Implementation of lean manufacturing principle towards improving firm performance : evidence from the case of account book fabrication industry
Kumar, Naveen ; Kumar, Mukesh ; Alam, Md Sarfaraz ; Jagtap, Sandeep LU
and Choubey, Vikas Kumar
(2026)
In International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness
- Abstract
- The account book fabrication industry, a sub-sector of the printing and stationery sector, has experienced a steady decline due to the rapid rise of computerized accounting. Despite its economic significance and continued relevance in semi-urban and rural markets, this industry remains unexplored in academic literature. This study addresses this research gap by investigating how lean manufacturing principles can revitalize a declining traditional industry. A case-study approach was adopted at an account book fabrication workshop in Prayagraj, India. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 18 participants, direct shop-floor observations, and time–motion studies. Lean tools, including 5S, Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, and Kanban,... (More)
- The account book fabrication industry, a sub-sector of the printing and stationery sector, has experienced a steady decline due to the rapid rise of computerized accounting. Despite its economic significance and continued relevance in semi-urban and rural markets, this industry remains unexplored in academic literature. This study addresses this research gap by investigating how lean manufacturing principles can revitalize a declining traditional industry. A case-study approach was adopted at an account book fabrication workshop in Prayagraj, India. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 18 participants, direct shop-floor observations, and time–motion studies. Lean tools, including 5S, Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, and Kanban, were systematically implemented over 6 months. The findings reveal a 20% reduction in fabrication time per unit, a 25% increase in monthly output, improved inventory turnover, higher worker wages, and enhanced owner profits. Beyond operational gains, the study links lean-driven improvements to export competitiveness, demonstrating how enhanced productivity, quality, and cost-efficiency enable traditional firms to meet international standards and participate in global supply chains. The study offers both theoretical and practical contributions for sustaining traditional industries in a globalized economy. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/bd9c67b5-90fb-4762-8b1f-ae4a64ac7bef
- author
- Kumar, Naveen
; Kumar, Mukesh
; Alam, Md Sarfaraz
; Jagtap, Sandeep
LU
and Choubey, Vikas Kumar
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-05-29
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- in
- International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness
- pages
- 13 pages
- publisher
- Springer
- ISSN
- 0976-1888
- DOI
- 10.1007/s42943-026-00151-2
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- bd9c67b5-90fb-4762-8b1f-ae4a64ac7bef
- date added to LUP
- 2026-05-30 22:36:43
- date last changed
- 2026-08-13 03:30:49
@article{bd9c67b5-90fb-4762-8b1f-ae4a64ac7bef,
abstract = {{The account book fabrication industry, a sub-sector of the printing and stationery sector, has experienced a steady decline due to the rapid rise of computerized accounting. Despite its economic significance and continued relevance in semi-urban and rural markets, this industry remains unexplored in academic literature. This study addresses this research gap by investigating how lean manufacturing principles can revitalize a declining traditional industry. A case-study approach was adopted at an account book fabrication workshop in Prayagraj, India. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 18 participants, direct shop-floor observations, and time–motion studies. Lean tools, including 5S, Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, and Kanban, were systematically implemented over 6 months. The findings reveal a 20% reduction in fabrication time per unit, a 25% increase in monthly output, improved inventory turnover, higher worker wages, and enhanced owner profits. Beyond operational gains, the study links lean-driven improvements to export competitiveness, demonstrating how enhanced productivity, quality, and cost-efficiency enable traditional firms to meet international standards and participate in global supply chains. The study offers both theoretical and practical contributions for sustaining traditional industries in a globalized economy.}},
author = {{Kumar, Naveen and Kumar, Mukesh and Alam, Md Sarfaraz and Jagtap, Sandeep and Choubey, Vikas Kumar}},
issn = {{0976-1888}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{05}},
publisher = {{Springer}},
series = {{International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness}},
title = {{Implementation of lean manufacturing principle towards improving firm performance : evidence from the case of account book fabrication industry}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/251539018/s42943-026-00151-2.pdf}},
doi = {{10.1007/s42943-026-00151-2}},
year = {{2026}},
}