bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are you viewing, mapping or managing your processes?
Authors: Hellström Andreas , Eriksson Henrik 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate if different applications of process orientation exist and how these are characterised. Furthermore, the objective is to investigate how the applications of process orientation relate to the line organization.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical research was conducted within the Region of Västra Götaland, Sweden. A questionnaire with the purpose of capturing the respondents' attitude towards their process initiatives was sent to people with explicit knowledge of process orientation. A total of 180 individuals were questioned (response rate 68 per cent).FindingsThe study indicates that process orientation can be classified into three various applications – process view, process mapping, and process management. The study shows further that in most cases process approach is used as an improvement technique in traditional line organizations although all respondents answered that they desire more process orientation.Originality/valueBy viewing process orientation as a spectrum of applications, the study contributes to a more nuanced debate on process orientation.
Perspectives and the new trend of Kansei/affective engineering
Authors: Nagamachi Mitsuo 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present and discuss Kansei engineering (KE), which uses a unique ergonomic technology to produce a new product which fits to consumers' feelings and demands. It is a consumer‐oriented product development method based on the consumer mind. It has been applied to realize several new Kansei products so far.Design/methodology/approachKE is sometimes able to create an invention, but mostly it is powerful to create more comfortable and affective products or services to the customers. KE utilizes psychological methods to grasp the customer's feelings, and the data obtained by this method are analyzed using multivariate statistical analyses which are transferred to the design domain (design specifications).FindingsIt was found that a customer has a hierarchy of values of his/her life. All people, from children to the elderly, want to enhance their quality of life. Having qualified products and services, including service men's smiles and greetings is an important factor.Originality/valueKE is spreading out in the world at present. The paper (witten by the pioneer and founder of KE) tells “a story” about the methods and procedures to create a new Kansei product and refers to the implications of Kansei/affective engineering.
An e‐commerce site for gift flower arrangements that fit kansei and social manners
Authors: Ishihara Keiko , Nakagawa Ryo , Ishihara Shigekazu , Nagamachi Mitsuo 
Published: January 2010

PurposeGift flowers should be chosen to depict a message with the sender's kansei and are bound by nature of flowers and social manners, to maintain social relationship between the sender and the recipient. Few buyers, but most florists, have expert knowledge of the flowering time, scent, price, and nature of each flower, and are experts in arranging flowers that meet a given purpose. The purpose of this paper is to incorporate handling constraints into the inference process of a kansei engineering system.Design/methodology/approachThe paper collected the expert knowledge concerning nature of flowers, composing flower arrangements and social manners on gifts from specialists of flower arrangements including a florist and special books. At the same time, kansei evaluation experiments on the kinds of flowers and colors were conducted. The expertise and the results of kansei experiments were organized into a flower database and inference rules for choice of a main flower, arrangement shapes and combination flowers. The rules were implemented as server‐side programs. Users input information about the recipient, purpose of the arrangement and purchase information using a web browser. The system outputs a solution; a list of main flowers, combination flowers, greens and the shape of arrangement.FindingsTraditional kansei engineering studies revealed the relationships between design elements and kansei with developing new analyzing methods. Different constraints come into the actual product design and manufacturing should be integrated with findings obtained from the kansei evaluation to successfully utilize kansei engineering for product development.Practical implicationsThe inference rules will be able to tell the reasons for choosing the main‐ and combination flowers and arrangement shapes to satisfy the customers.Originality/valueThe proposed system suggests the original arrangement of flowers unlike most online florists selling ready‐made arrangements. The paper shows a solution to incorporate different constraints underlying in a real production process into the inference process based on the result of kansei analysis.
Kansei engineering toolkit for the packaging industry
Authors: Barnes Cathy , Childs Tom , Henson Brian , Lillford Stephen 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the Kansei engineering toolkit that has been developed to provide a set of tools and techniques to support better packaging design.Design/methodology/approachThe toolkit has its foundations in Kansei engineering but the work has extended the scope and increased reliability of results by: including structured linkages to designers; replacing “highest level Kansei” from Kansei type 1 with brand values; introducing a more structured process for the elicitation of type 2 selection of pack physical properties; reducing the complexity of the semantic differential survey used to elicit consumer perceptions; and structuring a process for selection of the Kansei words.FindingsThe work has shown that the proposed toolkit is able to support the design of packaging by illustrating the process with industrial case studies.Research limitations/implicationsKansei engineering and the techniques presented in this toolkit are inevitably simplifications of the real situation, since many more variables affect the consumers purchase decision than is tested in this process. There is still a need to test the insights gained by the toolkit into a wider investigation.Practical implicationsThis paper offers the packaging industry a robust and repeatable method to develop better packaging.Originality/valueThe paper presents an overall description of the Kansei engineering toolkit for packaging design and is a structured process that provides quantitative results for the relationship between branding, consumer perception and design variables.
