Development of assessment methodology for improving performance in SME's

摘要

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop an assessment methodology that can be used toudevaluate performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector.udDesign/methodology/approach – This area of the study focuses on the assessment of performanceudin manufacturing SMEs. The methodology contains qualitative and quantitative measures that canudquantify the opportunities and benefits within SMEs, as well as identifying the performance gapsudbetween the current performance of the company and world-class performance. This includesudreviewing the literature relating to assessment methodology and collecting data by carrying outudsemi-structured interviews with staff at target SMEs.udFindings – The results show that the proposed assessment methodology is effective in identifyingudhidden opportunities and benefits in the manufacturing SMEs sector, establishing world-classudperformance of the companies and comparing this with current performance in order to identify gapsudin performance in manufacturing SMEs.udPractical implications – This assessment can be used for monitoring and assessing SMEsudperformance. The developed methodology can be used by manufacturing SMEs as an assessment andudbenchmarking tool. It enables manufacturing SMEs to identify opportunities for improvementudand determine the gaps in current performance; this will assist manufacturing SMEs in selecting anudappropriate tool to improve their performance in order to achieve the company objectives.udOriginality/value – This paper presents a successful and effective assessment methodology forudmanufacturing SMEs. It measures current performance which will provide a useful indicator toudidentify waste. It attempts to improve company performance and suggests how such activitiesudcould be organised and managed more effectively. Consequently it leads to a high potential for cost andudtime saving and quality improvement.