Aat van den Bos, Benjamin Kemper and Vincent de Waal
– The purpose of this paper is to study the use of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology in a construction company.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the use of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology in a construction company.
Design/methodology/approach
In our study we analyze 62 LSS improvement projects carried out within a Dutch company. In our analysis we focus on both speed, in terms of throughput time (THT), and impact, in terms of project completion, of each project.
Findings
From the analysis we conclude that the current THT of a project is about a year and we identify important factors that cause large project's THTs These factors are then translated into recommendations for an efficient execution of LSS improvement projects.
Research limitations/implications
The analysis is based on a sample from one company of the Dutch construction industry. The scope should be broadened as more companies adopt quality and process improvement programs, such as LSS.
Originality/value
The narrowed scope, only one company and focused mostly on the speed of projects, helped to do an in-depth analysis. Therefore, we are able to present concrete and useful recommendations that relate to practical issues in the execution of improvement projects. These recommendations offer a checklist for construction companies in the project selection process, in situations of starting or improving an LSS program
Details
Keywords
André A. de Waal and Vincent Coevert
This paper aims to identify the impact and workings of a new performance management system in a branch of a national bank.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the impact and workings of a new performance management system in a branch of a national bank.
Design/methodology/approach
Performance data of the branch, before and after introducing a new performance management system, were collected and the results of actions taken by managers in the commercial divisions of this bank, to improve performance management, and the results of their responsibility areas were observed.
Findings
The striking issue in this case study is the different effects the introduction of the new performance management system had in the two commercial divisions of the bank branch. However, only the Private Clients division improved its results significantly while those of the Business Clients division only improved slightly. After analysis, it turned out that this difference was due to the way the new system was used. The divisional manager of the Business Clients division paid virtually no attention to the behavioural factors of importance to the successful implementation of performance management, with detrimental effects.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation is that the research concerns a case study in which only one fairly small organisation has been the subject of investigation. Whether the same effects of performance management can be found in other, bigger organisations remains to be studied.
Practical implications
During the implementation of a performance management system an organisation has to expressly pay attention to fostering and improving the behavioural factors of performance management, in order to increase the chance if a successfully implemented and used system.
Originality/value
This article describes the results of a study that explored the impact and working of a new performance management system in a branch of a bank, and thereby sheds light on the important role behavioural factors play in the successful implementation and use of performance management.
Details
Keywords
Julia Mai, Hannah K. Lennarz, Wögen N. Tadsen and Corinna Titze
Outside of teaching, little knowledge exists about the emotion work of pedagogical professionals, i.e., the emotion work that is performed in kindergartens, residential homes or…
Abstract
Purpose
Outside of teaching, little knowledge exists about the emotion work of pedagogical professionals, i.e., the emotion work that is performed in kindergartens, residential homes or school counseling. This study addresses this shortcoming by answering the questions (1) how is emotion work experienced and coped with in pedagogical professions? and (2) how does pedagogical professionals’ emotion work relate to burnout?
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory sequential mixed methods approach consisting of an interview and a questionnaire was applied. First, n = 10 interviews were conducted to investigate how emotion work is experienced and managed by pedagogical professionals. Second, hypotheses regarding the relationship between identified resources and burnout were derived and empirically tested in a questionnaire survey with n = 97 participants.
Findings
The interviews provided insight into various emotional job demands and resources. Emotion work has been shown to be a key aspect of pedagogical work. Detached concern was identified as an emotion-regulating resource in coping with the resulting emotional job demands. The results of the quantitative phase revealed that pedagogical professionals’ detached concern plays a vital role in preventing burnout.
Originality/value
This study adds new insights to the understanding of emotion work performed in care work professions outside of teaching. The acknowledgement of pedagogical work, as skilled (emotion) work, and the investigation of resources is an important step in improving the working conditions of pedagogical professionals and thus protecting their health and well-being.
Details
Keywords
Purpose – This chapter demonstrates the power that Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft (or the “GAFAM”) exercise over platforms within society, highlights the…
Abstract
Purpose – This chapter demonstrates the power that Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft (or the “GAFAM”) exercise over platforms within society, highlights the alt-right’s use of GAFAM sites and services as a platform for hate, and examines GAFAM’s establishment and use of hate content moderation apparatuses to de-platform alt-right users and delete hate content. Approach – Drawing upon a political economy of communications approach, this chapter demonstrates GAFAM’s power in society. It also undertakes a reading of GAFAM “terms of service agreements” and “community guidelines” documents to identify GAFAM hate content moderation apparatuses. Findings – GAFAM are among the most powerful platforms in the world, and their content moderation apparatuses are empowered by the US government’s cyber-libertarian approach to Internet law and regulation. GAFAM are defining hate speech, deciding what’s to be done about it, and censoring it. Value – This chapter probes GAFAM’s hate content moderation apparatuses for Internet platforms, and shows how GAFAM enable and constrain the alt-right’s hate speech on their platforms. It also reflexively assesses the politics of empowering GAFAM to de-platform the alt-right.
