Warehousing process performance improvement: a tailored framework for 3PL

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1619-1641
Author(s):  
Giulia Baruffaldi ◽  
Riccardo Accorsi ◽  
Riccardo Manzini ◽  
Emilio Ferrari
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Performance Indicator ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Order Picking ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Storage Assignment ◽  
Challenging Environment ◽  
Travelling Time

PurposeThird-party logistic providers (3PLs) continuously strive for controlling and improving their performances to gain a competitive advantage. The challenging environment where they operate is affected by high variety in type and number of clients, the inventory mix and the demand profiles they have to meet. Consequently, better understanding the dynamics of warehousing operations and the characteristics of the inventory mix is critical to handle such a complexity.Design/Methodology/approachThis paper proposes a decision-support framework, suited for 3PL warehouse practitioners, that aids to design and implement effective and affordable activities for measuring and improving the warehousing performances. Such goal is pursued by the framework by leading the managers through an initial mapping and diagnosis of the system, then by developing a tailored measurement system to track the performance, paving the way to the identification of the criticalities and the potential improvement scenarios.FindingsThis paper presents a case study on the implementation of the proposed framework at a warehouse of an Italian 3PL provider to introduce a new storage assignment policy and reduce the travelling time for order picking. Furthermore, the paper exemplifies how the framework contributes to enhance the awareness of managers on warehousing operations and the involvement of the personnel throughout the improvement process.Practical implicationThe proposed framework can be implemented by operations managers of 3PL warehouses who want to pursue general performance improvement projects. With respect to the case study, this framework contributes to identify the storage assignment policy that reduces the travelling for order picking in the observed warehouse of 8 percent in a month but is intended to address to even other areas of improvement in 3PL warehousing environments.Originality/valueInstead of focusing on the proper methods and models that optimize a specific task or performance indicator, it provides a general framework that leads the managers through the decisional process, from the preliminary diagnosis of the system, to its benchmarking, towards the implementation of corrective and improving solutions.

Successful collaboration between smart city consortium and Hong Kong Government in Covid-19 dashboard: the case of leadership in practice

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Jung Yue Chun ◽  
Wahid Abdul Nabsiah ◽  
Cheng Ling Tan
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Third Party ◽  
City Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Mass Collaboration ◽  
The Government

Purpose This paper aims to discover why such a public partnership project had been successful with a non-profit third-party alliance such as a smart city consortium (SCC) promoting smart city development. Design/methodology/approach This descriptive case study is primarily based on analysing data collected from various texts, public statements, media interviews and three semi-structured interviews with key members involved in the Covid-19 dashboard project. Findings The data and analysis reviews that both interpersonal and interorganisational trust, dedication and proactiveness of the leaders at SCC were major contributing factors to why SCC was able to partner with the Hong Kong Government in the Covid-19 dashboard in the first place and that the success was also a direct outcome of effective mass collaborative knowledge management activities. Research limitations/implications The research in leadership attributes and activities in the non-profit alliance has been few and this collaborative partnership between the alliance and the government is an example of the importance of further research in smart city leadership. Practical implications In deploying projects for mass collaboration and knowledge sharing in smart city development (which is multi-disciplinary in nature). there are still many new and evolving organisational practices and leadership matters that many business leaders and city managers can learn from. Social implications Smart city development projects involve the notion of sharing data in an open environment enabled by software and mediating tools. Successful projects such as this Hong Kong Covid-19 dashboard which serves a diverse audience can further promote the importance of an open data policy regime for the benefit of the public. Originality/value This case study covers a highly original and unique case study with the leaders at the SCC and representatives from the Hong Kong Government.

