Printing industry is faced increased challenges in relation to digital substitution, lower production rate and late deliveries due to the nature of the manufacturing process. Productivity as a ratio of output to input has a major role to play in defining the business success. This paper focuses on identifying the causes of low productivity and determine the factors for improving productivity in the printing industry. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using open-ended questions to guide semi-structured interviews.

The use of compensation practices and operational tools in order to improve productivity is essential for the printing industry to grow. Competitiveness within the industry requires quality and cost effective production both nationally and internationally. Internal factors influencing productivity include human resources, materials, machines, location, layout, finance, management, technology and process management, while external factors include supplier and consumer relationships. The results indicate that numerous factors contribute to the decline of productivity such as a lack of skills, layout, material management, technology, late order placement by customers, late material supply and poor quality material by suppliers together with the use of older machines. This paper is significant in that production managers, supervisors, artisans as well as shop-floor employees can use the findings as an analytic instrument to resolve productivity rate problems, with a view to improve service quality in printing industries.  

Keywords:

Productivity, customer satisfaction, process innovation and technology, printing industry