Thomas Lager, Peter Samuelsson and Per Storm
In the process industries, it is essential to have a well-articulated manufacturing strategy within companies. However, to facilitate manufacturing strategy development, it is…
Abstract
Purpose
In the process industries, it is essential to have a well-articulated manufacturing strategy within companies. However, to facilitate manufacturing strategy development, it is important to start with a good characterisation of the material transformation system and company production capabilities. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
A grounded theory approach, with inspiration from configuration modelling, attempted to characterize the material transformation system as a set of variables. The variable development was based on a literature review and the knowledge base of five industry experts. Two exploratory mini-case studies were carried out, primarily to illustrate the use of the model, but additionally to test its industrial usability.
Findings
A set of 31 variables was developed, and related measures and scales were tentatively defined. Two mini-cases supported the usability of the model. The model, focussing on company generic process capabilities, is a conceptual taxonomy and the study’s theoretical contribution.
Research limitations/implications
The lucidity of the definitions and scales for the variables are open to further refinement, and the limited discussions of variable relationships in this study are addressed in an agenda for further research.
Practical implications
The model can be deployed as a facilitative instrument in the analysis of company material transformation systems and may serve as a platform in further discussions on companies’ strategy development.
Originality/value
The model is a new instrument for analysing company generic process capabilities and an effort to build new theory rather than to test an existing one.
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Polaroid has improved the design of reactor mixing tanks by using computer simulation to evaluate the shearing, orientation and the circulation of the fluid under alternate mixer…
Abstract
Polaroid has improved the design of reactor mixing tanks by using computer simulation to evaluate the shearing, orientation and the circulation of the fluid under alternate mixer designs. The turbulent mixers used in the past do not work well with the new high‐viscosity photographic reagents because large shear rates necessary for efficient structure breakdown exist only within those limited regions of the tank in close proximity to the blade/impellers. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was used to evaluate a variety of different mixing designs with an eye towards modifying existing tanks to overcome these problems. The result was the development of a retrofit design to the existing tank that provides far superior mixing of the new reagents.
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Hendryk Dittfeld, Dirk Pieter van Donk and Sam van Huet
To date, the literature has usually assumed that a universal approach to resilience is appropriate in which different resilience capabilities are equally important for all…
Abstract
Purpose
To date, the literature has usually assumed that a universal approach to resilience is appropriate in which different resilience capabilities are equally important for all organizations independent of contextual characteristics. In contrast this study investigates if production process characteristics affect resilience capabilities in terms of redundancy, flexibility, agility and collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
An in-depth exploratory multiple case study was carried out in eight companies across different industries. Data were gathered through multiple interviews with key informants in each company.
Findings
The authors find differences in, and trade-offs between, resilience capabilities and practices related to redundancy, agility and collaboration induced by the different configurations of production system characteristics: especially between discrete and process industries. Further, a major influential characteristic is the production strategy employed (make-to-stock or make-to-order) which stresses or limits collaboration and redundancy.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies to explore the effects of production system characteristics as a major contingency factor on the resilience capabilities of an organization. As such it provides valuable insights into the development of a more nuanced contingency approach to how organizations can build resilience and employ specific practices that fit their situation.
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Björn Kvarnström and Erik Vanhatalo
The purpose of the paper is to explore the application of radio frequency identification (RFID) to improve traceability in a flow of granular products and to illustrate examples…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to explore the application of radio frequency identification (RFID) to improve traceability in a flow of granular products and to illustrate examples of special issues that need to be considered when using the RFID technique in a process industry setting.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper outlines a case study at a Swedish mining company, including experiments to test the suitability of RFID to trace iron ore pellets (a granular product) in parts of the distribution chain.
Findings
The results show that the RFID technique can be used to improve traceability in granular product flows. A number of special issues concerning the use of RFID in process industries are also highlighted, for example, the problems to control the orientation of the transponder in the read area and the risk of product contamination in the supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
Even though only a single case has been studied, the results are of a general interest for industries that have granular product flows. However, future research in other industries should be performed to validate the results.
Practical implications
The application of RFID described in this paper makes it possible to increase productivity and product quality by improving traceability in product flows where traceability normally is problematic.
Originality/value
Prior research has mainly focused on RFID applications in discontinuous processes. By contrast, this paper presents a novel application of the RFID technique in a continuous process together with specific issues connected to the use of RFID.
