K.G. Durga Prasad, K. Venkata Subbaiah and K. Narayana Rao
The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology using quality function deployment (QFD) approach for aligning competitive strategy with supply chain strategy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology using quality function deployment (QFD) approach for aligning competitive strategy with supply chain strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
QFD and utility‐based optimization approach are employed to achieve strategic fit between the competitive and supply chain strategies. The supply chain performance is defined by using the information contained in the House of Quality of QFD and utility functions.
Findings
Supply chain performance index is computed for the different sets of supply chain design objectives. An illustrative example is presented in this paper to describe the QFD approach for aligning competitive and supply chain strategies.
Originality/value
Application of QFD approach is a new approach to design a supply chain through aligning competitive and supply chain strategies.
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K.G. Durga Prasad, K. Venkata Subbaiah and K. Narayana Rao
– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a methodology to design a supply chain with a view to achieve a strategic fit between competitive and supply chain strategies.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a methodology to design a supply chain with a view to achieve a strategic fit between competitive and supply chain strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
Quality function deployment (QFD)-based optimization methodology is employed to design a supply chain for a product through aligning the competitive and supply chain strategies. Normal boundary intersection (NBI) method is adopted to obtain optimal weights of the supply chain design objectives. Weighted additive model is developed for multi-objective optimization. Utility-based attribute function, which structure the relationship between the elements of competitive and supply chain strategies is established. The utility functions and the information contained in the House of Quality (HOQ) of QFD are used to define the supply chain performance (SCP).
Findings
SCP index is computed using the set of supply chain design objectives obtained by solving the weighted additive model. On the basis of SCP index, the supply chain activities are planned accordingly. An illustrative example is presented in this paper to describe the QFD-based optimization methodology for designing a supply chain.
Originality/value
QFD-based optimization is a novel approach to design a supply chain with a focus on aligning competitive and supply chain strategies.
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Even though austenitic stainless steels have been extensively used in industries, owing to some of the characteristics of the material, its performance in machining is difficult…
Abstract
Purpose
Even though austenitic stainless steels have been extensively used in industries, owing to some of the characteristics of the material, its performance in machining is difficult to understand, in particular at high cutting speeds. There is no availability of dependable and in-depth studies pertinent to this matter. In this work, performance of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel was studied in terms of surface roughness (Ra) and material removal rate (MRR) at high cutting speeds. Subsequently, parametric optimization and prediction for responses were carried out.
Design/methodology/approach
Turning operations were conducted using L9 orthogonal array and the outcomes were analyzed to attain optimal set of machining parameters for the responses using signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the present work, the cutting speed values were considered beyond the recommended range as designated by tool manufacturers. Finally, multiple regression models were developed to predict responses.
Findings
From the results, 350 m/min was found to be a significant speed. The investigation reveals that even though the speeds are taken beyond the recommended values, the results are favorable. The optimal machining parameters values for surface quality obtained were cutting speed of 350 m/min, feed of 0.15 mm/rev and depth of cut of 2.0 mm. In case of MRR, the optimal values were: cutting speed of 400 m/min, feed of 0.25 mm/rev and depth of cut of 2.0 mm. It was found out that there was an improvement in Ra and MRR (around 15 and 4%) due to optimization. The results indicate that Pareto ANOVA is easier than S/N ratio. This revealed that the feed rate and depth of cut were mostly affected parameters for Ra and MRR. The developed models are capable of predicting the responses accurately.
Practical implications
The outcome of the work reveals that even though the speeds were taken beyond the recommended value, the results are favorable for manufacturing industries when the tool cost is considered insignificant.
Originality/value
No work was reported on machining of the chosen material beyond the recommended cutting speed. Moreover, it was observed from the past works that cutting speeds were limited to 100–300 m/min.
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Lokanadham Dharmana and Venkata Subbaiah Kambagowni
This study aims to develop the Al-Si-Mg metal matrix composite, reinforced distinctly with lime stone powder (LSP; 12% by weight) and Al2O3 (12% by weight), and compare their…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop the Al-Si-Mg metal matrix composite, reinforced distinctly with lime stone powder (LSP; 12% by weight) and Al2O3 (12% by weight), and compare their mechanical properties and tribological performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The composites are fabricated through stir casting process. In view of the previous work, the Al-LSP composite with LSP reinforcement (12 Wt.%) shows enhanced mechanical properties and tribological performance, as compared with other weight percentages.
Findings
Though the Al-LSP composite is less expensive, it shows similar hardness, tensile strength and specific strength, when compared with Al- Al2O3 composite. However, the Al-LSP composite exhibits significant enhancement of above three properties, when compared with Al-Si-Mg metal. The systematic factorial design of experiments is obtained through Taguchi OA [L9]. The tribological performance is estimated through wear rate (WR-mm3/m) and coefficient of friction (CF) by varying the operating parameters of sliding distance (SD), load (L) and sliding velocity (SV). According to ANOVA results, the optimal condition of WR for all the tested materials is L1SD3SV1. Further, the optimal condition of CF is L1SD1SV3 for Al-LSP and Al-Si-Mg metal, while L2SD3SV2 is for Al-Al2O3 composite. The regression equation predicts the measured experimental values within error band of ± 8 percentage.
