Roy Staughton, Nick Kinnie, Rebecca Smith and Huw Davies
Manufacturing strategy needs to be appropriate to the needs of theorganization acceptable to all employees, and capable of subsequentrenewal by management. To achieve this…
Abstract
Manufacturing strategy needs to be appropriate to the needs of the organization acceptable to all employees, and capable of subsequent renewal by management. To achieve this, attention needs to be paid not only to the objectives and framework of the manufacturing strategy, but also to the processes through which the manufacturing strategy is formulated, implemented, and adapted. Argues that these processes are essentially iterative passing through a series of cycles in response to a changing set of conditions. Whilst education and training issues are central to these processes, little research has been carried out. Puts forward one possible approach to dealing with these issues where education and training are handled by analysts external to the organization. This temporary resource or “locum” team works with the organization to achieve the ultimate aim of managers being able to formulate, implement, and review their own manufacturing strategy. This is achieved by helping managers to formulate a manufacturing strategy, providing guidance to them to implement the strategy and setting up monitoring and review mechanisms.
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Roy Staughton and Robert Johnston
To identify the criteria that operations managers believe make a difference to their business relationships and also to identify where the largest gaps are in terms of their…
Abstract
Purpose
To identify the criteria that operations managers believe make a difference to their business relationships and also to identify where the largest gaps are in terms of their current and required performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This empirical research is based on the findings from six organisations in three different sectors, which formed three pairs of business relationships. It involved interviewing 42 individuals who between them generated over 500 characteristics that they believed made a difference to their relationships. The characteristics were analysed and grouped using open, intuitive and selective coding.
Findings
The research identified six generic criteria that make a difference to business relationships. Managers recognised the need to go beyond traditional measures when characterising and measuring business relationships. Traditional operational performance criteria played only a very limited role in the relationships studied. The greatest gaps between current and required performance were concerned with the non‐operational performance objectives.
Research limitations/implications
There is a need to develop measurement instruments particularly in areas traditionally outside the field of operations management that capture a broad range of characteristics as identified by the six criteria.
Practical implications
Identified the gaps in the assessment of business relationships and the need for better measurement instruments.
Originality/value
The article provides better understanding of the nature of operational business relationships.
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Christine S. Williams, Mark N.K. Saunders and Roy V.W. Staughton
Highlights the increasing emphasis on customers and service quality in the new public sector. Emphasises the bias towards hard, easily quantifiable data and a focus on external…
Abstract
Highlights the increasing emphasis on customers and service quality in the new public sector. Emphasises the bias towards hard, easily quantifiable data and a focus on external customers in the measurement of service quality. Explores relationships through which grants for social housing are bid for and allocated and the programme managed. Reviews measures of quality in relation to understanding such service relationships. Offers the Service Template Process within a process consultancy framework as an alternative. Findings emphasise the importance of partnership between the Housing Corporation, Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords (Housing Associations) in ensuring quality in the funding of social housing and the need for longer time scales for joint planning activity. The suitability of the process to help highlight issues critical to a service relationship is also discussed.
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Roy V.W. Staughton and Christine S. Williams
Pursues the concept of fit, defined as congruence between thecapabilities of an operation and the characteristics sought by themarket it was set up to serve. Traces the design…
Abstract
Pursues the concept of fit, defined as congruence between the capabilities of an operation and the characteristics sought by the market it was set up to serve. Traces the design, development and testing of the Service Template for illustrating fit in service organizations. The technique compares the actual service experienced by a customer with his/her expectations of that service and it is able to incorporate both soft and hard aspects of a service package. Reviews literature on visual representation of fit in manufacturing and service operations and examines the suitability of existing devices. Uses a case example to illustrate the mechanics of the technique which was tested in 33 situations and is now offered as generically applicable. Identifies areas for future research.
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Robert Johnston and Roy Staughton
The objectives of this paper are, first to identify, from the literature, the key themes in the management of strategic relationships, second to apply those themes to understand…
Abstract
Purpose
The objectives of this paper are, first to identify, from the literature, the key themes in the management of strategic relationships, second to apply those themes to understand how exemplary organisations establish and develop strategic relationships and third to determine the role of operations managers in this process.
Design/methodology/approach
This empirically based research comprised four phases; interviews with managers to identify exemplars, interviews with managers from 27 organisations, data analysis and testing of the findings.
Findings
From a theoretical point of view, a revised definition of strategic relationships has been proposed. Many previously disparate elements of relationships have been brought together into seven dimensions of strategic relationships. The scope and nature of exemplary relationships have been captured within each of these dimensions identifying 24 elements, and suggested the key roles for operations managers in establishing and developing their strategic business relationships.
Research limitations/implications
This research has responded to the call to help operations managers understand the skill sets required to help them establish and develop strategic business relationships. It has contributed to the growing literature on business relationships and also provided practical guidance for operations managers. The research has a number of inherent weaknesses including the interpretative nature of the analysis and that the interviews were only carried out with one party to the exemplary relationships. The focus of the research was limited to exemplary strategic relationships and the study was conducted in one sector, though a range of types of organisations were involved.
Practical implications
From a practitioner perspective, the outputs from the research have been summarised into a number of guidelines which flesh out the role for operations managers looking to identify, establish, evaluate or strengthen their role in establishing and developing strategic business relationships.
Originality/value
The paper provides an original and detailed perspective into the nature of strategic business relationships, irrespective of their position in the supply chain, and identifies how such relationships can be established and developed.
