Operational performance improvement through continuous improvement initiatives in micro-enterprises of Turkey

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guven Gurkan Inan ◽  
Zahit Ergun Gungor ◽  
Umit Sezer Bititci ◽  
Sarina Abdul Halim-Lim
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Control Culture ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Company Culture ◽  
Micro Enterprises

PurposeMicro-enterprises have a vital role in the development of a nation by creating employment, encouraging entrepreneurship, balancing social income and educating the workforce. Yet, micro-enterprises face significant operational challenges such as low productivity, high production costs and long changeover times. These challenges are often overlooked by researchers and practitioners but have a drastic impact on micro-enterprises' operational performance. With over 95% of the economy consisting of micro-enterprises, it is vital to improve operational performance and competitiveness of the micro-enterprises.Design/methodology/approachConsidering the data availability and practical challenges of gathering data from micro-enterprises, an action research methodology was selected as a suitable research method. Following the initial diagnostic visits, planned interventions were prepared and results were observed to gather data and draw conclusions.FindingsFindings suggest that commonly adapted performance improvement initiatives by large enterprises cannot be directly applied in micro-enterprises to enhance operational performance. Micro-enterprises lack the critical resources and company culture to easily adapt these initiatives. On the other hand, when these performance improvement initiatives are filtered according to specific needs of micro-enterprises, continuous improvement initiatives were often found to be effective in improving operational performance. Specifically, 5S, single-minute exchange of dies (SMED), suggestion schemes, layout improvements, management coaching, visual management, empowerment were found to be useful and suitable to address command and control culture, low productivity, unorganised workspace, undelegated authority, low skilled employees and unwillingness to take responsibility problems.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is required to investigate the specific factors that affect the adaptation of continuous improvement initiatives such as culture and industry type.Originality/valueThis research extends and contributes the current literature on continuous improvement initiatives by revealing how performance improvement initiatives need to be filtered according to the specific needs of micro-enterprises, and how these initiatives can be used to address specific problems to improve operational efficiency. It provides a conceptual framework to guide the decision-making process on operational performance improvement in micro-enterprises.

scholarly journals Increasing service quality at a university: a continuous improvement project

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Gonzalez Aleu ◽  
Edgar Marco Aurelio Granda Gutierrez ◽  
Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes ◽  
Juan Baldemar Garza Villegas ◽  
Jesus Vazquez Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Master's Degree ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Loyalty ◽  
Master's Degree Students ◽  
Master’S Degree

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a continuous improvement project (CIP) at a Mexican university designed to increase engineering graduate student loyalty. Design/methodology/approach A plan-do-check-act problem-solving methodology was implemented, and a SERVQUAL survey was conducted on 67 master’s engineering students. Findings Five factors were found to affect student loyalty: facility cleanliness; faculty teaching skills; evening student services; master’s degree student management roles at work; and master’s degree students’ ages. After the implementation of the improvement and control actions, there was a 7.7% increase in the engineering master’s degree students’ loyalty scores. Research limitations/implications However, there were several research limitations: data availability (such as student loyalty, student satisfaction and a small master’s degree student population size) and factors outside the CIP’s scope (such as the country’s economic situation, university rankings, master’s programme accreditations and COVID-19). Practical implications The findings from this research study could be used by other higher education institutions (HEIs)to improve student loyalty and as a reference when conducting similar studies in other service organisations such as hospitals and hotels. Originality/value This research work took a different approach in assessing student satisfaction and student loyalty in a HEI by using the SERVQUAL survey as the data collection instrument for conducting CIP.

The role of employees' participation and managers' authority on continuous improvement and performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (13) ◽  
pp. 34-64
Author(s):  
Ambra Galeazzo ◽  
Andrea Furlan ◽  
Andrea Vinelli
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Operations Management ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Employee Participation ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negatively Associated

