scholarly journals Prioritising the enablers for the successful implementation of Kaizen in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Ma ◽  
Zhibin Lin ◽  
Chi Keung Lau
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Priority Weights ◽  
Improvement Method ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a better understanding of how Sino-Japanese joint ventures implemented the three Japanese improvement methods, i.e. Kaizen, Kaikaku and Kaizen Blitz. The specific objectives of this study are to identify the key enablers for the three improvement methods; and to identify the most selected improvement method. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to pairwise-compare the three improvement methods. Data are collected from 28 industry experts from Sino-Japanese joint ventures. The study then adopts extent analysis approach for pairwise comparisons and extent analysis to obtain synthetic extent values for priority weights. Findings The results of the study indicate that personnel (humanware) factor enablers are the most important factor for Kaizen, whilst software factor enablers (essential rules, policies and institutional arrangements) weight second and hardware factor enablers (physical, measurable hard facts or resources) weight last. The study also reviews that Kaizen is the most selected improvement method among the three. Research limitations/implications The sample of this study is limited to Sino-Japanese ventures in Guangzhou, China. This study only identifies the key improvement enablers based on interviews with shop floor managers and improvement experts. Practical implications Practical implications are threefold: the improvement implementations should be based on factors such as regular training, incentives for motivations and shop floor management; improvement methods are transferable and standard operations may only have small effects on collecting improvement ideas; and Kaizen is the appropriate method to support long-term and process-oriented improvements. Originality/value This study is the first to specifically pairwise-compare the three Japanese improvement methods and to identify priorities of their key enablers in Sino-Japanese joint ventures.

scholarly journals The relationships between shop floor management and QCCs to support Kaizen

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (9) ◽  
pp. 1941-1955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Ma ◽  
Feng Jiao ◽  
Chi Keung Lau ◽  
Zhibin Lin
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Shop ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and redefine the “classic” roles of shop floor management and quality control circles (QCCs) in Kaizen. In specific, it aims to examine the linkage between shop floor management and QCCs, and test the relationships among shop floor management, QCCs and long-term Kaizen improvement outcomes. Design/methodology/approach This study employs qualitative method by using a questionnaire to obtain data from 371 respondents in nine Sino-Japanese automotive joint-ventures. The data are analysed with the method of canonical correlation approach. Findings The study identifies important factors to assist the adoption of shop floor management and QCCs for Kaizen. The analysis on the survey indicates that not all the shop floor management tools could help to identify improvement opportunities. QCCs are effective in addressing large problems and challenging current policies in companies, however, they have low impacts on individual learning. Research limitations/implications The data of this study come from nine Sino-Japanese automotive joint ventures. Therefore, the sample selection is limited to these companies. The findings are able to be applied for improving the similar problems which were identified in this study. Practical implications The study has the following practical implications, first is small shop floor problems can be identified and solved rapidly and continuously at source by shop floor management. The second one is QCCs, or other similar group-based improvement approaches take long to be fully addressed and implemented. Third, practical solutions can be achieved from small and gradual changes, and they can prevent the results backsliding to the pre-improvement stage. Finally, QCCs are hardly to achieve a better improvement alone. It requires other Kaizen approaches to support. Originality/value This study is probably the first to explore and investigate the implementation of the four building block tools of shop floor management in real business practise, and more specific the first to discuss the relationship among shop floor management, QCCs and long-term improvement outcomes based on empirical data from Sino-Japanese automotive joint-ventures.

An integrated AHP and ISO14000, ISO26000 based approach for improving sustainability in supply chains

