Learning by doing: an undergraduate lean A3 project in a Kuwaiti bank

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-94
Author(s):  
Mohamad Alnajem
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Real World ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Bank Loan ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Principles

PurposeThis case study shows how methods of lean philosophy can be successfully taught to undergraduate students and applied to improving a real-world loan process. Students were instructed to use newly acquired classroom skills to analyse and improve a bank loan process in Kuwait.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved an initial gemba walk through the bank. A case study format with direct observation and semi-structured interviews was adopted by 27 undergraduate students to identify waste, analyse the loan process and develop an efficiency plan.FindingsThe results revealed that undergraduate students could quickly learn basic lean principles and techniques and utilize them in a real-world situation to significantly improve a bank loan process. Areas of waste included over-production, over-processing, defects in procedure, under-utilized skills, wasted motions and poor time management. Suggested corrective measures were expected to reduce loan processing time by 30%.Practical implicationsIncreasing costs and competition in the business environment make efficiency improvements imperative, and it was shown that students can play a major role in applying lean principles to a bank loan process while gaining knowledge and skills highly valued in industry. Universities have the opportunity to create a valuable learning experience for undergraduate students in applying classroom skills to solving a real-life problem.Originality/valueThis is the first study of a novel classroom technique for teaching undergraduate students to apply lean techniques in a Kuwaiti bank.

scholarly journals Competitive intelligence practice in liquor retailing: evidence from a longitudinal case analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 997-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantinos Vasilios Priporas
Keyword(s):  
Business Environment ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Two Phases

Purpose Competitive intelligence (CI) is a vital tool for any company to survive and remain competitive in today’s hypercompetitive and uncertain business environment. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of CI in liquor retailing in the USA. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory single longitudinal case study was performed through observation and semi-structured interviews plus examining documents from secondary sources in two phases. Content analysis was used for the data analysis. Findings Regardless of the small size of the company, the owner has an active attitude toward monitoring competition by using various sources of information and converting it into intelligence for making sound decisions for both short-term and long-term competitiveness. Also, the central role of the owner in the CI process has been verified. Originality/value This study responds to calls for more case studies in the field and is the first one to explore CI in the liquor retailing ecosystem by using a longitudinal case study. In general, studies of CI in retailing are limited. It has clear value to CI practices for retailers in the USA and in general.

Resource-based co-innovation through platform ecosystem: experiences of mobile payment innovation in China

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junying Zhong ◽  
Marko Nieminen
Keyword(s):  
Service Innovation ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Mobile Payment ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Strategy Execution ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resource Advantage

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the RISE model on service innovation in coopetitive business environment. The case study illustrates why and how Chinese providers utilize ecosystems for innovative mobile payment service development to achieve coopetitive advantage based on firms’ superior resources. Design/methodology/approach – The companies in the case study include Alipay (third-party actor), Bestpay (mobile operator), and UnionPay (banking). Empirical data comes from semi-structured interviews complemented with observations and documents. The analysis of the data follows grounded theory guidelines: creation of a theoretical framework, data collection, and interpretation of the data using the coding strategies of open coding, axial coding, and selected coding. Findings – Inter-organizational co-innovation appears as a successful strategy for mobile payment service innovation. In addition to strategic choice on this, understanding of superior and inferior resources and capabilities influence firms’ coopetitive advantages in a coopetitive service development environment. Ecosystems are formed along with the innovating activities, and difficulties are caused by coopetition challenges. The RISE model enables the analysis and selection of strategic patterns for service innovation in a coopetitive environment. Originality/value – The paper contributes to resource-advantage theory and platform ecosystem theory. The theories are used to analyze and model the effects of strategy execution for achieving win-win relationships in inter-organizational co-innovation. This paper helps executives to match their service innovation strategies to platform ecosystem architectures, as well as to understand how resource-advantage challenges affect the execution strategy of setting up their platform ecosystems.

The role of formal and informal mechanisms in implementing lean principles in construction projects

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1322-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Elisabeth Bygballe ◽  
Maria Endresen ◽  
Silje Fålun
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Lean Construction ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Principles

Purpose Previous research shows that implementing lean construction is not a straightforward task. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of formal and informal mechanisms in implementing lean principles in construction projects. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a single case study of the implementation of innovative lean principles in a public construction project in Norway. The study is based on qualitative data, including 17 semi-structured interviews with 21 individuals, document analysis, and observations in meetings and seminars, in addition to informal conversations. Findings Formal mechanisms, including contractual arrangements, have the potential to both facilitate and hamper the implementation of innovative lean principles in a construction project. They might create coherence, but at the same time they might limit the scope of the concept in such a way that others do not accept it. Informal mechanisms, including social and lateral relationships and trust aid implementation, both directly by creating commitment and by modifying the challenges that the formal mechanisms potentially incur. Formal mechanisms may, in turn, nurture the informal ones. Research limitations/implications The research is based on a single case study within the Norwegian public sector, which is dependent on specific public procurement regulations and subject to strong contractual traditions. Originality/value The research extends the existing knowledge of implementation of lean construction in the construction industry. It helps refining the understanding of the role played by formal and informal mechanisms, and the interplay between them in the implementation process. This knowledge is also relevant for process innovations in construction in general.

