PERFORMANCE MEASURES OF QUALITY FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IMPLEMENTING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: A DELPHI STUDY

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline the findings from the initial stages of an activity-based benchmarking project developed across an international network of academic libraries. Through working on a shared response to the question: “if we enable and support the academic endeavour how do we measure our effectiveness?” the network of libraries is using the formal mechanism of benchmarking as a means of continuous improvement. Design/methodology/approach – Actual improvements as a result of benchmarking are known to arise from considering and looking at processes, tools and techniques rather than from simply comparing and reviewing measurements of activity. The establishment of the Matariki Network of Universities provided the opportunity to begin work on international benchmarking amongst the member libraries. The project is a collaborative exercise involving comparisons across the libraries on a selected number of services and activities that are similar across the institutions and are representative of overall library service provision. In this first stage of the project the focus is on support for teaching and learning, specifically activities and programmes that support the transition of first-year students into university life. To simplify the process the libraries have shared details in relation to specific cohorts of students. In order to achieve this, participating libraries used an online collaborative workspace to respond to a series of questions. These responses were analysed to identify common themes, highlight exemplars and select further topics for discussion. Findings – Acknowledging the challenge of international collaboration, processes and mechanisms were developed. It was important to establish a shared language with a set of agreed terms and definitions. Similarly, taking time for each partner to contribute to the project has been valuable. Consideration of each of the libraries responses to the survey questions reveals a diverse number of activities and practices that represent a strong commitment to the needs of students. Drawing on institutional strategic direction and policy, each library allocates substantial resourcing to these activities and practices. The exercise within the benchmarking project produced a valuable set of data for each library to review and learn from. In terms of managing the project, findings are consistent with those reported in the administration of other benchmarking projects. The libraries are in the early stages of developing a series of common international performance measures. It is evident that learning more detail about assessment processes used across each library is necessary to advance the project aims. Further work with the project partners on measuring the effectiveness of their activities will allow the testing of the application of a maturity model for quality improvement of library assessment practices. Research limitations/implications – The project provides the opportunity to develop a series of performance measures that can be verified across an international network of libraries. Sharing information on activities and practices that impact upon the wider institution provides a means to review and improve library assessment practices. Originality/value – This paper outlines the first benchmarking activity in the development of a review of performance measures through an activity-based benchmarking project. The activity included an international network of academic libraries. This work will lead to benchmarking effectiveness measures and the development of a library assessment capability maturity model. This will offer a development path, and a better understanding of progress, to demonstrate value and provide evidence of successful outcomes.

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How to visualize performance measures in a manufacturing SME

Measuring Business Excellence ◽

10.1108/mbe-03-2017-0002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 337-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Carina Larsson ◽

Anna Syberfeldt ◽

Kristina Säfsten

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Empirical Research ◽

Continuous Improvement ◽

Performance Measures ◽

Oral Presentation ◽

Visual Communication ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Literature Survey ◽

Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify strengths and weaknesses in the communication of performance measures and propose guidelines for the visualization of performance measures supporting continuous improvement (CI) in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The goal is to help manufacturing SMEs improve their communication of performance measures, thereby improving performance, and strengthening the company. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on both theoretical and empirical research. It begins with a literature review of theoretical guidelines for the visualization of performance measures. This theoretical information is then supplemented with a case study and a survey, both carried out at the Vara plant, a manufacturing SME with well-developed communication of performance measures. The case study involved all organizational levels in the company and focused on identifying strengths and weaknesses in visual communication of performance measures supporting CI. The information acquired from the literature survey and the case study was then used as the basis for a survey of the employees in one department as regards their perception, understanding and opinion of visual communication of performance measures. The analysis of the results led to the development of guidelines and a substantive proposal improving visualization of performance measures in this specific company, and in manufacturing SMEs in general. Findings A model for the visualization of performance measures supporting CI in the company was carried out. The guidelines proposed for all such visualizations are as follows: keep the visualization as simple as possible without compromising understanding, use symbols and colors consistently, use simple words and do not include too much information in the visualization. The study also shows that it is important to support a written visualization with an oral presentation to explain the results. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in its focus on the visualization of performance measures in manufacturing SMEs and the guidelines and proposals developed.

