979 research outputs found
Heritage Society (Houston)
No full textTranscript of Letter from Allan M. Lean & Buckley to William M. Rice discussing the urgency to repay the debt owed to J. H. Brower & Co
Heritage Society (Houston)
No full textLetter from Allan M. Lean & Buckley to William M. Rice discussing the urgency to repay the debt owed to J. H. Brower & Co
A customised lean model for a Chinese aerospace OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
Full text linkThe aim of this research is to introduce Lean Thinking in a systematic and cost
effective way; moreover, it is to bring Lean Principles and apply Lean Tools to
the new aerospace companies. In particular the research will develop a
customised Lean manufacturing model. The following objectives will be
achieved during the research. 1); Investigate the principal features of Lean
Thinking, and identify state of the art in Lean manufacturing implementation. 2);
Identify the current situation of a specific Chinese aerospace company and the
requirements needed in becoming Lean. 3); Develop a customised Lean model
for applying Lean into a new Chinese aerospace company. 4); Validate the
Lean manufacturing model by experts in the company and university.
The Chinese traditional thinking is different from lean think. Therefore, to
implement Lean in China will face some distinct barriers. The author attempts to
resolve these problems through a customised lean model. According to the
literature review and researcher‘s knowledge, there is no paper developing a
model linking to the barriers of lean implementation in Chinese manufacturing.
Therefore, the author will attempt to fill in this gap during the research.
The questionnaire and assessment tool will be used to collect information from
the company. Best practices will help to establish the structure of the model.
However, in China, most companies implement lean through copying examples
from the United States, UK and other Western countries without combining their
current situation and culture. The contribution of this research is to develop a
model to link Chinese barriers and a company‘s situation for lean
implementation.
Finally, this model will be validated by company and academic experts. The first
validation is based on the sponsoring company. Other validations are achieved
by academic experts and industrial expert
RETRACTED: Esverdeamento da Operação de Compra e uso de Adesivos na Indústria Calçadista
No full textThis article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. A similar version of this paper (more than 50% similarity) was previously published by other authors in Engevista, as follows: Hermann, F. F., da Silva, R. I., Sellitto, M. A., Pereira, G. M., & Borchardt, M. (2013). Esverdeamento da operação de compra e uso de adesivos na indústria calçadista. Engevista, 15(3). The main author of the article published in 2018 in Journal of Lean Systems has been contacted and no reasonable explanation has been provided. Thus, this article has been retracted accordingly.This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief.A similar version of this paper (more than 50% similarity) was previously published by other authors in Engevista, as follows: Hermann, F. F., da Silva, R. I., Sellitto, M. A., Pereira, G. M., & Borchardt, M. (2013). Esverdeamento da operação de compra e uso de adesivos na indústria calçadista. Engevista, 15(3). The main author of the article published in 2018 in Journal of Lean Systems has been contacted and no reasonable explanation has been provided Thus, this article has been retracted accordingly
Critical Flow – Towards a Construction Flow Theory
No full textThis paper introduces the concept of Construction Physics as a more comprehensive way of understanding the construction process from a flow perspective. It establishes a preliminary definition of the term and investigates briefly the present knowledge, flow models and methods for their management. From this it argues that the state of the art does not fully cover the whole process and proposes a holistic view of the flow of all prerequisites feeding the process. It introduces the key term Critical Flow and concludes by recommending areas that should be investigated as a joint IGLC research, development and testing programme
Development of an impact assessment framework for lean manufacturing within SMEs
Full text linkThe main aim of the research work presented in this thesis, is the development of a
novel framework with the capability of assessing the impact of implementing lean
manufacturing within small-to-medium sized manufacturing firms (SMEs). By assessing
the impact of lean implementation, SMEs can make informed decisions on the viability
of lean adoption at the conceptual implementation stage. Companies are also able
determine their status in terms of lean manufacturing affordability.
Thus, in order to achieve the above-stated aim, the following were the main set research
objectives; (1) identifying the key drivers for implementing lean manufacturing within
SMEs, (2) investigating the operational activities of SMEs in order to understand their
manufacturing issues, (3) exploring the current level of lean manufacturing usage within
SMEs so as to categorise users based on their levels of involvement, (4) identifying
factors that determine the assessment of lean manufacturing, (5) developing an impact
assessment framework for justifying lean manufacturing within SMEs, (6) developing a
knowledge based advisory system and (7) validating the impact assessment framework
and the developed knowledge based advisory system through real-life case studies,
workshops, and expert opinions.
A combination of research methodology approaches have been employed in this
research study. This comprises literature review, observation of companies' practices
and personal interview. The data collection process involved ten SMEs that provided
consistent information throughout the research project life. Additionally, visitations to
three large size manufacturing firms were also conducted. Hence, the framework and
system development process passed through several stages. Firstly, the data were
collected from companies who had successfully implemented lean manufacturing within
their premise. The second development stage included the analysis and validation of the
dataset through company practitioners. An impact assessment framework was thus developed with the aid of regression analysis as a predictive model. However, it was
realised that there were few correlations between the dataset generated and analysis. The
reasons for this were unclear.