scholarly journals Cultural determinants affecting pedagogical decisions in content design: a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-53
Author(s):  
Michael Pazinas
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pedagogical Decisions ◽  
Cultural Determinants

Purpose Commercially produced educational materials often reflect the pedagogical beliefs and culture(s) of the content developers. While many teachers involved in teaching English as a foreign language have relied on commercially published content in the past, the advent of ubiquitous technology has afforded them the ability to create content that is contextualised and to share it with other educators across the globe. The purpose of this study is to investigate cultural determinants which affect the pedagogical decisions of teachers when designing content. Design/methodology/approach This case study, conducted at a higher educational institution in the Gulf, addresses the issues that arise when cultures or ideologies of educators as material developers are different to that of the target audience. Three semi-structured interviews with teachers were conducted in an effort to understand cultural determinants that influence decision-making about pedagogy when creating in-house content to motivate undergraduate students on an English language program in the United Arab Emirates. Findings The results of this study indicated that the participants maintained mainly essentialist perspectives of local cultures and sub-cultures and their thinking in content creation was not all that different to that of commercial publishers. Practical implications This study holds implications for awareness-raising and pedagogical training for educators involved in in-house content development. Originality/value This case study addresses an area that has been under-researched in the Gulf region.

STEM faculty members and their perceptions of mentoring: “I do not want to be a role model”

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joann S. Olson ◽  
Sneha Nayar-Bhalerao
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Stem Faculty ◽  
Computer Science Faculty

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to explore the perceptions of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) faculty members toward mentoring undergraduates.Design/methodology/approachWithin the context of a student scholarship and faculty development project, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), STEM faculty members were interviewed at a small teaching-focused university in South Texas, United States. This research study utilized a qualitative case study approach based on semi-structured interviews with nine Mathematics and Computer Science faculty members. Transcripts were coded thematically, beginning with open coding and continuing with repeated rounds of comparison leading to the identification of four themes.FindingsFour themes were identified in the data: describing settings where mentoring occurs, identifying the tasks of mentoring, developing skills for mentoring others and inhabiting the identity of a mentor. These findings suggest that increasing faculty engagement and effectiveness in mentoring STEM students may be a matter of broadening the definition of mentoring and helping faculty members develop the identity of a mentor.Practical implicationsIn an effort to promote retention of students, specifically within STEM fields, many initiatives highlight the importance of faculty mentoring for undergraduate students. This research suggests that faculty members' perceptions of the role and structure of a mentoring relationship will shape this relationship and have an impact on student persistence and success.Originality/valueWhile most studies of faculty–student mentoring focus on the experiences of students, this study explored faculty members' perceptions of that relationship.

Recruitment process outsourcing: a case study in Malaysia

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 1029-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sim Siew-Chen ◽  
Gowrie Vinayan
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Real Life ◽  
End Users ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Recruitment Process ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the conduct of recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), based on a real-life case study of one company in Malaysia. The paper analyses the company’s process of recruitment outsourcing from beginning to end, in three sections: RPO decision, RPO implementation and RPO outcome. Design/methodology/approach – The case study was carried out through semi-structured interviews with relevant respondents, including the country HR manager, the HR staff and operation managers in the organisation, plus with the RPO provider. Findings – The key findings, from a theoretical and academic viewpoint, are that RPO decisions and implementation cannot be fully or properly explained by one theory, but are better explained by integrating transaction cost economics, the resource-based view and the Agency Theory. The study also highlights the importance of involving end users in the RPO process. Research limitations/implications – While this single case study gives a clear, in-depth insight into the issues in this particular instance, future research extending to a wider range of organisations would serve to expand the findings and provide more generalisable results. Practical implications – Practitioners and service providers should be able to draw valuable lessons from the experience of Tech-solution, particularly from the different perceptions and levels of satisfaction about the service provider’s performance between internal HR and the internal end users (operation managers). Originality/value – This paper provides a specific and detailed analysis of RPO implementation in practice. It also addresses the call for more RPO outsourcing-specific research in the extant literature.

