Cyril Etornam Adala’s research while affiliated with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and other places

The informal welding industry is one of the major SMEs in Ghana. The industry is however confronted with a lot of challenges which, therefore, can be addressed by the use of Plan-do-check-act (PDCA) and 5S concepts. This study evaluated the benefits of the PDCA and 5S concepts as strategic tools for improving the performance of the informal welding industry in Kumasi, Ghana, by using the exploratory research technique. The PDCA and 5S concepts were implemented for a period of six months using 50 welder industries selected by the stratified random sampling procedure. The diagnosis of the current state of the industry was initially measured through performance indicators generated through questionnaires, interviews and direct observations. The design of the solution strategy was then implemented using the concepts to mitigate the challenges previously identified. This was followed by data collection to monitor the performance of the study factors. The results showed a significant (66%) general improvement in the cleanliness of the work environment, work safety and health of workers of all the study workshops. There was also a general decrease in defective products, and reduction in raw material waste and an enhanced aesthetic value of products. A total of over 17 productivity variables were evaluated out of which 11 saw between 4% and 96 % improvement, which in all translated into boosting the morale of workers and customer confidence. The study contributes to the paradigm shift of SMEs to modern management systems for enhanced performance and competitiveness. Keywords: Continuous Improvement, Ghana, Informal Welding, Operational Excellence, Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), Strategic Implementation

The blacksmithing industry in Ghana is of significant antiquity, contribution to gratifying various socioeconomic objectives of the country including, creating employment opportunities, encouraging the development of indigenous entrepreneurship and promoting effective resource utilization that are considered to be critical in the area of engineering economic development. That notwithstanding, research studies have indicated that the industry continues to suffer stagnation and their activities are largely unaccounted for. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to investigate the determinants of survival of the blacksmithing industry vis-à-vis globalization and advancement in technology. The study was a work site based cross-sectional one, conducted among 109 blacksmiths in the Kumasi Metropolis. Data obtained were acquired through the use of questionnaire and personal interviews. Data collected included socio-demographic profile, expertise, marketing, advertising, record keeping, use of ICT, finance, TQM, as well as impact of covid. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequency and percentage were used to analyze the facts sought from questionnaire. The study recorded an overall response rate of 96.5%. The general outcome of the study showed that the majority of the blacksmiths were battling with a myriad of challenges that impacted on the performance and growth of their business, with 44% and 18% experiencing lower demand or no change in demand of their products respectively. The study identified the influence of market competition from foreign products, low adoption of strategic modern technology, low modern communication tools, low customer knowledge management, difficulties in accessing finance and sourcing for operational inputs and impact of Covid-19 as some of the factors responsible for the observed low profits. The study recommends the need for Government and the private sector to put in place the necessary intervening performance strategies and stimulations of production activities that will enable the blacksmithing industry to survive in the current economic uncertainty and technology advancement.