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1 – 10 of 190Suresh Prasad, Dinesh Khanduja and Surrender K. Sharma
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of lean and green practices to foundry industry in India for improving productivity and eliminating waste…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of lean and green practices to foundry industry in India for improving productivity and eliminating waste, incorporating the sustainability into business performance measures.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used survey questionnaire method to collect data against 16 lean and green practices from 71 middle- to senior-level professionals belonging to Indian foundry industry. The survey instrument of lean and green practices was developed based on a number of sources from the literature and formal discussions with academicians and foundry industry professionals. The responses were received on a five-point Likert scale ranging from least applicable to most applicable. Exploratory factor and reliability analyses are conducted to obtain and validate constructs and measure each constructs Cronbach’s α (i.e. a consistency coefficient). The lean and green practices are categorized into the four constructs, namely, workplace organization practices, management practices, inventory control practices, and industrial manufacturing and quality improvement practices. Further, descriptive statistics is employed to find out the relative significance of lean and green practices.
Findings
Factor and reliability analyses show that all four constructs are adequate and reliable to illustrate lean and green practices. Descriptive statistics indicates that lean and green practices are applicable for implementation to a certain extent in the foundry industry. Correlation analysis shows that lean practices are positively and moderately interrelated with green practices. Thus, the results present a strong evidence that lean and green practices are moderately applicable for implementation in the foundry industry.
Originality/value
The paper provides insights into the applicability of lean and green practices implementation in the context of a developing country and presents evidence that lean and green practices are moderately applicable in the foundry industry. In addition, this paper is one of the few efforts to promote sustainable development within the industry.
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The study aims to explore the mediating role of organizational culture in the relationship between on-the-job training (OJT), induction training and employee job performance. This…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore the mediating role of organizational culture in the relationship between on-the-job training (OJT), induction training and employee job performance. This study is conceptually grounded in Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. The function that organizational culture plays as a mediator in the links between employee performance and on-the-job training and induction is a unique aspect of this study.
Design/methodology/approach
An industry-wide representation was ensured in the study by using a stratified random sampling technique to choose participants. The main characteristics pertaining to organizational culture, training initiatives and worker job performance were measured by using validated scales from earlier studies. For the purpose of validating the measurement model, factor loadings, internal consistency reliability and discriminant validity were evaluated through the use of partial least squares structural equation modelling in SmartPLS.
Findings
In support of Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, the study’s results show a strong association between work performance, organizational culture, on-the-job training and induction training. The study highlights the positive synergistic effect that supportive organizational culture and well-designed training programmes have on improving employee job performance. The unique contribution of this study is the provision of empirical support for these correlations across a wide range of industries, highlighting the crucial roles that organizational culture plays in promoting employee success.
Originality/value
Authors’ knowledge of how organizations may create environments that maximize worker productivity and potential is expanded by the study’s practical insights.
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Quan Xu, Qinling Zhang, Tao Jiang, Bocheng Bao and Mo Chen
The purpose of this paper is to develop a simple chaotic circuit. The circuit can be fabricated by less discrete electronic components, within which complex dynamical behaviors…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a simple chaotic circuit. The circuit can be fabricated by less discrete electronic components, within which complex dynamical behaviors can be generated.
Design/methodology/approach
A second-order non-autonomous inductor-free chaotic circuit is presented, which is obtained by introducing a sinusoidal voltage stimulus into the classical Wien-bridge oscillator. The proposed circuit only has two dynamic elements, and its nonlinearity is realized by the saturation characteristic of the operational amplifier in the classical Wien-bridge oscillator. After that, its dynamical behaviors are revealed by means of bifurcation diagram, Lyapunov exponent and phase portrait and further confirmed using the 0-1 test method. Moreover, an analog circuit using less discrete electronic components is implemented, and its experimental results are measured to verify the numerical simulations.
Findings
The equilibrium point located in a line segment varies with time evolution, which leads to the occurrence of periodic, quasi-periodic and chaotic behaviors in the proposed circuit.
Originality/value
Unlike the previously published works, the significant values of the proposed circuit with simple topology are inductor-free realization and without extra nonlinearity, which make the circuit can be used as a paradigm for academic teaching and experimental illustraction for chaos.