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The purpose of this paper is to develop energy optimizer (ENEO) – a model‐based decision support system (DSS) for an existing European chemical plant with a multi‐stage continuous…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop energy optimizer (ENEO) – a model‐based decision support system (DSS) for an existing European chemical plant with a multi‐stage continuous production process. The system comprises two modules – energy cost minimization and joined energy cost minimization and output maximization. Following the description of the researched production, the paper presents a gist of the underlying formulations. Then, it tests the DSS on real data instances with a focus on its configuration, practical implications and implementation challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
The design of the planning tool is consistent with that of the model‐based DSS and based on the existing information systems. The defined research problems are explored with the use of quantitative methods – the operations research methodology.
Findings
The findings show that ENEO reflects the essence of the researched production process and can provide benefits in practical business operations.
Research limitations/implications
Both the proposed system configuration and the formulated models lay a foundation to further research within the described industrial setting.
Practical implications
The system can be utilized in daily operations to provide substantial cost savings, improved capacity utilization and reactivity.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to research by bridging the gap between theory and practice. On the one hand, it describes an unexplored problem and its subsequent solution embodied in the DSS. On the other hand, it emphasizes the importance of applying the operations research methodology to the real‐world issues. Therefore, this work is valuable to both academics and practitioners.
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Michael J. Brusco, Renu Singh, J. Dennis Cradit and Douglas Steinley
The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the authors provide a survey of operations management (OM) research applications of traditional hierarchical and nonhierarchical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the authors provide a survey of operations management (OM) research applications of traditional hierarchical and nonhierarchical clustering methods with respect to key decisions that are central to a valid analysis. Second, the authors offer recommendations for practice with respect to these decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
A coding study was conducted for 97 cluster analyses reported in six OM journals during the period spanning 1994-2015. Data were collected with respect to: variable selection, variable standardization, method, selection of the number of clusters, consistency/stability of the clustering solution, and profiling of the clusters based on exogenous variables. Recommended practices for validation of clustering solutions are provided within the context of this framework.
Findings
There is considerable variability across clustering applications with respect to the components of validation, as well as a mix of productive and undesirable practices. This justifies the importance of the authors’ provision of a schema for conducting a cluster analysis.
Research limitations/implications
Certain aspects of the coding study required some degree of subjectivity with respect to interpretation or classification. However, in light of the sheer magnitude of the coding study (97 articles), the authors are confident that an accurate picture of empirical OM clustering applications has been presented.
Practical implications
The paper provides a critique and synthesis of the practice of cluster analysis in OM research. The coding study provides a thorough foundation for how the key decisions of a cluster analysis have been previously handled in the literature. Both researchers and practitioners are provided with guidelines for performing a valid cluster analysis.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study of this type has been reported in the OM literature. The authors’ recommendations for cluster validation draw from recent studies in other disciplines that are apt to be unfamiliar to many OM researchers.
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Danielle Mihram and G. Arthur Mihram
The 2013 meeting's theme, The Beauty and Benefits of Science, aimed at highlighting the rich and complicated connections between basic and applied research, and, just as…
Abstract
Purpose
The 2013 meeting's theme, The Beauty and Benefits of Science, aimed at highlighting the rich and complicated connections between basic and applied research, and, just as importantly, providing examples of case studies where the “pull” of environmental or societal problems drives fundamentally new basic research. This article aims to focus on symposia that highlighted the “pull” of social media in the communications in science and how the reach of fundamental computing research has affected the daily lives. This report will be of interest to librarians, information specialists, scientists and social scientists, and policy makers.
Design/methodology/approach
This report includes selected presentations and discussions (as well as direct internet links to presentations) within one of the 14 symposium tracks: communications and public programs. In many cases the authors provide additional references to further document the scope of the presenters' work and research.
Findings
The symposium offered an array of the most recent and innovative approaches in the way science is conducted and communicated in a digital world. Two themes centered on the following questions: “In a constantly changing online landscape, what is the best way for scientists and engineers to engage the public through social media?” and, “What new tools do we have to engage the public and to assess the impact of science communication?”
Originality/value
This is an important topic that touches on the way science is conducted and communicated in a digital world.
