Barriers and Success Factors for Continuous Improvement Efforts in Complex ETO Firms

Abstract : This paper focuses on the factors that may influence the implementation of continuous improvement efforts, in an Engineer-to-Order (ETO) manufacturing setting. In general, one-of-a-kind production nature and temporary organizational structures of ETO firms may hinder the successful implementation of continuous improvement programmes. This study investigates this issue deeper through a single case study in a producer of offshore oil platforms and outlines the barriers and success factors for continuous improvement in ETO manufacturing.