Alexander Zemliak, Fernando Reyes and Sergio Vergara
In this paper, we propose further development of the generalized methodology for analogue circuit optimization. This methodology is based on optimal control theory. This approach…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, we propose further development of the generalized methodology for analogue circuit optimization. This methodology is based on optimal control theory. This approach generates many different circuit optimization strategies. We lead the problem of minimizing the CPU time needed for circuit optimization to the classical problem of minimizing a functional in optimal control theory.
Design/methodology/approach
The process of analogue circuit optimization is defined mathematically as a controllable dynamical system. In this context, we can formulate the problem of minimizing the CPU time as the minimization problem of a transitional process of a dynamical system. To analyse the properties of such a system, we propose to use the concept of the Lyapunov function of a dynamical system. This function allows us to analyse the stability of the optimization trajectories and to predict the CPU time for circuit optimization by analysing the characteristics of the initial part of the process.
Findings
We present numerical results that show that we can compare the CPU time for different circuit optimization strategies by analysing the behaviour of a special function. We establish that, for any optimization strategy, there is a correlation between the behaviour of this function and the CPU time that corresponds to that strategy.
Originality/value
The analysis shows that Lyapunov function of optimization process and its time derivative can be informative sources for searching a strategy, which has minimal processor time expense. This permits to predict the best optimization strategy by analyzing only initial part of the optimization process.
Fernando Gonzalez Aleu, Edgar Marco Aurelio Granda Gutierrez, Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes, Juan Baldemar Garza Villegas and Jesus Vazquez Hernandez
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a continuous improvement project (CIP) at a Mexican university designed to increase engineering graduate student loyalty.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a continuous improvement project (CIP) at a Mexican university designed to increase engineering graduate student loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
A plan-do-check-act problem-solving methodology was implemented, and a SERVQUAL survey was conducted on 67 master’s engineering students.
Findings
Five factors were found to affect student loyalty: facility cleanliness; faculty teaching skills; evening student services; master’s degree student management roles at work; and master’s degree students’ ages. After the implementation of the improvement and control actions, there was a 7.7% increase in the engineering master’s degree students’ loyalty scores.
Research limitations/implications
However, there were several research limitations: data availability (such as student loyalty, student satisfaction and a small master’s degree student population size) and factors outside the CIP’s scope (such as the country’s economic situation, university rankings, master’s programme accreditations and COVID-19).
Practical implications
The findings from this research study could be used by other higher education institutions (HEIs)to improve student loyalty and as a reference when conducting similar studies in other service organisations such as hospitals and hotels.
Originality/value
This research work took a different approach in assessing student satisfaction and student loyalty in a HEI by using the SERVQUAL survey as the data collection instrument for conducting CIP.
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Despite the global success of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) operations, they are frequently criticised for failing to improve a company’s financial performance. This study investigated and…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the global success of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) operations, they are frequently criticised for failing to improve a company’s financial performance. This study investigated and contrasted the financial advantages of LSS, Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and Lean Six Sigma 4.0 (LSS4.0) practices in China and the United States.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted statistical analyses using online databases. We applied regression analysis to quantitatively analyse 32,813 responding organisation data from 3,691 A-share manufacturing companies in China and 5,931 responding organisation data from 570 publicly traded manufacturing firms in the United States.
Findings
This study discovered the following findings: (1) American companies are paying less attention to LSS, which is gradually becoming more important in Chinese business strategy. (2) There is a strong positive relationship between LSS implementation and financial performance in China. Nonetheless, the financial impact of LSS is less significant in post-industrial countries such as the United States. (3) There is compelling evidence in the Chinese context for the significant impact of higher LSS maturity levels on the financial performance of publicly traded manufacturing firms. However, the financial benefits of higher LSS maturity levels in the United States are less pronounced. (4) Despite frequent discussions in China and the United States, implementing I4.0 and related technologies has yet to yield the desired results, particularly in the United States. (5) LSS4.0 significantly improves organisational financial performance.