Originality/value
A comparison of two composite materials (Al-LSP and Al-Al2O3) with same weight fractions (12%) shows almost same trend in both the mechanical and tribological testing process. However, the developed Al-LSP composite exhibited better properties than the Al-Al2O3 and Al-base. Therefore, Al-LSP can be suggested for automotive applications (i.e., connecting rod, cylinder liners, camshaft) and structural applications (such as frames, over hanging supports), without compromising in desirable original with properties of constituents in the new material, which is achievable for looking to the end uses.
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Chen Jiang, Ekene Paul Odibelu and Guo Zhou
This paper aims to investigate the performance of two novel numerical methods, the face-based smoothed finite element method (FS-FEM) and the edge-based smoothed finite element…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the performance of two novel numerical methods, the face-based smoothed finite element method (FS-FEM) and the edge-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM), which employ linear tetrahedral elements, for the purpose of strength assessment of a high-speed train hollow axle.
Design/methodology/approach
The calculation of stress for the wheelset, comprising an axle and two wheels, is facilitated through the application of the European axle strength design standard. This standard assists in the implementation of loading and boundary conditions and is exemplified by the typical CRH2 high-speed train wheelset. To evaluate the performance of these two methods, a hollow cylinder cantilever beam is first used as a benchmark to compare the present methods with other existing methods. Then, the strength analysis of a real wheelset model with a hollow axle is performed using different numerical methods.
Findings
The results of deflection and stress show that FS-FEM and ES-FEM offer higher accuracy and better convergence than FEM using linear tetrahedral elements. ES-FEM exhibits a superior performance to that of FS-FEM using linear tetrahedral elements, showing accuracy and convergence close to FEM using hexahedral elements.
Originality/value
This study channels the novel methods (FS-FEM and ES-FEM) in the static stress analysis of a railway wheelset. Based on the careful testing of FS-FEM and ES-FEM, both methods hold promise as more efficient tools for the strength analysis of complex railway structures.
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Gary Null, Jennifer A. Cross and Charles Brandon
As program managers seek to improve the quality, speed and financial benefits of the programs they manage, many are turning to process improvement methodologies, such as Lean Six…
Abstract
Purpose
As program managers seek to improve the quality, speed and financial benefits of the programs they manage, many are turning to process improvement methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma (LSS). However, although existing literature includes multiple studies that apply the methodology to non-manufacturing environments, there is no specific framework for applying LSS within program management (PM). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between LSS tools, project scope, program phase and functional area and project outputs, in PM organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses archival data from 511 LSS projects completed from 2006 to 2015 by a large government agency in the USA composed of 13 PM organizations. The study focuses on four types of input factors: LSS tools, project scope, program phase and functional area; and two output variables: LSS project average financial benefits and percentage of improvement. Multiple regressions are applied to determine what relationships exist between the input and output variables, as well as the nature of such relationships.
Findings
The results of this study show LSS is beneficial to PM and also indicate which tools and organizational contexts have positive and negative associations with project outcomes, serving as guide for future applications. In addition, this study can provide clarity and confidence to program managers who are currently skeptical of LSS, by showing that it can provide cost, schedule and performance improvements beneficial to their programs.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of this research include the use of a single government agency in the USA, the non-experimental design of the study and limitations associated with the nature and data collection process of the archival data. Future studies should include additional PM organizations, input variables and research designs.
Originality/value
There is no specific framework formalizing the concept of LSS application within PM. The literature includes several studies that apply the methodology to non-manufacturing environments, but not to PM specifically. Furthermore, the existing literature on PM does not explicitly cite any continuous improvement methodology as a critical success factor or provide any detailed guidelines for the application of LSS in PM. This paper contributes by studying the relationships between LSS tools, project scope, program phase and functional area, and project outputs, in a PM environment.
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Jalil Vaziri and Mohammad Ali Beheshtinia
In today’s highly competitive business environment, the main approach of all businesses is to optimally provide customers’ requirements and gain their satisfaction and trust. The…
Abstract
Purpose
In today’s highly competitive business environment, the main approach of all businesses is to optimally provide customers’ requirements and gain their satisfaction and trust. The process of value creation for customers consists of value chain activities which are concentrated on providing maximum level of customers’ needs. The purpose of this paper is to propose a holistic model by which the quality, the transferred value to customers and the firm’s competitive advantage would be improved simultaneously under budget constraint.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a combination of several quality management (QM) tools including SERVQUAL, Kano’s model, quality function deployment and knapsack problem. Moreover, the triangular fuzzy logic is used throughout the model to address data uncertainty and increase the model flexibility. The proposed model includes five steps which are implemented in the case study of life-insurance services.
