Continuous Improvement; Values, Assumptions, and Beliefs for Successful Implementation: Its All About the Culture

In an increasingly turbulent and competitive world, organizations are constantly working to improve. Many organizations look to one of many continuous process improvement methodologies available today. Leaders who have been able to reap the benefits of continuous improvement behave in very specific ways. Their behaviors are centered on imbedding specific values, assumptions and beliefs that support continuous improvement into the way their organization executes the processes necessary to produce goods and services. To improve, leaders must first understand what culture is and how it impacts everything the organization does. We describe the key values, assumptions, beliefs and leadership behaviors we've found to be effective in organizations working to constantly improve the way work is done.

Robert E. Hamm Jr., PhD has served as a leader in organizations responsible for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, support equipment and aviation components for over 30 years. The authors experience with continuous process improvement began in 1992 when employed to conduct Quality Assessments using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria in the public sector. Preparation to lead continuous process improvement in a large organization began with training at a number of aviation industry companies implementing continuous process improvement. Bob has lead continuous process improvement efforts in public sector organizations employing from 700 hundred to 19,000 employees. The author has taught continuous process improvement techniques to senior leaders in the public sector for the past 7 years. He holds a PhD in Organization and Management and has published research related to senior leader commitment to continuous improvement. Bob is currently leading the implementation continuous process improvement in a 450 person organization responsible for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, aviation support equipment and component repair. Dr. Hamm is the author of Continuous Process Improvement in Organizations Large and Small; A Guide for Leaders.