Originality/value
This study explored the impact of LSS, I4.0 and LSS4.0 on financial performance and conducted an international comparative study from a big data perspective.
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Chi-Kuang Chen, Fernando Palma and Lidia Reyes
This paper aims to present a lean management approach to reduce waste generated by overproduction within a global supply chain setting. Statistics register a considerable increase…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a lean management approach to reduce waste generated by overproduction within a global supply chain setting. Statistics register a considerable increase in inventories which has increased waste because of the overproduction/oversupply throughout the global supply chain, and there has been insufficient research targeting on it.
Design/methodology/approach
This study develops a conceptual approach based on the practices of Toyota Production System (TPS). The analysis is performed on four segments of a business: “R&D”, “Production”, “Logistics” and “Service/retailers”. The proposed approach adopts the pull-based lean management system by two modules, “Intra-lean management” and “Inter-lean management”.
Findings
A case study is conducted to demonstrate how the proposed approach can be used in a real situation. The ideas and benefits of the proposed approach are also discussed.
Practical implications
The proposed solution can be applied in manufacturing and service industries, as well as in industries where production and R&D are interconnected.
Originality/value
The paper provides a conceptual approach that explains how intra- and inter-lean management can be effectively integrated to achieve a smooth flow in the business. This paper innovates in developing a pull-based driven flow relationship among the four segments of a business, as a response to the lack of integration among them and the increase of inventory in the hands of businesses.
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Roberto Salazar-Reyna, Fernando Gonzalez-Aleu, Edgar M.A. Granda-Gutierrez, Jenny Diaz-Ramirez, Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes and Anil Kumar
The objective of this paper is to assess and synthesize the published literature related to the application of data analytics, big data, data mining and machine learning to…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to assess and synthesize the published literature related to the application of data analytics, big data, data mining and machine learning to healthcare engineering systems.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to obtain the most relevant papers related to the research study from three different platforms: EBSCOhost, ProQuest and Scopus. The literature was assessed and synthesized, conducting analysis associated with the publications, authors and content.
Findings
From the SLR, 576 publications were identified and analyzed. The research area seems to show the characteristics of a growing field with new research areas evolving and applications being explored. In addition, the main authors and collaboration groups publishing in this research area were identified throughout a social network analysis. This could lead new and current authors to identify researchers with common interests on the field.
Research limitations/implications
The use of the SLR methodology does not guarantee that all relevant publications related to the research are covered and analyzed. However, the authors' previous knowledge and the nature of the publications were used to select different platforms.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper represents the most comprehensive literature-based study on the fields of data analytics, big data, data mining and machine learning applied to healthcare engineering systems.
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Imamali Dadashzada, Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes, Ranjit Roy Ghatak and Fernando Gonzalez-Aleu
Although electric vehicles (EVs) offer promising solutions for reducing transport emissions, several obstacles hinder their adoption, and supply chain (SC) stakeholders must…
Abstract
Purpose
Although electric vehicles (EVs) offer promising solutions for reducing transport emissions, several obstacles hinder their adoption, and supply chain (SC) stakeholders must systematically identify and address these challenges. Prior research has explored barriers to EV adoption but lacks a global focus on last-mile delivery (LMD). Our study aims to fill this gap, providing a foundation for future research and aiding organizational shifts towards sustainable transportation.
Design/methodology/approach
Our study identifies 21 critical barriers to EV deployment in LMDs, validated through a quantitative survey involving 157 SC experts. The survey data are analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), which identifies four distinct dimensions encapsulating the identified barriers. Based on consultations with five experts, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) ranks these dimensions and individual impediments globally.
Findings
The study finds “Energy and Infrastructure Barriers” and “Financial and Resource Barriers” to be the most significant hindrances. Noteworthy individual barriers include the absence of fast-charging stations, insufficient electricity provision and the need for investment in Power Grid upgrades.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the existing literature by offering a robust methodology for classifying and ranking EV adoption barriers through EFA and AHP. It thus provides a globally applicable framework for stakeholders to devise targeted strategies for overcoming these barriers.
