Readiness of Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) to Adopt Problem Solving Tools: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Problem Solving Tools are tools that help companies such as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) engaged in manufacturing to identify the root cause of the problems and rectify the problems effectively. However, the level of utilization of the Tools has been poor. The factors that influence the level of utilization of the Problem Solving Tools by these Small and Medium Enterprises were identified through preliminary interviews conducted in the course of this research. The preliminary interviews also reveal the actual circumstances of Small and Medium Enterprises in the manufacturing sector of Malaysia and the problems that they face with regards to the use of Problem Solving Tools.