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Talib ◽  
Saheim K Josaiman ◽  
Mohd. Nishat Faisal
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy Process ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeTypically, adoption of sustainability in organizations are often done in an unstructured way without the consideration of other partners in the supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a coherent plan to improve sustainability in the supply chains utilizing ISO standards for environment and social responsibility.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on literature on ISO14000 and ISO26000 to derive a set of variables applicable to supply chains, which are then prioritized for real organizations utilizing analytic hierarchy process.FindingsThe findings highlight that not all the variables of environmental, social and economic responsibility are equally important. Besides, the work reported in this paper justifies the application of multi-criteria decision-making (AHP) to prioritize elements of sustainability in context supply chains. The suggested method is illustrated using inputs from large manufacturing companies in Qatar.Practical implicationsISO14000 and ISO26000 are well known standards; however, there was no effort to integrate these standards to improve sustainability in supply chains. The suggested methodology provides invaluable help to the managers to implement sustainability in a coherent manner across the supply chain.Originality/valueThe research contributes to the extant literature by proposing a new methodology based on the integration of three-approaches: Analytic Hierarchy Process, ISO14000 and ISO26000 systems.

Hierarchy the sectorial performance indicators for Brazilian franchises

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-204
Author(s):  
Alvaro Luiz Neuenfeldt Júnior ◽  
Julio Cezar Mairesse Siluk ◽  
Marlon Soliman ◽  
Elpídio Oscar Benitez Nara ◽  
Liane Mahlmann Kipper
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Multiple Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Measurement Systems ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Performance Measurement Systems ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Level Of Importance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the level of importance existing among the indicators that were previously defined for a Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) and are relative to franchises in Brazil, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, together with a series of tests, which are responsible by verifying the degree of reliability, robustness and stability of the parameters used and the results obtained. As a result, the author suggests that the diagnosing of the five delimited indicators have different relevance assigned to them. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews extant literatures in Franchise, PMS, Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), in specific the theory about AHP. Findings – The authors found that it was possible justified, for both the relative and the evaluative method, that the I3 was the main point of the system and, as a consequence, be considered as priority when talking about sectorial development of franchises in Brazil. As for the other indicators, even being located in a level lower than I3, they must be taken into contemplation in these measurements, however, with a relatively inferior importance degree. Practical implications – It was possible to better comprehend which economics and non-economic factors selected have a more predominance in the Brazilian franchise context, according to characteristics of the companies present. Originality/value – The absence of scientific papers that describe the relevance level of the main factors that influence in the Brazilian franchise system.

Prioritization of financial performance determinants in Indian SMEs

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-190
Author(s):  
Vishal Vyas ◽  
Priyanka Jain
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Competitive Strategies ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Determinants ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose This study aims to quantify and prioritize the financial performance (FP) determinants in Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach Analytic hierarchy process, a multi-criteria decision-making tool, was used. Experts were allowed to express the opinion regarding the relative importance of each factor and sub-factors by making pairwise comparisons through a structured questionnaire based on a nine-point scale. Findings Market orientation (0.4529) was perceived as the most important FP determinant followed by the entrepreneurial orientation (0.3382) and corporate social responsibility (0.2089) in SMEs. Research limitations/implications This study can be considered as a pilot study because it is confined to Indian SMEs. Future research studies can incorporate the opinion or insights of other stakeholders and may target the SMEs situated in different geographical areas. Practical implications The inferences drawn in this study would clarify the conceptual and contextual applicability of competitive strategies in SMEs. Indeed, proposed hierarchy and developed framework would guide the SMEs in strategic planning. Moreover, it would help in repositioning and alignment of core strategies duly with business objectives. Originality/value The study represents the foremost step and a unique effort in the area of development of hypothetical model (a hierarchal model) with the framework considered to prioritize the FP determinants in SMEs.

