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Article
Publication date: 1 May 1993

Bob Barker

The competitive pressures being placed on Western manufacturingorganizations require new restructuring models, which take account ofvalue‐adding capability and guide investment…

Abstract

The competitive pressures being placed on Western manufacturing organizations require new restructuring models, which take account of value‐adding capability and guide investment. Time‐based manufacturing strategies offer a framework to develop the total input/output chain in isolation of selling price. This method can be used successfully in batch‐manufacturing companies to reduce throughput time and conversion cost – the method is non‐capital‐intensive and involves total company and people commitment. Discusses a case study and results from implementation in a JIT environment in the electrical switchgear industry. Further research is required to link throughput time reduction with total factory cost and investment justification.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 April 2021

Jitendra Singh, Barbara Matthees and AnaLisa Odetunde

The purpose of this paper is two-fold: to describe how Lean methodology can be used, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to enhance the learning experience for non-traditional adult…

3668

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is two-fold: to describe how Lean methodology can be used, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to enhance the learning experience for non-traditional adult learners (NALs) and to explore attitudes and perceptions of students toward the integration of Lean methodology in online classes.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used to collect data for the study. NALs were invited to participate in 60–75 min semi-structured interviews. These interviews allowed researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of a participant’s experience. A six-step thematic analysis framework was used to conduct the data analysis.

Findings

This paper presents a Lean model that can be implemented in an online medium of instruction. The core concepts of Lean methodology: jidoka, just-in-time, customer-centered approach, team involvement and standardization and how these can be used in online learning have been described in-depth. In total, 40 students participated in the semi-structured interviews. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: work-life balance; lack of standardization; learning online classes and connection to the workplace.

Practical implications

These findings could help academic institutions, instructors and course designers as they work on implementing new teaching and learning strategies for NALs.

Originality/value

There is extremely limited evidence on the usage of Lean methods for NALs in a public health crisis. As academic institutions move to the online medium of instruction to contain public health problems, this project can provide important practical tips to instructors.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 29 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2009

V.C. Pandey and Suresh Garg

The purpose of this paper is to identify the key supply chain variables, on which the practitioner should focus, to make supply chains of manufacturing enterprises more agile…

1317

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the key supply chain variables, on which the practitioner should focus, to make supply chains of manufacturing enterprises more agile. Further, these variables are structured to determine their interactive behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive structural modeling (ISM)‐based approach has been employed to model the agility variables of supply chains. These variables have been categorized into five levels based on their driving power and dependence.

Findings

The paper identifies various enablers used by researchers and practitioners for flexibility, integration and responsiveness to customers needs. ISM is used to establish mutual relationships among these enablers and to prepare a hierarchy‐based model.

Practical implications

The index of enablers, based on driving power and dependency provides useful insights to supply chain managers in identifying strategic variables having high driving power and effective use of these can help in achieving the corporate goals.

Originality/value

By presenting enablers in the form of hierarchy using ISM and ranking them into various driving power and dependent categories, this paper is an attempt to develop insights related to agile supply chains in the Indian context.

Details

Journal of Advances in Management Research, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0972-7981

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1993

A.Z. Keller and A. Kazazi

Examines Just‐in‐Time (JIT) from its evolution as a Japaneseconcept through to a review of its philosophy and implementation. Citesseveral techniques of implementation. Includes a…

2605

Abstract

Examines Just‐in‐Time (JIT) from its evolution as a Japanese concept through to a review of its philosophy and implementation. Cites several techniques of implementation. Includes a review of the early work of various researchers and practitioners. Concludes that JIT is a very effective manufacturing philosophy which is universal in nature encompassing all aspects of manufacturing. Suggests a few deficiencies in current literature.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 93 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1998

Peter Hines, Nick Rich and Malaika Hittmeyer

This paper describes the Value Stream Analysis Tool (VALSAT) as a rigorous analysis and decision‐making tool in the supply chain or value stream context. The tool can employ both…

1628

Abstract

This paper describes the Value Stream Analysis Tool (VALSAT) as a rigorous analysis and decision‐making tool in the supply chain or value stream context. The tool can employ both tacit and explicit knowledge for the advantage of the supply chain in which it is used. Although the approach owes its origins to new product development in the Japanese shipbuilding industry, it can provide many advantages over traditional analysis approaches in a value stream setting. VALSAT is demonstrated from both a theoretical and practical viewpoint, the latter involving an analysis of potential improvement in the Kenyan textile industry. The tool appears to be particularly useful in focusing knowledge and so in aiding decision making where there is a complex web of supply chain inter‐relationships and especially where data are a mix of subjective and objective assessments. Additionally it creates the right environment for increased intra‐ and inter‐company co‐ordination, allowing for improvement implementation programmes.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 June 2016

Bernardo Villarreal, Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes and Vikas Kumar

The improvement of routing operations performance has been of great concern for organisations. This has led to the development of alternative lean-based methods, however the…

1855

Abstract

Purpose

The improvement of routing operations performance has been of great concern for organisations. This has led to the development of alternative lean-based methods, however the literature research on the applications of lean thinking in the transportation sector is still considered rather limited. The purpose of this paper is to present a lean thinking and simulation-based approach to improve the efficiency of warehousing and routing operations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the existing literature in the area of lean transportation and then presents and applies a novel approach to improve the vehicle routing operations of a Mexican firm. The proposed approach suggests the classification of wastes into those relevant to transport operations, their identification through a transportation value stream mapping study, and the use of the transportation overall vehicle effectiveness (TOVE) index for the measure of the overall performance of the transport operations.

