Factors improving employee productivity in a manufacturing business.

 Introduction

The Basic concept of productivity refers to the output of products per unit of time hence it could be denoted in an equation;

Productivity = Output/Work hours

The output factor could vary from the nature of the business the most common factor which is highlighted according to (Marek, 2023) is Currency/money made in a given period however it also can be the measure of units produced in a given period. (Marek, 2023) has formulated an equation to implement a figurative interpretation so that a clear monitoring of productivity will be done the author also brought in an example to bring in a better understanding of the formulation of productivity. “If 20 boxes are produced which were sold for USD 2 and it took 10 minutes to produce the one box” it could be formulated as follows.

Output in USD = 20 Boxes X $2 = $40
Work Time = 10min X 20 Boxes
Work Time = 200min = 3.3h
therefore, Productivity = $40/3.3h = $12.12 per hour

Through the formulation it should be understood that the increase in productivity is a decrease in the value per hour hence in could be pointed out that a method which decreases the per-hour rate in a manufacturing business will be highlighted as a factor improving employee productivity However it is important to keep the following factors in the scope of good ethics with good HR qualities, looking into the wellbeing of the employees and their job satisfaction.

However, it could be identified maintaining the right balance between increased productivity and maintaining the well-being of the employees is very challenging further, it is essential to follow the right balance (Hicks, 2021). It is important to retain employees who are well-trained in the business (Cloe, 2019) states that increasing the efficiency of the production process by tuning each process will increase productivity however creating a healthy working environment and keeping the employees will also increase the productivity in order maximize the efficiency of a manufacturing business it is important to maintain a good balance in implement goal setting and increasing the efficiency of the production line and also look into the aspect which goes in line with the wellbeing of the employees.

The effects of low productivity on a manufacturing business

According to (Cloe, 2019) Productivity in a work environment is critical in aspects of the business as the ultimate goal of a common company is to make profits hence it is critical for the business in very efficient and minimize waste in production in terms of time and material used. The effect of low productivity will be significantly reflected in the company profits and the company will be unable to reach its ultimate goal and further cater to its vision and mission.

 

Key factors that will have a direct correlation with productivity. (Hicks, 2021)

1.      Analysis and improvements

The efficient functioning of the company requires the identification of factors of the current operations which can be identified. To achieve the following discussion should take place with employees who are hands-on with the task and identify the current bottleneck in the process which has led to decrease in a reduction in productivity. However, taking feedback is not adequate to improve productivity. It is important to get their input and opinions to identify effective methods to boost productivity. By analyzing the process of production closely point of the production process where current concepts and theories could be identified. (PLANETTOGETHER, 2021) State that the best method to identify and utilize efficiency is the implementation lean principle as it covers all aspects of the ideal process to evaluate each step to identify if it is important or not. 




1.      Delegation of employees

It is important that the company trusts the employees’ skills and the responsibility is awarded to them making sure sure the right person is recruited to the right position. Delegations should also happen among employees who are qualified to carry out the tasks through the use of delegation it could be observed that through delegation the company has found new innovative approaches to tasks over the reset methods used and assigned by the company, the following mainly happens when the employee does a task over some time, he or she will find new innovative methods to carry out the task eliminating any bottlenecks, Idling and waste in material or time. This will improve the employee's job performance and further improve the sense of “thinking out of the box”. Further, new skills will be gained by the employee with the job and the development of leadership qualities in the employee will also take place. Delegation also nurtures individuals within the company as replacements for retiring employees or employees resigning at higher positions which further reduces the cost of training new employees and familiarizing employees into the company’s culture and environment.

2.      Match task to skills

Identifying the Employees’ skills along with how they react to each of the approaches implemented classifies how the tasks should be assigned to them and in what ways he or she should be motivated to get the task done efficiently should be identified by employer this analysis could identify if the employee is the right fit to carry out the specific task. following this will result in the end task matching the with company’s and customer’s expectations.

3.     Communicate effectively

It is important the task instructions as clearly conveyed to the employee therefore no the task or the product is not affected. The right method and language must be selected to convey the message to eliminate any barriers. In this case, it is also important to set up a correct and effective organizational chart so there is no conflict in assigning and monitoring tasks.

Other factors that will affect the productivity of a manufacturing plant are a healthy work environment, making sure the employees are aware of their goals, rewarding employees on efforts to increase productivity and keep up with the standards and training and development.

Considering most of these factors it is evident that managing the workforce with correct HR qualities will result in increased productivity followed by fulfilment of most goals set by the organization financially

the video below gives a different approach in increasing the productivity of a manufacture business.



References

Brenna, S., 2022. The 5 Lean Principles: Definitions & How to Use Them. [Online]
Available at: https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/lean-principles
[Accessed 11 November 2023].

Cloe, M., 2019. 10 ways to increase productivity in the Workplace. [Online]
Available at: https://www.freshworks.com/hrms/how-to-increase-productivity-in-the-workplace-blog/
[Accessed 11 November 2023].

