A.K. KOCHHAR and M.R. TEE
As two experts explain, JIT properly organised can make a real competitive edge possible, especially when backed up by appropriate information technology.
Ashok Kochhar and Brian McGarrie
Based on detailed analysis of seven case studies, involvingconsideration of approximately 300 parameters and face to faceinterviews with senior managers, identifies key…
Abstract
Based on detailed analysis of seven case studies, involving consideration of approximately 300 parameters and face to face interviews with senior managers, identifies key characteristics which should be taken into account during the selection and effective implementation of different types of manufacturing control systems in individual manufacturing environments. These key characteristics help identify the need for particular functions of manufacturing control systems, as well as the impact on effective implementation and operation. They are grouped under the headings of complexity, uncertainty and flexibility. Concludes with a discussion of a structured approach which may be used to take account of key characteristics during the selection of a manufacturing control system.
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Posits that disappointing results from the implementation of best practices are due to a failure to link practices to specific measurable objectives, failure to prioritise best…
Abstract
Posits that disappointing results from the implementation of best practices are due to a failure to link practices to specific measurable objectives, failure to prioritise best practices, and a lack of analysis of necessary infrastructure practices. Describes the development of a framework for selecting practices which will improve operational performance in the area of manufacturing planning and control. Suggests that selection should be based on strength of relationships between practices and performance objectives and take into account dependency relationships between practices. Integrates theory and empirical data to investigate links between practices and performance, thereby providing a framework for selecting practices based on objectives and dependency relationship between practices. Case studies, structured interviews and postal questionnaires were used to develop and validate the framework presented.
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Alexander Howard, Ashok Kochhar and John Dilworth
Outlines an objective model based approach for the functional specification of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems. It is based on the premise that there is factual…
Abstract
Outlines an objective model based approach for the functional specification of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems. It is based on the premise that there is factual information (company characteristics and management concerns) which can be used to make recommendations about suitable functionality of appropriate MPC systems. A generic MPC system architecture, applicable to medium‐sized batch manufacturing companies, is used to organise the information within the model. The model describes the relationships between the inputs (objective company characteristics and subjective management concerns) and outputs (MPC functional activities). The functional activities have been defined at a level of detail which represents significant choices in functionality and are useful for the functional specification of MPC systems. The model provides reasoning which describes the relevance of the activities in individual cases. Uses field studies to validate and test the elements of the model (inputs, outputs and reasoning). Uses the model output to create an outline functional specification at each of the field study sites. Concludes that the model can be used to obtain an objective view of necessary functionality in MPC systems in medium‐sized batch manufacturing companies. The output from the model can be used as the basis for the development of a final, detailed functional specification. Use of the model results in time savings.
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The purpose of this paper is to identify the pre adoption decision factors that have an influence on the implementation success of manufacturing best practices (MBP). This study…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the pre adoption decision factors that have an influence on the implementation success of manufacturing best practices (MBP). This study also investigates whether successful implementation of best practices leads to operational performance improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey research based on 55 MBP was conducted. Regression analysis was employed to test the proposed relationships.
Findings
Codification, compatibility and innovativeness of organizational culture were found to have an impact on implementation success. On the other hand, complexity, absorptive capacity, external support and the existence of champion were not emerged as the determinants of implementation. It was also found that successful implementation would lead to operational performance improvement.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is a limitation to this study.
Practical implications
Knowing the significant determinants of implementation success, practitioners will make a better selection among competing MBP. Also, practitioners will also be able to utilize their resources better, because they will know what they should look for in each benchmarking visit. A positive significant relationship between the implementation success and performance indicated that benchmarking is an effective technique.
Originality/value
This study is the first to explore pre adoption factors that may have an influence on the implementation of MBP. Davies and Kochhar reported that studies of relationships between MBP and performance in the area of manufacturing are limited. Therefore, this work also made a contribution to this under researched area.
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Alexander Howard, Ashok Kochhar and John Dilworth
This paper describes the use of a set of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) system activities for assessing the functionality suitable in individual companies. Field studies…
Abstract
This paper describes the use of a set of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) system activities for assessing the functionality suitable in individual companies. Field studies were carried out in medium‐sized batch manufacturing companies and the set of activities was used to investigate the functionality and level of computer support suitable in each case. The field studies verified the set of activities and the findings were used to refine the activities and identify additional activities to be included in the set. The field studies were also used to develop detailed reasons why each activity was considered relevant or not relevant. From the field studies it was possible to conclude that the overall type of company (i.e. make‐to‐order (MTO), make‐to‐stock (MTS), etc.) was not in itself sufficient to predict which activity would be relevant to a particular company. It is proposed that there are numerous reasons why an activity is relevant or not relevant and that it is the detailed characteristics of the individual company which are important in reaching this decision.