PurposeDrawing on the theoretical concept of organisational fit, this paper questions the relevance of employees' participation in the link between continuous improvement (CI) and operational performance. The literature has long emphasised that to be successful, CI implementation needs to rely on employees' involvement as soon as its inception. This paper argues that this approach is not generalisable.Design/methodology/approachBased on a database of 330 firms across 15 countries, regression analyses were used to hypothesise that the fit between CI and employee participation is positively associated with operational performance, and that the fit between CI and centralisation of authority is negatively associated with operational performance. The authors also ran a robustness check with polynomial regression analyses and the response surface methodology.FindingsCI–employee participation fit is positively associated with operational performance, suggesting that there is less need for employees to be involved when a firm has scarcely developed CI. Employee participation becomes gradually more relevant as CI progresses. Moreover, the results demonstrate that the CI–centralisation of authority fit is negatively associated with operational performance, suggesting that a top-down management approach with centralised authority is preferable when CI is low, whereas a bottom-up management approach is helpful when a firm has extensively developed CI.Originality/valueThis research draws on the concept of organisational fit to explore the relationships between internal practices in the operations management literature. The authors suggest that managers should dynamically balance the practices of employee participation and centralisation of authority as CI improves. This study highlights that CI has different evolutionary levels that require different managerial approaches and practices.

Operational and relational governances of buyer–supplier exchanges

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1783-1798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Yang ◽  
Hongming Xie ◽  
Guangsheng Yu ◽  
Mingyu Liu ◽  
Yingnan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Path Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Framework ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study examines the operational and relational governances as antecedents of cooperation commitment in buyer–supplier exchanges. It also assesses the impact of cooperation commitment on operational performance.Design/methodology/approachPath analysis was performed on the data collected from manufacturers.FindingsThe results of this study show that both operational and relational governances exert impact on cooperation commitment, which, in turn, is associated with operational performance improvement.Originality/valueFirst, this is the first study employing the reciprocity theory to theorize the conceptual framework of the governance antecedents of cooperation commitment and operations excellence effect. Second, the study highlights how the research framework can enrich the reciprocity theory in exploring the mechanisms of the operational and relational governances of buyer–supplier exchanges and their impact on the commitment to the cooperation. Third, this study extends the reciprocity theory to examine in detail how cooperation commitment exerts impact on the operational performance.

The Air Mauritius story: how HR can impact company culture

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 2-7
Author(s):  
Ron Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Culture ◽  
Company Culture ◽  
A Company

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how HR can quickly impact, create and develop a company’s overall culture of service. When HR leaders seek to guide their companies through essential cultural changes, they can earn a seat at the table. Design/methodology/approach – Once a struggling airline, Air Mauritius took steps to overhaul its culture. This case study outlines the steps taken by the airline and explains how HR leaders can use those steps to play a more vital role in their companies. Findings – HR leaders should seek to make key cultural changes within a company, as they can lead to substantial measurable results. By creating a service culture, Air Mauritius returned to profitability, earned a 4-Star Skytrax rating and improved employee engagement and customer satisfaction. Originality/value – By shining a light on a unique company and its island home nation, this case study provides valuable advice to HR leaders on how they can use cultural changes to play a more significant role in their companies.

Industry 4.0 adoption as a moderator of the impact of lean production practices on operational performance improvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (6/7/8) ◽  
pp. 860-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Luz Tortorella ◽  
Ricardo Giglio ◽  
Desirée H. van Dun
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Operations Management ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Lean Production ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role of Industry 4.0 technologies on the relationship between lean production (LP) and operational performance improvement within Brazil, a developing economy context. Design/methodology/approach One representative from each of the 147 studied manufacturing companies filled in a survey on three internally related lean practice bundles and two Industry 4.0 technology bundles, with safety, delivery, quality, productivity and inventory as performance indicators. As this study was grounded on the contingency theory, multivariate data analyses were performed, controlling for four contingencies. Findings Industry 4.0 moderates the effect of LP practices on operational performance improvement, but in different directions. Process-related technologies negatively moderate the effect of low setup practices on performance, whereas product/service-related technologies positively moderate the effect of flow practices on performance. Originality/value With the advent of Industry 4.0, companies have been channelling their efforts to achieve superior performance by advancing levels of automation and interconnectivity. Eventually, widespread and proven manufacturing approaches, like LP, will integrate such technologies which may, in turn, impair or favour operational performance. Contrary to previous studies, the contingencies appeared to have a less extensive effect. The authors point to various options for further study across different socio-economic contexts. This study evidenced that purely technological adoption will not lead to distinguished results. LP practices help in the installation of organisational habits and mindsets that favour systemic process improvements, supporting the design and control of manufacturers’ operations management towards the fourth industrial revolution era.