Prioritizing the barriers of TQM implementation from the perspective of garment sector in developing countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 2205-2224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subrata Talapatra ◽  
Md. Kutub Uddin
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Implementation Barriers ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Business Excellence ◽  
Implementation Program ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative importance of different total quality management (TQM) implementation barriers in the context of Readymade Garment (RMG) industries in Bangladesh. Present study has developed a hierarchical framework of several TQM barriers to assess their importance. Expert opinions from RMG industries have been taken to evaluate the importance of one barrier over another. Design/methodology/approach Methodology adopted in this study to find out the rank of different TQM barriers is fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. Findings The study shows that, according to order, inappropriate planning of TQM implementation program, lack of financial support, lack of employee training, lack of empowerment of employees, lack of sufficient physical resources, etc. are critical barriers and hampering the successful implementation of TQM program in this sector. Research limitations/implications This study has both theoretical and practical implications. It has found out strong and weak contribution of different barriers during TQM implementation. Therefore, this finding will strengthen the knowledge of successful implementation of TQM and will further enrich the existing literature in the context of manufacturing industries in developing countries. Moreover, this finding will also help the decision makers in preparing an effective plan for successful implementation of TQM by utilizing limited resources. Practical implications Moreover, our results will aid the managers of RMG sector to find the weight of importance of different barriers. Accordingly, they will make a plan to overcome the major TQM barriers which will increase the success rate of TQM implementation. Every Successful program will bring business excellence. These findings could be a guideline for TQM implementation program in developing countries. Originality/value Present study possesses some significant values. First, so far our knowledge go, no other study has developed a hierarchical structure of TQM barrier on the basis of overall change needed within the organization for TQM implementation. Second, this study could be a good guideline for TQM implementation program in RMG sector in developing countries.

An overall index of intellectual capital

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 880-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Livio Cricelli ◽  
Marco Greco ◽  
Michele Grimaldi
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Weighted Sums ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Value Drivers ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Index Components ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Purpose – The aim of this article is to expound a holistic intellectual capital index. Moreover, the paper presents its implementation within a real estate organization. Design/methodology/approach – The index is calculated on the basis of 14 structured interviews synthesized through the analytic hierarchy process, min–max normalizations and weighted sums. Findings – The authors estimate a holistic intellectual capital index and show that an analysis of its components may allow identifying discordances within the organization about the contributions of its value drivers. Research limitations/implications – The proposed index may be used in a medium-/long-term research to measure the evolution in the organizational intellectual capital and its relation with the top management’s initiatives and the competitive environment changes. Practical implications – The proposed methodology may integrate the reports prepared for shareholders and stakeholders and provide the top management, with an in-depth understanding of the different perceptions of the organizational human resources. Originality/value – The authors discuss a holistic index of intellectual capital that allows considering both the performances of the intellectual capital components and the interdependencies among them and also their strategic contribution to the value-creation process. In addition, they propose a novel descriptive statistical analysis of the assessment and management of IC-index components to draw indications for the top management.

Weighted absolute degree of grey incidence with TOPSIS and its application

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Li
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effect Measure ◽  
Good Consistency ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Government Work ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and rank the influence of internet public opinion of China’s Government work in 2015 by weighted absolute degree of grey incidence with TOPSIS. Design/methodology/approach – This disaggregation method includes four main steps, determine the vector of weights for the factors by analytic hierarchy process, calculate the matrix of consistent effect measure, determine the weighted absolute degree of grey incidence with TOPSIS, rank and evaluate the events. Findings – We get the ranking of internet public opinion of China’s Government work in 2015 by weighted absolute degree of grey incidence with TOPSIS. The result can be used for evaluating and ranking the influence of internet public opinion in China. The positive weighted absolute degree of grey incidence, the negative weighted absolute degree of grey incidence and the weighted absolute degree of grey incidence with TOPSIS have the same ranking results. The same ranking results show that the method of weighted absolute degree of grey incidence with TOPSIS has good consistency. Practical implications – The weighted absolute degree of grey incidence with TOPSIS can be easily used for other evaluation. Originality/value – The weighted absolute degree of grey incidence with TOPSIS is proposed and first used for evaluating and ranking the influence of internet public opinion of China’s Government work.

