastly, employees at all levels need to be involved in all stages of the continuous improvement process and have a committed management team. The study also identified that the PDCA cycle based IT tool supported the organization in their work with continuous improvement by providing them a structure, which the employees were enforced to work by. The structure also enabled the organization to handle a large amount of suggestions and employees to easily post suggestions independently of their location. The tool also supported the organization by acting as a database, sending notifications, and providing the centers with statistics.