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Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 August 2023

Elisa Verna, Gianfranco Genta and Maurizio Galetto

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and quantify the impact of product complexity, including architectural complexity, on operator learning, productivity and quality…

852

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and quantify the impact of product complexity, including architectural complexity, on operator learning, productivity and quality performance in both assembly and disassembly operations. This topic has not been extensively investigated in previous research.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive experimental campaign involving 84 operators was conducted to repeatedly assemble and disassemble six different products of varying complexity to construct productivity and quality learning curves. Data from the experiment were analysed using statistical methods.

Findings

The human learning factor of productivity increases superlinearly with the increasing architectural complexity of products, i.e. from centralised to distributed architectures, both in assembly and disassembly, regardless of the level of overall product complexity. On the other hand, the human learning factor of quality performance decreases superlinearly as the architectural complexity of products increases. The intrinsic characteristics of product architecture are the reasons for this difference in learning factor.

Practical implications

The results of the study suggest that considering product complexity, particularly architectural complexity, in the design and planning of manufacturing processes can optimise operator learning, productivity and quality performance, and inform decisions about improving manufacturing operations.

Originality/value

While previous research has focussed on the effects of complexity on process time and defect generation, this study is amongst the first to investigate and quantify the effects of product complexity, including architectural complexity, on operator learning using an extensive experimental campaign.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 34 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 18 December 2024

Angélica Muffato Reis, Elisa Verna, Lino Costa, Sérgio Dinis Sousa and Maurizio Galetto

This study bridges the gap in quality control strategies for high-volume production by balancing the cost and effectiveness of inspection strategies. Using the cost of quality…

75

Abstract

Purpose

This study bridges the gap in quality control strategies for high-volume production by balancing the cost and effectiveness of inspection strategies. Using the cost of quality (CoQ) to manage cost and external failures (EF) to gauge effectiveness, this research introduces an innovative inspection strategy chart that serves as a decision-making tool for optimizing inspection processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a scenario-based framework designed to support strategic decision-making in inspection processes by integrating empirical data analysis with inspection strategy charts. This approach allows for a dynamic assessment and visualization of the relationship between CoQ and EF, facilitating more informed decision-making in quality management. Notably, it contrasts the traditional models with a novel approach that more accurately captures the uncertainty and correlation among key quality indicators, showcasing its potential for more refined decision-making in quality management.

Findings

Application of the framework illustrates its effectiveness in offering a nuanced understanding of the cost implications and effectiveness of various quality control strategies. This facilitates enhanced strategic decision-making, optimizing inspection processes and reducing external failures in high-volume production settings.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on a single industry case study, limiting the generalizability of findings across different high-volume production contexts. Future research could explore the framework’s applicability in other sectors and refine the model based on additional empirical data.

Originality/value

The research introduces a versatile framework that navigates the unique challenges of high-volume manufacturing environments. Diverging from models optimized for low-volume settings, this approach provides a valuable tool for adapting inspection strategies to complex production demands, marking a significant contribution to quality management and control literature.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

Maurizio Galetto, Fiorenzo Franceschini and Luca Mastrogiacomo

The purpose of this paper is to verify a possible relationship between quality management system certification according to ISO 9001 standard and risk of failure of Italian…

963

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify a possible relationship between quality management system certification according to ISO 9001 standard and risk of failure of Italian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A synthetic index which summarize the most crucial economic/financial aspects of the studied companies is assumed as the response variable of a statistical model for studying the effects of four specific factors: certification, company size, regional development and manufacturing sub-sector. The analysis is conducted on a sample of Italian companies belonging to different manufacturing sub-sectors. The used data are obtained from the database Aida® by Bureau van Dijk and from the database of the Italian accreditation body Accredia. The study is based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) and contingency tables.

Findings

Preliminary results of ANOVA show that only company size, regional development and manufacturing sub-sector can be considered fully significant. Furthermore, the major conclusion from the analysis of contingency tables is that ISO 9001 certification is connected to the legal status (active, not active) of a company only for a portion for the studied manufacturing sub-sectors. Hence, the scenario is quite variegated and a significant positive interaction between certification and corporate performance is not always confirmed.