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Christer Karlsson and Chris Voss
In 2009, the European Operations Management Association (EurOMA) celebrates its 15th anniversary and its precursor, the UK OMA, its 25th anniversary. The purpose of this paper is…
Abstract
Purpose
In 2009, the European Operations Management Association (EurOMA) celebrates its 15th anniversary and its precursor, the UK OMA, its 25th anniversary. The purpose of this paper is to review the origins and foundations of today's EurOMA and how it has progressed to being a vibrant and successful organisation.
Design/methodology/approach
The review draws on archived documents, especially newsletters and board minutes, as well as memories of all of those involved.
Findings
The review shows an important evolution from two groups of like minded individuals, through building annual conferences and brings these together as one. It then shows how it has evolved both through formalisation of its activities, building international links and, most importantly, developing a portfolio of activities to develop and support young researchers.
Research limitations/implications
Where records are not available, the paper draws on individual memories of events from a long time ago.
Originality/value
As well as providing an invaluable record, it can provide a model for the development of similar organisations.
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Emílio Della Bruna Jr, Leonardo Ensslin and Sandra Rolim Ensslin
The purpose of this paper is to develop a performance evaluation model for the operations of the supply chain of an organization of the refrigeration equipment sector. The tool…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a performance evaluation model for the operations of the supply chain of an organization of the refrigeration equipment sector. The tool must aid the decision maker in the performance improvement and creation of competitive advantages.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a mixture of qualitative and quantitative approaches and applies them through a case study. The data collection was conducted through unstructured interviews and supplemented by documentary research. The applied intervention instrument is the Multicriteria Decision Aid – Constructivist (MCDA-C).
Findings
Identification, organization, ordinal and cardinal measurement and integration of the aspects of the context judged as relevant by the decision maker. In addition, it can be highlighted the current situation diagnosis and elaboration of improvement actions related to lean philosophy and advanced planning systems.
Practical implications
The developed model is being used to aid the decision maker in their decisions concerning the improvement of the supply chain operations.
Originality/value
The main contributions made by the paper resides in the proposal of solutions for fulfiling gaps identified within the supply chain performance evaluation area and in the application of the MCDA-C to a practical case.
Keywords
Performance, Supply chain, Multicriteria, Decision, MCDA-C
Paper type
Case study
Resumen
Objetivo
Objetivo
El objetivo de este artículo es desarrollar un Modelo de Desempeño para las operaciones de cadena de suministro de una organización en el sector de equipos de refrigeración. La herramienta debe ayudar a quién toma las decisiones en mejorar el desempeño y crear ventajas competitivas.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
El estudio usa una combinación de enfoques cualitativos y cuantitativos aplicándolos a un caso estudio. La recolección de datos se hizo a través de entrevistas no estructuradas y se complementó con investigación documental. El instrumento de intervención usado es el Multicriterio De Apoyo a la Decisión-Constructivista (MCDA-C).
Hallazgos
Identificación, organización, mediciones ordinales y cardinales e integración de los aspectos de los contextos considerados como relevantes por el tomador de decisiones. Se puede destacar además la situación actual de diagnóstico y la elaboración de acciones de mejoramiento relacionados con la filosofía Lean y los Sistemas avanzados de planificación.
Implicaciones prácticas
El modelo desarrollado esta siendo usado para ayudar al toma decisiones en las decisiones concernientes con el mejoramiento de las operaciones de la cadena de suministro.
Originalidad/valor
La mayor contribución hecha por este artículo reside en proponer soluciones para cubrir brechas identificadas dentro el área de Evaluación de Rendimiento en la Cadena de Suministro y en la aplicación del MCDA-C a un caso práctico.
Palabras Claves
Desempeño, Cadena de Suministro, Decisión, Multicriterio, MCDA-C
Tipo de papel
estudio de caso
Resumo
Objetivo
Objetivo
O objetivo de este artigo é desenvolver um Modelo de Avaliação Desempenho para as operações da cadeia de suprimentos de uma organização do setor de equipamentos de refrigeração. O modelo proposto deve ajudar o tomador de decisões a melhorar o desempenho e criar vantagens competitivas.
Desenho/metodologia/enfoque
O estudo faz uso de uma abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa aplicada em um Estudo de Caso. A coleta dos dados foi feita por meio de entrevistas abertas, sendo complementada por pesquisa documental. O instrumento de intervenção usado é o Multicriteria Decision Aid – Constructivist (MCDA-C).
Achados
Identificação, organização, medições ordinais e cardinais, e integração dos aspectos do contexto são considerados como relevantes para o tomador de decisões. Além disso, destacam-se o diagnóstico da situação atual e a elaboração de ações de aperfeiçoamento, nas quais se avaliam os efeitos da implementação da Filosofia Enxuta e de um Sistema de Planejamento Avançado na organização.
Implicações práticas
O modelo desenvolvido auxilia o tomador de decisões nas decisões concernentes ao melhoramento das operações da cadeia de suprimentos.
Originalidade/valor
As principais contribuições do artigo residem na proposição de melhorias em lacunas ainda presentes na avaliação do desempenho da cadeia de suprimentos e também na aplicação da MCDA-C em um caso prático.
Palavras-Chave
Desempenho, Cadeia de Suprimentos, MCDA-C, Decisão, Multicritério
Tipo de papel
estudo de caso
Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management…
Abstract
Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.
Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18;…
Abstract
Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.
Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17;…
Abstract
Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.