,a
knowledge based advisory system was adopted to
conceptualise, enhance the robustness of the impact assessment framework and address
the problem of the imprecise data in the impact assessment process.
Three major factors of impact assessment were considered in the framework and the
system development process, namely relative cost of lean implementation, a company
lean readiness status and the level of value-added to be achieved (impact/benefits).
Three knowledge based advisory sub-systems that consisted of the abovementioned
factors were built. Results obtained from them were then fed into the final system. The
three sub-systems were validated with the original set of data from companies. This
enabled the assignment of a number of input variables whose membership functions
aided the definition of the fuzzy expert system language (linguistic variables) used. The
final system yielded heuristic rules that enable the postulation of scenarios of lean
implementation. Results were sought and tested on a number of firms based within the
UK, for the purposes validation. These also included expert opinions both in academic
and industrial settings.
A major contribution of the developed system is its ability to aid decision-making
processes for lean implementation at the early implementation stage. The visualisation
facility of the developed system is also useful in enabling potential lean users to make
forecasts on the relative cost of lean projects upfront, anticipate lean benefits, and realise
one' degree of lean readiness
The role of actor associations in understanding the implementation of lean thinking in healthcare
Full text linkPurpose: The importance of networks in effecting the outcomes of change processes is well-established in the literature. Whilst extant literature focuses predominantly on the structural properties of networks, our purpose is to explore the dynamics of network emergence that give rise to the outcomes of process interventions. We show how Actor Network Theory (ANT) may be used as a lens for interrogating the way in which management interventions play out in the complex organisational setting of a UK National Health Service Trust, providing insights for management of process change initiatives. Design/methodology/approach: This is a rich qualitative study in the Pathology Unit of a UK National Health Service Trust, using ANT as the theoretical lens for tracking the emergence and transformation of networks of individuals over the course of a management intervention to promote “lean thinking” for performance improvements.Findings: ANT is useful for explicitly tracking how organisational players shift their positions and network allegiances over time, and identifying objects and actions that are effective in engaging individuals in networks enabling transition to a lean process. It is important to attend to the dynamics of the process of change and devise appropriate timely interventions enabling actors to shift their own positions towards a desired outcome.Research limitations/implications: We make the case for using of theoretical frameworks developed outside the operations management to develop insights for designing process interventions.Originality/value: By understanding the role of shifting networks managers can use timely interventions during the process implementation to facilitate the transition to lean processes: e.g. using demonstrable senior leadership commitment and visual communication.<br/
Lean Systems Engineering
No full textWaste is present in all projects. Failed projects represent the most waste, but even the most successful projects are burdened with lots of waste as well (Oppenheim, 2011). This suggests that (work) processes aren’t designed properly. This research will search for practical tools that could help reduce or eliminate this waste. The Systems Engineering approach and the Lean approach are the starting point of this research. Systems Engineering (in the Civil Engineering sector) has its own school of thought, which consists of five principles. In Lean Thinking Womack and Jones (1996) described the five principles of Lean (thinking). Combining the two approaches yields in Lean Systems Engineering. The Lean in Lean Systems Engineering should be viewed as an approach to enhance the traditional Systems Engineering process with the wisdom gained from Lean Thinking by Womack and Jones (1996), instead of replacing Systems Engineering with a new approach. According to Oppenheim (2011, p.4) the fundamental feature of Lean Systems Engineering is “to perform all preparations and planning of the people, processes, tools, and individual tasks well enough so that the tasks can be executed right the first time, creating customer value while minimizing waste.” In short, Lean Systems Engineering could be considered as the best of both worlds. This report focusses on the Customer Requirement Specification (process), which is a part of the Systems Engineering approach. Waste was identified through analysing the current Customer Requirement Specification process as applied by Witteveen+Bos. The five most problematic forms of waste that are impressionable are: 1. The process of granting requirements; 2. Including irrelevant requirements; 3. Continuous inflow of requirements; 4. CRS-process in underestimated; 5. Aiming for SMART requirements. Countermeasures have been developed in order to prevent or reduce these wastes. Despite all proposed measures to prevent or reduce waste, it may happen that waste still sneaks into the Customer Requirement Specification process. In order to identify this waste in an early stage of a project, the Requirement Monitor (RM) has been developed. The RM monitors all requirements real-time and it can be seen as a diagnostic tool. During a case study the proposed measures were tested and the Requirement Monitor was used to monitor the requirements and possible waste. The Requirement Monitor and additional interviews confirmed that four types of waste from the waste top 5 were present during the case study. However, the case study showed a tremendous reduction of wasted effort and time when a project startup is organized; costs have gone down almost seven times and time has been reduced ten times. Even in the worst-case scenario costs have gone down and less time was wasted. Thus, investing in activities