Judicial corruption: the case of Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 926-939
Author(s):  
Vasudev Das
Keyword(s):  
Practical Implication ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Reasonable Doubt ◽  
Social Implication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Judicial Corruption ◽  
Causative Factors ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Low Self Control

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to diagnostically explore the phenomenon of judicial corruption in Nigeria, its causative factors and generate strategies such as sonic therapeutic intervention, among others, that would facilitate an amelioration of the situation. The judiciary which is supposed to be last hope of justice for the Nigerian citizenry has been proven beyond reasonable doubt to have been infected with the virus of corruption, and therefore, an urgent call for action to rectify the situation is imperative. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative approach rooted in case study tradition. Findings The findings showed that power and testosterone, cheating proclivity, family pressure, qualitative passion and ignorance, low self-control, inordinate kleptocratic desire, unrestrained mind and sensory modalities, phenomenological mindset and identity crisis as endogenous contributive factors of judicial corruption in Nigeria. Research limitations/implications The limitation of the study stemmed from the fact that inasmuch as a perception of corruption and corruption are cultural phenomena, the study results cannot be generalizable. Practical implications The practical implication of the research is rooted in the fact that the Nigerian judiciary can gain from the study results and recommendation(s) if implemented without fear or favor for the overall renewal of the judiciary and the nation at large. Social implications The study is geared toward ameliorating the Nigerian corrupt judiciary or repositioning the judiciary on its pivotal dignity, and hence, its social implication cannot be overemphasized inasmuch as a positive social change would prevail if the study results and recommendation(s) are aligned with and implemented. Originality/value Inquiry on judicial corruption through the lens of qualitative research with Nigeria as a case study is highly understudied, and hence, this research fills the gap in the financial crime literature.

Shop floor management system in the context of smart manufacturing: a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diamantino Torres ◽  
Carina Pimentel ◽  
Susana Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Cyber Security ◽  
Performance Indicator ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Smart Manufacturing ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Security Technology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Smart Technologies ◽  
Manufacturing Technologies

Purpose The purpose of this study intends to make a characterization of a shop floor management (SFM) system in the context of smart manufacturing, through smart technologies and digital shop floor (DSF) features. Design/methodology/approach To attain the paper objective, a mixed method methodology was used. In the first stage, a theoretical background was carried out, to provide a comprehensive understanding on SFM system in a smart manufacturing perspective. Next, a case study within a survey was developed. The case study was introduced to characterize a SFM system, while the survey was made to understand the level of influence of smart manufacturing technologies and of DSF features on SFM. In total, 17 experts responded to the survey. Findings Data analytics is the smart manufacturing technology that influences more the SFM system and its components and the cyber security technology does not influence it at all. The problem solving (PS) is the SFM component more influenced by the smart manufacturing technologies. Also, the use of real-time digital visualization tools is considered the most influential DSF feature for the SFM components and the data security protocols is the least influential one. The four SFM components more influenced by the DSF features are key performance indicator tracking, PS, work standardization and continuous improvement. Research limitations/implications The study was applied in one multinational company from the automotive sector. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is one of the first to try to characterize the SFM system on smart manufacturing considering smart technologies and DSF features.

The rise and decline of TQM in the NHS

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 499-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uche Nwabueze
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to delineate the factors responsible for the decline of total quality management (TQM) in the National Health Service (NHS). It is suggested that if these factors were initially identified and eliminated prior to implementation, the decline of TQM as a strategy for improving the provision and delivery of quality patient care could have been prevented. Design/methodology/approach – The case study approach was chosen because it is the preferred method when “how” or “what” questions are being posed. It is applicable as is evident in this paper where the researcher has little control over events and when the focus is on a contemporary phenomenon within some real-life context. The case study enables the researcher to give an accurate rendition of actual events; it contributes uniquely to the knowledge of individual, organisational, social, and political phenomena. The semi-structured face-to-face interview constituted the main data collection technique of the research. Interviews were held with 23 quality management managers in the British NHS. The central focus of the interview was on “what” factors contributed to the rapid decline of TQM in the NHS. The respondents were chosen because they were directly involved with the implementation of TQM. They were in the vintage position to offer a full insight into the TQM initiative. The analysis of the case is based on Yin's analytic technique of explanation building. Findings – The decline of TQM in the NHS could have been prevented if top executives in hospitals had adopted the sequential steps to quality improvement: In the authors opinion, to land a man on the moon needed a belief in the possibility and breakthrough in the attitudes that viewed space travel as pure science fiction as opposed to a practical reality, and so it should have been with TQM in the NHS. However, the attitude of many NHS managers was that TQM was all right for “other institutions” because “they need it” whereas in the NHS, “we don’t”. This negative attitude should have been overcome if TQM was to be accepted as a corporate, all encompassing philosophy. Research limitations/implications – The limitation of the research may be the sample size of the respondents, which was limited to 23 quality managers that had hands-on experience and the leadership role to lead and implement TQM in the NHS. Future research may consider a broader sample size. It may also be considered for new research to use surveys to identify a broader set of reasons why TQM declined in the NHS. Practical implications – This paper is the first constructive insight to determine reasons for the decline of TQM in the NHS from the individuals who had the sole responsibility for implementation. Any other, group would have amounted to hearsay. Therefore, to constructively delineate the reasons for failure, it was pertinent to learn from the quality managers directly and to ensure that the reasons was representative of their experiences with TQM. The practical implication is to prepare future managers about how to avoid failure. Originality/value – The paper clearly suggests the systematic process required for effective implementation of TQM in a healthcare setting by identifying factors that must be avoided to ensure the successful and sustainable implementation of TQM.

