scholarly journals Managing emergency situations with lean and advanced manufacturing technologies: an empirical study on the Rumbia typhoon disaster

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodie Pu ◽  
Meng Chen ◽  
Zhao Cai ◽  
Alain Yee-Loong Chong ◽  
Kim Hua Tan

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of lean manufacturing (LM) on the financial performance of companies affected by emergency situations. It additionally explores the role of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in complementing LM to enhance financial performance in emergency and non-emergency situations.Design/methodology/approachBoth survey and archival data were collected from 219 manufacturing companies in China. With longitudinal data collected before and after an emergency situation (i.e. Typhoon Rumbia), regression analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of LM and AMTs on financial performance in different contexts.FindingsOur results reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship between LM and financial performance in the context of emergency. We also found that AMTs exerted a positive moderation effect on the inverted U-shaped relationship, indicating high levels of AMTs that mitigated the inefficiency of LM in coping with supply chain emergencies.Research limitations/implicationsThrough simultaneous investigation of LM and AMTs as bundles of practices and their fit with different contexts, this study takes a systems approach to fit that advances the application of contingency theory in the Operations Management literature to more complex patterns of fit.Originality/valueThis study illuminates how AMTs support LM practices in facilitating organizational performance in different contexts. Specifically, this study unravels the interaction mechanisms between AMTs and LM in influencing financial performance in emergency and non-emergency situations.

Author(s):  
Alejandro Bello Pintado ◽  
Ricardo Kaufmann ◽  
Javier Merino Diaz-de-Cerio

Purpose – This paper aims at providing new evidence on the relationship between advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) and quality management (QM) practices on manufacturing performance. Design/methodology/approach – The expected relationship between both AMTs and QM practices on manufacturing performance are tested using a unique sample of 301 manufacturing companies from Argentina (151) and Uruguay (150), employing at least 20 workers, which have been assessed through personal interviews to plant managers and engineers. Findings – Findings evidence the complementarities between QM practices and AMTs to explain enhanced manufacturing performance. Although QM practices have a direct effect on manufacturing performance, the effects of AMTs are significant only in the presence of QM practices. Research limitations/implications – First limitation of the paper is the cross-sectional character of the data analysis. Secondly, the paper cannot avoid the disadvantages inherent in research based on surveys, especially when the answers are of a subjective nature. In addition, the information used is based on the perceptions of managers. Practical implications – Industry practitioners should focus on the implementation of innovation policies that promote long-term economic growth, creating more favorable and better technological and infrastructure institutional conditions to lead to substantial improvements in this economic growth. Originality/value – The paper provides evidence on the interdependence between QM practices and AMTs’ adoption to improve performance of manufacturing companies in the south of Latin America, something that has received very little attention up today. Thus, the paper contributes also to the international debate on differences observed in the implementation of manufacturing innovations in different regions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1360-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Musbah Albuhisi ◽  
Ayman Bahjat Abdallah

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of soft total quality management (TQM) on organizational performance in the Jordanian pharmaceutical manufacturing sector using the balanced scorecard (BSC) perspective. It also examines the indirect effect of soft TQM on financial performance through BSC non-financial perspectives. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on survey data collected from 197 employees in managerial and non-managerial positions working in Jordanian pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. Validity and reliability analyses were performed, and the study hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings The results indicated that soft TQM positively affected all BSC perspectives. Customer perspective positively affected financial performance while innovation and learning perspective and internal business process perspective did not. In addition, only customer perspective significantly mediated the relationship between soft TQM and financial performance. Originality/value This is one of the first papers to examine the effect of soft TQM on organizational performance in terms of BSC perspective in the pharmaceutical sector. In addition, this paper is the first to examine the mediating effects of the BSC non-financial perspectives on the relationship between soft TQM and financial performance.


Author(s):  
Hooshang M. Beheshti ◽  
Pejvak Oghazi ◽  
Rana Mostaghel ◽  
Magnus Hultman

Purpose – This article aims to explore the impact of supply chain integration on the financial performance of Swedish manufacturing firms. Design/methodology/approach – The literature review provided the foundation for the development of the survey instrument and hypotheses for the study. In addition, the survey instrument was tested by the experts in the field and modified before it was sent to the managers in the survey group. Findings – The findings show that supply chain integration at any level is beneficial to the financial well being of the firm. Companies with total supply chain integration reported the highest level of financial performance. Research limitations/implications – Data were collected from Swedish manufacturing firms without regard to the size of the firm. The results show that supply chain integration is beneficial at any level. Practical implications – The findings will assist managers with decisions regarding supply chain integration and its role as a critical factor in improving the financial performance of manufacturing companies. Originality/value – Limited empirical studies have been conducted in this area, especially in Sweden. This study provides insight for manufacturing managers with regard to the importance of supply chain management and the competitive nature of business in the global market.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1039 ◽  
pp. 562-568
Author(s):  
Natalia Iakymenko ◽  
Erlend Alfnes ◽  
Maria Kollberg Tomassen