Research limitations/implications

Although the research shows some interesting results, it is liable to extensions and improvements. In particular, at the current exploratory level, it is limited to a specific period of time and considers only the Italian sector, but it could be extended to a wider number of years and to European and international level.

Practical implications

The study opens a way for a number of important questions about the meaning, usefulness and effectiveness of ISO 9001 certification. In particular, it may be time to ask whether the paradigm of certification actually needs a radical rethink.

Originality/value

This work represents a first exploratory attempt to correlate the risk of failure with the achievement of ISO 9001 certification. There are several similar works in literature which, however, focus mainly on sectorial aspects of the corporate background.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 29 November 2018

Mónica Cabecinhas, Pedro Domingues, Paulo Sampaio, Merce Bernardo, Fiorenzo Franceschini, Maurizio Galetto, Maria Gianni, Katerina Gotzamani, Luca Mastrogiacomo and Alfonso Hernandez-Vivanco

The purpose of this paper is to dissect the diffusion of the number of organizations that implemented multiple management systems (MSs), considering the International Organization…

422

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to dissect the diffusion of the number of organizations that implemented multiple management systems (MSs), considering the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards (quality, environment and safety) in the South European countries: Italy, Portugal and Spain. In addition, based on the data collected, forecasting models were developed to assess at which extent the multiple certifications are expected to occur in each studied country.

Design/methodology/approach

Data concerning the evolution of the amount of multiple MSs in Italy, Portugal and Spain were collected for the period between 1999 and 2015. The behavior of the evolution of the number of MSs over the years was studied adopting both the Gompertz and the Logistic models. The results obtained with these two models were compared and analyzed to provide a forecast for the next years.

Findings

The diffusion throughout the years of the number of MSs presents an S-shaped behavior. The evolution of the amount of MSs in countries with a lower saturation level are properly fitted by the Gompertz model whereas the Logistic model fits more accurately when considering countries with a larger saturation level.

Research limitations/implications

The data related to the early years are not available in some of the countries. To overcome this shortcoming missing data were extrapolated from the data set provided by the annual ISO survey. Additionally, the integration level attained by each company was not assessed and, on this regard and in the scope of this paper, an integrated management system is understood as implemented when organizations have multiple MSs implemented.

Practical implications

The results provide a cross-sectional portrayal of the diffusion of MSs certifications in the South European countries and enable a forecast for the trend in the next years.

Originality/value

This study aims for the first time, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to analyze the diffusion of multiple MSs throughout the years.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 35 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Available. Content available
1026

Abstract

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

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Article
Publication date: 1 October 2004

Fiorenzo Franceschini and Maurizio Galetto

Learning behaviors related to quality improvement in manufacturing systems (i.e. reduction of defectiveness over production cycles) are widely investigated. Many different…

974

Abstract

Learning behaviors related to quality improvement in manufacturing systems (i.e. reduction of defectiveness over production cycles) are widely investigated. Many different approaches have been introduced to describe the link between the learning mechanism and quality performance of a plant. In a previous study by the same authors, a set of learning “composition laws” for two basic structures were defined to provide a tool to forecast the behavior of complex manufacturing systems composed by a network of elementary processes. This paper presents an empirical investigation about these learning composition laws on a real case in the field of automotive exhaust‐systems manufacturing.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 15 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

M. Ruhul Amin

367

Abstract

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

F. Franceschini, M. Galetto and P. Cecconi

To provide a cross‐section of International Standardization Organization (ISO) 9000 quality certification diffusion over time and its impact on industrial systems.

2868

Abstract

Purpose

To provide a cross‐section of International Standardization Organization (ISO) 9000 quality certification diffusion over time and its impact on industrial systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The starting point of the analysis is “The ISO survey of ISO 9000 and ISO 14001 certificates” document. Available data concur to trace a synthesis of what has happened and what is in process all over the world. Five main aspects are discussed: the correspondence between ISO 9000 standards and total quality management strategy; the effects of ISO 9000 certification on business performance; the ISO 9000 certificates diffusion in the world; the comparison between economical and entrepreneurial structure of different countries and certificates diffusion; the proposal of a prediction model for the diffusion of ISO 9000 certificates.

