conceptual framework for implementing bottom-up kaizen in the malaysian automotive sector

This research aimed to discern the determinants shaping the implementation of bottom-up kaizen models in the malaysian automotive industry, conducted in three distinct phases: needs analysis, design and development, and evaluation. the identification of model prerequisites involved utilizing two instruments. in the initial phase, a panel of 11 experts employed the fuzzy delphi method (fdm) to formulate the model, relying on a 5-point likert scale survey questionnaire for expert feedback. the second phase employed a partial least square structural equation model (pls-sem) approach to appraising the model, involving 300 employees in the automotive manufacturing sector. the outcomes from the first phase led to the creation of a model featuring eight constructs encompassing 41 items, specifically tailored for bottom-up kaizen activities in the malaysian automotive industry. subsequently, the results from the second phase underscored that the bottom-up kaizen activity model comprises seven constructs, wherein only statistically significant and positively influential factors for both direct and mediated paths were considered. this study has culminated in the formulation of a structural relationship model for bottom-up kaizen criteria, offering significant potential benefits and serving as a valuable reference for the malaysian automotive industry.