Showing papers in "Industrial Management and Data Systems in 1993"
TL;DR: In this article, the potential link between the concept, approach, methodology and benefits of total quality management (TQM) and environmental excellence in operations management is investigated, and a hierarchical model for the development of environmental excellence is proposed.
Abstract: Recent public policy trends and new consumer demands are redirecting the attention of management outside the traditional focus of customers, suppliers and internal operations. However, little research has focused on the perspective that operations management and the growing body of literature on total quality management can offer much on the environmental management of operations. Investigates the potential link between the concept, approach, methodology and benefits of total quality management (TQM) and environmental excellence in operations management. Proposes a hierarchical model for the development of environmental excellence. Environmental management has become strategic and the integration of the design, production, delivery, circulation, use and disposal of products is necessary to achieve improved environmental performance. Second, by including environmental factors in the integrated training of the workforce and the reward structure of the firm, long‐term continuous improvement is possible. Like...
143 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the early work of various researchers and practitioners is presented, concluding that JIT is a very effective manufacturing philosophy which is universal in nature encompassing all aspects of manufacturing.
Abstract: Examines Just‐in‐Time (JIT) from its evolution as a Japanese concept through to a review of its philosophy and implementation. Cites several techniques of implementation. Includes a review of the early work of various researchers and practitioners. Concludes that JIT is a very effective manufacturing philosophy which is universal in nature encompassing all aspects of manufacturing. Suggests a few deficiencies in current literature.
28 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that, though user involvement in the design and implementation of expert systems (ES) is generally encouraged in the literature, the incidence of successful user participation continues to be low.
Abstract: Suggests that, though user involvement in the design and implementation of expert systems (ES) is generally encouraged in the literature, the incidence of successful user participation continues to be low. Draws on research carried out for a large British company on four expert systems projects, to illustrate the problems, and penalties, of not involving the users. Company culture has a bearing on why participation is difficult. Penalties of not involving the users include non‐implementation and poor interfaces. Suggested advantages of involving users are that happy users are the best advertisement for future systems and that users can make useful suggestions to the designers. Concludes that the concept of participation needs a strong push so that it will become a familiar part of management.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a vendor survey plan (VSP) with an evaluation system and a supplier self-assessment is proposed for implementing a just-in-time/total quality management (JIT/TQM) purchasing system for a major chemical company.
Abstract: Just‐in‐time (JIT) is thought by managers to be an important key to improving operations planning. JIT can be defined as a systematic approach which minimizes inventory by having supplies arrive at production and distribution points only when needed. Reports on a study to examine a supply performance evaluation strategy for implementing a just‐in‐time/total quality management (JIT/TQM) purchasing system for a major chemical company. The innovative strategy includes a vendor survey plan (VSP) with an evaluation system and a supplier self‐assessment. Results show the average quality performance of suppliers improved after implementing the new JIT/TQM strategies.
16 citations
TL;DR: The Intelligent Corporate Strategy (ICS) as practised at Okuma is a unified theory of strategic corporate management based on five levels of win-win relationships for profit/market share as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The ideas expressed in this work are based on those put into practice at the Okuma Corporation of Japan, one of the world′s leading machine tool manufacturers. In common with many other large organizations, Okuma Corporation has to meet the new challenges posed by globalization, keener domestic and international competition, shorter business cycles and an increasingly volatile environment. Intelligent corporate strategy (ICS), as practised at Okuma, is a unified theory of strategic corporate management based on five levels of win‐win relationships for profit/market share, namely: ,1. Loyalty from customers (value for money) – right focus., 2. Commitment from workers (meeting hierarchy of needs) – right attitude., 3. Co‐operation from suppliers (expanding and reliable business) – right connections., 4. Co‐operation from distributors (expanding and reliable business) – right channels., 5. Respect from competitors (setting standards for business excellence) – right strategies. The aim is to create values for...
12 citations
TL;DR: Heuristics provide the "common sense'' or expertise that is part of the system, and they form a second type of information within the knowledge base and provide the rules concerning how the basic facts are utilized.
Abstract: Expert systems are a subset of the field of artificial intelligence that model human expertise. They are utilized to solve problems which, due to their degree of difficulty, require human expertise which these systems model through stored knowledge and inferencing procedures. Knowledge is the major factor in the performance of the system. However, the knowledge is not merely a collection of facts as would be found in a database, it also includes assumptions, beliefs and rules for dealing with these bits of information. These rules of thumb are called "heuristics", and they form a second type of information within the knowledge base and provide the rules concerning how the basic facts are utilized. Heuristics provide the "common sense'' or expertise that is part of the system[1, p. 26].
