Facilitating Kaizen : The Role of Support Leadership in Enhancing Team Learning, Empowerment and Continuous Improvement within the Manufacturing Sector in Malaysia

The main purpose of this study is to identify the mediating effect of support leadership on the relationship between team learning, empowerment and Kaizen (continuous improvement) within the manufacturing sector in Malaysia. Although the significance of Kaizen in improving organisational performance is well-documented, the specific dynamics in terms of how team learning and empowerment contribute to this process and the role of support leadership have yet to be clearly understood. Addressing this research gap, a quantitative survey was conducted and gathered 161 responses from employees actively involved in Kaizen projects. The analysis reveals that support leadership significantly mediates the relationship between team learning and empowerment with Kaizen, highlighting its crucial role in fostering continuous improvement. These insights offer valuable implications for manufacturing firms aiming to enhance their Kaizen initiatives, suggesting that fostering support leadership can increase the benefits of team learning and empowerment, ultimately driving more effective and sustainable improvements. This research provides a strategic framework for Kaizen practitioners and strategic leaders to leverage leadership support in optimising Kaizen efforts.