Timothy D. Fry, Patrick R. Philipoom, G. Keong Leong and Allen E. Smith
In this paper, the authors investigate the effects bottleneck machines have on the performance of a multi‐stage job shop. The operation performed by the bottleneck and its…
Abstract
In this paper, the authors investigate the effects bottleneck machines have on the performance of a multi‐stage job shop. The operation performed by the bottleneck and its position in the product Bill of Materials is varied to determine the effects on system performance. It was found that the best place for the bottleneck machine to be located was at gateway operations located low in the Bill of Materials.
Details
Keywords
Peter Boxall, Meng-Long Huo, Keith Macky and Jonathan Winterton
High-involvement work processes (HIWPs) are associated with high levels of employee influence over the work process, such as high levels of control over how to handle individual…
Abstract
High-involvement work processes (HIWPs) are associated with high levels of employee influence over the work process, such as high levels of control over how to handle individual job tasks or a high level of involvement at team or workplace level in designing work procedures. When implementations of HIWPs are accompanied by companion investments in human capital – for example, in better information and training, higher pay and stronger employee voice – it is appropriate to talk not only of HIWPs but of “high-involvement work systems” (HIWSs). This chapter reviews the theory and practice of HIWPs and HIWSs. Across a range of academic perspectives and societies, it has regularly been argued that steps to enhance employee involvement in decision-making create better opportunities to perform, better utilization of skill and human potential, and better employee motivation, leading, in turn, to various improvements in organizational and employee outcomes.
However, there are also costs to increased employee involvement and the authors review the important economic and sociopolitical contingencies that help to explain the incidence or distribution of HIWPs and HIWSs. The authors also review the research on the outcomes of higher employee involvement for firms and workers, discuss the quality of the research methods used, and consider the tensions with which the model is associated. This chapter concludes with an outline of the research agenda, envisaging an ongoing role for both quantitative and qualitative studies. Without ignoring the difficulties involved, the authors argue, from the societal perspective, that the high-involvement pathway should be considered one of the most important vectors available to improve the quality of work and employee well-being.
Details
Keywords
Chin‐Chun Hsu, Vijay R. Kannan, Keah‐Choon Tan and G. Keong Leong
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of information sharing capability on buyer‐supplier relationships and firm performance. It is proposed that information sharing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of information sharing capability on buyer‐supplier relationships and firm performance. It is proposed that information sharing capability, the integration of a firm's information/decision systems and business processes with those of supply chain partners, is an antecedent of collaborative buyer‐supplier relationships, defined in terms of supply chain and relationship architecture. Further, it is proposed that these relationships positively impact a firm's market and financial performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses multiple linear regression to analyze a set of survey data from the USA, Europe and New Zealand.
Findings
Results demonstrate positive relationships between information sharing capability and buyer‐supplier relationships, and between relationships and performance.
Research limitations/implications
Information sharing capability and buyer‐supplier relationships are complex, multi dimensional constructs. While this research highlights their role in driving performance, further study is required to more fully capture their impact and to understand the implications for situational factors such as industry sector and transaction type.
Practical implications
Results from the study provide academics and policymakers with insights into key information sharing constructs related to the development of buyer‐supplier relationships. These provide guidance in developing the infrastructure to support such relationships.
Originality/value
This study adds to the extant literature by examining the dimensions of information sharing related to buyer‐supplier relationships and performance.
Details
Keywords
G. Keong Leong and Peter T. Ward
The operating definition of manufacturing strategy in publishedresearch has often been too restrictive to accommodate the entire gamutof approaches used in practice. In…
Abstract
The operating definition of manufacturing strategy in published research has often been too restrictive to accommodate the entire gamut of approaches used in practice. In particular, the manufacturing strategies of world class manufacturers do not fit the prevalent planning orientation suggested by many researchers. Claims a multifaceted view of manufacturing strategy is needed to depict accurately the strategic efforts of all manufacturers. Describes six distinct views of the manufacturing strategy: planning, proactiveness, pattern of actions, portfolio of manufacturing capabilities, programmes of improvement, and performance measurement.
Details
Keywords
Kellie B. Keeling, Evelyn Brown and John F. Kros
This work investigates a regional hospital, which has an affiliated low-acuity emergency department (ED) facility that currently struggles to meet its service level goal (85% of…
Abstract
This work investigates a regional hospital, which has an affiliated low-acuity emergency department (ED) facility that currently struggles to meet its service level goal (85% of its patients should be in the room in 60 minutes or less). A capability analysis using data from existing processes at this facility revealed that with the current processes and current level of resources, the facility is not capable of meeting existing service level goal. A simulation was developed to examine multiple alternatives that could improve patient flow at the facility. A set of scenarios were created that modified one or more of the resources such as doctors, nurses, and rooms by changing their schedules or their quantities. The impact of the response variables related to the facility’s service level goal was recorded for each scenario. Based on the results of the simulation, recommendations to the facility for alternative ways to schedule and allocate its resources in order to meet its current service level goal were given.
Details
Keywords
Chin‐Chun Hsu, Vijay R. Kannan, G. Keong Leong and Keah‐Choon Tan
To develop and test a reliable and valid supplier selection measurement scale that can be applied in different geographic regions, namely, the USA and Europe.
