Search results

Many organizations report difficulties in integrating lean. A possible cause could be that methods and tools do not support each other. The purpose of this research is, therefore, to explore the nature of the connections within the system. Understanding these provides practitioners with a better way of defining their system and offers researchers a conceptual model with a new way of understanding a company-specific production system (XPS).

The study is designed as a multiple case study with three organizations and, in total, 25 lean experts serving as respondents.

The connections between the elements of an XPS act as a duality based on a problem–solution (P–S) relation. These are categorized according to complexity and can be mapped into a conceptual model, where the connections can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.

The results provide a method to analyze causes and effects in an XPS and a conceptual model. Given the limitations of a multiple case study, future research should explore connections depending on a broader variety of contextual conditions.

The results present a way to avoid a cherry-picking problem through understanding connections between elements in an XPS. This provides a new way to understand the weaknesses of an XPS.

The research provides a new approach with insights on how to conduct research in lean production by facilitating how to understand and interpret connections between elements in a system.

The purpose of this paper is to understand how a continuous improvement (CI) approach like lean production (LP) integration is affected by dynamic conditions and to propose how LP integration can be adaptable to dynamic conditions.

A longitudinal case study has been conducted in which data were collected through participative observations, observations, documents and an in-depth semi-structured interview.

The adaptability is related to the maturity level of the LP integration, where more mature organisations are better equipped to deal with the challenges occurring due to their learning and experimentation capabilities. The main problem is that the LP integration needs to be adapted, like compromising with just-in-time. This creates challenges to more immature organisations; they do not seem to be able to adapt the LP integration since the skills are lacking.

The research limitations are associated with the research design and therefore might limit generalisation of the context studied.

The management needs to stay focused on the LP integration to continue building CI capability. There is a need to adapt the LP concept, which includes assessing how proposed changes and the LP concept interact in order to make them reinforce each other. This involves creating guidelines concerning adaptation and facilitating a transition from mainly single-loop learning to double-loop learning.

This paper contributes by describing challenges that have an impact on LP integration and related organisational adaptability under dynamic conditions.

In order to improve competitiveness on a global scale, multinational enterprises increasingly develop a company-specific production system (XPS) and deploy it in their worldwide operations. An XPS is synonymous with a tailored corporate-wide improvement programme. The purpose of this paper is to explore the circumstances under which an XPS can provide a competitive advantage.

The paper uses an explorative case study methodology to investigate the link between the establishment of an XPS and competitive advantage. Specifically, the paper investigates the part of the Volvo Group's globally implemented Volvo production system (VPS) that aim to improve the manufacturing processes worldwide. Due to its historical trajectories, Volvo constitutes a unique case for studying the trend and effects of XPS. The resource-based view of the firm provides the theoretical foundation for the analysis.

The paper concludes with four research propositions. P1: In industries with widespread XPS implementation, an XPS is a necessary resource for achieving competitive parity; P2a: Early-starters get an instant temporary competitive advantage; P2b: Late-starters can achieve a temporary competitive advantage if they implement an XPS at a faster speed than competitors; and P3: An XPS can provide a sustainable competitive advantage if it has a superior fit with other path-dependent resources in the organisation.

The paper proposes an updated VRIO model, which is better suited for understanding the relations between an XPS and competitive advantage. The major limitation of the study is the single-case design, which complicates generalisation from the VPS to an XPS of the propositions set forward.

Despite the significant trend in modern operations management, XPSs have received remarkably limited attention from academia except for the Toyota Production System. Presumably, this is the first paper to discuss the recent trend of XPS and its contribution to competitive advantage.

The purpose of this paper is to examine how holistic improvement work can be organized and what challenges can be observed in the process of adopting a holistic perspective on production system improvement.

A qualitative case study and a questionnaire have been carried out. Data for the case study has been collected through semi-structured interviews, archived documents and participatory observations. The questionnaire was done in order to increase the generalizability of the findings from the case study and further validate the conclusions.

The improvement work at the case company is organized as a continuous improvement approach in a Lean Production system in the form of a company-specific production system (XPS), in which two other improvement approaches are incorporated. Some of the identified challenges are: the establishment of a holistic perspective on improvement opportunities; the development of a process to update the production strategy; the continuous update of the Operational Management System during the XPS implementation; aggregating measures for the improvement work and measuring the effect of improvement work.

As the current case study is limited to one case company, future research is interested in expanding to other production systems contexts for further validation.

The present study offers an increased understanding of the integration difficulties of improvement work that many production companies face regarding operational effectiveness, and based on the findings, some implications for management are presented.

For many years the analysis of contaminant residues on PWB surfaces has been of major importance to the industry. While the identification of residues left on metallic surfaces has proven to be relatively straightforward, the analysis of organic contamination of similar composition to that of the underlying board surface has not been as successful. Through the use of modern XPS instrumentation, the non‐ionic component of water soluble flux has been identified and differentiated from the chemically similar FR‐4 and soldermask substrates. This paper presents the XPS results for a series of experiments aimed at determining the location and relative concentration of water soluble flux residues on standard surface insulation resistance (SIR) comb patterns. The data show that the water soluble flux residue is not present as a uniform coating on the board surface but appears in localised sites in high concentrations while being absent in other locations. Through more aggressive cleaning procedures the sites of high residue concentration can be significantly reduced.

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain chemical changes occurring at various stages involved in processing of silver‐based photoimageable thick films; and to determine ensuing topographical features which other wise appeared to be hindered in 2D scanning electron microscopy.

Surface sensitive techniques, viz. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used.

