Bothaina A. Al-Sheeb, A.M. Hamouda and Galal M. Abdella
The retention and success of engineering undergraduates are increasing concern for higher-education institutions. The study of success determinants are initial steps in any…
Abstract
Purpose
The retention and success of engineering undergraduates are increasing concern for higher-education institutions. The study of success determinants are initial steps in any remedial initiative targeted to enhance student success and prevent any immature withdrawals. This study provides a comprehensive approach toward the prediction of student academic performance through the lens of the knowledge, attitudes and behavioral skills (KAB) model. The purpose of this paper is to aim to improve the modeling accuracy of students’ performance by introducing two methodologies based on variable selection and dimensionality reduction.
Design/methodology/approach
The performance of the proposed methodologies was evaluated using a real data set of ten critical-to-success factors on both attitude and skill-related behaviors of 320 first-year students. The study used two models. In the first model, exploratory factor analysis is used. The second model uses regression model selection. Ridge regression is used as a second step in each model. The efficiency of each model is discussed in the Results section of this paper.
Findings
The two methods were powerful in providing small mean-squared errors and hence, in improving the prediction of student performance. The results show that the quality of both methods is sensitive to the size of the reduced model and to the magnitude of the penalization parameter.
Research limitations/implications
First, the survey could have been conducted in two parts; students needed more time than expected to complete it. Second, if the study is to be carried out for second-year students, grades of general engineering courses can be included in the model for better estimation of students’ grade point averages. Third, the study only applies to first-year and second-year students because factors covered are those that are essential for students’ survival through the first few years of study.
Practical implications
The study proposes that vulnerable students could be identified as early as possible in the academic year. These students could be encouraged to engage more in their learning process. Carrying out such measurement at the beginning of the college year can provide professional and college administration with valuable insight on students perception of their own skills and attitudes toward engineering.
Originality/value
This study employs the KAB model as a comprehensive approach to the study of success predictors. The implementation of two new methodologies to improve the prediction accuracy of student success.
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Pornpawee Supsermpol, Van Nam Huynh, Suttipong Thajchayapong, Nathridee Suppakitjarak and Navee Chiadamrong
This study enhances the financial modelling of companies undergoing an Initial Public Offering (IPO) by focusing on internal capability determinants and IPO proceeds.
Abstract
Purpose
This study enhances the financial modelling of companies undergoing an Initial Public Offering (IPO) by focusing on internal capability determinants and IPO proceeds.
Design/methodology/approach
A hybrid logistic regression and shallow-depth decision tree approach are employed to predict the initial three-year post-IPO performance of companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) using data from 2002 to 2021.
Findings
The results demonstrate that these models not only perform competitively against complex machine learning algorithms but also surpass them in terms of interpretability, an essential feature in financial modelling. The proposed approach effectively captures the effects of each determinant, offering valuable insights into strategic resource allocation and investment decision-making during transition years.
Originality/value
This study introduces a novel application that integrates logistic regression with decision trees to predict multiclass financial performance, filling the gap between complex machine learning techniques and interpretable financial models. It offers practical tools for companies and investors to make informed decisions in challenging post-IPO environments.
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Inusah Fuseini and Yaw Marfo Missah
This systematic literature review aims to identify the pattern of data mining (DM) research by looking at the levels and aspects of education.
Abstract
Purpose
This systematic literature review aims to identify the pattern of data mining (DM) research by looking at the levels and aspects of education.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews 113 conference and research papers from well-known publishers of educational data mining (EDM) and learning analytics-related research using a recognized literature review in computer science by Carrera-Rivera et al. (2022a). Two major stages, planning and conducting the review, were used. The databases of Elsevier, Springer, IEEE, SAI, Hindawi, MDPI, Wiley, Emerald and Sage were searched to retrieve EDM papers from the period 2017 to 2023. The papers retrieved were then filtered based on the application of DM to the three educational levels – basic, pre-tertiary and tertiary education.
Findings
EDM is concentrated on higher education. Basic education is not given the needed attention in EDM. This does not enhance inclusivity and equity. Learner performance is given much attention. Resource availability and teaching and learning are not given the needed attention.
Research limitations/implications
This review is limited to only EDM. Literature from the year 2017 to 2023 is covered. Other aspects of DM and other relevant literature published in EDM outside the research period are not considered.
Practical implications
As the current trend of EDM shows an increase in zeal, future research in EDM should concentrate on the lower levels of education to identify the challenges of basic education which serves as the core of education. This will enable addressing the challenges of education at an early stage and facilitate getting a quality education at all levels of education. Appropriate EDM techniques for mining the data at this level should be the focus of the research. Specifically, techniques that can cater for the variation in learner abilities and the appropriate identification of learner needs should be considered.
