A soft systems approach to the formulation of a manufacturing strategy

Merged with duplicate record 10026.1/2767 on 14.02.2017 by CS (TIS)This work investigated the understanding and use of current manufacturing strategy methods within the UK aerospace industry. Several key issues were identified which suggested a need to rethink the process of manufacturing strategy formulation. The set of issues included: the lack of explicit manufacturing strategies by several case organisations, a lack of the general use of developed manufacturing strategy tools and techniques, and a general evolution of organisations from functionally based to a business process focus. These issues suggested that the current approaches to manufacturing strategy were not reaching their target audience practitioners, and that further development of the manufacturing strategy formulation process was necessary to improve the usability and subsequent use of manufacturing strategy concepts. Taking these issues into account, the research used three cycles of learning using the soft systems methodology to develop a greater understanding of the domain of manufacturing strategy. Cycle One identified the process of manufacturing strategy formulation as a problem situation and used systems concepts and soft systems methods to develop three manufacturing strategy archetypes. These included a customer focussed / market led approach, a best practice approach and a knowledge-based approach to manufacturing strategy. Each archetype was developed using systems concepts by defining a root definition and developing conceptual models in order to make the thinking explicit, systemic, and useful to practitioners. Cycle Two explored the manufacturing strategy formulation processes of aerospace organisations and provided a sound base to identify appropriate changes to current manufacturing strategy methods based on both functionally orientated and business process focussed organisations. The third cycle developed a modified approach to the formulation of a manufacturing strategy using soft systems concepts, which was incorporated into a workbook format in order to test out the changes identified and learning experienced in the previous cycles. The format and use of the approach were validated using several case organisations, using the criteria that research results should be useful to practitioners within the production and operations management domain. The contribution of the work comes from the critical evaluation of existing manufacturing strategy methods and techniques, the development of three manufacturing strategy making systems and the development of a modified approach for developing a manufacturing strategy. The evaluation determined that the above were not well enough developed for the evolving aerospace industry. Opportunities for improvement were identified which were incorporated into an improved method for formulating a manufacturing strategy. The method makes use of three manufacturing strategy archetypes, developed using systems theory to ensure the thinking surrounding manufacturing strategy is made explicit and systemic. The approach is based around Checklands' (1990) soft systems methodology and each iteration of the methodology should be seen as a cycle of learning.British Aerospace PL

LINKING PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS WITH PROCESS IMPROVEMENT ACTIONS FOR BUSINESS PROCESS RE-DESIGN

This thesis presents research that extends current knowledge in the area of business process re-design, with a specific focus on the 'Make Product' process within manufacturing organisations. Current business process re-design approaches offer only limited guidance on the specific changes that can be made to a process when re-designing it to achieve the desired performance improvements and often overlook any strategically derived performance requirements when re-designing the process. Case experience suggests that practitioners do not consider the performance requirements of their business processes when re-designing them and that the actions they take to achieve performance improvements are not selected with regard to any strategically derived performance requirements. This exploratory research investigates whether relationships can be established between the changes that can be made to a process when re-designing it and the performance improvements gained by implementing those changes. It then questions whether those relationships can be used to help companies to select the appropriate process changes to implement in order to meet their specific performance requirements. Performance Requirements and process changes (Process Improvement Actions) were derived from the relevant literature and included in a questionnaire designed to ascertain the strength of relationships between them. The questionnaire was subject to preliminary and pilot testing to improve validation and reliability prior to being administered to international business process re-design 'experts'. Statistical analysis of the questionnaire data resulted in a ranked list of Process Improvement Actions for each of the Performance Requirements. These were presented in a format for inclusion in a process-based change handbook and enable the practitioner to set the agenda for the intervention and select the Process Improvement Actions on the basis of the Performance Requirements. The Performance Requirements should be derived from the strategy of the company or change programme so a strategic focus is maintained throughout re-design. It was also found that of the thirteen Process Improvement Actions included in the questionnaire just five are needed to achieve improvements in a majority (80%) of the performance requirements. This research showed that it is possible to establish links between Performance Requirements and Process Improvement Actions and according to successful validation by practitioners, against an accepted model, that these can be used for business process re-design, laying foundations for future research in the area

Mass Customization Strategies And Their Relationship To Lean Production In The Homebuilding Industry

