Diogo Almeida, Ninad Pradhan and Jorge Muniz Jr
The purpose of this paper is to discuss factors to support ISO 9001:2015 implementation. A framework for identification and prioritization of factors is applied in Brazilian power…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss factors to support ISO 9001:2015 implementation. A framework for identification and prioritization of factors is applied in Brazilian power train suppliers (Tier 1). Brazil is the eighth largest vehicle manufacturer in the world.
Design/methodology/approach
The data analysis presented in this paper is grounded in an empirical study involving ISO 9001 certified Brazilian companies (47 plants) that supply auto parts to power train assembly plants. They represent almost 50 percent of the Tier 1 Brazilian power train suppliers. Data collection and analysis is performed with the participation of managers who are experts in quality management systems and ISO 9001. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) supports the mixed methods approach. The data analysis is broken down by electrical components, machining, sub-components and small parts manufacturers.
Findings
The factors assessed are top management commitment, team commitment, training, responsibilities and authorities defined, schedule for implementation, quality culture, resource availability, integration between departments, level of bureaucracy as well as level of awareness regarding the ISO 9001 significance. A new factor was identified, which was not cited in the literature, quality staff reliability.
Research limitations/implications
The research is applied to suppliers of powertrain manufacturers and could reflect other sectors. It is important observe that the automotive sector represents a microcosm of the organization in general and many production models stem from there.
Practical implications
Understanding the critical factors is important to ensure that managers allocate resources appropriately during implementation and maintenance of ISO 9001:2015.
Social implications
Organizations around the world have, until 2018, to upgrade their quality systems to ISO 9001:2015 and the results of this paper can support strategies and decision making about that.
Originality/value
This paper evidences the relative importance among factors and ranks item in order of importance for ISO 9001:2015 implementation. Prior studies indicate the need to develop a mixed methods study to examine the role of the critical factors to support the ISO 9001:2015 implementation as done in this paper.
Details
Keywords
Ninad Pradhan, Dinesh Patlolla and Rupy Sawhney
The purpose of this paper is to present an optimised scheduling system for facility mangers and custodians. Experience-driven systems currently in use can result in poor ratings…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an optimised scheduling system for facility mangers and custodians. Experience-driven systems currently in use can result in poor ratings for facility maintenance metrics such as overtime hours, utilisation difference and labour costs.
Design/methodology/approach
The cleaning schedule and custodian work assignments defined by the manager are simulated for the entire year. Clustering and routing algorithms assign work to custodians equally and find optimal cleaning routes. The manager may use the resulting feedback to iteratively find a suitable schedule which lowers costs.
Findings
Data were collected at a large university building in consultation with facility management and custodians. Results indicate a significant reduction in overtime hours, improvement in utilisation difference and a lowering of labour costs.
Research limitations/implications
The methodology was validated at a single building in the facility. Variable selection and optimisation model design will benefit from a comprehensive case study which spans the entire facility.
Practical implications
The methodology may easily be integrated with existing facility maintenance software, adding to it features such as a manager scheduling interface with feedback on critical cleaning metrics and a custodian user interface which highlights room visitation routes and task times.
Originality/value
This study acts on the need for facility cleaning labour cost management highlighted in literature. It achieves its goals using a novel combination of scheduling, simulation and optimisation. It is designed to empower key decision-makers, i.e. facility managers and custodians, with better information.