5. Admission decision number: 1134/QĐ-DHKT dated 07/06/2012

7. Dissertation title: Research on Lean application in manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Vietnam

10. Supervisors:

• Assoc.Prof. Dr. Tran Anh Tai
• Dr. Nguyen Dang Minh

To answer for the main research question of “How can we enhance the application of lean management for manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Vietnam”, the thesis proposes some key solutions to enhance the effectiveness of Lean application in the context of manufacturing SMEs in Vietnam as followings:

• Firstly, the thesis systematically reviews the extant literature of lean management including theory, methodology, tools and benefits as well as the international best practices. This review forms a basis for practitioners to learn more about lean management and for researchers to develop further studies on lean management.
• Secondly, the thesis analyzes the situation of lean implementation in SMEs manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam; develop and verify the model of factors influencing effectiveness of lean management. Accordingly, the thesis provides the factual evidence about the current condition of lean management in manufacturing. SMEs in Vietnam including the success, difficulties and reasons behind the application of lean management and the impact of influential factors on the effectiveness of lean management. The thesis is put in the context of manufacturing SMEs in Vietnam with the features of corporate, employees and national culture
• Thirdly, originating from expectation of corporate, the thesis proposed key solutions to enhance the effectiveness of lean management which is suitable with the condition of manufacturing SMEs in Vietnam. In details, the thesis proposes solutions as well as policy implications for managers and stakeholders to improve the effectiveness.

• The thesis systematically reviews and clarifies the extant literatures of lean management. The research suggests that “lean application” in Vietnam is supposed to an open definition and also analyzes some popular tools and application methods of lean management.
• The thesis aims to build the model of influcencing factors to lean application for SMEs enterprises in Vietnam by constructing the measurement of impact factors and the effectiveness of lean implementation. The thesis is put in the context of manufacturing SMEs in Vietnam with the features of corporate, employees and national culture.
• By studing the impact these factors, the thesis reveals some problems of lean application in Vietnam and suggests a set of solutions to minimize the adverse impact of lean application and to maximize the benefits of lean application.

• Thesis analyzes the current situation of lean application at SMEs in Vietnam, especially in manufacturing sector. The data collected and synthesized in the purpose of building and validating research model; impact of some variables on the effectiveness of lean application in Vietnam. Therefore, the thesis provides the evidence for the current situation of lean application in Vietnam, particularly the success, difficulties and reasons behind the application of lean management and the impact of influential factors on the effectiveness of lean management.
• Factors affecting on lean application are analyzed in this thesis by considering the level and direction of impact. The result has been set in the context of of SMEs manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam; it has been accounted for the trait of labor resources and national culture. This would be a good example for enterprises that have plans to apply lean management in the future.
• Thesis proposes some solutions with tool lean’s applicable steps. Moreover, one toolkit is created to develop and maintain the motivating factors or to overcome the obstacles. Therefore, this is useful and practical to guide enterprises in their lean voyage. From proposing model, enterprises have a benchmark to measure the situation of lean application and assess the affecting factors. They also can refer some solutions.

13. Further researchdirections: expanding to research scale; investigating the impact of external factors to effective application in SMEs manufaturing enterprises in Vietnam (govermental policy, business the environment....)

1. Pham Minh Tuan (2015), Challenges in lean application: SMEs case study, Journal of VNU: Economics and Business, Vol 31, No1 (2015) 63-70.
2. Pham Minh Tuan, Phan Chi Anh (2015), TQM and Lean Management: Implication for Vietnam, Economic and Development Journal, National Economic University, 89-96.
3. Nguyen Dang Minh, Pham Minh Tuan (2014), Building lean management model for SMEs in Vietnam-Current situation and solutions, Conference proceedings of Lean Management for SMEs in Vietnam: situation and solution, Vietnam National University, 21-47.
4. Nguyen Thi Lien, Pham Minh Tuan (2014), Lean Management 5S, Kaizen application in Pho Yen Joint Stock Company, Conference proceedings of Lean Management for SMEs in Vietnam: situation and solution, Vietnam National University, 293-303.
5. Le Ngoc Han, Nguyen Dang Minh, Pham Minh Tuan, Nguyen Thi Hien (2015), Lean Management 5S, Kaizen model used in FPT Telecommunication JSC, Conference proceedings of Lean Management-Actual application model.
6. Pham Minh Tuan- A research member of Group A of Vietnam National University, Code: QDTD.13.21, (Nguyen Dang Minh-leader), 2013, Building Lean Management model to improve the operational performance for SMEs in Vietnam (completion in 2105).