scholarly journals A Framework Analysis for Lean Transformation: A Case Study of a Public Utility in Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (04) ◽  
pp. 469-488
Author(s):  
Yannis A. Pollalis ◽  
Michail K. Angelopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Public Utility ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Lean Transformation

Causes of road projects' delays: a case of Blantyre, Malawi

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Duncan John Mwamvani ◽  
Christopher Amoah ◽  
Emma Ayesu-Koranteng
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
City Council ◽  
Public Utility ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Road Project ◽  
Road Projects

PurposeThe study aims to find the causes of road projects implementation delays in Blantyre, one of the four city councils (CCs) in Malawi.Design/methodology/approachThe study followed a qualitative research approach using a Blantyre City Council (BCC) as a case study. This study combined in-depth, face-to-face interviews with councillors, secretariat staff, consultants, and contractors who worked on the city's road projects. Data gathered were analysed using thematic content analysis. Also, some road project documents were examined.FindingsThe findings from the case study revealed the primary cause of road project construction delays as the shortage of engineers in conducting detailed proposed projects surveys resulting in incomplete project scope definition before contractor's procurement. Other identified factors were service providers delaying the removal of existing public utility infrastructure from project sites, client funding issues, scope changes, and client delays in issuing instructions to the contractors during project implementation. Another factor was the shortage of construction equipment and construction materials experienced by some appointed contractors.Research limitations/implicationsOnly road construction projects and stakeholders operating from Blantyre city, Malawi, were contacted for the study; thus, the findings may not be generalizable.Practical implicationsThere is an urgent need to increase technical employees, especially engineers and other critical technical staff such as quantity surveyors in Blantyre. Employees' conditions of service should be conducive to attract qualified people to undertake effective management and assessment of projects before commencement to identify the feasibility of proposed projects to decrease the rate of road construction project delays.Originality/valueThe study has established Blantyre city's core challenges in implementing its road projects seamlessly and has provided mitigation measures for dealing with the shortcomings.

Study of Industry 4.0 and its Impact on Lean Transformation in Aerospace Manufacturing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sagil James ◽  
Alejandro Cervantes
Keyword(s):  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Manufacturing Industries ◽  
Lean Principles ◽  
Aerospace Manufacturing ◽  
Lean Transformation

Abstract Lean manufacturing practices focus on minimizing all forms of waste from the production system. The applicability of lean manufacturing concepts and principles has often been questioned in sectors including aerospace manufacturing primarily due to their high variety - low volume environments. The key challenges include the difficulty in changing the factory layout, lack of plant-specific manufacturing strategies, lack of benchmarking between manufacturing plants and non-existence of learning through experimentation culture. Consequently, the aerospace manufacturing industries have struggled to implement lean principles over the years successfully. Industry 4.0 is a new paradigm that is significantly influencing several manufacturing industries across the globe. Applying the concepts of Industry 4.0 along with the conventional lean transformation technology could potentially address these challenges. The focus of this research is to study the possibilities of integrating Industry 4.0 tools with existing lean manufacturing philosophies within the aerospace manufacturing sector in order to improve various aspects of manufacturing processes in a cyber-physical environment. A case study is performed considering a quality inspection department in a typical aerospace industry. The case study is simulated using discrete event simulation tool — Arena. The study found that a hybrid approach involving the holistic merger of the lean principles along with the Industry 4.0 tools known as Lean Industry 4.0 is the best way forward for the aerospace manufacturing sector. The outcomes of this research provide an understanding of the role of industry 4.0 paradigm and their implementation in several other high-technology and high-risk manufacturing sectors including life sciences, space, and defense industries.

scholarly journals An empirical research on achieving success with Lean

2021 ◽  
pp. 212-222
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Lean Transformation ◽  
Operational Practices

Several companies apply lean manufacturing however the implementation in organizations is not always successful. One of the difficulties is deciding which of the lean approach to avoid the failure; therefore this paper reviews the key concepts and attributes of the lean paradigm, and identifies how they can be applied to ETP’s current operational practices. The study results show a successful lean transformation case study. Practically, this is a comprehensive guideline for practitioners to implement Lean in their organizations to make better decisions.

scholarly journals The evolution of an asset-based community led alcohol harm intervention in the North West England

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
P A Cook ◽  
C Ure ◽  
S C Hargreaves ◽  
E Burns ◽  
M Coffey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Social Deprivation ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
North West ◽  
Asset Based Community Development