Hicks, A., 2021. Top 10 Ways to Improve Employee Efficiency. [Online]
Available at: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/top-10-ways-to-improve-employee-efficiency/
[Accessed 11 November 2023].

Marek, M., 2023. Six areas where you can increase manufacturing workers’ productivity. [Online]
Available at: https://getprodio.com/6-areas-where-you-can-increase-manufacturing-workers-productivity/
[Accessed 11 November 2023].

PLANETTOGETHER, 2021. Five Principles of Lean Manufacturing. [Online]
Available at: https://www.planettogether.com/blog/five-principles-of-lean-manufacturing
[Accessed 11 November 2023].

 


 

 

Comments

  1. Agree with you Dushantha. In adding to your points, I would like to tell Training and development is also a very important fact to increase the productivity. Because it helps to improve skills and knowledge, increase confidence, motivate the employees, reduce errors and mistakes. Employee training can positively impact the organization culture because it improve job satisfaction, engagement and retention. Ultimately it helps to improve the productivity of the organization.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Agrees with you; and also HRM can help improve productivity by setting clear goals, providing resources and support, monitoring progress, creating a positive work environment, and incentivizing excellence. HR professionals can also help employees stay organized and efficient, establish routines, encourage social interactions, and promote a healthy work-life balance. Finally, HR can leverage HR tech solutions across the employee life cycle to build an effective HR ecosystem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your insight. too agree with your statement

      Delete
  3. The emphasis on delegation as a means to foster innovation and skill development among employees is well-founded. Delegating tasks to employees based on their skills and competencies can lead to increased job satisfaction and improved overall performance (Cascio & Aguinis, 2008). even with my own experience when I was delegated more responsibilities it motivated me to work better and to improve my skills and knowledge in the subject area, not only that after delegating the tasks I had to handle a group of subordinates under me. it was both challenging and rewarding. Please share your experiences from the companies you worked in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my experience, delegation in the workplace positively impacts employee development and innovation by delegating tasks based on skills. Employees feel trusted and valued. Delegation also allows employees to develop new skills and collaborate with colleagues from different departments. Additionally, delegating tasks encourages creativity and innovation within the team, resulting in improved overall performance and successful project completion.

      Delete
  4. As stated in your article, maintaining the right balance between increased productivity and maintaining the well-being of the employees is very challenging in the manufacturing business. In Today's world, we can see the concept of Smart manufacturing has been introduced in lot of industries. This will optimize production processes and reduce human intervention in routine tasks. Integration of intelligent systems like AI, data analytics, and the Internet are some of these concepts we can find.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the topic. The introduction of smart manufacturing has definitely brought a new perspective to the industry. By integrating intelligent systems like AI, data analytics, and the internet, businesses can optimize production processes and reduce human intervention in routine tasks. This can lead to increased efficiency and productivity while also enhancing the well-being of employees.

      Delete
  5. Is delegating a good option in the manufacturing business? As most practices are straight forward and cannot be amended with too much. In one way by delegating tasks to employees they would improve their efficiency as they feel included and they also will be able to suggest the fastest methods to get the job done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The delegation will bring innovative ideas into the production line to remove bottlenecks in the process and promote employee morale. Answering your question, I personally think delegating is a good option, in the manufacturing environment. However, the implementation should take place with limits and good research with minimal effect on the product quality and process benchmarks.

      Delete
  6. I agree with you. further HRM and training and development also play an important role in developing employee productivity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment. Employee productivity has a huge impact on turns of training and developing

      Delete
  7. In manufacturing, factors like efficient processes, clear communication, and a safe work environment are key to boosting employee productivity. Recognizing contributions and providing ongoing training further contribute to a motivated workforce.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment! I agree with your statement, adding that most organizations in Sri Lanka and globally think that a decrease in productivity is always because of systemic problems in the process or errors on the side of the employee. However, the literature suggests differently, as most of the productivity problems reflect bad HRM practices within the organization.

      Delete
  8. This detailed breakdown highlights the intricate balance between productivity and employee well-being in manufacturing. It emphasizes the need for strategic HR management to optimize productivity while ensuring ethical practices and employee satisfaction. Addressing bottlenecks, delegation, skill-task alignment, and effective communication are crucial facets contributing to enhanced efficiency and overall success within a manufacturing environment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great insight, and thank you! Agree with your statement and great point out on the communication effect I personally find productivity relies vastly on correct and effectivity communication especially in a diverse environment

      Delete
  9. We can agree that delegation is not appropriate on the micro level in certain industries, but in my remote workplace I think delegating the correct task to the correct individual is very effective. It creates a sense on ownership and responsibility if communicated correctly!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great share. I think one of the most misunderstood equations is Productivity = output/ work hours. Many companies feel driving people to get the best equation is the right way to doing it without considering the factors you have mentioned in your article. Effective delegation, task to skill management and effective communication can generate higher productivity. Another enhancement to this would be the input of a 'highly engaged' employee is always gong to be better than a moderately engaged or low engaged employee.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Productive and effects of leadership

Training and development , Influence in performance?

Resting during work hours and its effect on productivity