scholarly journals Continuous improvement concepts as a link between quality assurance and implementation of cleaner production: Case study in the generic pharmaceutical industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zorana Boltic ◽  
Mica Jovanovic ◽  
Slobodan Petrovic ◽  
Vojislav Bozanic ◽  
Marina Mihajlovic
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Chemical Engineering ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Cleaner Production ◽  
Quality Aspects ◽  
Tools And Techniques

The subject and the research objective presented in this article is establishing of the relationship between quality assurance and implementation of cleaner production in the generic pharmaceutical industry through the comprehensive concept of continuous improvement. This is mostly related to application of Lean and Six Sigma tools and techniques for process improvement and their link to other known concepts used in the industrial environment, especially manufacturing of generic pharmaceutical products from which two representative case studies were selected for comparative analysis, also considering relevant regulatory requirements in the field of quality management, as well as appropriate quality standards. Although the methodology discussed in this conceptual and practice oriented article is strongly related to chemical engineering, the focus is mainly on process industry, i.e. production systems, rather than any specific technological process itself. The scope of this research is an engineering approach to evaluation of the production systems in terms of continuous improvement concepts application, considering both quality aspects and efficiency of such systems.

Continuous improvement in a university – the first steps: a reflective case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seamus O’Reilly ◽  
Joe Healy ◽  
Rónán O’Dubhghaill
Keyword(s):  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Participative Approach ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Using Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation literature as an organising framework, the purpose of this paper is to explore the initial steps in a continuous improvement (CI) journey taken by an Irish university in order to identify the motivations, highlight key challenges and considers the capabilities required to initiate and sustain a CI programme. Design/methodology/approach This study focusses on one case organisation. A participative approach is adopted to learn from the initial steps taken in the establishment of a CI programme. Given this approach, the researchers had access to all documents and related archives associated with this initiative. Hence an iterative learning approach is adopted with the analysis of data from the first 12-month plan informing the next planning and implementation phase. Findings This paper provides a reflective account of why and how a university went about commencing a CI programme. The motivation to establish the CI programme not only reflects the current fiscal environment but also one characterised by a need to respond to a number of increasingly demanding stakeholders. The insights gained highlight the importance of alignment with strategy, role of specialists and use of a structured method informed by a LSS approach. Of particular note is the role of expertise, both internal and external, and within this context the interplay between a formal top-down approach and the coming together enthusiast staff, some of whom had CI experience from previous employment. A number of practical implications were identified as a result of the study including the key role of the project sponsor; the criticality of an understanding of the fundamental LSS concepts and tools and techniques by management; and the key role played by improvement specialists. Originality/value While in recent times a strong case for the application of LSS in HEIs has been made, there is a paucity of case studies based on the reflective practice in the field. This paper is novel in that it aims to address this and contribute to an emerging body of CI literature in the HEI area.

Modeling continuous improvement evolution in the service sector

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Milner ◽  
Barbara M. Savage
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Service Provider ◽  
Units Of Analysis ◽  
Service Sectors ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
Embedded Case Study

Purpose This paper aims to make a contribution to existing knowledge regarding how service-based organisations establish and sustain incremental performance improvement. Alongside a review of existing continuous improvement (CI) evolution theory, the longitudinal study draws a comparison between two units of analysis within a leading UK financial service provider. Design/methodology/approach Adopting an interpretive philosophy and inductive nature, the study uses a multi-qualitative methodological design. The multi-embedded case study, conducted over a three-year period, allows for an intensive review and in-depth exploration. The longitudinal time horizon makes use of a narrative enquiry, reflecting upon behaviour and allowing the researcher to gain access to deeper organisational realities. A thematic analysis of empirical data offers insight into the evolution of CI over almost a decade of activity. Findings The findings establish that there are numerous obstacles faced and a wide variety of methods, tools and techniques that may be blended together under the auspices of a formalised CI programme. The challenge is in sustaining, embedding and associating value from CI within the everyday life of the infinitely complex structures and prevailing cultures of organisations; ideally involving all staff, emphasising on CI in all things, at all levels, all the time, forever. Originality/value Evidenced through a thematic narrative, the paper answers the call for existing frameworks of CI evolution to be tested within the private and service sectors. The research offers an application and reflection upon the Bessant et al.’s (2001) maturity model against the CI evolution in a real world scenario.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement: A Case Study of the University of Bahrain

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaser Al‐Alawi ◽  
Dheya Al‐Kaabi ◽  
Suad Rashdan ◽  
Lobna Al‐Khaleefa
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
University Of Bahrain ◽  
The University

scholarly journals Application of OEE for productivity analysis: a case study of a production line from the pulp and paper industry

