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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

H. Sekhar and R. Mahanti

The aim of the research is to use an integrated approach – simulation and Six Sigma to improve the ambient air quality.

1928

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the research is to use an integrated approach – simulation and Six Sigma to improve the ambient air quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Integration of simulation and Six Sigma DMAIC methodology in a foundry had been used to improve the ambient air quality. Various elements of the Six Sigma toolkit such as Cause and Effect diagrams and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis have been used to discover the root causes underlying the problem and prioritize action and incorporate cost‐effective solutions. Simulation has been used to improve and control the environmental efficiency by monitoring the performance of the Venturi Scrubber – the pollution control equipment, by running the model under varying conditions.

Findings

The integrated application of Six Sigma and simulation has been successful in reducing particulate emissions from 200 milligrams per cubic meter to less than 20 milligrams per cubic meter and sulphur dioxide emissions from 45 milligrams per cubic meter to less than 4.5 milligrams per cubic meter, thus reducing air pollution.

Practical implications

Air pollution is a burning problem in the present scenario and foundry industries are one of the contributors to air quality degradation. The approach described in this paper is a step towards reducing air pollution due to foundry operations.

Originality/value

Integration of Six Sigma DMAIC methodology and simulation provides a novel cost‐effective strategy for monitoring and reducing air pollution resulting from foundry operations. This paper is useful for environmental division of foundry and other manufacturing industries.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

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Publication date: 13 July 2023

Simoné Anastasia Appolis and John Kolawole Aderibigbe

Although organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) is a concept associated with significant values within the modern workplace, many employees find it challenging to exhibit some…

Abstract

Although organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) is a concept associated with significant values within the modern workplace, many employees find it challenging to exhibit some necessary extra-role behaviours, such as helping co-workers complete their duties when a situation demands it. Currently, in the South African workspace, fostering OCB among employees is a concern to people practitioners. Specifically, extra-role types of behaviour are declining among professionals as 21st-century technologies promote remote-working policy, leaving employees to work robotically with computers and having no colleagues around to seek or render assistance with their duties. Moreover, professionals are overwhelmed with the timely and endless obligations received frequently and hardly have time and energy for extra-role behaviours. In addition, physical and psychological health-related concerns such as technology stress and career worries are among the contemporary issues affecting human resource (HR) management in this present time. This necessitates more scholarly actions in the niche of OCB, especially identifying and arresting its hindrances. However, a thorough review of the literature on OCB revealed a paucity of scientific reports in the areas of relationships between technostress, career concerns and OCB. Hence, the proposed chapter seeks to bridge the gap in the literature of OCB by theoretically exploring the relationships between technostress, career concerns and OCB in the professional services context in South Africa.

Details

Two Faces of Digital Transformation
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-096-0

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Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Sarina Abdul Halim Lim, Jiju Antony, Zhen He and Norin Arshed

Statistical process control (SPC) is widely applied for control and improve processes in manufacturing, but very few studies have reported on the successful application of SPC in…

1666

Abstract

Purpose

Statistical process control (SPC) is widely applied for control and improve processes in manufacturing, but very few studies have reported on the successful application of SPC in the food industry, in particular. The purpose of this paper is to critically assess the status of SPC in the UK food manufacturing industry and to suggest future research avenues.

Design/methodology/approach

A research project was carried out in the UK food manufacturing sector through questionnaires. The results of the study were analysed using descriptive statistics and statistical tests to be applied in the hypothesis testing.

Findings

Findings revealed that 45 per cent of the respondents are SPC users and x ¯-R and x ¯-S charts are the most commonly applied SPC charts in this industry. It was determined that top management commitment is the most critical factor, while lack of SPC training is the most alarming challenge, and lack of awareness of SPC and its benefits are the main reasons for the food companies not implementing SPC.

Research limitations/implications

The study considered only the food manufacturing companies. Future research could be addressed toward the food service and food supply chain.

Practical implications

The paper provides information to food companies in the UK on most common practiced and important quality tools, SPC charts and critical success factors in the food industry. Moreover, the most challenging factors of SPC implementation in the food industry are presented.

Originality/value

This study depicted the current state of SPC practices in the food industry and the process performance in SPC and non-SPC companies is compared.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 34 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 22 February 2021

Carmen Patino-Rodriguez, Diana M. Pérez and Olga Usuga Manco

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of a modified EWMA control chart (γEWMA control chart), which considers data distribution and incorporate its correlation…

178

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of a modified EWMA control chart (γEWMA control chart), which considers data distribution and incorporate its correlation structure, simulating in-control and out-of-control processes and to select an adequate value for smoothing parameter with these conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a simulation approach using the methodology for evaluating statistical methods proposed by Morris et al. (2019). Data were generated from a simulation considering two factors that associated with data: (1) quality variable distribution skewness as an indicator of quality variable distribution; (2) the autocorrelation structure for type of relationship between the observations and modeled by AR(1). In addition, one factor associated with the process was considered, (1) the shift in the process mean. In the following step, when the chart control is modeled, the fourth factor intervenes. This factor is a smoothing parameter. Finally, three indicators defined from the Run Length are used to evaluate γEWMA control chart performance this factors and their interactions.