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Norazira Abd Karim, Anuar Nawawi and Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin
The purposes of this study are to examine the standard operating procedure (SOP) on inventory management practices, identify any weaknesses in inventory management and examine its…
Abstract
Purpose
The purposes of this study are to examine the standard operating procedure (SOP) on inventory management practices, identify any weaknesses in inventory management and examine its impact on the performance of the company. Inventory management is important because it ensures smooth production and prevents loss of sales because of stockout and/or customer dissatisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
This study selects one manufacturing company as a case study and uses the mixed data collection method of document analysis and observation. The research analysis was conducted by using COSO Internal Control – Integrated Frame work 2013 as guidance.
Findings
It is revealed that a company practices risky inventory management in keeping stock, as it relies heavily on third-party warehousing services beyond the control of the company. This study also reveals that the SOPs are too general and lack specificity. However, poor inventory management has a modest influence on the financial performance of the company.
Research limitations/implications
In completing this study, some limitations are experienced such as changes on the management structure of the company as well as the department itself. Frequent changes on several procedures also may influence this study to obtain accurate information. In addition, some highly confidential documents such as detailed information and minutes from management meeting were not permitted to be examined.
Practical implications
This study provides recommendations to improve weak internal controls particularly on SOPs, so that fraud and mismanagement opportunities can be reduced.
Originality/value
This study makes an original contribution, as it enhances the theoretical and practical understanding on inventory control and management systems, particularly for a manufacturing company in the emerging market environment. In addition, it examines various internal financial reports and directly observes the process in supply change management, which are generally difficult to be accessed by academic researchers.
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Dirk Pieter van Donk, Renzo Akkerman and Taco van der Vaart
The purpose of the paper is to investigate the limitations and barriers for supply chain integration that food manufacturers experience and to highlight their planning and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to investigate the limitations and barriers for supply chain integration that food manufacturers experience and to highlight their planning and scheduling problems. Possible ways to cope with these are offered.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is theoretical/conceptual in nature: the findings are illustrated in an explorative case study.
Findings
It is often suggested that food supply chains are typical for what can be achieved in supply chain management. This paper challenges this belief by investigating the possibilities and limitations for supply chain integration for food manufacturers. The authors argue that a combination of typical food characteristics and the use of shared resources limit the possibility for integration, while uncertainties and complex business conditions increase the need for integration. In a case study, the paper explores alternatives to cope with that situation.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is based on previous empirical work, which is applied and further developed in a case‐study setting of a consumer product food manufacturer. The authors argue that the case has several generic characteristics, but further research is needed to test the main ideas in a wider context.
Practical implications
Production managers and planners in food manufacturing are often aware of the described situation, but general managers, marketing managers, and supply chain managers can learn that there are limits to aligning operations to customers. The paper offers a number of solutions that might assist production managers in better understanding their situation and thinking about improvements.
Originality/value
The paper introduces buyer focus, shared resources and the limitations of supply chain integration into the field of food supply chains.
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The supply chain literature highlights chains that are activated by actual or forecasted demand, and has largely overlooked those that are activated by the supply source. This…
Abstract
Purpose
The supply chain literature highlights chains that are activated by actual or forecasted demand, and has largely overlooked those that are activated by the supply source. This paper aims to position supply driven chains as a distinct class and to develop their properties.
Design/methodology/approach
Supply driven examples are given and their structural and behavioral properties are developed. Their properties are compared with those of demand driven chains using Fisher's classification scheme. The paper is conceptual in nature.
Findings
Four properties of supply driven chains are advanced. They show that supply driven chains differ significantly from their demand driven counterparts. As example, supply driven chains are prone to a reverse form of the standard bullwhip effect that is associated with demand driven chains.
Research limitations/implications
Investigating supply driven chains opens several research avenues. Further properties and examples can be developed, along with methods to mitigate the reverse bullwhip effect. Research into synergies and boundary issues between supply and demand driven chains will likely yield operational efficiencies overall.
Practical implications
Differentiating between supply and demand driven phenomena helps practitioners design more efficient supply chains. For example, superimposing a demand driven operational structure on a supply driven phenomenon can be disruptive. Also, an efficiently operated supply driven chain may enhance the operations of related demand driven chains.
Originality/value
This paper highlights and develops supply driven supply chains. It extends supply chain theory and practice by providing additional structural characteristics that can be incorporated into supply chain designs.