Application of work study for productivity improvement: A case study of a brewing company

Productivity focuses on the efficient use of resources; labor, land, materials and energy for the production of various goods and services. The brewing process of the company under study had been taking longer than the standard time hence affecting productivity. The researchers focused on identifying areas for productivity improvement using work-study. The boiler, brewing and packaging sections of the production department were investigated. A descriptive research was conducted in which interviews; direct observations and work sampling were used to collect data. A sample size of 75 observations was determined using a statistical formula. Out of the 75 observations conducted at the boiler, brewing and packaging sections, the researchers concluded that; for the boiler section, 68% of the time the workers were working while the remaining 32% was attributed to ineffective time. For the brewing section, 60% of the time the workers were working while 40% was attributed to ineffective time. For the packaging section (machine 1), 80% of the time, the workers were working while 20% accounted for ineffective time. Lastly for the packaging section (machine 2) 83% of the time, the workers were working while 17% accounted for ineffective time. The findings separated employee's and machine working time from idle time. The researchers recommended that the company acquires advanced material handling systems; invest in sustainable energy and employee training especially in productivity improvement programs so as to enhance worker skills and knowledge.