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Develops and describes a knowledge‐based systems approach which maybe used to highlight the disparity between the essential and/ordesirable prerequisites for the implementation of…
Abstract
Develops and describes a knowledge‐based systems approach which may be used to highlight the disparity between the essential and/or desirable prerequisites for the implementation of effective master production scheduling (MPS) systems and what actually exists in a given manufacturing environment. Identifies seven high level MPS implementation issues: level of understanding of MPS systems; procedures and responsibilities for MPS creation; planning horizons, time‐buckets and time fences; capacity feasibility of the MPS; dealing with backlogs; adherence to the MPS; and what to master schedule. Asks questions to determine the presence or absence of necessary prerequisites. If a high level prerequisite, relating to procedures and data, is not present, further lower level questions are asked to assess the reasons for its lack, and how it may be provided. This gap analysis approach makes it possible to identify in advance the major problems which must be addressed to ensure the effective implementation of master production scheduling systems.
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Amanda J. Davies and Ashok K. Kochhar
The number of studies relating to best practice in manufacturing has been increasing at a rapid rate over the last few years. As companies strive to attain world‐class…
Abstract
The number of studies relating to best practice in manufacturing has been increasing at a rapid rate over the last few years. As companies strive to attain world‐class manufacturing status the search for best practice has intensified. Focus has evolved from benchmarking as a means to improve company performance through the identification of best practice, to the need to identify, manage and transfer best practices. This paper discusses this evolution of focus and identifies key issues for consideration in best practice investigations. In particular, it addresses issues of methodology which can improve the quality of findings from studies of best practice and maximise company performance through the transfer of appropriate best practices.
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Krisztina Demeter, Levente Szász and Harry Boer
Many firms today operate international manufacturing networks (IMN) of plants, which may serve different purposes and have different levels of competences. This diversity…
Abstract
Purpose
Many firms today operate international manufacturing networks (IMN) of plants, which may serve different purposes and have different levels of competences. This diversity influences the effectiveness of different manufacturing practices, which has not yet been explored in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between plant role and the “goodness” of its manufacturing practices.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are used from a sample of 471 plants from the sixth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey.
Findings
The findings show that plants with higher competences use more practices successfully than less competent plants. Furthermore, more competent plants tend to strengthen their differentiation performance, while less competent plants focus on and achieve cost performance improvements instead.
Practical implications
The associations between plant role, manufacturing practices and performance provide important input for the global design of a firm’s IMN as a whole, and the development of local plants within the network.
Originality/value
The “goodness” of manufacturing practices has not been investigated in the plant role literature; the effect of plant role on the “goodness” of manufacturing practices has not been studied in the OM contingency literature. This paper shows that while the role of a plant in a firm’s IMN hardly affects the efforts it puts into implementing different manufacturing practices, it has an important moderating influence on the performance implications of these practices.
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Vinicius Ferreira de Castro and Enzo Morosini Frazzon
The purpose of this paper is to overview the academic literature on benchmarking of best practices tracking the most important articles and understanding the similarity between…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to overview the academic literature on benchmarking of best practices tracking the most important articles and understanding the similarity between studies.
Design/methodology/approach
The most relevant articles were identified using techniques such as the PageRank algorithm and co-citation maps. An analysis of the most relevant articles presents the main concepts, methods and updated discussions on this research field.
Findings
The analysis of academic output substantiates the increase in the production of articles on this research topic. There were identified two main clusters of co-cited articles, one related to data envelopment analysis (DEA) and other that presents a wide variation of methods for benchmarking. There are important critiques towards the past research on benchmarking of best practices, yet, new DEA approaches seem to address most of the criticized issues.
Practical implications
From time to time, a review of the literature of a certain field of knowledge is useful for other researchers to identify and organize its main theories, new trends, most relevant works, influent authors and important publications.
Originality/value
This paper delivers two important values: the updated discussion on benchmarking of best practices, clearing both DEA and non-DEA studies; and the methods adopted to systematically review the literature, which is original on this field of research.