Holistic performance management of virtual teams in third-party logistics environments

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 186-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youness Eaidgah ◽  
Amir Abdekhodaee ◽  
Manoochehr Najmi ◽  
Alireza Arab Maki
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Coherent System ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Skill Levels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Staff Turnover

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of an integrated approach for performance improvement of virtual teams (VTs) in third-party logistics (3PL) through the integration of performance management (PM), visual management (VM) and continuous improvement (CI) initiatives into one coherent system. The paper will also propose a methodological framework to establish such a system. The intended integrated system is called as integrated visual management (IVM) throughout this paper. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on a case study that took place in a 3PL context with 19 VTs of different sizes spread across Australia. Many major 3PL companies provide their services either internationally or nationwide and therefore use VTs on a regular basis. The selected company does the same. This case was picked as representative of the many complexities which VTs face in 3PL settings, e.g. geographical and temporal separations; different skill levels within the team and between different team bases; multi-teaming system; high staff turnover; recurring performance problems and firefighting approach to problem-solving; and highly demanding performance requirements from clients. Further, this case study, being of a newly established contract and team, enabled the observation of the team dynamic and complexities from the earliest stages. In addition, as the main author of the paper was part of the managerial layer of the studied VT, this provided it a unique opportunity to escape the usual bureaucracy and rather focus on the research. This study also includes a literature review on VTs along with PM, VM and CI, which comprises IVM. Findings It was found that an integrated approach to PM, VM and CI was effective in systematically improving the VT performance. The framework for implementing IVM was productive and enabled to successfully plan and deploy the improvement intentions. Even though the team was highly virtual and encompassed a range of situational challenges, including different skill levels, a multi-teaming system and a high staff turnover, nevertheless, through IVM, the results met and exceeded performance targets on a sustainable base. Inventory record accuracy, dispatch on time, delivery in full on time and dock to stock were improved by 45, 62, 22 and 25 per cent on average, respectively. Originality/value The originality of the paper comes from its methodological approach to performance improvement for VTs in 3PL contexts through integrating PM, VM and CI systems into one coherent system, IVM.

scholarly journals Reverse resource exchanges in service supply chains: the case of returnable transport packaging

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kostas Selviaridis ◽  
Aristides Matopoulos ◽  
Leslie Thomas Szamosi ◽  
Alexandros Psychogios
Keyword(s):  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Resource Dependence Theory ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contractual Governance ◽  
Contractual Agreements ◽  
Service Supply Chains

