TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– To determine the critical success factors (CSFs) for continuous improvement projects in the public sector.Design/methodology/approach– Theoretical paper based on a literature review.Findings– It would appear that there are factors that are important in manufacturing organisations that do not figure in service/public sector organisations and vice versa.Research limitations/implications– As few papers were identified, further research must be carried out into the CSFs to see if the differences between manufacturing, service and public sector organisations are substantiated.Practical implications– This work identifies aspects that must be in place for the successful implementation of a continuous improvement project and should be used by those wishing to initiate a project within their organisation.Originality/value– This paper highlights the similarities and differences between manufacturing, service and public sector organisations. VL - 19 IS - 5 SN - 0954-478X DO - 10.1108/09544780710817900 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/09544780710817900 AU - Fryer Karen J. AU - Antony Jiju AU - Douglas Alex PY - 2007 Y1 - 2007/01/01 TI - Critical success factors of continuous improvement in the public sector: A literature review and some key findings T2 - The TQM Magazine PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 497 EP - 517 Y2 - 2024/04/24 ER -