This paper aims to identify, analyze and categorize the major readiness factors for implementing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in health-care organizations using total interpretive…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify, analyze and categorize the major readiness factors for implementing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in health-care organizations using total interpretive structural modelling technique. The readiness factors are identified would help the managers to recognize the areas that lack and provide importance to the successful implementation of LSS in those areas. The paper further intends to understand the hierarchical interrelationships among the readiness factors identified using dependence and driving power.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 16 readiness factors are identified from the literature review and expert opinions are collected from hospitals. The scheduled interview is conducted based on a questionnaire survey in hospitals in the Indian context to identify the relevance of the relations among the readiness factors. The expert opinions are used in the initial reachability matrix and interpretative interaction matrix. Matrix impact cross multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis uses dependence and driving power to understand the hierarchical relationship among the readiness factors identified.
Findings
The result indicates that customer-oriented and goal management cultures are the key readiness factors for LSS. The execution technique and training are given according to the current demand of customers and goal change of organization. The manager needs to concentrate more on readiness factors to formulate the execution process of LSS for continuous improvement of the health-care organization. The readiness level helps the manager to identify the target area for LSS execution.
Research limitations/implications
This research focuses mainly on readiness factors for the implementation of LSS in the health-care industry.
Practical implications
This study would be useful for researchers and practitioners to understand the readiness factors before starting the implementation process of LSS.
Originality/value
Many research studies are being done on the success and failure rate of implementation of factors. The present study identifies the readiness factors related to LSS, especially for the health-care industry.
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This study aims to evaluate how biases among retail investors – such as mental accounting, overconfidence and herd behaviour – affect their investment choices, while also…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate how biases among retail investors – such as mental accounting, overconfidence and herd behaviour – affect their investment choices, while also examining how demographics, specifically, age, gender and income moderate these effects.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses quantitative method for collecting data through questionnaire from 385 Indian investors investing actively in stock market. The relationship was tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling through SmartPLS 4.0. To analyse the moderating role of demographics, multi-group analysis with percentile bootstrapping approach was performed.
Findings
The results reveal the varying effect of each bias on investment decision. The evidence proves the presence of herd behaviour, overconfidence and mental accounting while making investment decisions. Furthermore, age and gender was found to be moderating the effect of biases and investment decision of Indian investors. Also, the results imply that female investors are more prone to herd behaviour compared to their male counterparts.
Research limitations/implications
The study confirms that investors often deviate from complete rationality, with their investment decisions constrained by available resources, information and cognitive processing abilities, consistent with the theory of bounded rationality. The findings offer practical insights for financial advisors, educators, investors, government agencies and regulators to enhance investment decision-making practices.
Originality/value
This study offers new perspectives on the impact of behavioural biases on investment decisions. Particularly, the study enhances the understanding of investment patterns and contributes to the behavioural finance literature by addressing the interplay between demographics and investor behaviour in a rapidly growing economy.
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Neelam Singh, Suresh Jain and Prateek Sharma
The purpose of this paper is to understand whether the adoption of environmental management practices and firm characteristics influence the environmental benchmarking in Indian…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand whether the adoption of environmental management practices and firm characteristics influence the environmental benchmarking in Indian firms. It further looks into the impact of environmental benchmarking practices on firms’ environmental performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The study conducts a research survey to obtain the practitioner’s responses on the different aspects of environmental benchmarking. The survey data of 104 firms provide an empirical basis to investigate different research hypotheses using statistical techniques.
Findings
The results indicate that the firms which implement environmental management practices are more likely to adopt environmental benchmarking in one or more areas of their operations. The findings signify that firms which benchmarks for environmental purposes are more likely to have better environmental performance. The study confirms that large firms have significant chances of having environmental benchmarking compared to small and medium sized firms. The firms in different sectors have different relative preference to eight different areas of environmental benchmarking. However, all these preferences are not significant at 95 per cent confidence level.
Research limitations/implications
The research use only qualitative responses on environment management aspects and could be further extended by incorporating the quantitative (emission) data of different industries.
Practical implications
The study provides an insight into the environmental benchmarking practices of Indian firms for better management of environmental performance of the firms.
Originality/value
The study investigates the experience and attitude of Indian firms to environmental benchmarking based on an empirical research. It adds to the knowledge in the field of environmental benchmarking in developing countries with specific focus on India.
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The purpose of this paper is to put forth a model for implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) in institutes of higher education in India.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to put forth a model for implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) in institutes of higher education in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors carried out initial environmental review (IER) and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to identify the major environmental concerns in the university. This was followed by preparation of environmental policy and plan based on ISO 14001 guidelines.