Social implications
Content sequencing is necessary in facilitating an easy understanding of concepts. Curriculum design from basic to higher education dwells much on this. Identifying the challenge of learning at the early stages will facilitate efficient learning. At the basic level of learning, data on learning should be collected by educational institutions just as it is done at the tertiary level. This will enable EDM to accurately identify the challenges and appropriate solutions to educational problems. Resource availability is a catalyst for effective teaching and learning. The attributes of a learner will enable knowing the true nature of the learner to determine the prospects of the learner.
Originality/value
This research has not been published in any journal. The information presented is the original knowledge of the authors. However, a pre-print of the work is in Research Square.
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Federica Murmura, Laura Bravi, Fabio Musso and Aleksandra Mosciszko
The aim of this study is to develop an in-depth case study on the implementation on Lean six sigma (LSS) in Schnell S.p.A., Italian company leader of an important multinational…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to develop an in-depth case study on the implementation on Lean six sigma (LSS) in Schnell S.p.A., Italian company leader of an important multinational industrial group, highlighting the benefits that can be achieved from a careful application of this method, the main challenges and organizational learning from its implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study has been developed with a qualitative approach, creating a single in-depth case study, with the participant observation of researchers in the project which lasted 4 months. Periodic weekly meetings were done with the working group to exchange feedback on the development of the project to share opinions and data.
Findings
A project has been developed to stabilize the procurement process of a pull-type production cell, which experienced delays in supply lead times. The causes of the problems in their process of managing the supply of the production cell were found and some inefficiencies in the internal process of fulfillment of supply orders have been intercepted, the optimization of which has allowed the generation of an automatic system for sending supply orders, coming directly from the production line.
Originality/value
This study described the path and dynamics of the transformation process that business organizations undertake for optimizing their profitability and competitive advantage, placing emphasis on an innovative methodology for conducting business process improvement projects, which constitutes its operating philosophy on the effective and efficient use of company resources and skills, to guarantee to the company the achievement of a lasting and defensible competitive advantage over time.
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Diego Tlapa, Jorge Limon, Jorge L García-Alcaraz, Yolanda Baez and Cuauhtémoc Sánchez
The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of Six Sigma (SS) and the underlying dimensions of its critical success factors (CSF) via an analysis of the effects of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of Six Sigma (SS) and the underlying dimensions of its critical success factors (CSF) via an analysis of the effects of top management support (TMS), implementation strategy (IS), and collaborative team (CT) on project performance (PP) in Mexican manufacturing companies.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a SS literature review, a survey was conducted to capture practitioners’ viewpoints about CSFs for SS implementation and their impact on performance in manufacturing companies. A factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted in order to identify and analyze causal relationships.
Findings
The results suggest that CSFs grouped in the constructs TMS, IS, and CT have a positive impact on PP as measured by cost reduction, variation reduction, and quality improvement.
Research limitations/implications
Although the empirical data collected supported the proposed model, results might differ among organizations in different countries. In addition, the study did not analyze a unique performance metric; instead, general PP dimensions were used.
Practical implications
Boosting the TMS, IS, and CT enhances positive PP of SS in manufacturing companies.
Originality/value
IS as a construct has not been studied exhaustively; this work contributes to a better understanding of it and its impact on PP. Additionally, studies of SS in Latin America are limited, so this study gives a complementary vision to practitioners and researchers about it.
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Amy B.C. Tan, Desirée H. van Dun and Celeste P.M. Wilderom
With the growing need for employees to be innovative, public-sector organizations are investing in employee training. This study aims to examine the effects of a combined Lean Six…
Abstract
Purpose
With the growing need for employees to be innovative, public-sector organizations are investing in employee training. This study aims to examine the effects of a combined Lean Six Sigma and innovation training, using action learning, on public-sector employees’ creative role identity and innovative work behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors studied a public service agency in Singapore in which a five-day Lean Innovation Training was implemented, using a combination of Lean Six Sigma and Creative Problem-Solving tools, with a simulation on day one and subsequent team-based project coaching, spread over six months. The authors administered pre- and postintervention surveys among all the employees, and initiated group interviews and observations before, during and after the intervention.
Findings
Creative role identity and innovative work behavior had significantly improved six months after the intervention, enabled through senior management’s transformational leadership. The training induced managers to role-model innovative work behaviors while cocreating, with their employees, a renewal of their agency’s core processes. The three completed improvement projects contributed to an innovative work culture and reduced service turnaround time.
Originality/value
Starting with a role-playing simulation on the first day, during which leaders and followers swapped roles, the action-learning type training taught all the organizational members to use various Lean Six Sigma and Creative Problem-Solving tools. This nimble Lean Innovation Training, and subsequent team-based project coaching, exemplifies how advancing the staff’s creative role identity can have a positive impact.
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Abhishek Vashishth, Bart Alex Lameijer, Ayon Chakraborty, Jiju Antony and Jürgen Moormann
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the limited body of empirical knowledge on the impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) program implementations on organizational performance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the limited body of empirical knowledge on the impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) program implementations on organizational performance in financial services by investigating how antecedents of Lean Six Sigma program success (motivations, selected LSS methods and challenges) affect organizational performance enhancement via LSS program performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 198 LSS professionals from 7 countries are surveyed. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is performed to test the questioned relations.
