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1 – 10 of over 23000Tejinder K. Billing, Rabi S. Bhagat and Emin Babakus
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of the emphasis placed by individuals on scheduling of activities on the relationship between task structure and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of the emphasis placed by individuals on scheduling of activities on the relationship between task structure and work outcomes (i.e. job satisfaction and job involvement).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using surveys from 387 employees working in US‐based organizations. Regression analyses were used to test the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
The results of the study show that for individuals who place high emphasis on scheduling of work and non‐work activities, the negative impact of highly structured tasks was weaker than for individuals who do not emphasize scheduling of activities. The results also provide support for the hypotheses concerning the direct relationships between task structure and work outcomes.
Originality/value
Past research has largely ignored the role of individual differences in examining task structure. By providing empirical support for the moderating role of emphasis on scheduling on the task structure outcome relationships, this study not only paves the way for future studies but also emphasizes the importance of incorporating the role of time in examining task structure.
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Project scheduling/rescheduling occurs in all stages of projects, from feasibility stage to monitoring stage to completion. Since the late 1950s, network‐based techniques CPM…
Abstract
Project scheduling/rescheduling occurs in all stages of projects, from feasibility stage to monitoring stage to completion. Since the late 1950s, network‐based techniques CPM (critical path method) and PERT (programme evaluation review technique) are the techniques commonly used for project management. However, there are limitations in working with these tools that need to be overcome. Also, the computing ef. ciency of classic CPM/PERT analysis needs to be enhanced. Substantial research has been carried out globally in this field covering all areas of project scheduling: time scheduling, resource scheduling, cost scheduling, modern project management techniques, advanced mathematical models used for construction scheduling, and so on. To understand and document this research status, the authors have carried out an extensive study of various journals, published and unpublished research papers, and present this literature review.
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Humyun Fuad Rahman, Mukund Nilakantan Janardhanan and Peter Nielsen
Optimizing material handling within the factory is one of the key problems of modern assembly line systems. The purpose of this paper is to focus on simultaneously balancing a…
Abstract
Purpose
Optimizing material handling within the factory is one of the key problems of modern assembly line systems. The purpose of this paper is to focus on simultaneously balancing a robotic assembly line and the scheduling of material handling required for the operation of such a system, a topic that has received limited attention in academia. Manufacturing industries focus on full autonomy because of the rapid advancements in different elements of Industry 4.0 such as the internet of things, big data and cloud computing. In smart assembly systems, this autonomy aims at the integration of automated material handling equipment such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to robotic assembly line systems to ensure a reliable and flexible production system.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper tackles the problem of designing a balanced robotic assembly line and the scheduling of AGVs to feed materials to these lines such that the cycle time and total tardiness of the assembly system are minimized. Because of the combination of two well-known complex problems such as line balancing and material handling and a heuristic- and metaheuristic-based integrated decision approach is proposed.
Findings
A detailed computational study demonstrates how an integrated decision approach can serve as an efficient managerial tool in designing/redesigning assembly line systems and support automated transportation infrastructure.
Originality/value
This study is beneficial for production managers in understanding the main decisional steps involved in the designing/redesigning of smart assembly systems and providing guidelines in decision-making. Moreover, this study explores the material distribution scheduling problems in assembly systems, which is not yet comprehensively explored in the literature.
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Caroline A Bartel and Frances J Milliken
Achieving temporal synchronization may require that work groups develop shared cognitions about the time-related demands they face. We investigated the extent to which group…
Abstract
Achieving temporal synchronization may require that work groups develop shared cognitions about the time-related demands they face. We investigated the extent to which group members developed shared cognitions with respect to the three temporal perceptions: time orientation (present vs. future), time compression, and time management (scheduling and time management). We argue that group members are more likely to align their perceptions to temporal characteristics of the group or organizational context (e.g. time compression, scheduling, proper time allocation) rather than to each other’s individual time orientations. Survey data collected from 104 work groups are largely consistent with these expectations. The implications of shared cognitions on time for work group functioning and performance are discussed.
This paper seeks to present an empirical snapshot of the application of operations management (OM) activities in Australian service firms. The four key areas addressed in this…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to present an empirical snapshot of the application of operations management (OM) activities in Australian service firms. The four key areas addressed in this study are the nature or characteristics of services, the level of importance of OM techniques, the level of importance of performance indicators, and the challenges encountered by the management of service firms.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical data for this study were drawn from 190 managers of the Australian service organisations whose primary responsibilities were related to the daily operations of the firms. The targeted service organisations encompassed various sectors including transportation, communication, banking, insurance, health care, education, wholesale, retail, and professional services.
Findings
The results indicate that most services are characterised by high customer contact and a low degree of differentiation. In terms of OM activities, service delivery, customer service and quality control received the highest priority. This result was confirmed by customer retention, on time delivery, and quality which received the highest priority among performance measures. Innovation, on the other hand, surprisingly received the least attention among the surveyed firms. Finally, building service culture appears to be the most challenging issue encountered by managers in dealing with service operations as opposed to managing facilities which raised only little concern from management's point of view. In general, there is no significant difference between Schmenner's four service types with respect to the key issues addressed in this study.
Practical implications
From a managerial point of view, this study provides an insight into the importance of key OM practices and strategic performance indicators in the Australian service industry.
Originality/value
This study builds on previous studies focusing on the implementation of OM practices carried out in the USA. Therefore, it contributes to knowledge by providing comparison with the Australian context.