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Claudia Vásquez Rojas, Eduardo Roldán Reyes, Fernando Aguirre y Hernández and Guillermo Cortés Robles
Strategic planning (SP) enables enterprises to plan management and operations activities efficiently in the medium and large term. During its implementation, many processes and…
Abstract
Purpose
Strategic planning (SP) enables enterprises to plan management and operations activities efficiently in the medium and large term. During its implementation, many processes and methods are manually applied and may be time consuming. The purpose of this paper is to introduce an automatic method to define strategic plans by using text mining (TM) algorithms within a generic SP model especially suited for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Textual feedbacks were collected through a SWOT matrix during the implementation of a SP model in a company dedicated to the local distribution of food. A four-step TM process (performing acquisition, pre-processing, processing, and validation tasks) is applied via a framework developed under the cloud computer paradigm in order to determine the strategic plans.
Findings
The use of categorization and clustering algorithms show that unstructured textual information produced during the SP can be efficiently processed and capitalized. Collected evidence reveals the potential to enhance the strategic plans creation with less effort and time, improving the relevance, and producing new technological resources accessible to SMEs.
Originality/value
An innovative framework especially suited for the SMEs based on the synergy assumption of the coupling between TM and a generic SP model.
Details
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Cory R.A. Hallam, Ricardo Valerdi and Carolina Contreras
The purpose of this paper is to add to the quality management body of knowledge by solidifying the connection between operational and strategic aspects of lean transformation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to add to the quality management body of knowledge by solidifying the connection between operational and strategic aspects of lean transformation. Previous research has examined these issues in isolation, demonstrating mixed results in financial and operational efficiencies. The authors show that when operational and strategic changes are jointly considered the likelihood of success for lean transformation increases.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors provide a literature review of 109 peer-reviewed papers on lean manufacturing and qualitative analysis of 23 Baldrige award winners (2000-2014) that implemented lean to assess the importance of strategic actions in achieving a sustainable competitive advantage through lean transformation.
Findings
The authors find that lean transformation yields mixed results unless strategic actions are taken by senior management. These strategic actions include but are not limited to knowledge management, human resources, and business growth and can result in performance heterogeneity by improving the output/input ratio of the firm. This performance can then manifest as either doing the same level of business with fewer resources (a profit play) or doing more business with the same resources (a growth play). As specific examples, the authors analyzed Baldrige award winners for evidence of lean strategic action to drive performance gains. The authors suggest further model validation through directed interview and/or survey research.
Originality/value
This paper clarifies the need for jointly implementing lean tools with strategic actions. The findings provide more deliberate strategic actions for organizations wishing to increase the likelihood of success of lean transformation and ultimately improve quality.
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Modern manufacturing systems require tools and techniques that take cognizance of the social (concerning people and relations) as well as the technical environment. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Modern manufacturing systems require tools and techniques that take cognizance of the social (concerning people and relations) as well as the technical environment. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the social and technical aspects of lean manufacturing practices and their effects on business performance outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The hypothesized relationships for this study are tested with data collected from 148 Indian manufacturing firms by using SPSS and AMOS statistical software.
Findings
The analysis of the study was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, which indicated that both “soft” and “hard” lean practices are positively related to business performance parameters. The findings also demonstrated that “hard” lean practices fully mediate the relationship between “soft” lean practices and business performance parameters.
Research limitations/implications
There are some limitations of this study. Although a cross-sectional survey has been applied, the research does not permit us to account for the lag between implementation and performance. It also brings the opinion of a limited number of Indian experts about lean manufacturing systems; hence, the sample size could be increased and the nationality of the respondent could be expanded for future research.
Practical implications
The paper would be of interest to Lean practitioners, and the results of this study can be used in organizations to put a focus on social-cultural changes while applying lean technical tools when it comes to practices as well as importance.
Originality/value
This paper extends theoretical contribution in production and operations management literature, highlighting how social and technical practices have to interact to enable a successful lean manufacturing implementation.