upfront results in great savings in the end (of the process) and organizing a project startup reduces waste in practice. This conclusion has implications for Witteveen+Bos as well as for all other Civil Engineering design firms, and the scientific community. This study could be a real eye-opener and a step towards organizing a project startup for (all) projects. Secondly, the results of this research may also trigger other Civil Engineering design firms (in the Netherlands) to apply project start-ups. Moreover, if other Civil Engineering design firms reduce waste as well, then it could yield in significant savings throughout the whole chain. Finally, this research is also innovating since it identifies practical tools that enhance the Customer Requirement Specification process of infrastructure projects by reducing waste. Before, there were no practical tools to be found in literature that could achieve more efficiency, regarding the Systems Engineering application and dealing with the CRS-process in a Lean-way. This study provides a first start in solving this knowledge gap in literature.Policy AnalysisTechnology, Policy and Managemen
Proposta de diretrizes para o projeto para manufatura enxuta
Full text linkDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia MecânicaA implementação da Manufatura Enxuta tem tido uma importante participação na busca pelo aumento de eficiência e produtividade de indústrias que enfrentam uma competição de mercado acirrada, como a automotiva. A Manufatura Enxuta encontra seus principais alicerces nas boas práticas desenvolvidas pelas indústrias automotivas japonesas no final da segunda grande guerra, na busca por alta qualidade, baixos custos de transformação, menores lead times e maior flexibilidade. Devido à alta competitividade em diversos setores industriais, particularmente no automotivo, existe um grande esforço pela aplicação da Manufatura Enxuta em níveis cada vez mais profundos. É de fácil verificação que o processo de desenvolvimento de produtos tem forte impacto na eficácia e amplitude de sua aplicação. Por outro lado, verifica-se a falta de elementos para o desenvolvimento de produtos que contribuam com a implantação da abordagem enxuta, buscando eliminar desperdícios na etapa de manufatura a partir das fases iniciais do processo de desenvolvimento de produtos. A preocupação em desenvolver produtos que maximizem características específicas, através da utilização da Engenharia Simultânea, fez surgir o Projeto para Manufatura (DFM). Até o momento, nenhuma ferramenta conseguiu oferecer subsídios suficientes para equipes de desenvolvimento, em sua tarefa de desenvolver produtos que venham a contribuir com a implantação da Manufatura Enxuta em sua totalidade. Da mesma forma, a Engenharia Simultânea não tem sido utilizada de maneira apropriada na busca pelo envolvimento da equipe de desenvolvimento com a Manufatura Enxuta. O presente estudo busca desenvolver e sugerir, na forma de diretrizes para o Design for Lean Manufacturing (DFLM), uma sistematização das melhores práticas para o desenvolvimento de produtos com foco na implantação da Manufatura Enxuta. Estas diretrizes foram reunidas levando-se em consideração a identificação de requisitos pertinentes à implementação da Manufatura Enxuta, durante o processo de projeto. As diretrizes propostas foram aplicadas num estudo de caso junto a uma empresa do setor automobilístico, e os resultados mostraram a relativa facilidade de aplicação das mesmas e também ganhos significativos em termos da redução do lead time do processo produtivo. Lean Manufacturing approach implementation has had an important participation in productivity improvement in first-rate industries. This approach came from the gathering of the best practices used by the Japanese automotive industries as of the end of the Second World War targeting simultaneously high quality, low costs, lower lead time and enhanced flexibility. Due to high competitiveness in first rate industries, mainly automotive, there is a great effort in applying Lean Manufacturing approach in deeper levels. It is not difficult to verify, that product concept has had an important role on its efficacy, and while on the other hand, one can verify a lack of elements for a proper development of products with focus on Lean Manufacturing approach. Concern to design products that maximize specific characteristics through utilization of Simultaneous Engineering gave birth to DFX tools such as Manufacture (DFM). To this date, no DFX tool has offered enough subsidies to the design team in its task of generating products that will contribute with the implementation of Lean Manufacturing in its entirety, also has Simultaneous Engineering not been properly utilized in the job of involving the Product Design team with Lean Manufacturing approach. The present study seeks to bring forward, in the form of a set of guidelines called Design for Lean Manufacturing (DFLM), the systematization of the best supporting practices for the development of products with focus on the implementation of Lean Manufacturing through Simultaneous Engineering. These guidelines have been put together considering the identification of product requisites pertinent with the implementation of Lean Manufacturing. The proposed systematization focuses conceptual design and detailed design phases of Product Development Process. Proposed guidelines were applied in a case study placed in an automotive facility sector and results indicated they were relatively easy to use as well as significant gains regarding productive process lead time were achieved
OPTIMAL HOG SLAUGHTER WEIGHTS UNDER ALTERNATIVE PRICING SYSTEMS
Full text linkThree hog genotypes are simulated to determine how producer profits, economically optimal slaughter weights, and carcass component weights change under three pricing models. Live weight pricing pays more for the fatter barrows whereas a three component (separate payments for fat, lean, and byproducts) and six component (separate payments for major primal cuts, other lean, fat, and byproducts) pricing system pay more for the leaner gilts. Implications for selection of genetic stock and pricing system are presented.Swine production management, Hog pricing systems, Hog marketing, Livestock Production/Industries,
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