Dotun Adebanjo, Robin Mann, Musli Mohammad and Salleh Ahmad Bareduan
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the activities of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO). The study identifies the various roles and activities of the APO and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the activities of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO). The study identifies the various roles and activities of the APO and evaluates how well it performs in these roles. The study also investigates the impacts of the APO on the productivity initiatives of National Productivity Organisations (NPOs) in 16 Asian countries. These productivity initiatives are important in enhancing productivity performance and national competitiveness in the countries of interest.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collects data from stakeholders in the NPOs in 16 countries. A Likert-scale questionnaire was used to collect data from two types of respondents – NPO CEOs and NPO professional/technical staff. Data were analysed by comparing the responses across the participating countries.
Findings
The result shows that there was general satisfaction with the mission, vision and strategic direction of the APO. With respect to the operational performance of the organisation, the study showed that there were some differences in perception of the performance of the APO although the overall perception was positive.
Practical implications
The study provides insights into the top management of the APO with regards to deciding on the future direction of the organisation and, in particular, the ways in which it understands and supports the varied requirements of the different NPOs.
Originality/value
Organisations such as the APO dedicate significant resources into supporting NPOs, and by extension productivity-related commercial operations, in several countries. It is important to understand how these services are perceived and experienced in these countries, and a definitive study to examine this has not previously been carried out.
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Salleh Ahmad Bareduan, Sulaiman Hj. Hasan and Saparudin Ariffin
This paper aims to present an approach of utilizing Petri net (PN) to model and schedule collaborative design and manufacturing activities at a cyber manufacturing centre (CMC).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an approach of utilizing Petri net (PN) to model and schedule collaborative design and manufacturing activities at a cyber manufacturing centre (CMC).
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual PN model consisting of all activities at the CMC is drafted. This model is then simplified to generate a conflict free PN for scheduling analysis purposes. Based on this simplified PN, generalized scheduling algorithms were developed. The algorithms were used in spreadsheets to process and analyze the operation database before finally transforming it into a dynamic finite scheduling sequence in the form of Gantt chart.
Findings
The PN is found to be very useful in modelling and analysing the scheduling sequence for a CMC with collaborative activities resembling flow shop with shared resources.
Originality/value
The models and methods described in this paper are practical means of utilizing PN in managing the scheduling and manufacturing activities.