Business Administration Department Approves Research Plan

Minnesota - The Business Administration Department at the College of Economics and Business Administration of the Islamic University of Minnesota (Main Center) has officially approved the research proposal submitted by researcher Abdulrahman bin Saleh Al-Abdulrahim for his Ph.D. degree.

The approval followed an extensive scholarly discussion during a seminar session chaired by the Department Head, Dr. Mohammed Younis, and attended by members Dr. Manal Mohammed Mahmoud and Dr. Fawzia Sayed Ahmed Taha. The session was overseen by the University's Deanship of Graduate Studies.

The seminar session was held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 9:00 PM Mecca Time.

The research plan aims to conduct an applied field study on "Basakat Al-Qasem for Dates" company. It will focus on analyzing the potential application of the Japanese philosophy of "Gemba Kaizen" as a strategic approach to establishing a culture of sustainable competitive excellence in private companies.

It is worth noting that the term "Gemba Kaizen" refers to the practice of "continuous improvement" (Kaizen) in the "actual place" (Gemba) where work is performed and value is added. It is a management philosophy aimed at achieving incremental improvements continuously and involving all employees in the development process.

The outcomes of this study are expected to provide a practical model that Saudi and private companies can adopt to enhance their operational efficiency and build a competitive advantage based on continuous improvement and the optimal use of resources.