Findings
The lack of coordination and cooperation between the people working in the inherently related sections leads to incorrect decisions and also the failure in implementation of adopted decisions. Hence, the interface between quality and strategic management should be well considered in organizations. The model generates an integrated vision to the process of decision making in this interface. The framework has several significant outcomes which would be used by both researchers and practitioners.
Research limitations/implications
The study shows that the individual elements of decision-making process in the interface between quality and strategic management are related to each other, recommending the need to coordinated and consistent effort between different parts of a firm. The results are limited by the sample size and geography of the survey.
Originality/value
This paper is among the few in the literature that have presented a holistic and step-by-step approach to the decisions on the intersection between two areas of quality and strategic management, recommending the managers to not have insular look to the issues and try to make a sufficient and efficient relationship between the different sections. This study is an important step in reflecting these relations and the need to create an integrated decision model.
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Arash Shahin and Sima Ebrahimi
This study aims to revise the weights in the interrelationship matrix of the house of quality.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to revise the weights in the interrelationship matrix of the house of quality.
Desqign/methodology/approach
After determining customer requirements (CRs) and product design characteristics (PDCs), a house of quality (HoQ) has been developed and the interrelationships between CRs and PDCs have been determined and classified using the Kano model. The PDCs have been prioritized based on the classic HoQ and the revised HoQ. Finally the results have been compared and discussed. The television design of Entekhab Industrial Group, the largest producer of home appliance products in Iran has been selected as a case study.
Findings
Results indicated different sets of priorities derived from the two approaches. Particularly, the difference between the revised HoQ and the classic approach was due to the nonlinear relationship between CRs and PDCs.
Research limitations/implications
This study was performed merely on a single product of a company, and the case study results cannot be generalized to all of the home appliance industries.
Originality/value
Developing the application of the Kano model in computing and revising the weights of the cells in the interrelationship matrix of HoQ is the main contribution of this paper.
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Naga Vamsi Krishna Jasti, V. Venkateswaran, Srinivas Kota and Kuldip Singh Sangwan
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the evolution of total quality management (TQM) models, frameworks, and tools and techniques in higher education (HE) over the last thirty…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the evolution of total quality management (TQM) models, frameworks, and tools and techniques in higher education (HE) over the last thirty years from 1991 till 2020, based on a literature review
Design/methodology/approach
30 articles from 52 journals were used to perform this detailed literature review. For the detailed analysis, the focus was only on articles related to TQM in higher education and specifically related to models, frameworks and tools and techniques. The study has investigated the growth of research articles, research streams, research methodologies, models and frameworks in the higher education sector and tools and techniques related to those.
Findings
This review addresses the progress and gaps in the application of TQM in HE, including the shift in global research in this area from the USA and Europe to Asia in recent years. The articles have been classified into four research methodologies and two research streams which have been reviewed in detail. The findings include reasons for multiple models/frameworks in HE proposed by researchers over the years and the importance of tools and techniques used in TQM implementation.
Originality/value
This study, which tries to bring a perspective to the main trends in TQM application to higher education wrt models, frameworks, tools and techniques over the last thirty years, is expected to add to the body of knowledge in this area and help future researchers to focus on the relevant areas identified in this paper.
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Vikas Kumar, Younis Jabarzadeh, Paria Jeihouni and Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes
The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of operations strategy (cost, quality, flexibility and delivery) and supply chain integration on innovation performance under…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of operations strategy (cost, quality, flexibility and delivery) and supply chain integration on innovation performance under influence of learning orientation.
Design/methodology/approach
Taking a quantitative and deductive approach, a conceptual framework was developed and tested by analyzing data gathered through survey questionnaire from 243 UK manufacturing firms using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The findings show that learning orientation influences operations strategy and supply chain integration, but it does not have a direct impact on innovation performance. Additionally, quality and flexibility strategies affect innovation performance and supply chain integration positively, while cost and delivery strategies do not have a significant effect on these variables.
Research limitations/implications
Operations strategy types (cost, quality, flexibility and delivery) were studied as distinct variables, whereas supply chain integration also has several dimensions but that has not been investigated separately in the present research. The findings are also based on limited 243 responses from UK manufacturing firms.
Practical implications
Innovation performance of manufacturing firms can be improved through a more integrated supply chain if managers embody flexibility and quality capabilities in their operations and become learning oriented.
Originality/value
The effect of supply chain integration on innovation performance and learning orientation on supply chain integration and operations strategy types have not been fully explored in literature. Also, having all four operations strategy types in a direct relation to supply chain integration and innovation performance is another original aspect of the current study.