Findings

The results obtained from the case study indicate that the proposed approach is an effective alternative for the improvement of vehicle routing operations as the number of routes decreased from 30 to 22 and the distance travelled by 32 per cent. Similarly, the average number of clients served by each route increased by 23 per cent as well as the TOVE index increased from 6.9 to 19.3 per cent. The TOVE component measures of vehicle performance and operating availability efficiencies also increased significantly while quality issues, in the form of number of customers not served per route, were reduced from six to zero.

Originality/value

The improvement of routing operations performance has been traditionally addressed through operations research and mathematical modelling approaches. This paper presents an alternative and novel lean thinking and simulation-based approach to improve the efficiency of routing operations.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 116 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 July 2018

Gusman Nawanir, Kong Teong Lim, Siti Norezam Othman and A.Q. Adeleke

The purpose of this paper is to provide valid and reliable constructs for lean manufacturing (LM) for assessing its implementation level in order to target areas of improvement.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide valid and reliable constructs for lean manufacturing (LM) for assessing its implementation level in order to target areas of improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an extensive review on LM literature and content validity assessment from practitioners and academicians, nine LM constructs were identified. Measurement items for each construct were developed to become a complete questionnaire. The questionnaire booklets were distributed to large and discrete manufacturing companies in Indonesia. Out of 1,000 survey questionnaires sent, 236 usable responses were returned giving response rate of 23.60 percent. Subsequently, an empirical assessment on the constructs was done by using structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The study identified the valid and reliable LM constructs, consisting of nine LM constructs and 64 measurement items. The study found that all the constructs are complementary and mutually supportive with each other. Indeed, it suggests the holistic implementation of all the LM practices.

Research limitations/implications

Owing the time and resource constraint, this study only involved large and discrete process manufacturing industries in Indonesia. Hence, the generalization of the result is slightly limited. More studies in several different contexts are required.

Practical implications

This study provided a valuable tool for researchers for gaining deeper understanding regarding the LM and its implementation. For practitioners, it is useful to evaluate the degree of LM employment in their companies, to target area of improvement, as well as to take possible actions in attempting to enhance the organizational performance. More importantly, practitioners should adopt all the LM practices in a holistic manner.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to develop LM constructs for evaluating the LM implementation in Indonesia.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 25 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1988

William D. Presutti

Just‐in‐time manufacturing is one of the most important management developments of the last decade and a half. Articles on the subject have virtually flooded the business…

Abstract

Just‐in‐time manufacturing is one of the most important management developments of the last decade and a half. Articles on the subject have virtually flooded the business periodical literature. Yet despite the proliferation of this literature, there are indications that the fundamental implications of this concept as an effective competitive strategy have not been fully grasped by U.S. manufacturers. This article attempts to integrate the manufacturing strategy of just‐in‐time with an important element of the firm's marketing strategy—the price element of the marketing mix. Given the competitive pressures on many U.S. firms, price becomes an increasingly important competitive weapon. Only when the benefits deriving from just‐in‐time show up in a firm's marketing strategy will U.S. firms demonstrate an ability to translate an effective manufacturing strategy into a significant competitive edge.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1992

Emilio Bartezzaghi, Francesco Turco and Gianluca Spina

Gives results of a survey on the application of the just‐in‐time(JIT) approach in Italy, based on a sample of 173 industrial companies.The methodological framework used to…

Abstract

Gives results of a survey on the application of the just‐in‐time (JIT) approach in Italy, based on a sample of 173 industrial companies. The methodological framework used to evaluate JIT application was described in a previous article (International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 9 No. 8, 1989). Interest in JIT is wide and is growing. The evidence shows the compatibility and complementarity of JIT with different classes of innovation; the need for an integrative approach emerges. Pull‐controlled flow, supply quality certification, preventive maintenance, job enlargement/enrichment and product modularization emerge as the core features of JIT, even though most are widely adopted in JIT implementation. In terms of operating conditions, the most significant improvements obtained by those who adopt JIT are: a speed‐up in production flow and synchronization between production and market and between the different productive and logistic phases. Consequently, major benefits in production system performance are achieved in terms of mix flexibility, working‐capital productivity and productivity of both direct and clerical labour. Success in JIT adoption seem not to be related to certain exogenous factors, such as company size and type and the nationality of ownership. As the strategic profile of a firm also seems irrelevant to the aims of JIT adoption JIT confirms itself as an instrument suitable for different application contexts and diverse strategic objectives.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1992

N. Singh and J.K. Brar

Provides a comprehensive review of various modelling approachesrelated to Just‐in‐Time (JIT) manufacturing. JIT is essentially aphilosophy for reducing lead time as well as…

Abstract

Provides a comprehensive review of various modelling approaches related to Just‐in‐Time (JIT) manufacturing. JIT is essentially a philosophy for reducing lead time as well as excessive work‐in‐progress inventories. Based on this concept a number of techniques have been developed for the design, planning, scheduling and control of JIT manufacturing systems. Reports on a comparative study of these approaches for JIT manufacturing along with the conventional manufacturing approaches and alternative systems for JIT manufacture. Explores future research areas.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

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