Comparing the UBEM Vedic matrix and the TQM elements deployment model using principal component analysis
Authors: Koura Kozo , Talwar Balvir 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to share the findings of a comparative study of the TQM elements deployment model and the universal business excellence model (UBEM) Vedic matrix. Comparative research of the essence of BEMs incorporated in the TQM elements deployment model and additional points identified in UBEM Vedic matrix will facilitate multi‐dimensional business growth.Design/methodology/approachThe TQM elements deployment model unveils the reasons of enactment and social influence of BEM through review of four major quality awards namely Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, European Quality Award, Japan Quality Award, and Deming Prize. UBEM integrates the Vedic philosophy with synthesis of BEMs and emphasizes that the ultimate goal of business is Universal well‐being. The study involved inputs from the essence of Vedic hymns incorporated in the Vedic matrix of UBEM and the synthesis of major quality awards incorporated in the TQM elements deployment model using principal component analysis.FindingsThe UBEM Vedic matrix is constructed based on a broad understanding of the Vedic philosophy. The TQM elements deployment model is constructed based on TQM concepts, quality assurance aystem and quality management system. The former can be called a management concept thinking model and the latter can be called a management system thinking model. It is concluded that the sustenance and growth of an enterprise lies in harmonization with global society.Research implications/limitationsComparative research is an attempt to integrate the best practices of the West incorporated in the BEM with the Vedic philosophy of the East, which derives infinite creativity, actions and power from the universal laws of Nature. It is an example for researchers to explore several other areas to integrate the best of both worlds (East and West) and provide a new direction for the mankind.Practical implicationsThe comparative research provides additional inputs, which may be used during review of the BEMs and national quality awards in the various regions of the world and hence are of relevance to all BEM custodians. The study is expected to help in a review of the national business excellence strategies worldwide.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the first to focus on integration of BEMs and the Vedic philosophy. The UBEM Vedic matrix identifies practicing values and measuring multiple bottom‐lines as key to sustainable growth. Its integration with the TQM elements deployment matrix is useful to enhance the effectiveness of BEMs. Principal component analysis methodology used in this paper for comparative study is also useful for comparative studies of the quality award criteria.
The influence of soft factors on quality improvement and performance
Authors: Madi Bin Abdullah Muhammad , Uli Jegak , José Tarí Juan 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to investigate the influence of soft factors on quality improvement and performance and also to examine the link between quality improvement and organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses data from perceptions from managers in 255 electrical and electronics (E&E) firms in Malaysia and it develops regression and correlation analysis to test the relationships between soft factors, quality improvement and organizational performance.FindingsThe following soft factors were found to have significant influence on quality improvement: management commitment; customer focus; employee involvement; training and education; and reward and recognition. Organizational performance was significantly influenced by the following soft factors: management commitment; customer focus; and employee involvement. Finally, this paper empirically shows that firm performance will increase when the organizations implement more quality improvement practices.Practical implicationsThe results of this paper can be used by managers to prioritize the implementation of the soft factors. For instance, those factors that are found to have a positive impact on quality improvement practice and performance can be recommended to managers so that they can allocate resources to improve these factors to achieve higher organizational performance.Originality/valueThis paper identifies the soft factors that can influence the quality improvement practice and organizational performance in E&E Malaysian firms.