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Best practice in the health sector

Australian Health Review ◽

10.1071/ah960073 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 73 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrew Podger

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Service Delivery ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Continuous Improvement ◽

Performance Measures ◽

Best Practice ◽

Health Sector ◽

Pivotal Role ◽

Commonwealth Government

The Commonwealth Government is increasing its emphasis on public health andquality of care, which will require a capacity to measure health outcomes and developstrategies for continuous improvement. The reforms being considered by the Councilof Australian Governments (COAG) are designed to improve the quality of healthservices by allowing the Commonwealth to concentrate on broader strategic analysisand performance measures. The health industry will need to take a pivotal role inimproving service delivery through collaboration with industry leaders and aimingfor best practice.

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The Importance of the Stakeholder in Performance Measurement: Critical Processes and Performance Measures for Assessing and Improving Academic Library Services and Programs

College & Research Libraries ◽

10.5860/crl.66.2.149 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 149-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

John B. Harer ◽

Bryan R. Cole

Keyword(s):

Performance Measures ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Academic Library ◽

Delphi Panel ◽

Library Services ◽

Performance Excellence ◽

Review Panel ◽

National Quality ◽

And Performance ◽

Library Profession

This Delphi study identified the critical processes and performance measures of quality that can serve as a framework for new measures for assessing quality in academic library services and programs. These critical processes and performance measures were developed utilizing the structure and criteria of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award’s 1999 Education Criteria for Performance Excellence. A panel of experts from the library profession was selected to participate in a Delphi panel to determine the importance of a list of critical processes and performance measures relevant to measuring quality in academic libraries. The processes and performance measures were identified through a review of the literature and in consultation with a review panel of professional librarians. The results of the study showed that a student, faculty, and stakeholder focus was the most important aspect of academic library programs and services for ensuring quality.

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Performance measurement tool (PMT) to control maintenance-associated infections

Facilities ◽

10.1108/f-12-2014-0107 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (13/14) ◽

pp. 766-787 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Stanley Njuangang ◽

Champika Lasanthi Liyanage ◽

Akintola Akintoye

Keyword(s):

Customer Satisfaction ◽

Performance Measurement ◽

Performance Measures ◽

Resource Availability ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Weighted Average ◽

Measurement Tool ◽

Content Type ◽

And Performance ◽

Level Of Importance

Purpose Healthcare maintenance (HM) services have an important role in the control of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Notwithstanding, many HM managers still do not measure the performance of HM services in infection control (IC). This research, therefore, aims to establish the level of importance of critical success factors (CSFs) and performance measures in HM IC. A performance measurement tool (PMT) was also developed to improve the performance of the HM unit in IC. Design/methodology/approach The CSFs and performance measures identified in the literature were categorised into the four perspectives of balanced scorecard and analysed through Delphi. The Delphi participants were presented with 67 performance measures and asked to rate their level of importance in HM in IC. In total, they identified 53 important performance measures to control maintenance-associated HAIs. The results obtained from the Delphi study were used to categorise the performance measures into four means zones. The mean zones were assigned weights (1-4), and the level of importance of the CSFs was established through weighted average. Liaison and communication, IC practices and maintenance resource availability emerged as the most important CSFs in HM in IC. Conversely, customer satisfaction emerged as the least important. Information gathered about the CSFs and performance measures was used to develop a PMT in HM in IC. Findings The following CSFs, liaison and communication, IC practices and maintenance resource availability, emerged as the most important in HM in IC. Conversely, customer satisfaction emerged as the least important. Information gathered about the CSFs and performance measures was used to develop a PMT in HM in IC. Originality/value Through the application of the PMT, performance in IC can be estimated at different levels in the HM unit. The PMT allows managers to focus on the most crucial CSFs and performance measures that drive performance in HM in IC. The PMT could also be used for benchmarking purposes.