Abstract Background Communities in Charge of Alcohol (CICA) is an Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) place-based approach to reducing alcohol harm. Local volunteers, from areas with multiple indicators of deprivation, train to become accredited 'Alcohol Health Champions' (AHCs). AHCs, supported by a local co-ordinator, provide brief opportunistic advice at an individual level and mobilise action on alcohol availability through influencing licensing decisions at a community level. CICA is the first programme we are aware of globally that has attempted to build local AHC capacity. Here we explore lessons learned from four case study areas (of the original ten) that persisted with the intervention for more than 12 months. Methods A case study approach to investigate the context, acceptability, facilitators and barriers to maintaining CICA. Descriptive analysis of ongoing recruitment of champions, numbers of training events and activity of champions (as reported by area coordinators). Framework analysis of interviews with AHCs and stakeholders. Results CICA has increased public health capacity by training 123 AHCs in its first year. The four areas that continued with CICA have trained a further 34. The different approaches in the four areas include: embedding champions in wider health champion/volunteering projects; innovative use of new technology (portable fibroscan); expansion into different geographical areas. AHCs and coordinators report significant social value from participation in CICA. Conclusions The likelihood of embedding CICA into a local area's activities appeared to be dependent on the energy and enthusiasm of the local area's co-ordinator, and may be dependent on that individual remaining in post. ABCD programmes may be more likely to be sustainable if capacity building is supported. CICA might be more sustainable if it was embedded in a wider programme of ABCD, since health issues are interrelated and AHCs often wish to broaden their portfolio. Key messages A volunteer alcohol health champions programme increased public health capacity in areas of social deprivation by utilising the assets (skills) of local people. Embedding a community alcohol health champions programme in a wider programme of asset based community development is more sustainable and allows champions to broaden their volunteering portfolio.

scholarly journals The Adoption of e-business Technologies and Processes in Nigerian Small Business Enterprises.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Olakunle Olayinka
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Global Increase

Small businesses are often considered important to a nation’s economy. In Nigeria, the small business sector contributes about 48% to the GDP, and there is an increasing effort to support the small business sector as a way of combatting societal ills. Within the last decade, there has been a global increase in the use of e-business by both large and small companies. Today, it is generally acknowledged that e-business provides a range of opportunities for small businesses to operate and compete effectively; however, in developing countries such as Nigeria, there is very limited research on e-business adoption in the small business sector. This thesis examines the adoption of e-business technologies and processes in Nigerian small businesses. Using an inductive approach, informed by a case study strategy, a longitudinal study of six small businesses in Lagos, Nigeria was conducted. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaires, and both thematic analysis and framework analysis were utilised to analyse the cases. Research results indicate that small businesses in Nigeria are utilising e-business systems. Key issues impacting upon e-business adoption and eight critical influencing factors that affect adoption were identified. Based on the case study findings, a framework for the development and implementation of e-business strategy in the Nigerian small business sector was developed and validated. This framework will be of value to small business owners involved in e-business operations, and also provides a basis for follow-up research in developing world countries.

scholarly journals Experiences of staff providing specialist palliative care during COVID-19: A multiple qualitative case study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Bradshaw ◽  
Lesley Dunleavy ◽  
Ian Garner ◽  
Nancy Preston ◽  
Sabrina Bajwah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Death And Dying ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Specialist Palliative Care ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Framework Analysis

Objectives: To explore the experiences of, and impact on, staff working in palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Qualitative multiple case study using semi-structured interviews between November 2020 and April 2021 as part of the CovPall study. Data were analysed using thematic framework analysis. Setting: Organisations providing specialist palliative services in any setting. Participants: Staff working in specialist palliative care, purposefully sampled by the criteria of role, care setting and COVID-19 experience. Main outcome measures: Experiences of working in palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Five cases and 24 participants were recruited (n=12 nurses, 4 clinical managers, 4 doctors, 2 senior managers, 1 healthcare assistant, 1 allied healthcare professional). Central themes demonstrate how infection control constraints prohibited and diluted participants ability to provide care that reflected their core values, resulting in experiences of moral distress. Despite organisational, team, and individual support strategies, continually managing these constraints led to a crescendo effect in which the impacts of moral distress accumulated over time, sometimes leading to burnout. Solidarity with colleagues and making a valued contribution provided moral comfort for some. Conclusions: This study provides a unique insight into why and how healthcare staff have experienced moral distress during the pandemic, and how organisations have responded. Despite their experience of dealing with death and dying, the mental health and well-being of palliative care staff was affected by the pandemic. Organisational, structural, and policy changes are urgently required to mitigate and manage these impacts.

