Carla Gonçalves Machado, Mats Winroth, Peter Almström, Anna Ericson Öberg, Martin Kurdve and Sultan AlMashalah
This research aims to identify and organise the conditions of organisational readiness for digital transformation.
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to identify and organise the conditions of organisational readiness for digital transformation.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study comprises three case studies within manufacturing companies from different sizes and industries located in Sweden. Plant visits and in-depth interviews bring to light companies' experiences with initial steps towards digital transformation. A set of conditions for digital organisational readiness was translated into a questionnaire and tested with one of the studied companies.
Findings
This paper organises and tests digital organisational readiness conditions to support companies' initial steps on digital transformation. The results are put in perspective of established change management theory and previous studies about digital transformation. The findings will conclude in a questionnaire to support dialogue and digital organisational readiness assessments.
Research limitations/implications
Additional conditions for the initial phase of digital transformation could possibly be found if more cases had been included in the study.
Practical implications
The article identifies a set of conditions translated into a questionnaire that should be used as a dialogue tool to create strategic alignment and support companies in their initial discussions. If this process can be faster and more efficient, the company can achieve a competitive advantage against competitors.
Originality/value
This research's relevance relies on the fact that companies are advancing in adopting digital technologies without being ready from an organisational perspective. This gap creates barriers for companies' digital maturing processes, stopping them from having full access to digital technologies' benefits.
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Mats Winroth, Peter Almström and Carin Andersson
Sustainable production (SP) is a very broad area and the awareness and communication of the concept differ between varying levels in a company. The supposition is that the…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainable production (SP) is a very broad area and the awareness and communication of the concept differ between varying levels in a company. The supposition is that the awareness and improvement of sustainability on shop floor level would improve, if a suitable set of indicators for measuring sustainability was available. The purpose of this paper is therefore to identify a list of performance indicators relevant for a production manager.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a two-step analysis, where the first step is a literature review with the purpose of compiling a gross list of sustainability indicators relevant on shop floor level. In the second phase, the relevance of this list for production managers in Swedish small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is tested in a questionnaire survey.
Findings
The conclusion from the survey is that 27 out of 52 proposed indicators were relevant with statistical significance and that another 20 indicators were supported by at least 50 percent of the respondents. The respondents found the economic indicators to be most relevant for their purpose. However, the economic field seems to need more indicators in order to be more useful for daily operation.
Practical implications
This set of indicators may be beneficial for companies seeking relevant indicators to drive sustainability improvements.
Originality/value
This paper takes a new perspective on SP, as it focusses on shop floor production, which is possible to influence for a production manager.
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Peter Almström and Anders Kinnander
The paper's aim is to focus on the productivity potential assessment (PPA) method which has been developed to measure and assess the productivity potentials at shop‐floor level in…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper's aim is to focus on the productivity potential assessment (PPA) method which has been developed to measure and assess the productivity potentials at shop‐floor level in Swedish manufacturing industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A study was carried out in one day by two certified analysts using a highly standardised work process. The focus is on a selected bottleneck area of a factory. Measurement from the selected area is combined with a broad data collection to make an assessment of the potential for increasing the productivity in the factory. The results were fed back to the factory management orally on the same day and in a written report.
Findings
The paper shows that the PPA method was not designed to be a research method. It is a practical method that is based on a systems perspective where as many factors affecting the productivity and productivity development are gathered in one day.
Research limitations/implications
A consecutive article will present the result from the studies.
Practical implications
The method has been applied in over 70 cases and has had an impact on all these cases for the factories studied.
Social implications
Productivity is of utmost importance for society. Productivity development has been neglected in many companies during recent decades.
Originality/value
The PPA method is unique in its combination of scope, analysis methods, and public availability. There are similar methods but no others found that make this combination.