Current housing trends point to an increasing interest from homebuyers to demand houses that reflect their personal and unique styles, and which are individually configured according to these needs (NAHB, 2004). These homebuyers in turn are unwilling to settle for standard models that sacrifice what they really want in a home. At the same time this creates pressure on builders who are reluctant to sacrifice production efficiencies by deviating from standard models. Such customization desired by demanding customers can disrupt the entire estimating, production, delivery and management process, making it even more difficult to manage homebuilding efficiently and effectively. The question faced by homebuilders in this conditions is, how to manage this trade-off and deliver exactly what homebuyers want, at reasonable prices and lead times with minimal disruptions in efficiencies. Mass Customization (MC) is an emerging production paradigm that seeks to manage the trade-offs between product variety and mass efficiency, while fulfilling individual customer requirements. The general purpose of this research is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of housing production through the implementation of mass customization strategies. More specifically, this research focuses on the study of the production system through the application of lean production principles, as an approach to enable mass customization. This study first characterizes how much product choice is currently being offered by U.S. homebuilders and what is the impact of customization on production efficiency; and then focuses on the evaluation of the relationships between mass customization and lean production principles. Results revealed that homebuilders offering increased product choice are likely to suffer poorer labor productivity, greater inventory, higher production costs, more quality issues, less satisfied homebuyers, and lower space efficiency. In general, operational performance deteriorated with an increase in product choice. Therefore, industrialized housing manufacturers have not reached the ideal of mass customization and are paying a price for offering more choices to their customers. Homebuilders could mitigate these challenges by using lean concepts. In general, case studies showed that product choice does not necessarily make the implementation of lean concepts more difficult. Some lean concepts, like workload balancing and standardizing tasks, clearly facilitated the handling of product choice. Other lean concepts, like creating a continuous process flow, can be made to work well, even with increased choice. Case study results suggested that good concepts for lean (e.g., efficient continuous flow, effective pull system, workload leveling, defect-free processes, standard tasks, good visual controls, and reliable technology) were also good concepts for (or easily accommodated) handling a range of product choice

Municipal solid waste management strategy for Malaysia, lesson learned from the United Kingdom experiences

The rapid growth of urban areas in Malaysia has led to an increase in the generation and complexity of its municipal solid waste. The amount of municipal solid waste generated is estimated to be 8 million tonnes per year by the end of 2000. Realising the problem, this research was conducted to analyse quantitatively experiences learned from the United Kingdom (UK) upon the success through their municipal solid waste management system set-up which includes enforcement, legislation, economic instruments, education, institutions involved and other related issues. In order to achieve that, comparative studies were conducted between United Kingdom and Malaysian practices which included selected local councils, namely Dundee City Council (DCC) in the UK and Majlis Perbandaran Petaling Jaya (MPPJ) and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) both in Malaysia to identify and how to overcome the problems. Apart from the above objectives, this research suggests that: The most effective environmental solution is to reduce the generation of waste through reduction; Where further reduction is not practicable, products and materials can sometimes be used again, either for the same or a different purpose that is through re-use; Failing to do that, value should be recovered from waste, through recycling, composting or energy recovery from waste; Only if none of the above offer an appropriate solution should waste be disposed of This is the best hierarchy for Malaysia to adapt in its future municipal solid waste management strategy. In conclusion, this research showed that Malaysia's municipal solid waste management system and strategy have to be developed in term of its legislation and policy, the enforcement system, guidelines and target to be achieved and education as the key in developing awareness and knowledge.The rapid growth of urban areas in Malaysia has led to an increase in the generation and complexity of its municipal solid waste. The amount of municipal solid waste generated is estimated to be 8 million tonnes per year by the end of 2000. Realising the problem, this research was conducted to analyse quantitatively experiences learned from the United Kingdom (UK) upon the success through their municipal solid waste management system set-up which includes enforcement, legislation, economic instruments, education, institutions involved and other related issues. In order to achieve that, comparative studies were conducted between United Kingdom and Malaysian practices which included selected local councils, namely Dundee City Council (DCC) in the UK and Majlis Perbandaran Petaling Jaya (MPPJ) and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) both in Malaysia to identify and how to overcome the problems. Apart from the above objectives, this research suggests that: The most effective environmental solution is to reduce the generation of waste through reduction; Where further reduction is not practicable, products and materials can sometimes be used again, either for the same or a different purpose that is through re-use; Failing to do that, value should be recovered from waste, through recycling, composting or energy recovery from waste; Only if none of the above offer an appropriate solution should waste be disposed of This is the best hierarchy for Malaysia to adapt in its future municipal solid waste management strategy. In conclusion, this research showed that Malaysia's municipal solid waste management system and strategy have to be developed in term of its legislation and policy, the enforcement system, guidelines and target to be achieved and education as the key in developing awareness and knowledge