Abstract
Purpose
To develop and test a reliable and valid supplier selection measurement scale that can be applied in different geographic regions, namely, the USA and Europe.
Design/methodology/approach
A three‐factor supplier selection measure is developed via extensive literature review and practitioner interviews. Psychometric properties of the survey instrument are evaluated using data from the ISM‐US sample via exploratory factor analysis. Based on the results, the survey instrument is modified and the revised instrument is mailed to a larger sampling group (APICS‐US and APICS‐Europe). Confirmatory factor analysis is used to validate the proposed three‐factor supplier selection construct and to test its validity across national boundaries.
Findings
This study demonstrates that underlying the documented supplier selection criteria is the need to assess a supplier's quality and service capabilities as well as its strategic and managerial alignment with the buyer.
Research limitations/implications
Although the research design incorporates extensive literature reviews, it does not capture every aspect of complex supplier selection criteria. Future efforts should establish a valid, reliable instrument for the underlying constructs.
Practical implications
This study provides supply management professionals with guidelines for analysing selection decisions, and also shows that the underlying dimensions of supplier selection are applicable for both US and European firms.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by answering the following two questions: what exactly constitutes effective supplier selection and what are the appropriate measures for selecting key suppliers?
Details
Keywords
Keah Choon Tan, Vijay R. Kannan, Chin‐Chun Hsu and G. Keong Leong
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of inter‐organization information exchange on supply chain information and relational alignment. Drawing on literature on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of inter‐organization information exchange on supply chain information and relational alignment. Drawing on literature on information systems, supply chain management, and logistics, the paper aims to present a multidimensional framework for considering electronic data interchange (EDI) adoption in supplier management and its effect on information and relational alignment.
Design/methodology/approach
Theories drawn from resource‐dependent and transaction cost economics, and the resource‐based view of the firm were used to establish hypotheses. Structural equation modeling using survey data of manufacturing firms was used to test the hypotheses and research model.
Findings
Results support the central premise that firms must consider EDI adoption in supplier management to improve information and relational alignment between supply chain partners. It is through this alignment that firms achieve superior performance.
Research limitations/implications
This study used a single respondent from each firm due to cost considerations, and hence might have affected the inter‐rater reliability of the survey data.
Practical implications
Results show that firms should consider EDI adoption in supplier management because of its positive effect on information and relational alignment, which in turn impacts firm performance. However, EDI does not affect performance directly.
Originality/value
The role of EDI adoption in supplier management was examined and shown to indirectly affect firm performance via improved information and relational alignment. Moreover, supply chain information alignment was found to enhance relational alignment among supply chain partners.
Details
Keywords
Amelia S. Carr, G. Keong Leong and Chwen Sheu
This empirical research seeks to evaluate purchasing practices in Taiwan based on survey data collected from companies located in that country. A research model is presented and…
Abstract
This empirical research seeks to evaluate purchasing practices in Taiwan based on survey data collected from companies located in that country. A research model is presented and tested using structural equation modeling. The model includes three factors: purchasing risk taking, purchasing knowledge and skills, and strategic purchasing. The research findings indicate that purchasing risk‐taking impacts purchasing knowledge and skills and purchasing knowledge and skills impacts strategic purchasing. Also, the study finds that the relationships among risk taking, purchasing knowledge and skills and strategic purchasing for high performing firms are stronger than for low performing firms.
Details
Keywords
Frank Dewhurst, Kevin Barber and J.J.B. Rogers
The performance of manufacturing systems needs to be continuously reviewed in response to increasingly evolving market conditions. In recent years, a large volume of research has…
Abstract
The performance of manufacturing systems needs to be continuously reviewed in response to increasingly evolving market conditions. In recent years, a large volume of research has concentrated on improving manufacturing performance. Some research has been directed at senior management emphasising the strategic need for change and how to initiate change; other research has been directed at shop floor level and the provision of tools for continuous improvement; whilst more recent research has focused on business process re‐engineering and supporting methodologies. However, there is a very limited set of tools available for middle managers to encapsulate the aspirations of senior management (e.g. the strategic objectives of a company) and translate these into shop floor actions. This paper proposes a methodology to support management of the introduction of new processes, products and systems and to improve the performance of manufacturing systems. The paper presents a case and methodology for an integrated system for strategic, tactical, operational and project planning. The proposed methodology is based on structured systems analysis and simulation of a manufacturing plant. Feasibility of the approach is demonstrated through application to two small to medium‐sized enterprises.
Details
Keywords
E.J. Munive‐Hernandez, F.W. Dewhurst, M.C. Pritchard and K.D. Barber
Businesses face increasing competition in local, international and global markets where responsiveness to changes within these markets is the key to success and survival…
Abstract
Businesses face increasing competition in local, international and global markets where responsiveness to changes within these markets is the key to success and survival. Consequently business strategies need to be consistently re‐defined to effectively reflect the different requirements of customers and to respond to changes in the business environment. The process of generating strategies is not always a simple decision‐making task and revised business and corporate strategies are often generated without considering the structure of the business, particularly at operational level. Furthermore, there is considerable vagueness in the literature and in practice about what constitutes strategy management. This paper reviews the diverse literature in strategy management and presents a business process model of the strategy generation process to ensure consistent generation and communication of strategy throughout an organisation. The performance of a business strategy can then be measured against a model of initial alignment and effective implementation.