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how reverse resource exchanges and resource dependencies are managed in the service supply chain (SSC) of returnable transport packaging (RTP). Design/methodology/approach A single case study was conducted in the context of automotive logistics focusing on the RTP SSC. Data were collected through 16 interviews, primarily with managers of a logistics service provider (LSP) and document analysis of contractual agreements with key customers of the packaging service. Findings Resource dependencies among actors in the SSC result from the importance of the RTP for the customer’s production processes, the competition among users for RTP and the negative implications of the temporary unavailability of RTP for customers and the LSP (in terms of service performance). Amongst other things, the LSP is dependent on its customers and third-party users (e.g. the customer’s suppliers) for the timely return of package resources. The role of inter-firm integration and collaboration, formal contracts as well as customers’ power and influence over third-party RTP users are stressed as key mechanisms for managing LSP’s resource dependencies. Research limitations/implications A resource dependence theory (RDT) lens is used to analyse how reverse resource exchanges and associated resource dependencies in SSCs are managed, thus complementing the existing SSC literature emphasising the bi-directionality of resource flows. The study also extends the recent SSC literature stressing the role of contracting by empirically demonstrating how formal contracts can be mobilised to explicate resource dependencies and to specify, and regulate, reverse exchanges in the SSC. Practical implications The research suggests that logistics providers can effectively manage their resource dependencies and regulate reverse exchanges in the SSC by deploying contractual governance mechanisms and leveraging their customers’ influence over third-party RTP users. Originality/value The study is novel in its application of RDT, which enhances our understanding of the management of reverse exchanges and resource dependencies in SSCs.

Maintaining sustainable performance in operating petroleum assets via a lean-six-sigma approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M. Chandima Ratnayake ◽  
Osman Chaudry
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Support Service ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Sustainable Operations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Value Stream ◽  
Sustainable Performance

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate the possibility of maintaining triple bottom line (TBL) sustainable performance in the petroleum industry via a case study. In particular, it presents the utilization of a lean-six-sigma (LSS) concept for investigating one of the underperforming support service activities in an engineering contractor (EC) and to indicate how LSS concepts enable the barriers to maintaining sustainable petroleum operations to be reduced for maintaining sustainable petroleum operations. Design/methodology/approach A case study has been carried out in an EC organization in relation to one of the support services (i.e. valves requisition process [VRP]) to demonstrate how LSS concepts enable the barriers to maintaining sustainable petroleum operations to be reduced for maintaining sustainable petroleum operations. Value stream mapping (VSM) and value stream analysis (VSA) have been utilized to investigate the barriers that inhibit sustainable operations. VSM and VSA have been performed to investigate the underperforming activities in the selected support service (i.e. VRP) using a current state map. After performing VSA, a future state map has been developed, indicating possible improvements in overall TBL sustainable performance. Findings VSM and VSA enable the barriers to maintaining TBL sustainable operations in the petroleum industry to be investigated, while minimizing waste in the ECs and asset owners’ organizations. Research limitations/implications The study has been limited to ECs’ support services, which have been delivered based on asset operators’ requirements. Practical implications The suggested LSS approach and related analysis help practicing engineers to perform similar analysis for different engineering support services. Improved performance in support service results minimize health, safety and environmental challenges in asset operations, and the resulting waste reduction increases the return on investments. Social implications Effective delivery of the assessments minimizes potential delays in projects related to petroleum operations, mitigating future accidents. It enhances the TBL sustainable performance of an asset-intensive industrial organization. Originality/value This manuscript addresses the inherent TBL sustainable performance challenges in the petroleum industry that have been caused by delayed projects. The responsibilities of projects’ delivery are mainly attributed to ECs. The EC organizations are operating in project mode, and projects delays are inherently caused by the frequently changing nature of: operators’ requirements; suppliers’ and/or manufacturers’ capabilities and restrictions; and lack of standardization in documentation and work processes (i.e. because of different engineering projects’ demands). Hence, this manuscript illustrates a methodology to demonstrate the possibility of TBL sustainable performance improvement in the petroleum industry via a case study (i.e. VRP-related project delivery performance improvement) in an EC organization utilizing the lean concept.