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Lean Transformation in Small and Medium Enterprises

Handbook of Research on Design and Management of Lean Production Systems - Advances in Logistics, Operations, and Management Science ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-5039-8.ch011 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 206-241

Author(s):

Roberto Panizzolo ◽

Flora Bernardel ◽

Stefano Biazzo

Keyword(s):

Continuous Improvement ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Lean Manufacturing ◽

Small And Medium Enterprises ◽

Research Work ◽

Community Research ◽

Lean Thinking ◽

Lean Transformation ◽

Northeastern Italy ◽

Medium Enterprises

Lean Thinking is known as a systematic approach to identify and eliminate waste through continuous improvement, flowing the product at the pull of customer in pursuit of perfection. Indeed, a Lean Transformation is a complex organizational journey, which must emphasize the supremacy of the principles as they emerge from practical tools application. In general, the stages of a Lean journey may span the whole company, not only the production departments. The aim of this chapter is to present the factors enabling or disfavoring the Lean Transformation of a firm, along with the most relevant tools or practices to be applied. The chapter is targeted on manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises, which can find there a broad set of indications and prescriptions to keep in mind, before starting any Lean project. The empirical research work has been divided into three parallel sections, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Design, and Lean Office, respectively. In every section, the most important issues about Lean Transformation have been investigated through a Delphi study, which was performed by joining the “Lean Community” research project, sponsored by Confindustria Padova, the Federation of Employers of Padova, Italy. Thereby, the study involved 32 manufacturing SMEs in Northeastern Italy, with a proved and excellent experience on Lean Thinking.

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Developing an Evidence-Based Tool for Planning and Evaluating Vaccination Strategies Aimed at Improving Coverage in Elderly and At-Risk Adult Population

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.658979 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Giovanna Elisa Calabrò ◽

Elettra Carini ◽

Alessia Tognetto ◽

Silvia Mancinelli ◽

Laura Sarnari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Continuous Improvement ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Adult Population ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Step Method ◽

Face To Face ◽

Vaccination Strategies ◽

Public Health Challenges ◽

The Face

Background: Vaccination coverages need to be constantly maintained and improved with the implementation of vaccination strategies. This paper describes the development of an evidence-based tool to guide their planning and evaluation.Methods: A scoping review was performed in MEDLINE and institutional websites to search for similar available tools. A first version of the tool was developed considering review results and a four-step method used for the control and continuous improvement of processes and products, namely the Deming cycle. A panel of eight experts was then involved in a Delphi study for the finalization of the tool that was eventually discussed in a face-to-face meeting.Results: The scoping review found only one document and the first version of the tool was composed of 30 items. After the Delphi first round, 11 additional items were suggested and 5 original items amended. After the Delphi second round 41 items were eventually included. During the face-to-face meeting, 7 items were recognized as requisites for setting vaccination strategies, whereas 17 as relevant ones.Conclusions: Current public health challenges impose the need for evidence-based tools to organize effective vaccination strategies. Our tool is a first proposal which aims to reflect this focus.

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Sustainability: What Does it Mean for the Operations Manager?

Journal of Operations and Supply Chain Management ◽

10.12660/joscmv1n2p1-16 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Geraldo Ferrer

Keyword(s):

Continuous Improvement ◽

Performance Measures ◽

Corporate Strategy ◽

Safety Management ◽

Bottom Line ◽

Sustainable Operations ◽

Business Policy ◽

Governmental Organizations ◽

Business Operations ◽

Broad Concept

This study discusses the broad concept of sustainability using several viewpoints to identify the best approach to adopt it in business operations. Starting from the grand perspective adopted by the United Nations and other governmental organizations, it presents sustainability as a business policy grounded on the triple bottom line. Performance measures and continuous improvement are introduced as the components necessary to translate sustainable corporate strategy into sustainable operations, using an integrated quality, environmental and safety management system.

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