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M. Balasubramanian, Thozhuvur Govindaraman Loganathan and R. Srimath
The purpose of this study is to understand the behavior of hybrid bio-composites under varied applications.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand the behavior of hybrid bio-composites under varied applications.
Design/methodology/approach
Fabrication methods and material characterization of various hybrid bio-composites are analyzed by studying the tensile, impact, flexural and hardness of the same. The natural fiber is a manufactured group of assembly of big or short bundles of fiber to produce one or more layers of flat sheets. The natural fiber-reinforced composite materials offer a wide range of properties that are suitable for many engineering-related fields like aerospace, automotive areas. The main characteristics of natural fiber composites are durability, low cost, low weight, high specific strength and equally good mechanical properties.
Findings
The tensile properties like tensile strength and tensile modulus of flax/hemp/sisal/Coir/Palmyra fiber-reinforced composites are majorly dependent on the chemical treatment and catalyst usage with fiber. The flexural properties of flax/hemp/sisal/coir/Palmyra are greatly dependent on fiber orientation and fiber length. Impact properties of flax/hemp/sisal/coir/Palmyra are depended on the fiber content, composition and orientation of various fibers.
Originality/value
This study is a review of various research work done on the natural fiber bio-composites exhibiting the factors to be considered for specific load conditions.
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Sandra Furterer, Jiju Antony, Sanjay Bhasin, Alessandro Laureani and Shreeranga Bhat
This systematic literature review aims to synthesise, organise and structure the stock of knowledge relating to leadership and design for Lean Six Sigma (DFLSS) and to understand…
Abstract
Purpose
This systematic literature review aims to synthesise, organise and structure the stock of knowledge relating to leadership and design for Lean Six Sigma (DFLSS) and to understand leadership’s role, traits, skills, competencies and styles within the context for DFLSS program success.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on a systematic literature review of 67 papers that were published on leadership and DFLSS, demonstrating the importance of leadership for successful DFLSS programs.
Findings
The key findings show that leadership plays a critical role in launching and sustaining a DFLSS program in organisations, while illustrating the leadership traits, skills, competencies and styles that are more conducive to a successful DFLSS program.
Originality/value
The study has identified several gaps in the literature from a practical approach and an empirical validation of the critical factors of leadership when applying and supporting DFLSS efforts supporting future initiatives.
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Rojalin Patri, M. Suresh and Rajiv Prasad
The purpose of this study is to identify the leadership characteristics that make a health-care organization ready for lean implementation, analyse the interdependence among them…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the leadership characteristics that make a health-care organization ready for lean implementation, analyse the interdependence among them and determine the rank of each characteristic based on their influence in the overall phenomenon.
Design/methodology/approach
The leadership characteristics were identified through a review followed by an expert interview. Then, total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) was used to analyse the interdependence and determine the rank, driving power and dependence of each characteristic.
Findings
The results suggest that modesty is the most crucial leadership characteristic that makes a health-care organization ready for the successful incorporation of lean practices. Apart from that, attributes such as transparency, accountability, a leader’s ability to empower the employees and communication play a significant role in making the change management programme impactful and effective. A leader’s team building capacity was found to be the dependent characteristic and was ranked the last in the overall phenomenon.
Research limitations/implications
Though this study throws light on various leadership dispositions that prepare a health-care organization to become a lean, it is still not an exhaustive exploration to be generalized. Because the leadership characteristics required for successful lean implementation may vary from one organization to the other depending on the purpose, intensity and priority of the implementation programme, these parameters along with the complexity of the scenario would determine what other leadership characteristics need to be included in the model to make it more robust and holistic.
Originality/value
The novelty of the study lies in capturing the leadership characteristics for organizational readiness in the health-care sector and using the TISM approach to identify the critical characteristics in the context of lean implementation in hospitals.
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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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The purpose of this paper is to explore and encapsulate the enablers that can facilitate education for sustainable development in higher education (HE). The study also aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and encapsulate the enablers that can facilitate education for sustainable development in higher education (HE). The study also aims to understand the interdependence between the enablers.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts the total interpretive structural modelling approach to comprehend the interaction and transitivity between the enablers. Cross-impact multiplication matrix analysis was applied to rank the enablers and classify them on the basis of the driving and dependence power into dependent, autonomous, independent and linkage enablers.
