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1. Introduction
Based on the National Automotive Policy (NAP) objectives, the automotive organizations are required to make substantial changes in their management systems or in maintenance systems, using the equipment, continuous improvement, investment in technology and innovation (Abdullah et al., 2013; Habidin and Yusof, 2013; Fuzi et al., 2015). Furthermore, based on the NAP, Proton has set the outlines of core value for the organization such as quality, customer focus, innovation, teamwork, speed, caring and honesty.
Based on the situation faced by the automotive industry, the total productive maintenance (TPM) practice is a practice which can assist in solving the issues of cost, technology and work environment. It also affects the innovations’ performance which has been set by the automotive company (Rathi et al., 2017). However, it must be supported by the other practice in order to improve the innovation performance (IP) and kaizen event (KE).
TPM is a unique Japanese philosophy, which has been developed based on the productive maintenance concepts and methodologies. This concept was first introduced by Nippon Denso of Japan, a supplier of Toyota Motor Company, Japan in the year 1971. TPM is an innovative approach to achieve the goal of zero breakdowns, zero abnormalities and zero defects and zero accident (Bekar et al., 2016). TPM practices are an efficient and strategic planning for business management. The TPM approach directly affects the level of efficiency and effectiveness in the manufacturing organization.
There are some previous studies related to TPM practices and KE practices in Malaysia (Lazim et al., 2008). This study was undertaken to fulfill the existing gap by examining the relationship between TPM practices, KE practices and IP in the Malaysian automotive industry. This research assists the industry through a systematic model of TPM practices, KE practices and IP to be more comprehensive and comparative in quality management, maintenance process, continuous improvement application, cost reducing activities and IP, especially for car manufacturers and suppliers in the Malaysian automotive industry.
Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the relationship between TPM, KE and IP for Malaysian automotive industry.
2. Literature review
2.1 Total productive maintenance
TPM describes the relationship between production and maintenance for continuous improvement of product quality, operational efficiency, capacity, assurance and...