Interfacial adhesion of silver film with substrate (Al₂O₃) was specifically looked into with respect to role played by photoimaging (before and after exposure to ultra‐violet light). XPS results revealed occurrence of subtle chemical changes in terms of unsaturation to saturation in C−C bonding and also an interesting C−Al bonding which presumably improves mechanical adhesion of unfired film with the alumina substrate. AFM was carried out to examine the surface roughness, particle size, and microstructure of film which are very important from the standpoint of high‐frequency applications.

Surface sensitive techniques like XPS and AFM were exclusively used in order to characterize silver‐based photoimageable thick films.

To evaluate the competing reaction of isocyanate with cellulose and water which can provide direction for further studies on bonding and curing reactions of isocyanate with wood.

Two modern analytical techniques, Fourier transform infra‐red (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were used. The FTIR was used to identify the products of the reaction of phenyl isocyanate (PI) with alcohol, water, and cellulose; while the XPS was used to evaluate the proportions of isocyanate that reacted with water or cellulose when PI reacted with cellulose at different moisture contents (MCs), respectively.

Methods for the IR identifications of reaction results of PI with n‐propanol, water, and cellulose, in which the reactions of PI with water and PI with cellulose resulted in N,N′‐diphenylurea and carbamate, respectively, were developed. It was discovered that the extent of reaction of isocyanate and cellulose decreased with increasing cellulose MC, and 92.98 per cent isocyanate reacted with water when 9.78 per cent MC was reached. It was confirmed that the products of the PI reaction were distributed mainly on the surface of the cellulose particles.

The study only focused on the reaction of PI. However, the industrial isocyanates, e.g. methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), polymerized methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (p‐MDI) that have complexities in chemical structures and components, make analyses with FTIR and XPS impossible.

The paper provides some instructive information about the isocyanate reaction that will help understanding the characteristics of isocyanate and guiding the design of technology bonding isocyanate to fibre, wood, etc.

The application of FTIR and XPS for evaluating the reaction of isocyanate with cellulose having different MCs was novel and may be used as a reference for other relevant studies.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the oxidation behaviour of an immersion tin final finish after multiple reflow ageing under air and nitrogen atmospheres and to study their influence on the wetting behaviour with lead‐free solder. To design a model that describes the degradation of wetting behaviour after reflow‐cycling of the immersion tin final finish.

A special printed circuit boards (PCB) demonstrator was created to investigate the immersion tin final finish with surface analysis methods and wetting tests. The PCB samples were aged by multiple reflow‐cycling under air and nitrogen atmospheres. The tin oxide formation behaviour of immersion tin was characterised using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and SERA analysis.

The native oxide layer of the investigated immersion tin final finishes was approximately 7 nm on average. The TEM and XPS investigations indicated an amorphous structure of SnO and SnO₂. The solder spread test showed significantly different results for PCBs in “as received” condition compared to those after one and two times reflow ageing under a nitrogen solder atmosphere. The analysis methods revealed a slight increase in the tin oxide layer thickness and small areas with semi‐crystalline structure. Reflow ageing under an ambient solder atmosphere induced considerably thicker oxide layers, which could be observed by a yellow discoloration of the surface.

Measures to improve the wetting behaviour can be derived from the described model (i.e. use of higher tin layer thickness or protective films to reduce the tin oxidation).

A functional model for the solderability process of lead‐free solder on immersion tin PCB final finishes was derived and verified. By this, interactions between the state of the final finish and the solder can be described and potential solderability failures can be predicted.

To decrease wear and friction, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) has been used in engine oil for several decades, but the mechanism of the tribofilm formation is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to characterize the chemical details of the tribofilm by using high-resolution approaching.

An ISO VG 100 mineral oil mixed with ZDDP was used in sliding tests on cylindrical roller bearings. Tribofilm formation was observed after 2 h of the sliding test. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atom probe tomography (APT) were used for chemical analysis of the tribofilm.

The results show that the ZDDP tribofilm consists of the common ZDDP elements along with iron oxides. A considerable amount of zinc and a small amount of sulfur were observed. In particular, an oxide interlayer with sulfur enrichment was revealed by APT between the tribofilm and the steel substrate. The depth profile of the chemical composition was obtained, and a tribofilm of approximately 40 nm thickness was identified by XPS.

A sulfur enrichment at the interface is observed by APT, which is beneath an oxygen enrichment. The clear evidence of the S interlayer confirms the hard and soft acids and bases principle.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-01-2020-0035/

Different types of wood (ash, oak and beech) have been activated by new activation method. The aim of this work is to study the effect of different types of wood on the physical and chemical properties of Ni/Pd coatings.

The wood was activated by ablation of the Pd target using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Different diagnostic techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy and energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), in parallel with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to achieve this goal.

The XPS technique confirmed that the highest concentration of Pd was found in the Pd/beech sample, which is associated to the texture of the beech wood substrate surface. EDS results confirmed the absence of any contamination related to electroless plating method. It is concluded that the wood morphology and its surface roughness play a conclusive role to obtain different quantity of metal by PLD and electroless plating methods.

Although several works have been performed to study the influence of substrates on the coated metals and away of the traditional methods in activating non-catalytic surface, in this paper, PLD method is used to obtain a good quantity of Pd distributed on the entire surface and inside the porous of the wood. This study could be considered as a step investigation for understanding the role of the wood substrate morphology on the physical and chemical properties of films. To our knowledge, there are no works of combining a coated Ni/Pd by electroless plating and PLD methods on wood.