Details
Keywords
The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online…
Abstract
The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online information and documentation work. They fall into the following categories:
Diana Ominde, Edward G. Ochieng and Vincent O. Omwenga
The aim of this study was to appraise the delivery of information communication technology (ICT) projects and identify key determinants for stakeholder integration.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to appraise the delivery of information communication technology (ICT) projects and identify key determinants for stakeholder integration.
Design/methodology/approach
Given that empirically, little was known about stakeholder integration in the ICT sector and its influence or effect on project delivery; qualitative method was used. Forty-seven semi-structured interviews were carried out to derive senior project practitioners and policymakers' constructs of stakeholder integration and infrastructure performance improvement of ICT projects. The verification and validation of the proposed assessment tool were achieved through the use of focus group discussion.
Findings
As established in this research study, there is a need for project delivery teams to evaluate the level of stakeholder integration, the formulation of a project business case, the project processes and issues of compliance and regulation in ICT projects. What is evident in the findings of the study is that the management model adopted for the stakeholders in the Kenyan ICT sector ought to make communication the fulcrum of their engagement.
Originality/value
The inferences made herein are critical in contributing to knowledge regarding the ICT infrastructure project management terrain in developing countries. There is evidence in the study to conclude that the concept of stakeholder management and integration has implications for the sustainability of ICT projects. One of the issues that predominantly featured in the research was the input of stakeholder integration in terms of project sustainability.
Details
Keywords
Prisca Aude Eutionnat-Diffo, Yan Chen, Jinping Guan, Aurélie Cayla, Christine Campagne, Xianyi Zeng and Vincent Nierstrasz
This paper aims to evaluate and simulate the impact of the build platform temperature of the three-dimensional (3D) printer, the structure and heat transfer of textiles on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate and simulate the impact of the build platform temperature of the three-dimensional (3D) printer, the structure and heat transfer of textiles on the adhesion and durability after washing properties of 3D printed polymer onto textile materials using thin layers of conductive and non-conductive extruded poly lactic acid monofilaments (PLA) deposited on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) woven fabrics through fused deposition modeling (FDM) process.
Design/methodology/approach
Prior to FDM process, thermal conductivity, surface roughness and mean pore size of PET woven fabrics were assessed using the “hot disk,” the profilometer and the capillary flow porometry methods, respectively. After the FDM process, the adhesion and durability after the washing process properties of the materials were determined and optimized based on reliable statistical models connecting those properties to the textile substrate properties such as surface roughness, mean pore size and thermal conductivity.
Findings
The main findings point out that higher roughness coefficient and mean pore size and lower thermal conductivity of polyester woven textile materials improve the adhesion properties and the build platform presents a quadratic effect. Additionally, the adhesion strength decreases by half after the washing process and rougher and more porous textile structures demonstrate better durability. These results are explained by the surface topography of textile materials that define the anchorage areas between the printed layer and the textiles.
Originality/value
This study is for great importance in the development of smart textiles using FDM process as it presents unique and reliable models used to optimize adhesion resistance of 3D printed PLA primary layer onto PET textiles.
Details
Keywords
Sadiyya Haffejee, Sonia Mbowa and Leila Patel
There is a growing call both globally and nationally for integrated multisectoral and multidisciplinary systems of care to be implemented for children's needs in the foundation…
Abstract
Purpose
There is a growing call both globally and nationally for integrated multisectoral and multidisciplinary systems of care to be implemented for children's needs in the foundation stages of their growth to be met. Extant literature shows that historical, structural, epidemiological, political and social factors create many adversities for South African children both in the short and in the long term. South Africa's fragmented and weak service delivery compounds the situation. In this paper, the authors describe the lessons learnt from a multisectoral and multidisciplinary community of practice established to strengthen social systems to ensure child wellbeing outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research design was used, drawing on data collected over a two-year period. Data included meeting minutes, focus group discussions, and email communications between project partners. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed thematically.
Findings
Findings show that having a shared goal, establishing supportive, mutually beneficial relationships and contributing to services that enhance child wellbeing outcomes enabled the community of practice, while differing organizational mandates and heavy workloads constrained the partnership.
Research limitations/implications
The study shows the effectiveness of a Community of Practice (CoP) in integrating services across sectors for children's well-being and promoting collaborative learning and intersectoral work. However, this success also depends on the presence of strong leadership and efficient coordination.Limitation: Despite its benefits, the CoP model presents challenges, including securing active participation and buy-in from stakeholders, managing time and resource constraints, and dealing with issues in the existing service delivery system. Questions about long-term sustainability and the practicalities of scaling and institutionalizing the model need to be addressed.
Originality/value
Through this paper, the authors contribute to a nascent area of research in the Global South, critically reflecting on the lessons the authors learnt from implementing an integrated community of practice approach to strengthen social sector systems toward the enhancement of children's wellbeing.