THE SYSTEMIC REDESIGN OF MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS IN SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES

The research problem was to develop a new approach for redesigning manufacturing systems within Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). Field observation together with literature review showed that methodologies propounded in theory were not being applied in practice. The research presents a new methodology for the systemic redesign of manufacturing systems within SMEs. The methodology consists of a four phase iterative design strategy consisting of Planning, Risk Assessment, Action and Evaluation leading to the next Planning phase. This is given a systemic basis through four perspectives: Structure; People; Process; and Technology; which frame and guide the Planning phase. Prior to this work there was no systemic approach for redesigning manufacturing systems within SMEs. These findings have been validated through the case study method and against criteria that have been identified and developed by the author. The research adopts three complementary research approaches of participant observation, action research and case study research. These are consistent with the research philosophy developed within the research frame. Participant observation is used at the outset to establish the problem domain and application considerations. Action research is used to develop a methodology that functions independent of the researcher. The final validation is carried out using case study research to evaluate the application of the methodology.CR YDOM Magnetics Ltd. and AGS Home Improvements Ltd

Design methodology for production systems retrofit in SMEs

Investment in the productive systems of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector is usually quite limited. For this reason, normal practice is to apply minor developments internally or upgrade equipment as it becomes obsolete to increase their productive capacity and competitiveness at a lower cost. However, the work team, mostly made up of engineers, does not usually have experience in the use of design methodologies but also they are often familiar with the functioning of various design and quality-management tools. This paper presents a clear and simple design methodology that facilitates the development of adaptations to items of equipment that might be considered one-off products. It includes a selection of design tools that are, according to the literature on the subject, the most common and best-known among engineers, and which are also best-suited to the environment of an SME. The design methodology was validated experimentally with the upgrading of a gear-rolling tester installed on the premises of an SME in the sector. The recommended techniques and tools were satisfactory applied opening the possibilities for further application of the methodology in similar machine''s upgrades in the future

Adoption of "eco-advantage" by SMEs: emerging opportunities and constraints

Purpose: A recent study has asserted that businesses need to adopt “eco-advantage”. This paper aims to explore the viability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) achieving “eco-advantage” by exploring their understanding of sustainability issues, how they adopt and innovate in terms of sustainability and the benefits and obstacles they face. Design/methodology/approach: The research approach is exploratory, comprised of 15 SME embedded cases based in the UK. The cases are participants in short interventions in sustainable product and process design as a part of a university knowledge transfer project, representing the overall case. Cases are based on interviews with company participants and collaborating academics, supplemented by documentary and observational evidence. Findings: The results build on the work on “eco-advantage” found in a recent study, highlighting marketing, rather than compliance issues as a catalyst for change. The newly aware SME enters a development process which involves cumulative capabilities, gaining a nascent inner confidence, which includes espousing wider sustainable values. Research limitations/implications: The results reveal the scope and challenges for SMEs to adopt more sustainable practices, encompassing innovations and a broad set of capabilities. Further research points to the need to monitor benefits as well as inputs in evaluating sustainability improvements and to consider longitudinal business sustainability issues. Originality/value: The paper informs the emerging debate on sustainability in SMEs, providing a rich source of data to enhance the provision of business support and knowledge transfer activities, where a more holistic and customised approach is required to realise the real environmental and economic benefits accrued from implementing sustainable improvements

A Combined Fuzzy Goal Programming and Big-Bang Big-Crunch Algorithm for Workforce Optimisation with Facility Layout Consideration

Small scale enterprises constitute an important subset of manufacturing economy and the contribution of facility redesign in bridging the performance gaps in small-scale enterprises is necessary for enterprise growth and stability. In this paper, a bi-objective programming-based facility layout design problem is formulated. We minimise workforce costs and maximise efficiency improvement in a layout. We utilised fuzzy goal programming and big-bang big-crunch algorithm in generating a Pareto solution. The model was tested using a small-scale sachet water production enterprise data. Increase in finished goods area was 66.55% while reduction in total annual distance travelled in the facility was 48.22% when the proposed layout was compared with existing one. Reduction in annual cost of labour was 16.2%. The possibility of using work-centres with high number of interrelationship was confirmed using quality function deployment and Hurwicz criterion. The optimal workforce size was found to be 14 workers against the existing workforce strength of 18 workers. The study provides a framework upon which small-scale sachet water production factories can be designed for optimum performance

Role ambiguity and job performance of employees in the service sector SMEs in Malaysia

