scholarly journals Quantifying an Organisation's Human Factors Capability: Targeting World Class Integration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Greig ◽  
W. Patrick Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Process Integration ◽  
Functional Unit ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Maturity Level ◽  
Specific Assessment ◽  
World Class ◽  
Strategy Design

Many methods track company performance and process integration for quality, productivity, environment and safety. Similar methods do not exist for human factors (HF) even though it has impact on these outcomes. Without a HF specific assessment method it is impossible for managers to know if they are achieving 'world class' HF integration. An assessment tool is under development to address this need. The tool assesses the capability of each functional unit in an organization to manage HF aspects in their processes. This includes organizational strategy, design, maintenance, operations, logistics, marketing, and human resources, among others. For each department, the presence of HF aspects including indicators, process flows, and methods are evaluated. The maturity level of HF integration for each is rated in five classifications, conceptually similar to the Baldridge criteria, to reflect its level of 'world class'. The tool is non-prescriptive as it recognises the validity of different integration approaches. Progression to world class means HF works proactively becoming part of the organization's culture. With this tool companies can evaluate their ability to benefit from HF integration on an ongoing basis. It also provides a quantitative method for research and to benchmark macroergonomic capability in other organizations.

scholarly journals Quantifying an Organisation's Human Factors Capability: Targeting World Class Integration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Greig ◽  
W. Patrick Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Process Integration ◽  
Functional Unit ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Maturity Level ◽  
Specific Assessment ◽  
World Class ◽  
Strategy Design

Many methods track company performance and process integration for quality, productivity, environment and safety. Similar methods do not exist for human factors (HF) even though it has impact on these outcomes. Without a HF specific assessment method it is impossible for managers to know if they are achieving 'world class' HF integration. An assessment tool is under development to address this need. The tool assesses the capability of each functional unit in an organization to manage HF aspects in their processes. This includes organizational strategy, design, maintenance, operations, logistics, marketing, and human resources, among others. For each department, the presence of HF aspects including indicators, process flows, and methods are evaluated. The maturity level of HF integration for each is rated in five classifications, conceptually similar to the Baldridge criteria, to reflect its level of 'world class'. The tool is non-prescriptive as it recognises the validity of different integration approaches. Progression to world class means HF works proactively becoming part of the organization's culture. With this tool companies can evaluate their ability to benefit from HF integration on an ongoing basis. It also provides a quantitative method for research and to benchmark macroergonomic capability in other organizations.

scholarly journals Risk Management Maturity Model for Logistic Processes

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 659
Author(s):  
Agnieszka A. Tubis ◽  
Sylwia Werbińska-Wojciechowska
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Maturity Level ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Risk Maturity

Recently, the maturity models for risk management are attracting growing attention. The obtained maturity level defines an assessment of an organization’s management competence. Therefore, as a set of various tools and practices, the maturity model is critical for a company’s overall risk maintenance strategy development and implementation. Thus, the purpose of this article is to present a model for risk management maturity for logistic processes. We investigated the main defined assessment areas for risk maturity model implementation in logistic systems. Based on research findings, we introduced a new risk maturity assessment area based on participation in the supply chain—cooperation at risk. The proposed model constitutes the base for a two-stage assessment method implementation, where the global maturity index is introduced. Finally, we implement the proposed two-stage assessment method to verify the proposed model’s diagnostic function and determine its labor intensity. The study confirmed that the five defined maturity areas (knowledge, risk assessment, process risk management, cooperation at risk, and risk monitoring) provide a complex diagnostic tool for risk maturity level identification and, based on the obtained results, allows to define an appropriate development strategy for a given decision-making environment.

scholarly journals Development of a competitive intelligence maturity model: Insights from Moroccan companies

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mourad Oubrich ◽  
Abdelati Hakmaoui ◽  
Robert Bierwolf ◽  
Mouna Haddani
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Maturity Level ◽  
World Class ◽  
Model Point ◽  
Research Show ◽  
Do So