Slade’s Electro-Photo Marvel: Touring film exhibition in late Victorian Britain

This thesis explores a little known period of early film exhibition in late Victorian Britain. Employing an historiographic approach to material not previously researched, principally the archive of William D. Slade a successful Cheltenham business man, a largely chronological study of Slade‟s activities has been undertaken. Beginning with his presentations of optical lantern exhibitions in the 1880s and 90s in Cheltenham and Worcester, Slade‟s experience as an amateur in magic lantern exhibition is explored as the background to the paradigm shift he made in December 1896. Immediately after purchasing a Demenÿ -Chronophotographe and films from the recently established Gaumont Company in Paris, Slade, accompanied by his daughter Mary, embarked on a new career as Slade‟s Kinematographical and Optical Entertainments and Concerts. During the first six months of 1897, he put on a series of entertainments in the south-west of England and Derbyshire. Investigating what was taking place in Cheltenham in 1897 revealed that the Borough Council commissioned Robert Paul to take film of the official visit of the Prince of Wales to the town in May 1897. The correspondence between Slade and Gaumont et Cie further disclosed that Léon Gaumont, in company with John Le Couteur of the Photographic Association in London, also came to Cheltenham to film this visit. This explained how Slade was able to exhibit film of the Prince of Wales‟ visit as part of the Cheltenham Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 1897. Slade subsequently made these films a central feature of his nationwide touring entertainments. In August 1897, Slade entered into a contract with a theatrical agent, Edward Baring, which led to 28 weeks of touring as Slade‟s Electro-Photo Marvel six nights a week throughout England and Scotland, ending in March 1898. An in-depth study of the many exhibitions he presented revealed the wide variety of localities he visited, and furnished new understanding of the importance of the Diamond Jubilee films in attracting a diverse audience in many thriving towns of this period. William Slade, previously unknown, emerges as a significant figure in the diffusion of moving pictures beyond the cities and the music hall, into many different localities of provincial Britain and significantly extends the knowledge of exhibition practices in the two years immediately after the first exhibitions in London

Slade’s Electro-Photo Marvel: Touring film exhibition in late Victorian Britain

This thesis explores a little known period of early film exhibition in late Victorian Britain. Employing an historiographic approach to material not previously researched, principally the archive of William D. Slade a successful Cheltenham business man, a largely chronological study of Slade‟s activities has been undertaken. Beginning with his presentations of optical lantern exhibitions in the 1880s and 90s in Cheltenham and Worcester, Slade‟s experience as an amateur in magic lantern exhibition is explored as the background to the paradigm shift he made in December 1896. Immediately after purchasing a Demenÿ -Chronophotographe and films from the recently established Gaumont Company in Paris, Slade, accompanied by his daughter Mary, embarked on a new career as Slade‟s Kinematographical and Optical Entertainments and Concerts. During the first six months of 1897, he put on a series of entertainments in the south-west of England and Derbyshire. Investigating what was taking place in Cheltenham in 1897 revealed that the Borough Council commissioned Robert Paul to take film of the official visit of the Prince of Wales to the town in May 1897. The correspondence between Slade and Gaumont et Cie further disclosed that Léon Gaumont, in company with John Le Couteur of the Photographic Association in London, also came to Cheltenham to film this visit. This explained how Slade was able to exhibit film of the Prince of Wales‟ visit as part of the Cheltenham Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 1897. Slade subsequently made these films a central feature of his nationwide touring entertainments. In August 1897, Slade entered into a contract with a theatrical agent, Edward Baring, which led to 28 weeks of touring as Slade‟s Electro-Photo Marvel six nights a week throughout England and Scotland, ending in March 1898. An in-depth study of the many exhibitions he presented revealed the wide variety of localities he visited, and furnished new understanding of the importance of the Diamond Jubilee films in attracting a diverse audience in many thriving towns of this period. William Slade, previously unknown, emerges as a significant figure in the diffusion of moving pictures beyond the cities and the music hall, into many different localities of provincial Britain and significantly extends the knowledge of exhibition practices in the two years immediately after the first exhibitions in London