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The purpose of this paper is to improve construction project planning capabilities. As project management is a core capability in the construction industry, high‐quality project…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve construction project planning capabilities. As project management is a core capability in the construction industry, high‐quality project planning processes are necessary for project success.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper involves data collected from 555 project managers across four industries spanning three different countries. The project planning capabilities of construction project managers are compared with other industrial sectors. In addition, critical project planning processes for the construction industry are identified.
Findings
It is found that, relative to other industrial sectors, organisations belonging to the construction sector obtain a high quality of project planning and the highest success rate. In comparison with other sectors, schedule, quality, and procurement planning are most frequently executed in construction projects. Finally, the impact of the different planning processes on project is success are investigated. The processes that have the greatest impact on project success in the construction sector are “activity definition” and “project plan development.” However, construction project managers do not always invest enough effort in these critical planning processes.
Practical implications
Construction project managers wishing to improve project performance at the planning phase of a project should concentrate more on the accurate identification of all project activities. They should focus on the development of a high‐quality project plan that can be approved by key stakeholders.
Originality/value
This paper identifies the most critical planning processes in construction projects. This represents new information for the construction management body of knowledge.
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This paper demonstrates the value of a systems approach in considering performance management at an operational level in the hospitality sector. Systems concepts and techniques…
Abstract
This paper demonstrates the value of a systems approach in considering performance management at an operational level in the hospitality sector. Systems concepts and techniques are applied in a hospitality situation, a hotel, to describe and analyse influences between subsystems. An operations management analysis framework is then used to consider the design of operating systems with specific reference to performance measures which drive, and perhaps support an organization’s competitive stance based on competitive factors. The paper promotes the importance of having meaningful and appropriate performance measures, related to service delivery system design, which create perception of organizational service quality.
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Francisco Loforte Ribeiro and Manuela Timóteo Fernandes
Agile methods have proven successful in increasing customer satisfaction and decreasing time and cost to market under uncertain conditions. Key characteristics of agile methods…
Abstract
Purpose
Agile methods have proven successful in increasing customer satisfaction and decreasing time and cost to market under uncertain conditions. Key characteristics of agile methods are lean, flexibility and highly iterative development with a strong emphasis on stakeholder involvement. Today construction firms in general and small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular are surviving in a drastic competitive environment in which they are facing more and more challenges. Additional innovation is needed in the construction sector, with increased participation from more competitive SMEs. The main purpose of this paper is to present a model to prioritize available management systems to help SMEs address the challenge of today's market competition more effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology used is that of interpretative case study and grounded theory based on a strong empirical foundation, on which new theoretical insight into knowledge management as an autonomous action is developed. The paper looks at ways by which SMEs are managed, based on the empirical data collected from 12 case studies. It presents the empirical findings drawn from the case studies. Finally, the adoption of agile methods is subjectively assessed as to its potential contribution for improving the business processes of small and medium construction firms.
Findings
It is assessed that agile methods offers considerable potential for application in construction SMEs and that there are significant hurdles to its adoption in the actual phase. Should these be overcome, agile methods offers benefits well beyond any individual company.
Practical implications
Construction firms need to be aware of the advantages of new management paradigms and practices. The analysis shows that SMEs in the construction sector have to internalize agile values into their business processes to reap the benefits of agile methods. It also reveals that existing practices show some kind of agile flavours.
Originality/value
Agile principles and methods are explored, including: philosophy, values, practices and benefits. The management approaches used by construction SMEs are analyzed and discussed. The paper presents recommendations and insights for enhancing the performance and efficiency of SMEs by adopting agile values in their business processes.
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The general purpose of this paper is to give Sapolsky's classical study of the Polaris Project, written in 1972, the credits it actually earns. In addition, there are two more…
Abstract
Purpose
The general purpose of this paper is to give Sapolsky's classical study of the Polaris Project, written in 1972, the credits it actually earns. In addition, there are two more specific aims: to discuss the role and usage of project management techniques, such as PERT (programme evaluation and review technique), in the practices of project execution; and to display the power of thorough empirical case studies in order to deepen our understanding of the realities of project execution.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper constitutes a detailed review of the content and contributions of the book The Polaris Systems Development written by Harvey M. Sapolsky in 1972. The paper presents the main ideas of the book and discusses its implications for contemporary project management research.
Findings
Sapolsky's work, The Polaris Systems Development, is an important account of some of the most significant courses of events in the birth and formation of project management, especially the creation of PERT as a technique for project coordination. However, by going beyond the rhetorical surface of the project management, Sapolsky shows that PERT never played the role in Polaris that it is generally claimed to have had. The paper puts these findings in context and discusses why this has been ignored in project management research so far.
Research limitations/implications
Scholars focusing on project management research need to distance themselves from its historical tight bounds to project management textbooks and administrative project management techniques. There is a strong need for a broader empirical basis and pluralism in theoretical perspectives in the study of the realities of project execution.
Originality/value
The paper recapitulates a classic account of the formative period of project management, which so far has generally been ignored in project management research. In addition, it discusses three functions of project planning techniques: boundary objects for coordination, political features for legitimacy and trust building, and cognitive means for the social construction of a predicable future.
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Describes the results of a survey returned by 97 purchasing managers whowere asked to assess current patterns of global sourcing as practised byNorth American firms. Some of the…
Abstract
Describes the results of a survey returned by 97 purchasing managers who were asked to assess current patterns of global sourcing as practised by North American firms. Some of the issues examined include primary sourcing allocations, supplier evaluation criteria, operational performance measures and costs, managerial problems, and modes of communication. The results point to the importance of linking supplier selection criteria with corporate strategic initiatives in the evaluation of international sources.
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