Findings

The evolution curve of the number of certificates over time in each country presents a “saturation effect.” This behavior has been analyzed by a diffusion forecasting model. The analysis of regional share certificates evolution evidences a sensible increase of Far East countries. The analysis of ISO 9000 certificates' share by industrial sector highlights a growth for the most sectors; only a few of them show a negative trend in last two years. A relationship between ISO 9000 certificates and socio‐economic indicators of a country (human development index, gross national product) has been individuated.

Practical implications

The stunning growth of ISO 9000 certifications all over the world confirms a strong polarization of enterprises' interest in this practice. Looking at the empirical data, some questions come out about the future. Will the certification market go on? Will certified enterprises continue to be interested to the certification process?

Originality/value

This paper analyzes the worldwide evolution of ISO 9000 certification and suggests a new prediction model for the diffusion of ISO 9000 certificates.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 19 April 2011

Fiorenzo Franceschini, Maurizio Galetto, Domenico Maisano and Luca Mastrogiacomo

The goal of this paper is to suggest a new incentive model that is capable of creating the conditions for the autonomous growth of diffusion and credibility of the ISO 9000…

984

Abstract

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to suggest a new incentive model that is capable of creating the conditions for the autonomous growth of diffusion and credibility of the ISO 9000 national quality certification system.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of this work contains some considerations about the general interest of organisations in quality certification systems, emphasising the advantages and the drawbacks in being certified. Next, the attention shifts to future scenarios. Specifically, a new model is proposed that is capable of encouraging certified organisations (COs) and certification bodies (CBs) that operate blamelessly and seriously, while at the same time penalising those that do not.

Findings

The suggested model consists of two inter‐connected sub‐models relative to COs and CBs, respectively. Each sub‐model includes different states with different incentives/penalties. The switch‐over from one state to another depends on the practical results recorded in recent years by the CO/CB of interest. The switching rules are based on a set of objective, transparent, and non‐manipulable indicators.

Research limitations/implications

On‐site analyses and simulations are necessary so as to tune optimal switching rules to balance the whole model.

Practical implications

The (possible) future implementation of the model could have great impact on COs' and CBs' modi operandi, promoting the real implementation of quality management practices but – at the same time – not requiring significant additional effort from the state and the authorities accrediting/controlling CBs.

Originality/value

The proposed model is absolutely new and may represent a proper way to combine the interests and expectations of COs and CBs into a unique “virtuous circle” for improving the real implementation of quality management.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 23 May 2008

Fiorenzo Franceschini, Maurizio Galetto, Luca Mastrogiacomo and Luciano Viticchiè

ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards certification is a phenomenon involving over the years a larger and larger number of companies and organizations. Looking at the empirical data…

1145

Abstract

Purpose

ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards certification is a phenomenon involving over the years a larger and larger number of companies and organizations. Looking at the empirical data, it is observed that the phenomenon is close to saturation in many countries. In Italy, on the other hand, there is an important increase in the number of certifications. The purpose of this paper is to pick out the different components and aspects which make Italian dynamics so particular.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to do that the single commodity sector was analyzed, studying certifications diffusion in terms of certified sites. With the aim of specializing the analysis within commodity sectors, this information has been compared with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) percentage expressed by each sector.

Finding

The analysis shows that ISO certifications diffusion followed different dynamics depending on the commodity sectors. These reacted in different ways to the discontinuity of 2003, the year in which ISO 9000 standards changed from the 1994 to the 2000 version.

Research limitations/implications

Future research efforts will be directed at an in‐depth analysis of the differences between ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 certified and analogous non‐certified firms. This analysis will be performed using performance indices such as the number of employees, the profitability, the volume of business, etc.

Originality/value

The paper analyzes the dynamic of ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 certification diffusion in Italy in different commodity sectors. The term of comparison is given by the contribution given by each sector to the GDP.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 25 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

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