Criteria for C-Check Maintenance Service Provider Selection

Abstract— The objective of this paper was to determine the criteria for selection of C-Check maintenance service provider for a Thai-Singaporean low cost airline. To identify the significant criteria, the documentary studies from reviewing ten related researches in scholarly literatures were conducted and then developed the semi-structure interview guide. Based on results of the interviews of four key informants, who are the top managerial level officers of the airline company, from the competing values of roles and responsibilities, the supplier selection criteria were examined and scored by using the weighted factor rating method. The results revealed 4 significant criteria being used as a framework for the C-Check maintenance service provider selection; these are quality, cost, delivery and compatibility. However, the result confirmed that quality is a must for C-Check maintenance in compliance with the restriction of the aviation industry.Keywords— Aviation Industry, Maintenance Supplier Selection, Factor Rating Metho

Supply chain innovation: an integrating framework and aerospace cases from China

The relationship between supply chain management and innovation has been fragmentedly explored in the literature. Relevant arguments have been generally formulated around issues of resources, coordination and learning in supply chain management. Important arguments include engaging suppliers in buyers’ research and development processes, especially in the early stage of new product development, which helps to leverage suppliers’ expertise but may also lead to inevitable risks. Another fragmentation is that there is no unifying framework explaining how the activities along the supply chain can systematically impact on the buyers’ innovation performance. In this context, this research develops an integrating framework of supply chain innovation (SCI) to reveal how the supply chain capabilities influence a firm’s innovation performance. This research adopts a multiple case study approach to collect empirical data for two main reasons. Firstly, the process of identifying the relationship between supply chain capabilities and innovation performance is a theory-building process (Eisenhardt, 1989). Therefore, case study provides description and exploration to serve the aim of theory-building. Secondly, implementing case study approach is more suitable to serve the research objective to collect qualitative data that focuses on exploring in depth rather than breadth (Denscombe, 1998 and Eisenhardt, 1989). Because case study “focuses on instances of a particular phenomenon with a view to providing an in-depth account of events, relationships, experiences or processes that are occurring in that particular instance” (Denscombe, 1998). We have conducted 37 intensive interviews and secondary data from 8 aerospace manufacturers in China. The case companies were selected via theoretical sampling method, and there are five case selection criteria: firstly, the case companies must be involved in manufacturing in the aerospace industry; secondly, the company must be engaged in at least one type of innovation performance; thirdly, the researched companies must come from either the manufacturer and supplier side of the supply chain; last but not least, the company must be at the higher tier of the complex aerospace manufacturing supply chain (at least tier 1-2). The data were analysed by following Yin’s (2018) guidelines and thematic analysis methods (Braun and Clarke, 2006) to explore the relationship between supply chain capabilities and innovation performance. The main contribution of this research is that it extends the existing literatures to provide an integrating framework of SCI that incorporates discussions from different aspects of operations theories. It provides case studies from eight companies from China, including two leading enterprises in the aerospace manufacturing industry in the domestic market. The research looks from both the manufacturers’ side and suppliers’ side, aiming to provide a more comprehensive framework and explains how innovation performance can be enhanced through SCI

Constraints on the implementation of concurrent engineering with suppliers in civil and defence design communities: differentiating design ethos

A thesis submitted to the Luton Business School, University of Luton, in fulfilment ofthe requirements for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophySuccessful Concurrent Engineering (CE) with suppliers requires a pre-disposition on the part of the prime company and the supplier to work in this manner. This thesis explores the impact of design ethos on the implementation of Supplier-inLoop (SIL) CE between an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and a first tier supplier. Design ethos for the purpose of this thesis is described as 'a characteristic manner or approach to constraints on SIL displayed by personnel involved in the design of new products'. This research employs a mixed-method to understand SIL constraints across industry sectors. A design ethos framework is developed and a military design community is characterised in terms of anomalies to the existing literature. These anomalies are then tested through a questionnaire and then interpreted in terms of the design ethos framework. The results of this comparison show that some characteristics are common to both the civil and military design communities and some are not. A case is made that design ethos, in the context of SIL, is primarily determined by: suppliers' aptitude, skill level and contracts; problems with data I information exchange mechanisms; existing processes, relationships and management support; supplier history; technological view of the product; external influences on the process; existing design milestones; visibility of supplier capability; and, continuity of service in terms of skill and data security. The research concludes that the implementation of SIL is directly impacted by design ethos, and that for SIL to be a success in the military sector design ethos must be managed in line with business objectives. The contribution to knowledge that this thesis provides is the insight it offers into the human issues associated with implementing concurrent engineering with external suppliers, and the identification of sector-specific issues as well as those which will benefit from cross sectoral learning. It is of value to military and civil OEMs for purpose of change management, also to their suppliers in understanding the different needs of military and civil customers when working in a concurrent engmeenng manner