Findings
This study’s findings comprise: (1) LSS program performance partially mediates the relationship between motivations for LSS implementation and organizational performance, (2) selected LSS method applications has a fully (mediated) indirect impact on organizational performance, (3) LSS implementation challenges also have an indirect (mediated) impact on organizational performance and (4) LSS program performance has a positive impact on organizational performance.
Originality/value
The findings of this research predominantly provide nuances and details about LSS implementation antecedents and effects, useful for managers in advising their business leaders about the prerequisites and potential operational and financial benefits of LSS implementation. Furthermore, the paper provides evidence and details about the relationship between important antecedents for LSS implementation identified in existing literature and their impact on organizational performance in services. Thereby, this research is the first in providing empirical, cross-sectional, evidence for the antecedents and effects of LSS program implementations in financial services.
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Olivia McDermott, Jiju Antony, Michael Sony and Vikas Swarnakar
This study aims to carry out a systematic literature review (SLR) on the integration of Lean, Industry 4.0 and the supply chain or the Lean Supply Chain (LSC) 4.0. The research…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to carry out a systematic literature review (SLR) on the integration of Lean, Industry 4.0 and the supply chain or the Lean Supply Chain (LSC) 4.0. The research analyses the current research on the LSC 4.0 concept in an increasingly digitalised world. The authors present the benefits, motivations, critical success factors and challenges of integrating the LSC with Industry 4.0 technologies within this emerging area of research.
Design/methodology/approach
An SLR is carried out on how Lean can be integrated with Supply Chain 4.0. Using the search strings of “Lean Supply Chain 4.0,” “Lean Supply Chain Management 4.0” and “Lean Supply Chain Digitalisation,” a review of published literature was carried out via searches on academic databases.
Findings
Industry 4.0 has a synergistic effect on the LSC and, depending on the technology and sector applied in, can complement and enhance the LSC. Similarly, the LSC is a precursor for digitalisation. There are considerable implications in the LSC 4.0 for green and sustainable processes.
Practical implications
Organisations can use this study to understand what the LSC 4.0 means to industry, the benefits and motivating factors for implementation, the critical success factors (CSFs) to implementation and the challenges for implementation.
Originality/value
This study adds to state of the art around the LSC 4.0 and future directions in this nascent research area. This study will aid organisations in understanding how Lean, supply chain management and Industry 4.0 can be integrated.
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Maria-Victòria Sánchez-Rebull, Ramon Ferrer-Rullan, Ana-Beatriz Hernández-Lara and Angels Niñerola
Cash flow deficit situations and working capital control are major challenges for many companies, especially those whose suppliers and clients have strong bargaining power. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Cash flow deficit situations and working capital control are major challenges for many companies, especially those whose suppliers and clients have strong bargaining power. This study aims to describe the application of the Six Sigma methodology for solving these problems in a large German food can manufacturing company.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper follows the qualitative methodology of case study research. During different define, measure, analyse, improve and control process phases, the problem and critical aspects are identified to improve the quality of the payment process and improvements are suggested and implemented.
Findings
The results provide evidence of how Six Sigma can be useful in administrative–financial processes that are carried out within a company. This result is particularly interesting because it is about processes that have not applied Six Sigma methodology. For the company studied, this methodology has balanced its cash flow and this meant large amounts of savings, especially in bank interest to avoid having to ask for bank credits.
Originality/value
This case can be extrapolated to other companies, regardless of the company size, that present similar symptoms of cash deficit, especially if their bargaining power with suppliers and customers is low.
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Rebecca Gilligan, Rachel Moran and Olivia McDermott
This study aims to utilise Six Sigma in an Irish-based red meat processor to reduce process variability and improve yields.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to utilise Six Sigma in an Irish-based red meat processor to reduce process variability and improve yields.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a case study within an Irish meat processor where the structured Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC) methodology was utilised along with statistical analysis to highlight areas of the meat boning process to improve.
Findings
The project led to using Six Sigma to identify and measure areas of process variation. This resulted in eliminating over-trimming of meat cuts, improving process capabilities, increasing revenue and reducing meat wastage. In addition, key performance indicators and control charts, meat-cutting templates and smart cutting lasers were implemented.
Research limitations/implications
The study is one of Irish meat processors' first Six Sigma applications. The wider food and meat processing industries can leverage the learnings to understand, measure and minimise variation to enhance revenue.
Practical implications
Organisations can use this study to understand the benefits of adopting Six Sigma, particularly in the food industry and how measuring process variation can affect quality.
Originality/value
This is the first practical case study on Six sigma deployment in an Irish meat processor, and the study can be used to benchmark how Six Sigma tools can aid in understanding variation, thus benefiting key performance metrics.