In any industry enterprises are continually forced to face market changes and, at the same time, to reach a high level of productivity to be efficient. For this purpose, the managers are always in search of tools or methods to assist in improving productivity. However, in order to improve the productivity, we have to take into account a number of key issues. Besides that it is essential to calculate the businesses productivity through various methods and it is necessary to take into account the qualitative factors affecting the productivity level, factors that can not be included in any calculation method. Many literature studies investigates quantitative or qualitative part of a problem. A research which takes into account both aspects is very difficult and requires a high volume of work and information. This research aims to combine the two issues to encompass a broader range of issues that are related to the enterprise productivity. Thus, using our studies so far, we proposed a way to determine the level of productivity for the qualitative and quantitative factors (PQQF). For this purpose we developed a framework to help improve productive performance in terms of productivity. This framework is a guide of best practices and recommendations for large enterprises managers in mechanical engineering. The proposed framework includes a set of steps leading to the identification of five productivity levels of quantitative and qualitative factors (PQQF), which was reached by the DMUs (Decision Making Units). This level of productivity can be compared to the levels attained by direct market competitors. Improving the productivity of machine building industry enterprises can be done following the reverse path proposed by the developed framework. This reverse path helps identify, step by step, the unproductivity sources that exist within the studied firms. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.