DYNA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (211) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jairo J .O Andrade ◽  
Daniel Dreher Silveira
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Production Line ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Paper Industry ◽  
Pulp And Paper Industry ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Productivity Analysis ◽  
Quality Performance

The overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is an indicator used in the management and continuous improvement of production systems, and is useful in identifying losses, thus reducing production costs. By analyzing the results of this indicator, the operation manager must make decisions to eliminate or reduce losses in the process. This study investigated the application of the OEE indicator in one production line in the pulp and paper industry. The implementation of OEE was performed in stages with a detailed analysis of the indicators that compose the OEE (quality, performance, and availability) to identify possible improvements. Thus, actions were implemented to improve the OEE quality index. This study provided important information that enabled the operation manager to diagnose and minimize the occurrence of failures and losses, which is often hidden and unknown to those involved in the production system.

scholarly journals Continuous Productivity Improvement Using IoE Data for Fault Monitoring: An Automotive Parts Production Line Case Study

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 7366
Author(s):  
Yuchang Won ◽  
Seunghyeon Kim ◽  
Kyung-Joon Park ◽  
Yongsoon Eun
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring System ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Production System ◽  
Production Line ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Productivity Improvement ◽  
Fault Monitoring ◽  
Line Configuration ◽  
Automotive Parts

This paper presents a case study of continuous productivity improvement of an automotive parts production line using Internet of Everything (IoE) data for fault monitoring. Continuous productivity improvement denotes an iterative process of analyzing and updating the production line configuration for productivity improvement based on measured data. Analysis for continuous improvement of a production system requires a set of data (machine uptime, downtime, cycle-time) that are not typically monitored by a conventional fault monitoring system. Although productivity improvement is a critical aspect for a manufacturing site, not many production systems are equipped with a dedicated data recording system towards continuous improvement. In this paper, we study the problem of how to derive the dataset required for continuous improvement from the measurement by a conventional fault monitoring system. In particular, we provide a case study of an automotive parts production line. Based on the data measured by the existing fault monitoring system, we model the production system and derive the dataset required for continuous improvement. Our approach provides the expected amount of improvement to operation managers in a numerical manner to help them make a decision on whether they should modify the line configuration or not.

A Review of Research of Coordination Approaches in Distributed Production Systems

2013 ◽  
pp. 93-112
Author(s):  
Paolo Renna
Keyword(s):  
Operational Research ◽  
Chemical Engineering ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Revenue Sharing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Manufacturing Enterprises ◽  
New Business ◽  
Distributed Production

The increasing of global competition and the need for rapid response to market changes drive manufacturing enterprises to adopt new business models. This chapter examines the recent years of research developed in the field of coordination approaches to support distributed production systems. The papers discussed concern the period of 2004-2010 published in international ISI journals. The research articles are classified according to nine fields of research: operational research models; collaborative architecture; negotiation and bargaining models; capacity exchange; revenue sharing; chemical engineering; electronic approach; general review; case study. The analysis of the literature highlights that the articles are distributed uniformly over the years analyzed. The most fields investigated are the collaborative architecture and operational research models, while emerging fields are the chemical engineering and revenue sharing based approaches. The discussion underlines the limitation of the literature and suggests the directions for future research.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Air Transportation Under Controlled Room Temperature for Pharmaceuticals

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-130
Author(s):  
Gordan Badurina ◽  
Zvonimir Majić ◽  
Stanislav Pavlin
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Air Transportation ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Commercial Aviation ◽  
Regulatory Issues ◽  
Quality Aspects ◽  
Regulated Industries ◽  
Distribution Chain

Pharmaceutical industry like aviation is one of the most regulated industries today. Shipping pharmaceutical products under defined time and temperature conditions is a challenge deriving from regulatory and product quality aspects. Good distribution practice should be valid throughout the distribution chain but regulatory issues are still short of strength in practice. Transportation should be considered as extended warehousing, still compliances are business rather than regulatory driven. The paper demonstrates deviations between shipping requirements and realistic capabilities of today’s commercial aviation in terms of maintenance of the controlled room temperature. Examples show cases of temperature deviations during transport realization. Suggestions are made on future research in the field of air transportation. KEY WORDS: good distribution practice, regulatory issues, controlled room

Measuring the performance of quality assurance processes: pharmaceutical industry deviation management case study

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 629-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zorana Boltic ◽  
Nenad Ruzic ◽  
Mica Jovanovic ◽  
Slobodan Petrovic
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Management Case Study
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