Identification and Ranking of the Critical Success Factors for the Achievement of Operational Excellence in the Sudanese Aviation Industry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the critical success factors (CSFs) for operational excellence by organizations in the Sudanese aviation industry and to determine if it will result in improved organizational performance and competitive advantage. In this study, a comprehensive literature review is done to determine the CSFs and develop an initial CSFs hierarchy model to achieve operational excellence in the Sudanese aviation industry. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used for evaluating and ranking the determined CSFs. The study’s findings propose a conceptual model, using the AHP approach for operational excellence implementation in Sudanese aviation industry. As a result, the CSFs of operational excellence were provided and dissected to reveal its integrated components and the levels of their importance, without any of which the achievement of operational excellence would be impossible. These include leadership, people management, continuous improvement, operational strategy, and asset optimization.