This paper aims to assess the maturity level of competitive intelligence (CI) in Moroccan companies, so as to improve theirs practices, and to justify their investment in competitive intelligence. To do so, we have identified the maturity model based on a comprehensive review of recent literature. The objectives of this paper are threefold: (1) to determine the major purposes of a CI maturity model (CIMM), (2) to identify the types of CI dimensions and levels of maturity, (3) to evaluate Moroccan companies in terms of CI practice. Our approach is to develop a conceptual framework of the CI maturity model that articulates (1) dimensions of CI, and (2) maturity levels of CI. We note that little attention has been given in previous research to how CI is actually conducted in Moroccan companies. For this purpose, an empirical study was conducted. The results discuss various perspectives and insights from a competitive intelligence maturity model point of view in the Moroccan context. The results show that the majority of the Moroccan companies are in an early stage of the CI levels, where the CI practice is only to employ environment scanning and the competition in the business environment is not intense. We also note the absence of CI structure at this level. Most of these Moroccan companies are not able to cope with changes in the business environment. The CI systems and processes are released on an irregular basis. This study is the first to investigate the Competitive Intelligence Maturity Model (CIMM) in the Moroccan context. The findings of this research show that there are six CI dimensions (CI culture of an organization; CI deliverables; CI sourcing; CI cycle; CI investment in terms of resources; CI users and CI application) that should be taken into account in CI implementation with regard to the CI level (early, mid, world class).

Enhancing Firm Competitiveness through Concurrent Implementation of TQM, JIT and TPM

2014 ◽  
Vol 660 ◽  
pp. 976-982
Author(s):  
Lukman Sukarma
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Insufficient Evidence ◽  
Target Setting ◽  
Performance Targets ◽  
World Class ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Simultaneous Implementation ◽  
World Class Manufacturing

As a continuation of the previous paper by the author for this conference, this article provides empirical evidence for the impact of concurrent implementation of TQM, JIT and TPM in enhancing company performance, and hence its competitiveness. In doing this, ingredients of World Class Manufacturing company performance are reviewed, hypotheses and research methodology are developed, and data are analysed to verify the hypotheses. It is confirmed that plants implementing TQM, JIT and TPM concurrently outperform those, which implement only one or two of the methods, and there is no difference in performance among plants using either one or two of the methods. Further investigation on the causes of difference in performance reveals that, in addition to simultaneous implementation of the three methods, the establishment of performance targets leads to better performance. However, there is insufficient evidence to claim that involving employees in target setting has an effect on performance.

Safety and Ergonomics Risk Assessment (SERA): A Customized Ergonomics Assessment Tool for Automobile Manufacturing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Snell ◽  
Arman Dehghani ◽  
Fabian Guenkzkofer ◽  
Stefan Kaltenbrunner
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Automobile Manufacturing ◽  
International Reporting ◽  
Database Implementation ◽  
And Training

Musculoskeletal disorders continue to be a leading source of lost workdays across all industries. Common ergonomics assessment tools may include criteria extraneous to the stresses at specific companies or industries. Therefore, the creation of assessment tools, based on scientifically validated methods, with industry- or company-specific stresses may be of benefit. The BMW Group has developed the Safety and Ergonomics Risk Assessment (SERA) tool. This ergonomics assessment method incorporates the most up-to-date scientific methods and international standards, and is used worldwide in all production facilities of the BMW Group. As noted above, a major advantage of SERA over conventional ergonomics tools is the focus on ergonomics stresses common to automobile manufacturing and the consequent exclusion of irrelevant parameters, thereby reducing the time, effort, and training required for workplace assessments. Other advantages include the international uniformity of assessments and a web- and database-implementation allowing for easily comparable international reporting. The implementation of this method at the BMW Group has enabled a greater transparency for ergonomics across all international plants, and more effective and targeted ergonomics interventions. This publication will outline the basic motivation for SERA, highlight the relevant scientific sources and international standards, and general steps of an evaluation.