Barriers and Motivations to Integrating Environmental Performance in the BSC: A case study in health care

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salim Khaleel Khalid ◽  
Claire Beattie ◽  
John Stehpen Sands
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
The Body ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Commitment

Purpose This study aims to explore the barriers and motivations to integrating environmental performance into balanced scorecards (BSCs). Design/methodology/approach This research adopted a qualitative case study approach with semi-structured interviews within an Australian public health service organisation. Secondary document analysis was performed using annual reports, strategic plans and website data. Findings The internal barriers creating resistance to incorporating environmental performance dimensions into the BSC include the existing role of environmental disclosure, insufficient sustainability BSC knowledge, lack of BSC champion support, organisational culture and limited environmental commitment practices. Solutions revealed to support decisions to integrate environmental performance in the BSC include recruiting sustainability expertise, articulating financial motivations and recognising external pressures. Practical implications The findings provide suggested actions for other organisations facing similar challenges regarding integrating environmental performance into a BSC. Social implications In the current business environment, organisations face growing pressure to consider environmental performance in their BSCs. This study provides insights into the potential problems that prevent or delay the integration of environmental issues into BSCs. Originality/value This study provides evidence on how institutional and external factors influence barriers and motivations to embed environmental performance measures into a BSC. This study demonstrates how health-care organisations can effectively overcome barriers by modifying specific institutional artefacts. This is an important contribution to the body of knowledge because there is limited empirical research regarding integrating environmental issues into a public sector BSC that projects key organisational commitment indicators.

scholarly journals The Benefits of Project-based Language Learning: A Case Study in a Malaysian Secondary School

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ramesh Sathappan ◽  
Premaraj Gurusamy
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Real World ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Teaching Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Student Centered

Project -based learning (PBL) is a student-centered teaching approach that organizes learning around projects. It increases students’ motivation to learn and prepares them for the 21st century classroom demands through developing real-world experience. The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits of project-based learning on students’ in a Malaysian secondary school. This is a qualitative case study. The sample consists of 3 teachers’ from a secondary school in Malaysia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. The collected data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that the participants perceived PBL as a beneficial teaching approach that has the potential to increase student-teachers’ engagement and help them understand more deeply the subject content through self-learning and learning by doing. The advantages of using PBL discussed by the participants were improved lecturer-student and student-lecturer relationships, skill development and real-world practice. The results of this research show that student-teachers’ understand PBL from both positive and negative perspectives. It is considered that findings of this study would improve students-teachers’ motivation and equip them with the necessary skills to successfully implement PBL.

An integrated neutrosophic AHP and SWOT method for strategic planning methodology selection

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 2546-2564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdel Basset ◽  
Mai Mohamed ◽  
Arun Kumar Sangaiah ◽  
Vipul Jain
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Planning Methodology

PurposeStrategic planning is an organization’s process of describing its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to track this strategy. SWOT analysis is one of the most commonly used techniques for strategic planning. SWOT examines the strengths (S) and weaknesses (W) agents of the community together with opportunities (O) and threats (T), for selecting and implementing the best strategy which helps in achieving its goals. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the performance of SWOT analysis regarding the quantitative side of strategies, select the best strategy from different strategies and deal effectively with vague and incompatible information, which occurs usually in actual life.Design/methodology/approachThis study used the neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process (AHP) incorporated with SWOT analysis.FindingsBy adding the neutrosophic AHP to SWOT analysis, the performance of SWOT analysis is enhanced through determining the quantitative values and dealing with vague and inconsistent information effectively leading to improved decisions.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed integrated methodology is validated in a real-life case of Starbucks company. For the case study of Starbucks company, the proposed model helps in determining different strategic plans and, further, ranking these plans effectively, which will help the company to compete with its competitors and develop itself by obtaining a competitive advantage over its competitors in an uncertain business environment.Practical implicationsIn the case study of Starbucks company, the proposed model helps to determine the different strategic plans, rank these plans which help the company compete with its competitors, develop itself and grow.Originality/valueThis research is the first to address SWOT analysis with neutrosophic AHP.

Contamination Lab of Turin (CLabTo)

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora FIORE ◽  
Giuliano SANSONE ◽  
Chiara Lorenza REMONDINO ◽  
Paolo Marco TAMBORRINI
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Assessment Data ◽  
Entrepreneurial Skills ◽  
Fields Of Study ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Positive Effect

Interest in offering Entrepreneurship Education (EE) to all kinds of university students is increasing. Therefore, universities are increasing the number of entrepreneurship courses intended for students from different fields of study and with different education levels. Through a single case study of the Contamination Lab of Turin (CLabTo), we suggest how EE may be taught to all kinds of university students. We have combined design methods with EE to create a practical-oriented entrepreneurship course which allows students to work in transdisciplinary teams through a learning-by-doing approach on real-life projects. Professors from different departments have been included to create a multidisciplinary environment. We have drawn on programme assessment data, including pre- and post-surveys. Overall, we have found a positive effect of the programme on the students’ entrepreneurial skills. However, when the data was broken down according to the students’ fields of study and education levels, mixed results emerged.

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