11 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the pattern recognition capabilities of a neural network were used to transform matrices to represent manufacturing cells, and the results are likely to be more robust than using standard heuristics based on specific assumptions.
Abstract: Reports that cellular manufacturing is a production techniques where parts processed on similar machines are grouped into manufacturing cells. These clusterings have been found to reduce production costs, improve quality and generate other benefits for businesses. Mathematically, the formulation of manufacturing cells is equivalent to transforming a matrix representing the association of machine and parts into a block diagonal form. The pattern recognition capabilities of a neural network were used to transform matrices to represent manufacturing cells. The results are likely to be more robust than using standard heuristics based on specific assumptions.
10 citations
10 citations
TL;DR: The similarities and dissimilarities of decision support systems (DSS) and expert systems (ES) are analyzed and a conceptual framework for the integration of these two technologies is presented.
Abstract: Shows how to introduce computer support for the implementation of different decision‐making settings. Provides a comparison between decision support and expert systems. Analyses the similarities and dissimilarities of decision support systems (DSS) and expert systems (ES) and presents a conceptual framework for the integration of these two technologies. Numerous examples illustrate operationally integrated DSS and ES.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, six types of waste which are relevant to all types of operations are identified and discussed. But they do not cover all of the possible ways to eliminate all of them.
Abstract: Waste is defined as anything other than the minimum amount of resources which are absolutely essential to add value to the product. Resources include equipment, parts, materials, space, energy, worker′s time, and so on. Explores six types of waste which are relevant to all types of operations. Presents ways to eliminate all six. Uses examples relevant to both manufacturing and services. Provides summary implications. Concludes that a systematic and continuous identification and elimination of waste should be used to increase efficiency, improve productivity and enhance competitiveness.
9 citations
TL;DR: The CQP can also be useful in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of quality, productivity and competitiveness as discussed by the authors, and conducts an exploratory field evaluation of its utility in measuring a company's quality position.
Abstract: American manufacturers are striving to regain a competitive position in the world market. The Company Quality Profile (CQP), based on Deming′s 14 points, can be an effective way of determining a company′s quality position and monitoring improvements. The CQP can also be useful in cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies of quality, productivity and competitiveness. Develops the CQP and conducts an exploratory field evaluation of its utility in measuring a company′s quality position.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the international environmental circumstances conducive to global branding, analyze the major functions and benefits of the strategy, and deal with organizational conditions for global branding such as strategic planning and controlling, organizational anchoring and marketing research.
Abstract: Examines the motivation for and the benefits of a global branding strategy, and sets out a framework for its implementation. Discusses the international environmental circumstances conducive to global branding, analyses the major functions and benefits of the strategy – advertising cost savings, rapid introduction of product innovation and improved identification and motivation of the workforce with the enterprise. Finally deals with the organizational conditions for global branding, such as strategic planning and controlling, organizational anchoring and marketing research. Draws on both English and German management literature.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that most organizations use formal methods which are purely objective and rational to evaluate system projects and as such are not appropriate to capture the social aspects of system projects.
Abstract: Discusses how most organizations use formal methods which are purely objective and rational to evaluate system projects. Such methods are incapable of capturing the social aspects of system projects and as such are not appropriate. Inappropriate evaluation mechanisms and criteria have caused the detrimental effects of organizational bias to flourish, thereby defeating the purposes of project evaluation. Organizations, either knowingly or unknowingly, are judging instead of evaluating projects with the intention to punish or reward the project teams and so encourage biasing effects. Contends that an effective project evaluation should adopt a socio‐technical approach to reflect the socio‐technical nature of information systems. Describes and illustrates managerial guidelines on socio‐technical approach to project evaluation capable of accounting and controlling for the obvious effects of organizational bias.
TL;DR: Simulation is a tool which can aid managers in policy making and decision making and which help to reduce the gap between manager and modeller if the manager understands something of simulation terminology and methods.
Abstract: Provides an introduction to simulation, and discusses the use of a modern simulation environment. Examples of the uses of simulation are queuing, scheduling and stock control. Simulation environments are now far more user‐friendly, and software is more competitively priced, than ever before. The manager can play a major role in model‐building by using icon‐driven simulation tools, which enable a system to be “drawn” on the screen, and which help to reduce the gap between manager and modeller. The gap is even further reduced if the manager understands something of simulation terminology and methods. Simulation is a tool which can aid managers in policy making and decision making.
TL;DR: In a fast moving environment traditional methods and organizational forms are too cumbersome, and inflexible to bring about creative organizational change as discussed by the authors and more radical steps are often needed to capitalize on leaner and more innovative measures which, at the same time, reduce non-productive "baggage" which has developed over time in most organizations.
