Hossein Vaez Shahrestani, Arash Shahin, Hadi Teimouri and Ali Shaemi Barzoki
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to revise the Kano model with a focus on one-dimensional attributes; and second, to use the revised model for categorizing and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to revise the Kano model with a focus on one-dimensional attributes; and second, to use the revised model for categorizing and prioritizing various employee compensation strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
The Kano evaluation table has been revised and the one-dimensional attribute has been further extended to three categories of OO, OM and OA. In the next step, the literature review-based identified strategies have been categorized and prioritized according to the developed Kano model. Consequently, an employee compensation system has been proposed to a process-based manufacturing company as a case study.
Findings
Findings indicated that out of the 44 employee compensation strategies, typically 6 were must-be, 13 were one-dimensional, 18 were attractive and 7 were indifferent. Also, the results of the revised Kano model indicated that typically out of the 13 one-dimensional strategies, 7 were one-dimensional tending toward must-be (OM); and 6 were one-dimensional tending toward attractive (OA).
Research limitations/implications
The case study was limited to one company. The validity of the proposed model can be further studied in a larger population. This study provides managers with a more accurate instrument of decision making in selecting more differentiated employee compensation strategies, which, in turn, might lead to more employee satisfaction.
Originality/value
Theoretically, this study is different from existing studies, since almost none of the previous studies extended the Kano evaluation table for one-dimensional attributes. Practically, this study is another evidence of the application of the Kano model in the field of human resource management and in particular contributes to the design of employee compensation systems.
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Arash Shahin and Ali Nourmohammadi
This paper aims to revise the ideal ratio for selecting new products based on their qualitative analysis of desired/undesired functions.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to revise the ideal ratio for selecting new products based on their qualitative analysis of desired/undesired functions.
Design/methodology/approach
The Kano model has been integrated with the ideal ratio to select and prioritize the design of new products. First, the functional analysis method in value engineering was used to determine the attributes and functions of each product design. Then, the Kano model was used to determine the type of each product attribute and to use the desirable functions of attractive attributes, one-dimensional, must-be and undesirable functions of reverse attributes in the ideal ratio to select and prioritize the design of the product. To examine the application of the proposed approach, a gas instruments manufacturing company was investigated, and five new products were selected for the study.
Findings
Based on the results, the product design of industrial regulator GS 77/22 was selected as the superior product and the digital diaphragm gas meter, ultrasonic gas meter, axial regulator and turbine gas meter had the second to fifth priority, respectively.
Practical implications
The proposed method can help product designers determine product designs suitable for customers' expectations and provide a desirable prioritization of the product design in terms of their ideal ratio according to the customers.
Originality/value
The proposed approach provides a more desirable prioritization compared with other prioritization methods based on customers' viewpoints. In the proposed method, the Kano model results in respecting customers, understanding community needs, respecting consumers' rights and increasing the organization's social responsibility, which will significantly increase the chance of product success in the market.
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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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Arash Shahin, Somaye Mohammadi, Hossein Harsij and Mahmoud Reza Rahbar Qazi
The purpose of this paper is to revise the Kano evaluation table and separating indifference attributes in order to develop satisfaction and dissatisfaction indexes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to revise the Kano evaluation table and separating indifference attributes in order to develop satisfaction and dissatisfaction indexes.
Design/methodology/approach
The indifference requirements have been separated and reclassified, and after revising Kano satisfaction and dissatisfaction indexes based on the new evaluation table, the developed Kano model has been examined in the city of Isfahan regarding attributes of candidates in the presidential election of 2013.
Findings
According to the new classification, the indifference attributes can be separated into seven types. The results of the case study also show that among 20 priorities of the presidential candidates, payment of subsidy, offering loan and financial facilities are must-be attributes; protecting investment and national production, export incentives and increasing national unity are attractive attributes; and the remaining are one-dimensional attributes.
Practical implications
The case study implies that the findings are dependent on the cultural and social context of the respondents. On the other hand, the findings of Kano model analysis are limited to short-time periods.
Originality/value
This research is typically unique in separating indifference attributes and in revising the satisfaction and dissatisfaction indexes of the Kano model. Practically, the application of the Kano model in the presidential election is also a new subject.
