Process improvement in a third world organisation a study from Sub Saharan Africa

Abstract: First World improvement theory has been tested in a Third World organisation. A First World improvement process has been defined as a tool for testing. The objective of this thesis is to answer the research question: How does a Third World environment influence the introduction and application of a First World improvement process? The proposed five-stage improvement process was applied in case studies, which examined the Companywide Process, Cement Packing and Quality Control. The conclusion is that a First World improvement process, with only minor changes, can operate successfully in a Third World environment, provided management is truly committed to the concept of improvement.