Enhancing organisational effectiveness: Addressing inhibitors and enablers of the continuous improvement process

Although change in the workplace is now common, it remains to a great degree, a piecemeal or discontinuous effort rather than a smooth or seamless process. In contributing to the conference theme of critiquing methods of change, this paper highlights one approach to change which, if substantially embraced, can address shortcomings with participatory models and build a culture receptive to change as part of the day-to-day work flow. Initially the paper overviews the participatory approach to workplace change and then links this to the Continuous Improvement (CI) process. Recent research undertaken in CI in the Australian Manufacturing industry is then reviewed, including enablers and inhibitors of the CI process. Finally, the enabler of training related to CI is singled out for closer scrutiny on the promise that if CI training is not adequate, the potential of the CI program will not be achieved, thus likely to perpetuate a piecemeal or discontinuous approach to change.