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This short review paper aims to examine the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) in the realm of geotechnical engineering.
Abstract
Purpose
This short review paper aims to examine the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) in the realm of geotechnical engineering.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper gives a brief overview of AI/ML technology and discusses its current trend and future directions in geotechnical engineering.
Findings
Despite limitations, the use of AI/ML techniques has several significant benefits that make them powerful and practical tools in the field of geotechnical engineering.
Originality/value
This paper explored the integration of AI/ML promising technology into geotechnical design and practice and highlighted its transformative impacts in terms of benefits, limitations and potential future directions.
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Arash Shahin, Nahid Aminsabouri and Kamran Kianfar
The purpose of this paper is to further develop the Decision Making Grid (DMG) proposed by Ashraf Labib (e.g. Labib, 1998, 2004; Fernandez et al., 2003; Aslam-Zainudeen and Labib…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to further develop the Decision Making Grid (DMG) proposed by Ashraf Labib (e.g. Labib, 1998, 2004; Fernandez et al., 2003; Aslam-Zainudeen and Labib, 2011; Stephen and Labib, 2018; Seecharan et al., 2018) by proposing an innovative solution for determining proactive maintenance tactics based on mean time between failures (MTBF) and mean time to repair (MTTR) indicators.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the influence of MTTR and MTBF indicators on proactive maintenance tactics was computed. The tactics included risk-based maintenance (RBM), reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), total productive maintenance (TPM), design out maintenance (DOM), accessibility-centered maintenance (ACM) and business-centered maintenance (BCM). Then, the tactics were allocated to the cells of a DMG with MTTR and MTBF axes. The proposed approach was examined on 32 pieces of equipment of the Esfahan Steel Company and appropriate maintenance tactics were consequently determined.
Findings
The findings indicate that the DOM, BCM, RBM and ACM tactics with weights of 0.86, 0.94, 0.68 and 1.00 are located at the corners of the DMG, respectively. The two remaining tactics of TPM and RCM are located at the middle corners. Also, the results indicate that the share of tactics per spotted equipment in the grid as 62, 22 and 16 percent for RCM, DOM and BCM, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
While reactive and preventive maintenance strategies include corrective, prospective, predetermined, proactive and predictive policies, the focus of this study was merely on the tactics of proactive maintenance policy. The advantage of the developed DMG over Labib’s DMG lies in its application for equipment with the unique condition of the bathtub curve.
Originality/value
While the basic DMG has been mostly used regardless of the type of maintenance policies, this study provides a DMG for a specific application regarding the proactive policy. In addition, the heuristic approach proposed for the development of DMG distinguishes this study from other studies.
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Afshin Jahanbazi Goujani, Arash Shahin, Ali Nasr Isfahani and Ali Safari
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of job satisfaction on hostage employee loyalty in Isfahan Province Gas Company (IPGC).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of job satisfaction on hostage employee loyalty in Isfahan Province Gas Company (IPGC).
Design/methodology/approach
The statistical population of this study included the formal recruited employees of IPGC out of which, 212 employees have been selected using a stratified random sampling method. A questionnaire has been developed and used for data collection regarding job satisfaction and employee loyalty. In this study along with the other studies of the authors, employees of IPGC were classified into four different categories on the basis of loyalty matrix, and the majority (78 percent) of them were located in the hostage category. Structural equation modeling has been used for data analysis.
Findings
The findings imply that job satisfaction does not have a significant influence on the loyalty of hostage employees.
Practical implications
Organizations are encouraged to identify the individual and organizational factors and obstacles, take necessary measures to increase job satisfaction and maintain the level of employee loyalty and gradually shift them from the hostage category to the apostle category, which results in an increased number of loyal and satisfied employees.
Originality/value
This study indicates how the application of the concepts of loyalty matrix, particularly its hostage category, can be expanded in the field of organizational behavior management.
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Fatemeh Shaker, Arash Shahin and Saeed Jahanyan
The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrative approach for improving failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrative approach for improving failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA).