Abstract: The terms “outsourcing” and “rightsizing”, along with a third term, “downsizing”, have different meanings to different people. Looks into these as alternatives for managers in rejuvenating organizations. Outsourcing to many managers means the loss of control of an internal operation. It is not as foreboding as downsizing which, at first impression, has the connotation that jobs are on the line or that expenses must be reduced. Rightsizing may imply a shrinkage in managerial levels to arrive at longer term “fat free” improvements. In a fast‐moving environment traditional methods and organizational forms are too cumbersome, and inflexible to bring about creative organizational change. More radical steps are often needed to capitalize on leaner and more innovative measures which, at the same time, reduce non‐productive “baggage” which has developed over time in most organizations.
TL;DR: The legal and economic value of intellectual property is under seige in much of the world as discussed by the authors, which transcends ethics, industrial management, data systems, profit and law, and the analysis includes research into those nations which are often found to house a disproportionate share of violators of IP rights.
Abstract: The legal and economic value of intellectual property is under seige in much of the world. Creators of software find that, throughout much of the industrialized and Third World, their products are illegally copied and sold in breach of bilateral treaties and international protocols. Prosecutions of violators, though increasing in number, offer only a partial solution. Comparatively analyses how Western firms have responded to this issue, which transcends ethics, industrial management, data systems, profit and law. The analysis includes research into those nations which are often found to house a disproportionate share of violators of intellectual property rights.
TL;DR: The findings include that the hardware type appears to influence the frequency of expert systems use, and particular hardware types tend to dominate specific access locations.
Abstract: Examines the relationships between the frequency of expert system use and the system′s hardware, access location, and features. Also examines the relationship between the expert system′s hardware and access location. The study is empirical, using a survey of marketing executives who work within marketing organizations employing expert systems. The findings include that the hardware type appears to influence the frequency of expert systems use. Daily use is dominated by mainframe computers, while weekly and monthly use is dominated by the microcomputers. Further, the frequency of expert system use increases with access availability and decreases as the expert system becomes less available. The dominant feature of these expert systems is the ability to perform what‐if‐analysis. When access location and hardware type are examined, the dominant hardware is the microcomputer. Further, particular hardware types tend to dominate specific access locations.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the quality system of a world leader in the vehicle lighting industry and its conformance to recognized motor industry quality standards (such as the Ford Q101 discipline) and implementation of a TQM programme.
Abstract: Deals with two main areas of the quality system of a world leader in the vehicle lighting industry: conformance to recognized motor industry quality standards (such as the Ford Q101 discipline) and implementation of a TQM programme. First discusses improvements to ensure compliance to standards then describes an approach employed to gain certification to the ISO 9000 standard. The strategy developed for achieving certification ensures that the problems encountered during the development of the quality system improvements will not be repeated. The second strategy is the TQM programme. Deals specifically with one element of this ‐quality costing. Describes how the costing system is being implemented, the problems encountered and the ways in which the company plans to overcome them. One of the main conclusions is that the resultant benefits are already extensive and are likely to prove essential to the future performance of the business.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors look at the evolution of technology expenditures and productivity growth in the US economy and argue that it is important for the information systems community to reconsider some of its dominant design paradigms.
Abstract: The decline in US productivity growth is now well recognized. What is not so obvious is that this is at a time when expenditures for information technology (IT) have grown at a faster rate than ever before. Shows that for the period 1980‐89, labour productivity grew at an annual rate of 1.29 per cent while capital productivity declined at a rate of ‐0.12 per cent. Information technology expenditures during this period grew at 8.6 per cent with office, computing and accounting machinery growing even faster at 10.22 per cent. Over $867 billion has been spent on IT equipment alone. Looks at the evolution of technology expenditures and productivity growth in the US economy. Argues that it is important for the information systems community to reconsider some of its dominant design paradigms – specifically, that IT investment needs to be evaluated from the standpoint of its capacity to boost productivity.
TL;DR: In the context of advanced manufacturing, the process of capital investment has become a holistic decision involving not only fixed assets but also the harmonization of functions, the hedging against technological risks, the exploitation of opportunities and the management of change as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: With the current development in the advanced manufacturing technologies, the process of capital investment has taken on a new meaning with an added urgency for manufacturing firms. The pressure to cope with the changes amid greater intensity in industrial and international competition is exacerbated by the increasing sophistication of the knowledge component of new machines and equipment. Traditionally, capital investment is the optimal allocation and utilization of resources[l,2] and is undertaken to expand production capacity, improve productivity and quality and to achieve overall plant efficiencies. This has now become a holistic decision involving not just fixed assets but also the harmonization of functions, the hedging against technological risks, the exploitation of opportunities and the management of change. Such is the extent of reorientation that in many industries a redefinition of business strategy is in order.