The impact of employees’ attributes on the quality of food products

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 500-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios P. Kafetzopoulos ◽  
Katerina D. Gotzamani ◽  
Evangelos L. Psomas
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the importance of specific, quality-related employees’ attributes to the enhancement of product quality in food companies. The main goal is to examine the synergistic relationships between specific employees’ attributes, which have been related in literature to ISO 9000 successful implementation, to continuous improvement, operational performance and product quality. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis includes an initial exploratory factor analysis, followed by confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling, in order to investigate the relations between the constructs of the proposed model. Findings – The findings reveal that although the examined quality-related “employees’ attributes” do not directly contribute to “product quality”, they influence both “continuous improvement” and “operational performance” of food firms. The results also confirm the impact of both “continuous improvement” and “operational performance” on “product quality” and also that “continuous improvement” helps explain “operational performance”. Research limitations/implications – The domain in which the model has been validated, the restricted use of moderators in the model and lack of empirical validation of the model in non-food sector companies, based on various respondents from each company, are a number of limitations associated with this study which suggest future research proposals. Practical implications – The findings of this study can motivate managers of food companies to focus on certain quality-related employees’ attributes in order to boost continuous improvement of ISO 9001 systems and operational performance of their companies, leading to product quality enhancement. Originality/value – This study finds particular relevance in emphasizing that although specific quality-related employees’ attributes, as these are detected in literature, have a significant contribution towards continuous improvement and operational performance, they are not the only critical factor leading to product quality. More complex relationships need to be considered by integrating other constructs as major antecedents of food product quality.

Continuous improvement strategies across manufacturing SMEs of Northern India

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagdeep Singh Sraun ◽  
Harwinder Singh
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Improvements ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Manufacturing Performance ◽  
Manufacturing Organizations ◽  
Strategic Implementation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the contributions of successful continuous improvement (CI) strategic implementation to competitive manufacturing. It also seeks to critically examine the level of importance of CI strategy implementation in Indian manufacturing organizations. Design/methodology/approach A reasonably large number of manufacturing organizations with successful experience of CI approach have been surveyed to assess the contributions of CI strategies and approach towards accruing useful benefits. The study involves working out the correlations between various CI strategies and manufacturing performance parameters to ascertain the contributions of significant strategies towards realization of manufacturing performance improvement. Findings The results of investigation demonstrated that CI strategies and approach significantly aimed at improving the quality of product manufactured by small- and medium-scale manufacturing enterprises. Supportive tools have negative impact on manufacturing performance parameters. Total productive maintenance strategies have highly significant impact on manufacturing performance improvement. Practical implications The study establishes that CI strategic implementation can systematically contribute towards realization of significant manufacturing performance enhancements. Originality/value The study highlights both positive and negative potentials of CI strategic implementation affecting performance improvements. The achievements of Indian manufacturing organizations through proactive CI approach have been evaluated and the critical impact of CI strategies has been identified for enhancing the effectiveness of CI activities in the Indian context.

Investigating the impact of hard total quality management practices on operational performance in manufacturing organizations

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 2040-2064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rawan Ali Saleh ◽  
Rateb J. Sweis ◽  
Firas Izzat Mahmoud Saleh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manufacturing Organizations ◽  
Performance Dimensions ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of hard total quality management (TQM) practices on operational performance dimensions in manufacturing organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe study was designed in the Jordanian manufacturing sector. Organizations that are familiar with hard TQM practices specifically that had already implemented ISO 9001 certificate were randomly surveyed through structured questionnaire, yielded a sample of 40 responding organizations. Principal component factor analysis was used to analyze hard TQM practices implementation and organizations operational performance dimensions. As a result, specific hard TQM practices and operational performance dimensions were extracted. The hard TQM practices that significantly influence operational performance dimensions were tested using simple and multiple linear regression analysis.FindingsThe research findings showed that hard TQM practices in manufacturing sector include; continuous improvement, statistical process control (SPC), process management and quality tools and techniques. Meanwhile, operational performance dimensions include; quality and inventory management performance. Also, the findings showed that continuous improvement and SPC practices play a major role in obtaining the desired results of operational performance.Research limitations/implicationsThree limitations can be identified in this research, using subjective measures of TQM practices and operational performance, low response rate and using a sample of organizations from various industries. This paper can help Jordanian manufacturing organizations to foster proper practices and make the right decisions related to operational performance.Originality/valueThis study describes a reliable hard TQM model that can be used by manufacturing organizations to improve their operational performance. Also, the results of this study contribute to prior literature and recommend some best practices for manufacturing organizations.