Findings

Interaction analysis for four factor evidence that the modeling and selection of parameters is different for out-of-control and in-control processes therefore the considerations and parameters selected for each case must be carefully analyzed. For out-of-control processes, it is better to preserve the original features of the distribution (mean and variance) for the calculation of the control limits. It makes sense that highly autocorrelated observations require smaller smoothing parameter since the correlation structure enables the preservation of relevant information in past data.

Originality/value

The γEWMA control chart there has advantages because it gathers, in single chart control: the process and modelling characteristics, and data structure process. Although there are other proposals for modified EWMA, none of them simultaneously analyze the four factors nor their interactions. The proposed γEWMA allows setting the appropriate smoothing parameter when these three factors are considered.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 38 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2002

Zelealem T. Temtime and Getachew H. Solomon

Examines the relationship between TQM perceptions, planning behavior, and firm size in SMEs in Ethiopia. Primary data were collected from 57 SMEs through a questionnaire. However…

4239

Abstract

Examines the relationship between TQM perceptions, planning behavior, and firm size in SMEs in Ethiopia. Primary data were collected from 57 SMEs through a questionnaire. However, as the study is a preliminary investigation, uses only simple descriptive statistics to analyse the sample data. The results are not significantly different from those of previous studies in SMEs. TQM perceptions vary with firm size and planning behavior. The findings also indicated that excessive emphasis on short‐term profitability, lack of resources, business planning and vision, and misperception of TQM practices are among the main obstacles to the adoption of a formal TQM program. Suggests some lessons and implications for future research.

Details

The TQM Magazine, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-478X

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Article
Publication date: 6 February 2024

Alireza Goudarzian and Rohallah Pourbagher

Conventional isolated dc–dc converters offer an efficient solution for performing voltage conversion with a large improved voltage gain. However, the small-signal analysis of…

67

Abstract

Purpose

Conventional isolated dc–dc converters offer an efficient solution for performing voltage conversion with a large improved voltage gain. However, the small-signal analysis of these converters shows that a right-half-plane (RHP) zero appears in their control-to-output transfer function, exhibiting a nonminimum-phase stability. This RHP zero can limit the frequency response and dynamic specifications of the converters; therefore, the output voltage response is sluggish. To overcome these problems, the purpose of this study is to analyze, model and design a new isolated forward single-ended primary-inductor converter (IFSEPIC) through RHP zero alleviation.

Design/methodology/approach

At first, the normal operation of the suggested IFSEPIC is studied. Then, its average model and control-to-output transfer function are derived. Based on the obtained model and Routh–Hurwitz criterion, the components are suitably designed for the proposed IFSEPIC, such that the derived dynamic model can eliminate the RHP zero.

Findings

The advantages of the proposed IFSEPIC can be summarized as: This converter can provide conditions to achieve fast dynamic behavior and minimum-phase stability, owing to the RHP zero cancellation; with respect to conventional isolated converters, a larger gain can be realized using the proposed topology; thus, it is possible to attain a smaller operating duty cycle; for conventional isolated converters, transformer core saturation is a major concern, owing to a large magnetizing current. However, the average value of the magnetizing current becomes zero for the proposed IFSEPIC, thereby avoiding core saturation, particularly at high frequencies; and the input current of the proposed converter is continuous, reducing input current ripple.

Originality/value

The key benefits of the proposed IFSEPIC are shown via comparisons. To validate the design method and theoretical findings, a practical implementation is presented.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 50 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

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Article
Publication date: 10 November 2021

Alireza Goudarzian

Control-signal-to-output-voltage transfer function of the conventional boost converter has at least one right-half plane zero (RHPZ) in the continuous conduction mode which can…

126

Abstract

Purpose

Control-signal-to-output-voltage transfer function of the conventional boost converter has at least one right-half plane zero (RHPZ) in the continuous conduction mode which can restrict the open-loop bandwidth of the converter. This problem can complicate the control design for the load voltage regulation and conversely, impact on the stability of the closed-loop system. To remove this positive zero and improve the dynamic performance, this paper aims to suggest a novel boost topology with a step-up voltage gain by developing the circuit diagram of a conventional boost converter.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a transformer, two different pathways are provided for a classical boost circuit. Hence, the effect of the RHPZ can be easily canceled and the voltage gain can be enhanced which provides conditions for achieving a smaller working duty cycle and reducing the voltage stress of the power switch. Using this technique makes it possible to achieve a good dynamic response compared to the classical boost converter.

Findings

The observations show that the phase margin of the proposed boost converter can be adequately improved, its bandwidth is largely increased, due to its minimum-phase structure through RHPZ cancellation. It is suitable for fast dynamic response applications such as micro-inverters and fuel cells.