Findings
An extensive literature review and expert opinion helped in identifying 10 enablers that can promote sustainability in higher education. The structural model revealed government policies, media, accreditation/sustainability audit, sustainability leadership and institutional commitment as the crucial enablers that can drive sustainability and activate the enablers with high dependence and low driving power.
Practical implications
The results of this study will assist the policymakers and management of universities and colleges in understanding important factors that can facilitate sustainability in higher education. Universities and colleges to incorporate sustainability in their system need to transform not only the core higher education activities of learning and teaching, research and engagement, also the way the colleges operate its culture, governance, structure and how it supports the staff and students.
Originality/value
So far, research on sustainability in higher education has looked into each factor in isolation. This research provides a comprehensive view of the factors and has attempted to establish a multidirectional interplay between factors facilitating sustainability in higher education (SHE).
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Aswathy Sreenivasan and M. Suresh
When coping with uncertainties, three characteristics distinguish firms: agility, adaptability and alignment (triple-A). Based on significant field research, the triple-A…
Abstract
Purpose
When coping with uncertainties, three characteristics distinguish firms: agility, adaptability and alignment (triple-A). Based on significant field research, the triple-A highlights the significance of coordinating agility, adaptability and alignment. Start-ups are facing a lot of challenges in this turbulent environment. However, this sector is undergoing a major transformation. Agility, adaptability and alignment concepts have had a major influence on the supply chain, but their implementation in start-ups has been less visible. This paper aims to identify, analyze and categorize the enablers for agility, adaptability and alignment in start-ups using the total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach.
Design/methodology/approach
In addition to the scheduled interview, a closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data. To identify how the factors interact, the TISM technique is used, and the Matriced’Impacts Croises-Multipication Applique’ and Classment method is used to rank and categorize the agility, adaptability and alignment enablers.
Findings
This study identified ten agility, adaptability and alignment factors for start-ups. It has been found that the key importance should be given to management involvement, conflict management, collaboration and information integration.
Research limitations/implications
This study primarily focused on the agility, adaptability and alignment factors in start-ups.
Practical implications
This study will help academics and key stakeholders understand the aspects that lead to agility, adaptability and alignment in start-ups.
Originality/value
Agility, adaptability and alignment concepts have had a major influence on the supply chain, but their implementation in start-ups has been less visible. Therefore, this is a novel attempt in this industry’s agility, adaptability and alignment.
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Chirag Suresh Sakhare, Sayan Chakraborty, Sarada Prasad Sarmah and Vijay Singh
Original equipment manufacturers and other manufacturing companies rely on the delivery performance of their upstream suppliers to maintain a steady production process. However…
Abstract
Purpose
Original equipment manufacturers and other manufacturing companies rely on the delivery performance of their upstream suppliers to maintain a steady production process. However, supplier capacity uncertainty and delayed delivery often poses a major concern to manufacturers to carry out their production plan as per the desired schedules. The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision model that can improve the delivery performance of suppliers to minimise fluctuations in the supply quantity and the delivery time and thus maximising the performance of the supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors studied a single manufacturer – single supplier supply chain considering supplier uncertain capacity allocation and uncertain time of delivery. Mathematical models are developed to capture expected profit of manufacturer and supplier under this uncertain allocation and delivery behaviour of supplier. A reward–penalty mechanism is proposed to minimise delivery quantity and time of delivery fluctuations from the supplier. Further, an order-fulfilment heuristic based on delivery probability is developed to modify the order quantity which can maximise the probability of a successful deliveries from the supplier.
Findings
Analytical results reveal that the proposed reward–penalty mechanism improves the supplier delivery consistency. This consistent delivery performance helps the manufacturer to maintain a steady production schedule and high market share. Modified ordering schedule developed using proposed probability-based heuristic improves the success probability of delivery from the supplier.
Practical implications
Practitioners can benefit from the findings of this study to comprehend how contracts and ordering policy can improve the supplier delivery performance in a manufacturing supply chain.
Originality/value
This paper improves the supplier delivery performance considering both the uncertain capacity allocation and uncertain time of delivery.
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