%0 Journal Article
%T A Study on Just-in-Time Implementation in Portugal: Some Empirical Evidence
%A Maria Ros¨¢rio Mota Oliveira Alves Moreira
%A Rui Alberto Ferreira Santos Alves
%J Brazilian Journal of Operations & Production Management
%D 2010
%I Associa??o Brasileira de Engenharia de Produ??o (ABEPRO)
%X The objective of this paper is to find how far the Just-in-Time system is being implemented by Portuguese manufacturing firms, as well as assessing its perception and its potential benefits by managers. First, several studies about the implementation of the Just-in-Time system in various countries over the past 25 years are reviewed, and then the descriptive survey research is reported. Data were collected from a mail questionnaire sent to a few hundred firms in Portugal. The findings show that the surveyed firms view the Just-in-Time system as a way to reduce inventories, to increase quality, and to eliminate waste. Despite this good perception, less than 6% of the surveyed firms have the necessary conditions to successfully implement a Just-in-Time system. A significant practical implication of this study is that Portuguese firms should use Just-in-Time as a philosophy rather than as a solution for operations-related problems. Another contribution is to point out the most common difficulties for its implementation, so that Portuguese firms that want to do it can be prepared to overcome those difficulties.
%U http://abepro.org.br/bjopm/index.php/bjopm/article/view/59