Originality/value

The introduced method is analytically studied via determining the state-space model and necessary criteria are obtained to achieve a minimum-phase structure. Practical observations of a constructed prototype for the voltage conversion from 24 V to 100 V and various load conditions are shown.

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Article
Publication date: 9 August 2024

Pulok Ranjan Mohanta and Biswajit Mahanty

In this paper, a graph theory-based maturity model to comprehensively assess the Industry 4.0 maturity level by means of a multidimensional Industry 4.0 maturity score (MIMS) is…

115

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper, a graph theory-based maturity model to comprehensively assess the Industry 4.0 maturity level by means of a multidimensional Industry 4.0 maturity score (MIMS) is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed maturity assessment model is based on (1) the identification of the maturity dimensions and assessment parameters from existing literature and expert opinion and (2) the development of the assessment model based on graph theory and matrix-based approach. The illustrative application of the developed model in two case enterprises is also included.

Findings

The model is configured to include six dimensions having 30 constituent attributes. Unlike the case with many of the previously published models, the proposed model does not evaluate the progress in specific Industry 4.0 enabling technologies, rather the assessment parameters are associated with the functional areas.

Practical implications

While the configuration of the proposed model enables a comprehensive maturity assessment, it facilitates the identification of contextual dimensional attributes and assists the enterprises in developing the roadmap for Industry 4.0 implementation aligning to the diverse organizational strategies.

Originality/value

Distinctively, the proposed model apprehends the interdependency between the maturity assessment dimensions and their constituent attributes. Also, the maturity model incorporates the assessment of the maturity in the dimension of inbound and outbound integration. While these two dimensions are crucial in the Industry 4.0 ecosystem, to the best of our knowledge, these are not considered by any of the assessment models published so far.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

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Article
Publication date: 17 November 2023

Haengmi Kim, Jaeyoung An and Choong C. Lee

Upon the realization of the need for guideline in cross-organizational data integration, in an exploratory manner, this study developed a public data governance framework…

433

Abstract

Purpose

Upon the realization of the need for guideline in cross-organizational data integration, in an exploratory manner, this study developed a public data governance framework, specifically, the governance for integrated public data (GIPD) framework and identified the influential factors of its successful implementation. This framework was then subjected to an analysis of a real data integration case in the South Korean public sector to test its efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop the GIPD framework, the authors conducted an extensive meta study, focus group interviews and the analytic hierarchy process involving field experts. Further, the authors performed topic modeling on documents from Korean research and development data integration projects, and compared the extracted factors to those of the GIPD to illustrate the latter's usefulness in a real case.

Findings

Legislation, policy goals and strategies, operation organization, decision-making council, financial support size and objective, system development and operation, data integration, data generation, system/data standardization and master data management were derived as the 10 important factors in implementing the GIPD framework. The illustrative case of Korea revealed that decision-making council, financial support size and objective, legislation, data generation and data integration were insufficient.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study reveals important findings, it has a few limitations. First, the potential factors for data governance might vary depending on the attribute of the “interviewee” (such as their career or experience period) and the goal and area of GIPD framework building. Second, the inherent limitation of topic modeling in determining topics from groups of extracted keywords means that topics may be interpreted in various ways, depending on the perspective of the expert.

Practical implications

This study is highly significant in that it provides a starting point for discussions on the issue of data integration among public institutions. Therefore, although this study examined public data governance based on R&D data, it will contribute to providing a sufficient guideline for any type of inter-institutional data governance framework, what to discuss and how to discuss between institutions.

Originality/value

The findings are expected to provide a roadmap to formulate practical guidelines on inter-institutional data cooperation and a diagnostic matrix to improve the existing data governance system, especially in the public sector, from the existing practice of empirical analysis using a mixed methodology approach.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

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Article
Publication date: 2 October 2009

Rupa Mahanti and Jiju Antony

The aim of this paper is to present the results from an empirical investigation of Six Sigma in the Indian software industry

2109

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present the results from an empirical investigation of Six Sigma in the Indian software industry

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with a review of literature of Six Sigma and its role in the software industry. The importance of Six Sigma in the software domain is presented, followed by presentation of the results from an empirical investigation of Six Sigma in the Indian software industry

Findings

The research reflects the status of Six Sigma application and implementation in the software industry, identifies the commonly used statistical and non statistical and software engineering tools and frameworks used within software business; and determines the critical success factors (CSFs) for a successful Six Sigma initiative in the software/IT industry. The most important factor was management commitment and involvement. Documentation management and suppliers' involvement were found to be the least important factors.

Research limitations/implications

This study was carried out with some boundaries like the number of companies, available resources, time constraints, etc.

Practical implications

This paper dispels the myths concerning the unsuitability of Six Sigma in the software arena. At the same time it highlights the status of Six Sigma implementation in Indian software organizations and the critical success factors for implementation of Six Sigma.

Originality/value

Little research has been carried out in terms of empirical survey relating to the application of Six Sigma in the software industry like that demonstrated in this paper. The paper will be valuable for quality professionals and management personnel in software organizations.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 21 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

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