Employee significance within stakeholder‐accountable performance management systems
Authors: Simmons John 
Published: January 2010

PurposeResearch has not fully recognised the significance of employee stakeholders to the design and effective operation of performance management systems. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the centrality of employees within the stakeholder systems model of performance management it proposes.Design/methodology/approachStakeholder theory is utilised to critique current scorecard‐type performance management frameworks with a particular focus on the balanced scorecard as the most popular of these. Conceptual analysis is supported by case study evidence relating to the effectiveness of performance management systems in knowledge‐intensive organisations.FindingsThe paper identifies the concept of the responsible organisation as a means of assessing organisational maturity in performance management, and links it to dimensions of organisational justice. Linkage enables stakeholder perceptions of equitable treatment to be combined with effectiveness measures in the more holistic performance management framework proposed.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates the significance and application potential of the stakeholder systems development of scorecard‐type performance management frameworks. Conclusions confirm the “why” and the “how” of a more participatory role for organisation stakeholders, and why employee stakeholders merit a “first among equals” status within these.Originality/valueThe paper shows that the stakeholder systems approach represents a holistic approach to performance management through its incorporation of stakeholder perspectives at system design, operation and evaluation stages. The paper responds to the need for a new philosophy of performance management in an era of stakeholder accountable organisations.
Agile ITQFD and its financial viability: a pilot project approach
Authors: Vinodh S. , Sundararaj G. , Devadasan S.R. , Rajanayagam S. , Edinbarough Immanuel 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility of adopting a pilot project approach for foreseeing the working and financial viability of a technique, named as agile innovative total quality function deployment (agile ITQFD).Design/methodology/approachThe agile ITQFD technique and its financial accounting system were designed. The implementation study of two pilot projects on agile ITQFD was conducted in an electronics switches manufacturing company. The statements of the financial accounting system were used to foresee the financial viability of agile ITQFD projects.FindingsThe research reported in this paper indicates the feasibility of adopting a pilot project approach and its financial accounting system for test implementing new techniques and models in the organisations aspiring to attain global competitiveness.Research limitations/implicationsLike many other modern organisations, the company in which the research work was carried out has been aspiring to compete globally. Hence, even though the implementation study involved only two pilot projects, the implications of this research would represent the global scenario as well.Practical implicationsCurrently practitioners struggle to choose the best techniques for applying them in specific cases. The research reported in this paper would help practitioners in this regard to adopt the pilot project approach and its financial accounting system.Originality/valueThe pilot project approach reported in this paper helps a company save time and money while exploring the practical compatibility of the technique. The financial accounting system presented would be useful in foreseeing the viability of projects using monetary values.
How to sustain improvement at high level
Authors: Pillet Maurice , Maire Jean‐Luc 
Published: January 2010

PurposeMany companies can today attest to having obtained significant progress in their performance using some improvement processes (six sigma, 5S, business process reengineering, etc.). But they can also attest to experiencing difficulties in sustaining the use of these processes over time. The aim of this paper is to describe all the specific actions which can contribute to the sustaining of these processes.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical research methodology is used by carrying out a survey of 40 Swiss and French manufacturing companies regarding their approach to the sustaining of some of their improvement processes.FindingsA model of sustainability for an improvement process is proposed. This model is founded on three axes: organic state, return on effort and facilitation. To sustain an improvement process over time consists in taking these three axes into account by managing their relative importance in space and over time. The paper details the generic actions associated with each of the three axes. These actions are then illustrated using the context of a sustained statistical process control project.Originality/valueThe survey detailed in this paper confirms the difficulty of companies have in sustaining their improvement processes over time, since the average sustainability ratio for all the different processes mentioned rarely exceeds 40 per cent. The paper gives all the specific actions which can contribute to sustain these processes better.
DisPMO and DePMO as six sigma‐based forward‐looking quality performance measures
Authors: Setijono Djoko 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to further develop a method to convert (dis)satisfaction on critical attributes (critical to qualities, CTQs) in the customer satisfaction survey into performance measures that are equivalent to defect per million opportunities (DPMO).Design/methodology/approachStepwise multiple regression analysis is applied to identify the CTQs, where the overall satisfaction is the dependent variable and the attribute‐related (dis)satisfactions (i.e. performance score minus importance score) are the independent variables. To simulate the attribute‐related (dis)satisfaction for the identified CTQs, random numbers that follow normal standard distribution are generated and returned into random numbers that have similar characteristics (properties) with the primary data. The proportion of returned random numbers below the lower six sigma limit (SL) and above the upper six SL is adjusted into dissatisfaction per million opportunities (DisPMO) and delight per million opportunities (DePMO), respectively.FindingsApplying the logic of DPMO outside the boundary of an organisation (i.e. in the market) leads to two distinct measures, DisPMO and DePMO. These two measures can be transformed into two types/variants of sigma levels, i.e. left‐side (approximated from DisPMO) and right‐side (from DePMO), which may describe organisational effectiveness in the market from two different but complementary approaches.Originality/valueDisPMO and DePMO provide a basis for assessing the effectiveness of an organisation (manufacturing/non‐manufacturing) according to six sigma methodology, where the “importance” and “performance” dimensions are considered simultaneously. Hence, the applications of DPMO (as six sigma's main performance measure) within and outside the boundary of an organisation are consistent and comparable.