Small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the economic development of Malaysia, of which the majority are in the service sector.Employees of the service sector SMEs have often been associated with low level of job performance and past research has shown that there are many factors that can contribute to employee poor performance such as role ambiguity.Thus the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between role ambiguity and job performance of employees in the service sector SMEs in Malaysia.1500 questionnaires were distributed and 300 were returned resulting in a 20% response rate.The result revealed that there was a significant relationship between role ambiguity and job performance of employees

AN APPROACH FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER BASED BEST PRACTICE DELIVERY MECHANISMS FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES

Changes in the competitive environment have strongly influenced manufacturing companies to adopt and develop best practice. Best practice is usually imported into companies using the services of consultancy organisations. The use of consultancy services does not guarantee success however, and inadequate results have been obtained by practitioners who have engaged in client-consultant relationships. The inadequacy of these results may be explained by the installation of pre-defined solutions by consultants as opposed to the adaptation and implementation of solutions to meet the specific requirements of practitioners. Tills may in part be explained by a lack of understanding of 'best practice'. Tills work presented in this thesis investigated the feasibility of computer based mechanisms for intervention in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) for the delivery of best practice. The research was undertaken using a prototyping approach. Three prototype computer based tools (CBTs) were developed by the author and tested by practitioners. The prototypes were designed based on a set of objectives and a framework of features which was developed. These frameworks were constructed from a synthesis of the research findings which included a study of best practice, the identification of characteristics of types of intervention, the identification of SME characteristics, and inhibitors of change in SMEs. The research has indicated that an approach using computer based tools is appropriate for intervention in SMEs and for adapting best practice to meet specific requirements. A structured project management approach is required with identifiable goals and benefits. An exploratory learning environment should be used to deliver complex best practice concepts and to support the goal oriented approach. Tools and techniques provided by the CBT enable the achievement of methodological tasks and facilitate experimentation and learning. The approach should not prescribe solutions, but should provide information through computer generated analyses to support decision making. The research suggests that the proposed approach may support a workbook based methodology, or may encapsulate a process methodology. The originality of this work is in the provision of a definition of best practice, an explanation of the deficiencies of existing mechanisms for the transfer of best practice to SMEs, and the specification of the features required by a new computer-based approach. Tills provides new knowledge for the field of production and operations management

Eco-design Innovation in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.

Increasing pressure on industry from a range of interest groups has placed environmental concerns at the centre of social and political agendas. This is reflected in policies that aim to effect the ‘greening’ of industry. The focus has been on the environmental impacts of larger corporations. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have received relatively little attention, although their economic and environmental significance cannot be ignored. This research investigated a group of environmentally motivated SMEs to identify policy measures that would promote ‘green’ product and service innovation. The project draws on data from 14 case study interviews to distinguish the key factors that led to the marketing of their 'green' products and services. Interviews were also conducted with policy makers and SME support agencies in the UK and the Netherlands. This enabled a comparison of schemes available for the promotion and further development of ecologically designed products within this sector. The ‘Eco-wheel’, created as a means of introducing Dutch SMEs to environmental design issues, was adapted to identify the environmental profiles of the ‘green’ products in this study. This technique proved inappropriate for the analysis of service oriented^ firms and an alternative systems-based model was developed. The general business environmental profiles revealed that the enterprises could be categorised ‘light’ or ‘dark’ green. The analysis indicated these firms were not the stereotypical reactive SME portrayed in the literature. Legislation and industrial standards, while instrumental in improving the environmental performance of the majority of SMEs are inappropriate as drivers for innovation in the ‘green’ firms. This ‘green avant garde’ typically sought commercial advantage through their commitment to environmental and business excellence within their niche markets. The research suggests that to further stimulate these ‘green’ niche markets a radical policy framework is required. This would ensure: a) access to low-risk venture capital for Research and Development; b) the effective dissemination of reliable environmental information; c) financial rewards for consumers and producers of ‘green’ goods and services, delivered through tax incentives and subsidy programmes. These initiatives could contribute to effect technological and system level innovations that will ensure the transition to a more sustainable future

Aging and Economic Growth: Issues Relevant to Singapore

The paper studies the effects of the changing age and education composition of the labour force on productivity growth in Singapore. The quality change of workers from aging and education is measured through a quality index. Quality change through education is the key driving force for the productive performance of the labour force. On the other hand, the growth in the labour quality of workers by age, and hence, its contribution to labour productivity growth is falling. To moderate the impact of the aging labour force on productivity growth, greater efforts to raise the educational profile of the labour force and to re-train older workers are required.