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Marco Savastano, Nicola Cucari, Francesco Dentale and Ari Ginsberg
The purpose of this paper is to identify and empirically examine the dynamic capabilities (DC) that drive the development of digital manufacturing capabilities (DMC) and the role…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify and empirically examine the dynamic capabilities (DC) that drive the development of digital manufacturing capabilities (DMC) and the role of DMC in mediating their influence on firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the dynamic capabilities view (DCV) of the firm, the authors develop a set of hypotheses that are tested through a survey of 110 managers in the manufacturing sector. The hypothesized model is tested through structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results indicate that although higher-order DC (HODC) have a strong influence on firm performance, their effects are partially mediated by the DMC that they generate, by positively affecting the extended production process.
Practical implications
The analysis contributes to a better understanding of the interplay between levels of the DC hierarchy by finding that DMC play an important role in translating HODC into enhanced firm performance.
Originality/value
By complementing the DCV with the disruptive innovation theory in a specific fast changing context, this study introduces a new construct (DMC) providing an original and considerable contribution to the literature. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first empirical study that includes and assesses all these elements together in the context of the manufacturing industry.
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Marcus Bengtsson, Lars-Gunnar Andersson and Pontus Ekström
The purpose of the study is to test if it, by the use of a survey methodology, is possible to measure managers' awareness on, and specifically if there exist preconceived beliefs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to test if it, by the use of a survey methodology, is possible to measure managers' awareness on, and specifically if there exist preconceived beliefs on, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) results. The paper presents the design of the survey methodology as well as a test of the survey in one case company.
Design/methodology/approach
Actual OEE logs from a case company are collected and a survey on the data is designed and managers at the same case company are asked to answer the survey. The survey results are followed-up by an interview study in order to get deeper insights to both the results of the survey as well as the OEE strategy at the case company.
Findings
The findings show that the managers at this particular case company, on a general level, does not suffer too much from preconceived beliefs. However, it is clear that the managers have a preconceived belief that lack of material is logged as a loss much more often than what it actually is.
Research limitations/implications
The test has only been performed with data from one case company within the automotive manufacturing industry and only the managers at that case company has been active in the test.
Practical implications
The survey methodology can be replicated and used by other companies to find out how aware their employees are on their OEE results and if possible preconceived beliefs exists.
Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first attempt at measuring if preconceived beliefs on OEE results exist.
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Veerendra Anchan, Rahul Manmohan, Vernika Agarwal and Arshia Kaul
This study aims to examine the obstacles and approaches to achieving sustainable development in India’s cement solid and hollow brick production business, with a specific emphasis…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the obstacles and approaches to achieving sustainable development in India’s cement solid and hollow brick production business, with a specific emphasis on incorporating the triple bottom line (TBL) concept into strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Using the step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA)–weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) approach, the study prioritized 11 economic, 9 environmental and 14 social sustainability indicators based on information collected from literature and expert opinions.
Findings
The study provides valuable insights into the difficulties encountered by SMEs while implementing strategies that focus on the TBL. By putting emphasis on the sustainability criteria, the key areas that require attention to promote sustainability get identified and addressed.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s focus on SMEs in this industry limits its generalizability. To have a more complete picture, future studies may include many areas.
Practical implications
The identified and prioritized sustainability characteristics help small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) design strategies to address sustainable development concerns. The research findings could also inform policymakers and regulatory bodies about the challenges faced by SMEs in the cement and brick production sector regarding sustainability. It could highlight the need for supportive policies and regulations to promote sustainable practices and incentivize SMEs to adopt the TBL approach. The paper can offer practical insights for SME owners and managers on integrating sustainability principles into their business strategies. Actionable recommendations and best practices for enhancing environmental performance, social impact, and economic viability within the context of cement and brick production are outlined.
Social implications
TBL policies improve the sustainability and profitability of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) and promote environmentally and socially responsible practices that benefit the industry and society. The research paper may facilitate greater engagement and collaboration among various stakeholders involved in the cement and brick production industry, including SMEs, larger corporations, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities. This cooperative approach can encourage open communication, the establishment of trust and coordinated actions to tackle sustainability challenges, ultimately improving social cohesion, and collaboration.
Originality/value
This study provides new and valuable insights by investigating the development of TBL strategies in SMEs in the cement solid and hollow brick manufacturing sector in India. The utilization of the SWARA–WASPAS technique brings novelty to research on sustainable development in this field.