Findings
The key concerns in the university have been identified as energy consumption, waste generation, transportation, etc. The SWOT analysis shows that the university is doing satisfactorily in energy efficiency and water conservation while there is scope for improvement in case of waste management, transportation and landscaping. The environmental management plan has been prepared keeping in mind the gaps observed through the IER and SWOT analysis.
Research limitations/implications
Carbon footprint and water footprint analysis have not yet been carried out and hence, quantifiable targets have not been included in the environmental management plan.
Practical implications
Implementing an EMS at the university will help reduce the impact on environment due to various day‐to‐day activities. It will also lead to developing environmental consciousness in the minds of young professionals who graduate from the university as well university staff.
Originality/value
There have been very few examples of environmental consciousness in educational institutions in India. There is a need for model systems for incorporating environmental management in the university set‐up. This research documents the process of identification of environmental concerns followed by preparation of the management plan for an educational institution. The research also documents the need for different aspects of the environmental management plan.
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Eias Al Humdan, Yangyan Shi, Masud Behnia and Arash Najmaei
Supply chain agility (SCA) has recently received considerable attention in the literature and in practice. Despite its popularity, the concept of SCA seems to be vaguely defined…
Abstract
Purpose
Supply chain agility (SCA) has recently received considerable attention in the literature and in practice. Despite its popularity, the concept of SCA seems to be vaguely defined and loosely structured. More specifically, definitional ambiguity and conceptual fragmentation have prevented the concept of SCA from reaching its full potential. The time is ripe to address these issues through a systematic literature review.
Design/methodology/approach
A review and synthesis of the literature on SCA was undertaken. The authors selected 56 top-tier related articles for further analysis after applying rigorous filtering procedures.
Findings
The results of the review confirm that several key themes surround SCA's definition and enablers. In addition, consensus needs to be reached in terms of its performance dimensions and measures. Accordingly, this study constructed an encompassing definition, scrutinized SCA enablers and outcomes and thus developed an original framework for SCA, providing a unique conceptual contribution. Several research directions were also addressed accordingly.
Originality/value
The novelty of this research lies in the selection of highly recognized publications. It also provides an encompassing definition of SCA, consolidates its enablers for better communication and synthesizes its performance implications.
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Vanishree Beloor and T.S. Nanjundeswaraswamy
The purpose of this study is to determine the enablers of the quality of work life (QWL) of employees working in the Garment industries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the enablers of the quality of work life (QWL) of employees working in the Garment industries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was carried out in a fivefold step. In the first step, the enablers of QWL were identified through an exhaustive literature survey, in the second step identified vital few components through Pareto analysis. Then the third step was followed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to further, to identify the precise components and validate the same using confirmatory factor analysis in fourth step. The final step included interpretive structural modeling and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification analysis to model the validated components and determine the interrelationships and linkages.
Findings
Predominant QWL enablers of employees working in the garment industries are training and development, satisfaction in job, compensation and rewards, relation and co-operation, grievance handling, work environment, job nature, job security and facilities.
Research limitations/implications
In this study, the interpretive structural model is designed based on the opinion of the experts who are working in the garment industry considering the responses from employees in garment sectors. The framework can be extended further to the other sectors.
Practical implications
In future, the researchers in QWL may develop a model to quantify the level of employees’ QWL who are working in different sectors. Enablers of QWL are essential, and based on this further statistical analysis can be carried out. This study will provide limelight to the researchers in choosing the valid and reliable set of enablers for the empirical studies. Organizations can get benefit by implementing the outcome of this research for the enhancement of the QWL of employees.
Originality/value
The study was carried out in 133 garment industries where 851 workers constituted the final valid responses that were considered for analysis. The outcomes from the study help administrators, policy and decision-takers in taking decisions to enhance QWL.
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Albi Thomas and M. Suresh
This paper aims to “identify,” “analyse” and “categorise” the readiness factors of lean sustainability in health-care organisation using total interpretive structural modelling…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to “identify,” “analyse” and “categorise” the readiness factors of lean sustainability in health-care organisation using total interpretive structural modelling (TISM).
Design/methodology/approach
To obtain the data, a closed-ended questionnaire was used in addition to a scheduled interview. To identify how the factors interact, the TISM approach was used, and the matriced’ impacts croise’s multiplication applique’e a UN classement (MICMAC) analysis was used to rank and categorise the lean sustainability readiness factors.
Findings
This study identified ten lean sustainability readiness factors for health-care organisation. The identified factors are resources utilization practice (F1), management commitment and leadership (F2), operational flexibility (F3), workforce engagement and time commitment (F4), sustainability motivational factors (F5), awareness of lean and sustainable practice (F6), hospital design (F7), energy efficiency practices in hospitals (F8), responsible autonomy (F9) and new system adoptability training (F10). The key/driving factors are identified in this study are operational flexibility, sustainability motivational factors, management commitment and leadership, new system adoptability training.