scholarly journals Lighting conditions as the occupational health related issue – case study

2022 ◽  
Vol 354 ◽  
pp. 00059
Author(s):  
Luiza Dębska ◽  
Anita Białek
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Public Utility ◽  
Intelligent Building ◽  
Intelligent Buildings ◽  
Lighting Conditions ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Lighting Intensity

The paper deals with the important element of proper lighting conditions at a workplace. The case study has been focused on the intelligent building “Energis” of Kielce University of Technology, where the experimental tests took place. Several groups of volunteers filled in the questionnaires related to their subjective feelings of lighting conditions in lecture rooms at different seasons. Simultaneously, precise measurements of lighting intensity were carried out. The comparison of the expressions of the room users and the measurements enabled to draw conclusions about the conditions provided in the intelligent building related to lighting. The study provides valuable information of lighting conditions in the modern, intelligent buildings which are more and more common throughout the world and serve various purposes such as office, educational or other public utility buildings.

scholarly journals Practitioner experience of the impact of humanistic methods on autism practice: a preliminary study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Robinson ◽  
Ian Galbraith ◽  
Lorna Carrick
Keyword(s):  
Skills Training ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Changing Practice ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Care Relationships ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Autistic people are subject to having their behaviour shaped from a variety of practitioners predominantly using behaviourist methodologies. Little is known about how learning alternative humanistic methodologies impacts practitioner experiences of relational encounters with autistic people. This paper aims to develop an understanding of practitioner experiences of using person-centred counselling (PCC) skills and contact reflections (CR) when engaging with autistic people. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study used an interpretive approach to help elucidate perceptions of changing practice. It involved a framework analysis of 20 practitioner’s experiential case study accounts. Findings An overarching theme emerged: subtle transformations resulted from shifting practice paradigms. Four broad themes were identified: “A different way of being”; “Opening heightened channels of receptivity”; “Trust in self-actualising growth” and “Expanding relational ripples”. The findings suggest that PCC and CRs skills training shows promise in providing practitioners with a different way of being with autistic people that enhances their capacity towards neurotypical-neurodivergent intersubjectivity. Social implications The authors speculate on the power dynamics of care relationships and those who may identify as possessing autism expertise. The authors are curious as to whether this humanistic skills training can truly penetrate practitioner core values and see this as a fundamental issue which requires further investigation. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to provide a qualitative account of autism practitioner reflections following training in humanistic methodologies. It challenges the concept of autism expertise, guided by a pathologiSing model, focused on fixing a problem located in the person, which conceals the removal of personhood.

scholarly journals A “User-Knowledge-Product” Co-Creation Cyberspace Model for Product Innovation

Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Jiacong Wu ◽  
Ru Zhang ◽  
Sara Shafiee ◽  
Cheng Li
Keyword(s):  
Network Model ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Knowledge Network ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Integration Framework ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
User Knowledge ◽  
Innovation Knowledge

To benefit from users’ co-creation knowledge in online communities, enterprises need effective methods to discover and manage co-creation users and knowledge as suggested in existing research. However, the existing methods still have their own limitations when analysing different relationships and networks. Therefore, first, this paper proposes a co-creation cyberspace super-network model for product innovation from a “user-knowledge-product” perspective to integrate the co-creation information of users, knowledge, and products. Second, to increase the accuracy of discovering, managing, and using the co-creation knowledge, three subnetworks including co-creation user network, co-creation knowledge network, and co-creation product network as well as the relationships among them are constructed and improved. Third, a well-known co-creation community in China is selected as a case to verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed model for enterprise’s product innovation. Three subnetworks and the mapping relationships among them are constructed and visualized based on the introduced User-Knowledge-Product Cyberspace model. The results from the case study validate the co-creation cyberspace constructed in this paper and provide enterprises with a comprehensive and detailed integration framework analysis model. Hence, the enterprises can use this model for user discovery, product innovation knowledge mining, and dynamic innovation knowledge basement and forecast hotspot trend in co-creation communities.

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