When costs from being a constraint become a driver for concept generation

Managing innovation requires solving issues related to the internal development and engineering processes of a company (supply side), in addition to facing the market and competition (demand side). In this context, the product development process is crucial, as different tradeoffs and issues that require managerial attention tend to arise. The main challenges result in managers requiring practical support tools that can help them in planning and controlling the process, and of designers requiring them for supporting their design decisions. Hence, the thesis aims to focus on product costs to understand its influence on design decisions as well as on the overall management of the product development process. The core part of the thesis is based on the models and methods developed for enhancing cost analysis at the beginning of the product development process. This investigation aims to determine the importance of cost estimation in improving the overall performance of a newly designed product. The focus on post-sales and, more generally, on the customer, has become so relevant that manufacturers have to take into account not only the most obvious aspects about the product and related services, but even consider the associated implications for customers during product use. However, implementing a product life cycle perspective is still a challenging process for companies. From a methodological perspective, the reasons include uncertainty regarding the available approaches and ambiguity about their application. In terms of implementation, the main challenge is the long-term cost management, when one considers uncertainty in process duration, data collection, and other supply chain issues. In fact, helping designers and managers efficiently understand the strategic and operational consequences of a cost analysis implementation is still a problem, although advanced methodologies for more in-depth and timely analyses are available. And this is even more if one considers that product lifecycle represents a critical area of investment, particularly in light of the new challenges and opportunities provided by big data analysis in the Industry 4.0 contexts. This dissertation addresses these aspects and provides a methodological approach to assess a rigorous implementation of life-cycle cost while discussing the evidence derived from its operational and strategic impacts. The novelty lies in the way the data and information are collected, dynamically moving the focus of the investigation with regard to the data aggregation level and the product structure. The way the techniques have been combined represents a further aspect of novelty. In fact, the introduced approach contributes to a new trend in the Product Cost Estimation (PCE) literature, which suggests the integration of different techniques for product life-cycle cost analysis. The findings obtained at the end of the process can be employed to assess the impact of platform design strategy and variety proliferations on the total life-cycle costs. By evaluating the possible mix of options, and hence offering the optimal product configuration, a more conscious way for planning the product portfolio has been provided. In this sense, a detailed operational analysis (as the cost estimation) is used to inform and drive the strategic planning of the portfolio. Finally, the thesis discusses the future opportunities and challenges for product cost analysis, assessing how digitalisation of manufacturing operations may affect the data gathering and analysis process. In this new environment, the opportunity for a more informed, cost-driven decision-making will multiply, leading to varied opportunities in this research field

Innovating for sustainability: a systematic review of the body of knowledge

publication-status: PublishedThis systematic review identifies activities that firms should be doing to adapt their innovation systems to drive sustainable outcomes. Firms can innovate toward sustainability through a series of small incremental steps or through more radical, disruptive transformations. We call these different contexts “Operational Optimization” and “Systems Building.” A third context, “Organizational Transformation,” is transitional.Network for Business Sustainabilit

Pursuing Aviation Biofuels. A Diagnostic Analysis of the Swedish Biojet Innovation System

Globally, aviation biofuel (biojet) technology has reached a degree of progress that allows immediate substitution of conventional fossil fuel in commercial air travel. However,numerous factors constitute an impediment to its large-scale use and deployment: a diagnostic analysis identifying key obstacles to biojet development is needed. For this reason, an examination of actors, institutions and activities existing in the Swedish landscape is performed. The research uses the System of Innovation framework to identify key factors having an impact on the biojet innovation process and to map out the current state of play. The analysis indicates that a large number of actors and institutions can influence the innovation system. Only a limited amount of organisations is proactively contributing to the system success, whereas a large group of actors are generally favourable to biojet development but participate somewhat passively to the innovation process. In particular, a major barrier to development is constituted by the scarce involvement of the Swedish public authority, which could foster the innovation process by setting binding targets, providing financial incentives and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders. Limits in the significance of results are due the categorisation approach, which prevents to consider the whole picture of the innovation system, and due to the inability of comparing the Swedish system with other national studies; the latter issue can be overcome by conducting analogue research in other settings

Fostering Macroeconomic Research on Hydrogen-Powered Aviation: A Systematic Literature Review on General Equilibrium Models

Hydrogen is a promising fuel to decarbonize aviation, but macroeconomic studies are currently missing. Computable general equilibrium (CGE) models are suitable to conduct macroeconomic analyses and are frequently employed in hydrogen and aviation research. The main objective of this paper is to investigate existing CGE studies related to (a) hydrogen and (b) aviation to derive a macroeconomic research agenda for hydrogen-powered aviation. Therefore, the well-established method of systematic literature review is conducted. First, we provide an overview of 18 hydrogen-related and 27 aviation-related CGE studies and analyze the literature with respect to appropriate categories. Second, we highlight key insights and identify research gaps for both the hydrogen- and aviation-related CGE literature. Our findings comprise, inter alia, hydrogen’s current lack of cost competitiveness and the macroeconomic relevance of air transportation. Research gaps include, among others, a stronger focus on sustainable hydrogen and a more holistic perspective on the air transportation system. Third, we derive implications for macroeconomic research on hydrogen-powered aviation, including (I) the consideration of existing modeling approaches, (II) the utilization of interdisciplinary data and scenarios, (III) geographical suitability, (IV) the application of diverse policy tools and (V) a holistic perspective. Our work contributes a meaningful foundation for macroeconomic studies on hydrogen-powered aviation. Moreover, we recommend policymakers to address the macroeconomic perspectives of hydrogen use in air transportation