Application of Fuzzy Numbers to Assessment Processes

2018 ◽  
pp. 3215-3225
Author(s):  
Michael Voskoglou
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Special Kind ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fuzzy Assessment ◽  
Classical Arithmetic

A Fuzzy Number (FN) is a special kind of FS on the set R of real numbers. The four classical arithmetic operations can be defined on FNs, which play an important role in fuzzy mathematics analogous to the role played by the ordinary numbers in crisp mathematics (Kaufmann & Gupta, 1991). The simplest form of FNs is the Triangular FNs (TFNs), while the Trapezoidal FNs (TpFNs) are straightforward generalizations of the TFNs. In the present work a combination of the COG defuzzification technique and of the TFNs (or TpFNs) is used as an assessment tool. Examples of assessing student problem-solving abilities and basket-ball player skills are also presented illustrating in practice the results obtained. This new fuzzy assessment method is validated by comparing its outcomes in the above examples with the corresponding outcomes of two commonly used assessment methods of the traditional logic, the calculation of the mean values and of the Grade Point Average (GPA) index. Finally, the perspectives of future research on the subject are discussed.

Application of Fuzzy Numbers to Assessment Processes

2019 ◽  
pp. 407-420
Author(s):  
Michael Voskoglou
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Special Kind ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Basketball Player ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Fuzzy Assessment ◽  
Classical Arithmetic

A fuzzy number (FN) is a special kind of FS on the set R of real numbers. The four classical arithmetic operations can be defined on FNs, which play an important role in fuzzy mathematics analogous to the role played by the ordinary numbers in crisp mathematics. The simplest form of FNs is the triangular FNs (TFNs), while the trapezoidal FNs (TpFNs) are straightforward generalizations of the TFNs. In the chapter, a combination of the COG defuzzification technique and of the TFNs (or TpFNs) is used as an assessment tool. Examples of assessing student problem-solving abilities and basketball player skills are also presented illustrating in practice the results obtained. This new fuzzy assessment method is validated by comparing its outcomes in the above examples with the corresponding outcomes of two commonly used assessment methods of the traditional logic, the calculation of the mean values, and of the grade point average (GPA) index. Finally, the perspectives of future research on the subject are discussed.

Micro and Nanotechnology Maturity and Performance Assessment

2010 ◽  
pp. 174-192
Author(s):  
Nazrul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Specific Assessment ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Assessment Matrix ◽  
Technology Managers ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Manufacturing Technologies ◽  
Manufacturing Readiness

This chapter aims to provide a new readiness matrix called ‘innovative manufacturing readiness levels (IMRLs)’ to evaluate and assess the areas of micro and nanotechnology maturity including their performance. The study employs a case study approach through which the practicability and applicability of the IMRLs conceptual matrix were verified and confirmed. A case study with laser-based manufacturing technologies explores the stages of micro and nano technologies (MNTs)’ maturity, including the key issues and performances that contributed to the development of a new assessment tool. Concerning intense global R&D competition in MNTs, this study exhibits a forward-looking approach in assessing MNTs maturity and performance. A generic conclusion is reached by which product designers and technology managers position themselves and take into account risk reduction exercises related to MNTs. The novelty of the research could be that organizations, which develop and use MNTs, have an opportunity in applying such a specific assessment matrix to quantify the technology readiness of unreleased MNTs.

scholarly journals Mitigation Life Cycle Assessment: Best Practices from LCA of Energy and Water Infrastructure That Incurs Impacts to Mitigate Harm

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Grubert ◽  
Jennifer Stokes-Draut
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Functional Unit ◽  
Environmental Harm ◽  
Environmental Costs ◽  
Lca Results

Climate change will require societal-scale infrastructural changes. Balancing priorities for water, energy, and climate will demand that approaches to water and energy management deviate from historical practice. Infrastructure designed to mitigate environmental harm, particularly related to climate change, is likely to become increasingly prevalent. Understanding the implications of such infrastructure for environmental quality is thus of interest. Environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) is a common sustainability assessment tool that aims to quantify the total, multicriteria environmental impact caused by a functional unit. Notably, however, LCA quantifies impacts in the form of environmental “costs” of delivering the functional unit. In the case of mitigation infrastructures, LCA results can be confusing because they are generally reported as the harmful impacts of performing mitigation rather than as net impacts that incorporate benefits of successful mitigation. This paper argues for defining mitigation LCA as a subtype of LCA to facilitate better understanding of results and consistency across studies. Our recommendations are informed by existing LCA literature on mitigation infrastructure, focused particularly on stormwater and carbon management. We specifically recommend that analysts: (1) use a performance-based functional unit; (2) be attentive to burden shifting; and (3) assess and define uncertainty, especially related to mitigation performance.

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