Can continuous improvement lead to satisfied customers? Evidence from the services industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 679-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana Koval ◽  
Stephen Nabareseh ◽  
Felicita Chromjakova ◽  
Robert Marciniak
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Organizational Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Impact

Purpose To achieve higher customer satisfaction (CS), companies implement continuous improvement (CI) programs, regardless of the growing evidence of their failure to achieve declared goals. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify whether companies are able to improve CS through the application of CI; and, second, to identify what organizational practices are able to facilitate the impact of CI on CS. Design/methodology/approach To test the developed assumptions, the study uses the structural equation modeling technique. The data for analysis were collected from 304 service companies via a custom web-survey. Findings The research confirms the direct positive impact of CI on CS. Further, the study demonstrates that management commitment and rewards system that encourages employees to participate in CI play the major facilitating role in improving CS through CI. These practices accompanied by quality-oriented culture and employee training in the improvement tools provide necessary infrastructure to sustain CI in the companies over time. Additionally, regardless of the vital role of goal setting for CI established in previous research, the proposed study finds a limited ability of goal setting, as compared to other organizational practices, to facilitate CI–CS relationship. Originality/value The study contributes to the scarce field of research on CI implementation in the services environment. Further, the research assesses CS as a variable of interest, as opposite to the previous studies, considering CS as a part of the composite variable. The research assesses the impact of the training in CI methodology on the CI–CS relationship, while previous research focuses on the general, work-related training. The findings provide an important basis for further academic work in the area of quality management. The identified practices can serve as guidance for managers, implementing CI in their companies due to the high fit of the proposed model.

CONVEYOR MODEL AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REAL NUMBERS ADDER ON FPGA

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (109) ◽  
pp. 21-31
Author(s):  
І. Ya. Zeleneva ◽  
Т. V. Golub ◽  
T. S. Diachuk ◽  
А. Ye. Didenko
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Floating Point ◽  
Computing Device ◽  
Quartus Ii ◽  
Functional Blocks ◽  
Mental Testing ◽  
Processor Cores ◽  
Floating Point Numbers

The purpose of these studies is to develop an effective structure and internal functional blocks of a digital computing device – an adder, that performs addition and subtraction operations on floating- point numbers presented in IEEE Std 754TM-2008 format. To improve the characteristics of the adder, the circuit uses conveying, that is, division into levels, each of which performs a specific action on numbers. This allows you to perform addition / subtraction operations on several numbers at the same time, which increas- es the performance of calculations, and also makes the adder suitable for use in modern synchronous cir- cuits. Each block of the conveyor structure of the adder on FPGA is synthesized as a separate project of a digital functional unit, and thus, the overall task is divided into separate subtasks, which facilitates experi- mental testing and phased debugging of the entire device. Experimental studies were performed using EDA Quartus II. The developed circuit was modeled on FPGAs of the Stratix III and Cyclone III family. An ana- logue of the developed circuit was a functionally similar device from Altera. A comparative analysis is made and reasoned conclusions are drawn that the performance improvement is achieved due to the conveyor structure of the adder. Implementation of arithmetic over the floating-point numbers on programmable logic integrated cir- cuits, in particular on FPGA, has such advantages as flexibility of use and low production costs, and also provides the opportunity to solve problems for which there are no ready-made solutions in the form of stand- ard devices presented on the market. The developed adder has a wide scope, since most modern computing devices need to process floating-point numbers. The proposed conveyor model of the adder is quite simple to implement on the FPGA and can be an alternative to using built-in multipliers and processor cores in cases where the complex functionality of these devices is redundant for a specific task.

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