Research limitations/implications
The study focussed primarily on lean sustainability factors for the health-care sector.
Practical implications
This research will aid key stakeholders and academics in the better understanding the readiness factors that influence lean sustainability in health-care organisation. This study emphasises the factors that must be considered when applying lean sustainable practices in health care as a real-world application in a health-care organisation. These readiness factors for lean sustainability can be used by an organization to comprehend more about the concept and the components that contribute to health-care lean sustainability.
Originality/value
This study proposes the TISM technique for health care, which is a novel attempt in the subject of lean sustainability in this sector.
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Sreenivasa Sekhar Josyula, M. Suresh and R. Raghu Raman
Organizations are fast adopting new technologies such as automation, analytics and artificial intelligence, collectively called intelligent automation, to drive digital…
Abstract
Purpose
Organizations are fast adopting new technologies such as automation, analytics and artificial intelligence, collectively called intelligent automation, to drive digital transformation. When adopting intelligent automation, there is a need to understand the success factors of these new technologies and adapt agile software development (ASD) practices to meet customer expectations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the success factors of intelligent automation and create a framework for managers and practitioners to meet dynamic business demands. Total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) framework is a suitable approach to integrate quantitative measurement with qualitative semi-structured interviews capturing the context of the individual organization environment.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper identified agility factors and their interrelationships using a TISM framework. TISM results were validated using a one-tailed t-test to confirm the interrelationships between factors. Furthermore, the agility index of a case project organization was assessed using a graph-theoretic approach (GTA) to identify both the triggering factors for agility success and improvement proposals.
Findings
Results showed that leadership vision, organization structure and program methodology were driving factors. The TISM model was validated statistically and the agility index of the intelligent automation case project organization was calculated to be79.5%. Here, a GTA was applied and the triggering factors for improvement of the agility index were identified.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the study are described along with the opportunities for future research as the field evolves through the rapid innovation of technology and products.
Practical implications
The increasing role of digital transformation in enterprise strategy and operations requires practitioners to understand how ASD practices must be planned, measured and/or improved over time through the implementation of automation, analytics and artificial intelligence programs. The TISM digraph provides a framework of hierarchical structure to organize the influencing factors, which assists in achieving organizational goals. This study highlights the driving factors which contribute to the success of intelligent automation projects and project organizations.
Originality/value
This is a first attempt to analyze the interrelationships among agility factors in intelligent automation projects (IAP) using TISM and the assessment of the agility index of a case IAP organization using a GTA.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that can facilitate agility in higher education and to analyze the interrelationship between the factors.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that can facilitate agility in higher education and to analyze the interrelationship between the factors.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured model of factors facilitating agility in higher education was developed using total interpretive structural modeling (TISM). Cross-impact matrix multiplication (MICMAC) analysis helped in classifying the factors on the basis of their driving and dependency power.
Findings
An extensive literature review and expert opinion helped in identifying eight enablers that can promote agility in higher education. The ability to sense the environment, organizational structure, adoption of ICT, organizational learning, human resource strategies, leadership, readiness to change and collaboration with the stakeholders were the eight factors identified. The structural model revealed leadership as the most crucial enabler followed by human resource strategies and organizational structure.
Research limitations/implications
The model has incorporated and prioritized all the crucial drivers of agility that can help universities and colleges design, adopt and implement policies and practices that would facilitate agility.
Originality/value
So far, the research on agility in higher education has looked into each factor in isolation. This research provides a comprehensive list of the factors and establishes the interplay between the factors making this study new and original.
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Aswathy Sreenivasan and M. Suresh
This study aims to “identify”, “analyse” and “categorise” the lean-sustainability enablers for start-ups during the COVID-19 epidemic using total interpretive structural modelling…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to “identify”, “analyse” and “categorise” the lean-sustainability enablers for start-ups during the COVID-19 epidemic using total interpretive structural modelling (TISM).
Design/methodology/approach
A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data in addition to the scheduled interview. The TISM methodology is used to determine how the variables interact, and the matrice d’Impacts croises-multiplication applique´ a classement (MICMAC) method is used to rank and categorise the lean-sustainability enablers.
Findings
This study identified ten lean-sustainability enablers for start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study says that the key factors are leadership and managerial commitment, implementation of employee skills and abilities, strategic need, personnel engagement and financial ability.
Research limitations/implications
The study focused primarily on lean-sustainability characteristics for start-ups.
Practical implications
This research will aid key stakeholders and academics in better understanding the factors that contribute to lean-sustainability in start-ups.
Originality/value
This study proposes the TISM technique for start-ups, which is a novel attempt in the subject of lean-sustainability in this industry.