Purchasing strategies for relief items in humanitarian operations

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Abreu da Silva Lamenza ◽  
Tharcisio Cotta Fontainha ◽  
Adriana Leiras
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Test ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Humanitarian Operations ◽  
Humanitarian Organizations ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a Humanitarian Purchasing Matrix to guide purchasing strategies for relief items in humanitarian operations. Design/methodology/approach The research synthesizes the structures of a Purchasing Portfolio Model and the characteristics of purchasing in humanitarian operations, validating them with academics and practitioners to develop a Humanitarian Purchasing Matrix. Then, based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process to classify the relief items in the matrix, an illustrative example is used as an empirical test for the proposed Humanitarian Purchasing Matrix. Findings The academic literature on purchasing in general and purchasing in humanitarian operations share some similarities in terms of “Importance of Purchasing” and “Complexity of Supply Market” dimensions. Moreover, the analysis of such criteria supports the definition of purchasing strategies for different relief items in humanitarian operations. Practical implications The Humanitarian Purchasing Matrix can be considered a tool/guide for professionals of humanitarian organizations in the adoption of purchasing strategies for the different relief items purchased for humanitarian operations. Originality/value Considering a scenario of a constant increase in the variety of relief items, the high purchasing volume and the pressure to more efficient relief operations, the research discusses the intersectionality of business purchasing models and the purchasing characteristics of humanitarian operations. Moreover, the research deliveries a tool/guide to the adoption of purchasing strategies that are composed of criteria observed in the literature and suggested by both humanitarian logistic academics and practitioners.

Productive workplace behaviour at the governmental sector: the case of the UAE

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amna Abdallah ◽  
Salam Abdallah
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Government Sector ◽  
The Government ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
New Criteria ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that influence the improvement of productive work behaviour (PWB) in the dynamic, ergonomic nature.Design/methodology/approachThe analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used, in experiment 1, to select and prioritise the most relevant criteria for improvement of PWB. A multi-criteria method is used to analyse and compare the importance of four main criteria and 16 sub-criteria identified from previous studies. The structural equation modelling (SEM) is also used to validate the findings of experiment 1.FindingsThis study revealed that not all criteria are considered important for improving PWB. Flexibility and job specifications were the top-scored criteria. These criteria collectively accounted for more than 65% of the four studied criteria. The SEM emphasised the significance of flexibility and job description of the changing dynamics of organisational regulation during the contemporary economic and managerial turmoil.Research limitations/implicationsThis study explored the criteria required to improve PWB. The findings recommend that future studies should be designed to identify new elements and add new criteria and test the newly introduced variables at a physical workplace after the outbreak ends.Practical implicationsKnowledge of the differential impacts of the criteria on the performance of PWB govern decision-makers in private and governmental organisation, especially at such times of economic turmoil and need for innovative strategies.Originality/valueFew studies have explored workplace behaviour and the environment in the government sector. Therefore, the focus of this study is the comprehensive coverage of workplace behaviour and the criteria influencing its productivity before and during the coronavirus outbreak.

A multi-methodology on building a corporate governance index from the perspectives of academics and practitioners for firms in Greece

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michail Nerantzidis
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Classical Test Theory ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Valid Index ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to look inside the “black box” in corporate governance (CG) measurement, and shed some light on how to construct a transparent, reliable and valid index, considering equally both the academics and practitioners’ perspectives. Design/methodology/approach A synthesized literature review is presented and a CG index is developed combining the strengths of three different methodologies: the Delphi method, the classical test theory (CTT) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). This approach helps authors to break the process into separate steps and to select the appropriate techniques to support their decision regarding the norms, the criteria, the variables and the weights that someone should use to construct a CG index. Findings The authors’ analysis indicates that a well-designed CG index requires a combination of research methods to identify the best options to solve several methodological issues in index construction. For the application of this multi-methodology in Greece, the authors used two equal and independent samples to explore the different perspectives regarding the importance of the index criteria and sub-criteria. This process provides evidence that the opinion of academics and practitioners in Greece tend to converge. Moreover, it is found that this multi-methodology produces the highest variation in CG scores and ranking orders, as opposed to a traditional approach, in measuring CG disclosure, an important issue with econometric implications. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this study are associated with the methods used. Practical implications This paper provides practical implications for investors and commercial vendors. For the former, it highlights the need to be more cautious and/or suspicious when they use CG ratings, meaning that they should comprehend the base of the ratings models, and for the latter, it demonstrates the importance of enhancing the transparency in CG indices construction. Originality/value The value of the paper lies in improved understanding of the methodological issues in constructing CG indices. This is quite interesting because this approach could serve as a roadmap for other researchers.

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