scholarly journals Business process prioritization criteria: a case study in the financial market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robson Porfírio dos Santos ◽  
Thaiane Martins Salgado ◽  
Veridiana Rotondaro Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Financial Market ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Financial Sector ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to analyze and examine how an organization from the financial sector prioritizes its business processes and what criteria are adopted to select the most appropriate process for improvement projects. Design/methodology/approach This descriptive research is based on an exploratory approach. Qualitative methodology was applied to a case study through on-site observation, documentation analysis and semi-structured interviews. Findings The results confirm criteria mentioned in the literature, such as financial aspects and strategic impacts, but also raised a new critical issue: automation potential of manual processes, reflecting the current movement of process automation. Research limitations/implications As a limitation of this study, it is worth mentioning the application in only one organization in the financial market and the small number of respondents, even though they occupy leadership positions in the organization. Practical implications As a practical implication, the present work offers a direction for managers of the financial sector in structuring and applying models for prioritizing processes aimed at organizational efficiency. Social implications Automation solutions for process improvement need careful study to minimize impacts in human resources reduction. In this sense, the eligibility of a process for automation must be carefully considered. Originality/value This paper presents the evolution of the process prioritization model adopted by a large institution in the financial market, which has a significant presence in the Brazilian and international markets as a commercial and wholesale bank.

Energy conservation and sustainability at Adobe Systems Incorporated

Facilities ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 139-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Graebert ◽  
Martin Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Third Party ◽  
San Jose ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Star ◽  
Performance Benchmarking ◽  
Management Personnel ◽  
Sustainability Program

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze a successful sustainability program run by an owner that has invested $23 million, received rebates of $10 million, accrued over $9 million of savings and has won top scores in LEED and Energy Star. Other owners planning to invest in energy conservation and sustainability can apply the lessons learnt to overcome common barriers. Design/methodology/approach – This case study is based on project information supplied by the owner and structured interviews with the operational team. The projects are analyzed based on drivers and payback characteristics. Finally, the case study puts Adobe Systems' results within the context of the industry by matching it to the challenges identified in other reports. Findings – The results show that 40 percent of projects are initiated by operation management personnel. The projects with the biggest savings are supported by third-party incentives. Only 10 percent of projects are evaluated by simulation and account for 12 percent of annual savings. Energy Star plays a crucial role for benchmarking performance and should be run annually. LEED EB is valuable when expending conservation efforts beyond energy aspects to sustainability. Performance benchmarking is a crucial step to determine the potential and priority of energy improvements. Research limitations/implications – The findings are based on the three towers in San Jose, California. Practical implications – Building owners can incorporate the methodologies applied to evaluate these successful projects into their buildings. Facility managers can leverage the findings to present the advantages of recertification and commissioning. Originality/value – A detailed project analysis, from a leader in practice, shows the importance of the local building operations team in sustainability and energy conservation.

scholarly journals Determining key performance indicators for warehouse performance measurement – a case study in construction materials warehouse

2018 ◽  
Vol 154 ◽  
pp. 01058
Author(s):  
Elisa Kusrini ◽  
Fadrizal Novendri ◽  
Vembri Noor Helia
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Cycle Time ◽  
Performance Indicator ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Order Picking ◽  
Logistics System ◽  
Final Score ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Warehouse performance measurement is needed to improve performance of logistics system. In order to improve warehouse performance, it is necessary to identify Key Performance Indicator (KPI). Different warehouses have different KPI, therefore this research aims to identify the most important KPI of warehouse so that warehouse manager can determine corrective actions in their warehouse efficiently and effectively. In this research, 25 KPI of warehouse are identified in five warehouse activities based on Frazelle model. The most important KPI are then determined in each warehouse activity using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Warehouse performance are measured and final score is determined using SNORM. Improvement steps are proposed base on benchmarking among warehouses. Warehouse performance measurement is conducted in 5 construction’s material warehouses located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. From this study, it is found that most important KPI for receiving is productivity (receive per man-hour), KPI for put away is cycle time (put away cycle time), KPI for storage is utilization (% location and cube occupied), KPI for order picking is cycle time (order picking cycle time) and KPI for shipping is productivity (order prepared for shipment per man-hour). Improving warehouse performance could be done by comparing warehouse performance with the best performance among peer group.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document