Manufacturing companies rely on advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) in order to increase their competitive position in global markets. Successful implementation of AMT depends greatly on justification tools. The availability of a large amount of tools with varying complexity makes it difficult for managers to choose the most appropriate ones. This study investigates application of various justification tools for different levels of AMT integration. The results are presented in a framework for AMT justification tools selection that could be used by managers. The research also suggests further research directions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (6/7/8) ◽  
pp. 860-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Luz Tortorella ◽  
Ricardo Giglio ◽  
Desirée H. van Dun

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-663
Author(s):  
Jon Charterina ◽  
Andrés Araujo

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine to what extent small sized and periphery-located firms compensate the comparative disadvantages of big centrally located firms, through patent ownership agreements with other agents, notably research institutes.Design/methodology/approachThe authors develop an empirical study of patents from two completely different economic areas, a central and a peripheral one, represented by Germany and Spain, respectively, in the domain of the Key Enabling Technology (KET) of advanced manufacturing technologies in robotics and automation. Comparing the population of 211 Spanish patents granted with a random sample of 500 German patents, from the files of the US Patent and Trademark Office, the authors obtain and test a series of logistic regression functions taking the predicted possibilities to develop patents with more citations, as a proxy for their value.FindingsWhereas big companies from central locations do not obtain more heavily cited patents from sharing their R&D activity with other firms or research institutes, smaller manufacturing firms in peripheral areas, namely, Spain, may find this advantageous. Additionally, patents containing fewer cited articles and citations of previous patents, tend to be cited more frequently. Finally, this same outcome is also observed with patents showing shorter time between the application and grant.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on patent value which examines the KET of advanced manufacturing technologies in robotics and automation, comparing a central to a peripheral geographic environment, and determining the number, diversity and size of patent assignees. The results prove relevant in general for manufacturing businesses, especially in the Machine-Tool and machinery producing industry. Overwhelmingly, these firms tend to be SMEs basing their marketing activity entirely on a Business-to-Business (B2B) focus, and facing serious obstacles for R&D activity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Kafetzopoulos ◽  
Evangelos Psomas

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide additional evidence of the impact of innovation on three dimensions of a firm’s performance, namely product quality, operational performance and financial performance. 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. A sample of 233 Greek manufacturing firms is used for this purpose. Findings – According to the study findings, “innovation capability” directly contributes to product quality and operational performance. Although it has no direct impact on manufacturing firms’ financial performance, it has an indirect impact through the moderator of operational performance. Thus, innovation is an opportunity for a manufacturing firm to improve its performance. Research limitations/implications – The sample of the responding manufacturing companies is limited to small and medium-sized enterprises from one country (Greece). In addition, manufacturing firms from different sectors have different resources, capabilities and performance. Practical implications – The study offers clear implications for managers who should put additional emphasis on innovation as it is an important element for achieving improved overall firm performance and sustainable competitive power. Originality/value – Based on the multi-dimensional structure of innovation, this empirical study determines the contribution of “innovation capability” to specific performance dimensions of manufacturing companies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12844
Author(s):  
Lei Guo ◽  
Luying Xu

With vast potentials in improving operations and stimulating growth, digital transformation has aroused much attention from firms across the world. However, the high costs associated with the transformation can not be ignored. Limited research has looked into the organizational performance effects of digital transformation. After examining the benefits and costs of digital transformation, this research makes an empirical study on the impact of digital transformation on firm operational and financial performance. The panel data from 2010 to 2020 of 2254 manufacturing companies in China suggests that the intensity of digital transformation is in positive correlation with the process-based operating performance, and in the U-shaped correlation with the profit-oriented financial performance. Further, we find that digital transformation has a much more lasting impact on operating performance than on financial performance. The conditions required (i.e., policy and innovation environment) to improve the operating performance via digital transformation are more easing. This research shows the differentiated effect of digital transformation on different dimensions of organizational performance and provides guidance for companies to set the goals for digital transformation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 488-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrado lo Storto

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodological framework that combines several data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to deal with the problem of evaluating and ranking advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) without introducing any subjectivity in the analysis. Design/methodology/approach The methodology follows a two-phase procedure. First, the relative efficiency of every technology is calculated by implementing different DEA cross-efficiency models generating the same number of high-order indicators as efficiency vectors. Second, high-order indicators are used as outputs in a SBM-DEA super-efficiency model to obtain a comprehensive DEA-like composite indicator. Findings The framework is implemented to evaluate a sample of flexible manufacturing systems. Comparing it to other methods, results show that the methodology provides reliable information for AMTs selection and effective support to management decision-making. Originality/value This paper contributes to the body of knowledge about the utilization of DEA to select AMTs. The framework has several advantages: a discriminating power higher than the basic DEA models; no subjective judgment relative to weights necessary to aggregate single indicators and choice of aggregation function; no need to perform any transformation normalizing original data; independence from the unit of measurement of the DEA-like composite indicator; and great flexibility and adaptability allowing the introduction of further variables in the analysis.


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