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature review on FMEA has been performed. Then, an integrative approach has been proposed based on literature review. The proposed approach is an integration of FMEA and quality function deployment (QFD). The proposed approach includes a two-phase QFD. In the first phase, failure modes are prioritized based on failure effects and in the second phase, failure causes are prioritized based on failure modes. The proposed approach has been examined in a case example at the blast furnace operation of a steel-manufacturing company.
Findings
Results of the case example indicated that stove shell crack in hot blast blower, pump failure in cooling water supply pump and bleeder valves failed to operate are the first three important failure modes. In addition, fire and explosion are the most important failure effects. Also, improper maintenance, over pressure and excess temperature are the most important failure causes. Findings also indicated that the proposed approach with the consideration of interrelationships among failure effects, failure mode and failure causes can influence and adjust risk priority number (RPN) in FMEA.
Research limitations/implications
As manufacturing departments are mostly dealing with failure effects and modes of machinery and maintenance departments are mostly dealing with causes of failures, the proposed model can support better coordination and integration between the two departments. Such support seems to be more important in firms with continuous production lines wherein line interruption influences response to customers more seriously. A wide range of future study opportunities indicates the attractiveness and contribution of the subject to the knowledge of FMEA.
Originality/value
Although the literature indicates that in most of studies the outcomes of QFD were entered into FMEA and in some studies the RPN of FMEA was entered into QFD as importance rating, the proposed approach is a true type of the so-called “integration of FMEA and QFD” because the three main elements of FMEA formed the structure of QFD. In other words, the proposed approach can be considered as an innovation in the FMEA structure, not as a data provider prior to it or a data receiver after it.
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M.M. Shahin, Mohammad Asaduzzaman Chowdhury, Md. Arefin Kowser, Uttam Kumar Debnath and M.H. Monir
The purposes of the present study are to ensure higher sustainability of journal bearings under different applied loads and to observe bearing performances such as elastic strain…
Abstract
Purpose
The purposes of the present study are to ensure higher sustainability of journal bearings under different applied loads and to observe bearing performances such as elastic strain, total deformation and stress formation.
Design/methodology/approach
A journal bearing test rig was used to determine the effect of the applied load on the bearing friction, film thickness, lubricant film pressure, etc. A steady-state analysis was performed to obtain the bearing performance.
Findings
An efficient aspect ratio (L/D) range was obtained to increase the durability or the stability of the bearing while the bearing is in the working condition by using SAE 5W-30 oil. The results from the study were compared with previous studies in which different types of oil and water, such as Newtonian fluid (NF), magnetorheological fluid (MRF) and nonmagnetorheological fluid (NMRF), were used as the lubricant. To ensure a preferable aspect ratio range (0.25-0.50), a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted by ANSYS; the results show a lower elastic strain and deformation within the preferable aspect ratio (0.25-0.50) rather than a higher aspect ratio using the SAE 5W-30 oil.
Originality/value
It is expected that the findings of this study will contribute to the improvement of the bearing design and the bearing lubricating system.
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Parisa Heidari Aqagoli, Ali Safari and Arash Shahin
The purpose of this paper is to determine the attractiveness or unattractiveness of cyberloafing in the workplace using Q methodology and the Kano model.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the attractiveness or unattractiveness of cyberloafing in the workplace using Q methodology and the Kano model.
Design/methodology/approach
The perception of employees towards cyberloafing was investigated based on Q methodology, and then they were prioritized using Kano model. Ten IT companies were selected for the case study. In this study, a mixed method was used. First, 30 participants were interviewed. Next, after extracting the comments, Q-matrix was presented to 30 participants and they completed the matrix cells. Finally, Kano questionnaire was designed using the items obtained from Q methodology and distributed among 30 participants.
Findings
Q methodology led to nine perceptions, and the priorities of Kano model were proponents of increasing employees' dependence on the internet, economic thinkers, the indifferent, dissatisfied, proponents of receiving information, self-control proponents, the profit-minded, mind destroyer and satisfaction-oriented. Cyberloafing is considered unattractiveness with adverse effects. The combination of Q methodology and Kano model can improve the analysis of the results.
Originality/value
This study is one of the few studies in which Q methodology is improved by Kano model. In the past, Q methodology alone examined people’s perception, but by combining these two methods, it is determined which perception is more satisfying and which one is more important, and then a general result can be reached.