Utilisation of business excellence models: Australian and international experience
Authors: Saunders Max , Mann Robin S. , Grigg Nigel P. 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the international use of business excellence (BE) models and the practices used by BE framework (BEF) custodians to encourage use.Design/methodology/approachA literature review, three surveys, a series of focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted. The study involved input from 16 countries and was part of a larger study of how BEFs are designed, reviewed, promoted and deployed within and across nations.FindingsOnly two of 16 BEF custodians had a formal measurement system in place to objectively measure the use of BEF by organisations over time. The use of the Australian BEF was lower than previously estimated at 1.3 percent and global use between 4 and 15 percent of organisations. The three most effective practices for assisting organisations in applying BE were tours of best or good practice organisations, publications on BE, and on‐line service/database of BE information.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the primary focus was on the Australian context, the findings draw upon a range of international sources and hence are of relevance to all BEF custodians.Practical implicationsThe findings from the project were used to redesign the ABEF, and are expected to help inform national BE strategies worldwide.Originality/valueThe paper updates the current situation regarding the utilisation of BE in 16 countries, with a focus on Australia.
ISO 13485:2003
Authors: Hamimi Abdul Razak Izatul , Kamaruddin Shahrul , Abdul Azid Ishak , Putra Almanar Indra 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding on implementation and operation of ISO 13485:2003 – “Medical Devices – Quality Management System – Requirements for Regulatory Purposes” – in the perspective of medical device industries in Malaysia. The study is focused on the Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which currently have accredited to ISO 9001:2000 quality management systems.Design/methodology/approachLiterature research and comparative analysis between ISO 13485:2003 and ISO 9001:2000 standard and requirements. A reference model is developed to assist the Malaysian SMEs towards ISO 13485:2003 accreditation.FindingsUnlike ISO 9001:2000, ISO 13485:2003 stresses the safety and efficacy of medical devices that are being produced. For this reason risk management is an essential process that needs to be adopted into the ISO 13485:2003 quality management system. Moreover, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the ISO 13485:2003 implementation, this standard has placed great emphasis on documentation requirements which are more prescriptive in insisting on the use of formal procedures.Originality/valueThe paper provides guidelines to ISO 13485:2003 implementations as well as risk management approaches for small and medium‐sized businesses of Malaysian medical device manufacturers, which at the same time maintains its ISO 9001:2000 certification.
Assessing performance of management institutions
Authors: Mitra Debnath Roma , Shankar Ravi 
Published: January 2010

PurposeUtilizing data envelopment analysis (DEA), this paper seeks to examine the performance of 20 Indian B‐Schools, separating their profitability and marketability. The technique allows one to identify those management institutions which are able to utilize their resources in a most efficient way such that the overall goals of the organization are satisfied and total outcome maximized. If a management institution means to be effective in developing professionals who are going to be competent leaders and managers, then it would be useful to know the performance of the management institutes. However, measuring the performance of management institutes has received very little attention compared with other industries because it is difficult to measure its output.Design/methodology/approachA DEA model is used to evaluate the relative efficiency of a group of decision‐making units (DMUs) in their use of multiple inputs to produce multiple outputs where the form of production is neither known nor specified as in the case of parametric approach.FindingsThe paper ranks management institutes from various points of stakeholders. The main findings are how much of the benefit from ranking of the B‐Schools is credited because of its efficiency in converting the inputs to outputs. Does the ranking of any institution depend on scale of operations (scale efficiency) or is it only based on technical efficiency? Technical efficiencies are identified with failures to achieve best possible output levels and/or usage of excessive amounts of inputs.Practical implicationsAs Indian management schools widely publicize job offers with six figure salaries, managerial value addition, national ranking etc. provide an important impression about the management institutions. However, the reported results of experiments on input and output measures do not seem to differ between the ten best run institutes and the next ten institutes in terms of scale efficiency.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the few written from the Indian perspective.