Selling Scotland: towards an intercultural approach to export marketing involving differentiation on the basis of "Scottishness"

This dissertation examines opportunities for Scottish exporters to differentiate in target markets overseas on the basis of their Scottishness. Findings include: 1. ultimately, identity is largely conferred by others, rather than being shaped by assertions on one's own behalf; 2. definitional experiences of "Scottishness" may frequently be derived from and mediated by determinants that lie outwith Scotland; 3. constructed identifications of key or core Scottish values, by their syncretism, present impoverished views of Scotland; 4. "culture of origin" is a more productive concept than "country-of-origins". Opportunities are seen to establish a widely applicable methodology to add value in export markets

A influência dos sistemas ERP nos aspetos organizacionais da área da contabilidade: estudo de casos em empresas portuguesas

A implementação ou atualização de sistemas Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) nas empresas tornou-se praticamente imperativa com o intuito de aumentar o desempenho e a competitividade numa economia global cada vez mais interligada. Os sistemas ERP, combinados com novas práticas contabilísticas e novas estratégias de gestão, promovem alterações na estrutura organizacional, reengenharia de processos e novas aptidões dos colaboradores que transformam o ambiente organizacional com o objetivo de melhorar a qualidade da informação contabilística, disponibilizada para auxiliar a tomada de decisão pelos gestores e stakeholders (investidores; colaboradores; estado, sociedade em geral, entre outros). Com o objetivo de contribuir para a investigação da contabilidade e dos sistemas ERP na realidade portuguesa, nesta investigação analisam-se as alterações provocadas pela utilização do sistema ERP na contabilidade das organizações ao nível da estrutura organizacional, processos e colaboradores. Na presente dissertação é utilizada a metodologia qualitativa com análise interpretativa, através da realização de estudo de casos em cinco empresas portuguesas que implementaram o Sage ERP X3. A recolha de dados da investigação foi efetuada principalmente com recurso a entrevistas semi-estruturadas aos colaboradores. Os resultados desta dissertação apontam para que a implementação com sucesso do sistema ERP está associada a mudanças na estrutura organizacional, reengenharia dos processos e nas funções dos colaboradores. Esta mudanças interagem e provocam alterações entre si, que dificultam identificar a origem e sequência de mudanças relativas à implementação dos sistemas. Foi possível a identificação de impactos diretos do sistema ERP na alteração dos processos, que se reflete nas funções dos colaboradores, bem como, constatar que o sistema ERP propícia a oportunidade para as empresas alterarem a sua estrutura organizacional. O presente trabalho permitiu ainda identificar as alterações que potenciam benefícios e melhorias evidentes na área da contabilidade

The General Steam Navigation Company c.1850-1913: a business history

This thesis concerns the history of the General Steam Navigation Company from 1850to 1913, immediately prior to the First World War. Established as a joint-stock company in 1824, this London-based shipowner operated a range of steamship liner services on coastal and near-Continent routes and, from the 1880s, to the Mediterranean. The focus of the study, essentially a business history, is on the management by the directors of the Company's considerable financial, shipping and property assets and their ability to meet commitments to shareholders in terms of dividends and share values. Measures of financial governance, Profit and Loss Accounts and Balance Sheets are detailed throughout. These, together with information on trades and cargoes, including live animal imports, in an increasingly competitive environment, are recorded in a series of chapters each covering a period of the Company's development. The operation of the fleet of usually around fifty vessels of from 500 to 2,500 tons is considered against the background of constantly changing ship design and technology: the paddle wheel was replaced by screw propulsion, ever more efficient engines were introduced and cargo capacities greatly increased. In order to retain its prime position the Company was obliged to be to the forefront of these developments. The uncertain economic climate of the period of the study greatly affected British industry, particularly the years from 1873 to 1896, usually referred to as the 'great depression'. The cycles of expansion and recession in that time posed problems for all ship owners and for General Steam in particular. The effects of these and of other trade influences are explored. Particular emphasis is placed on the roles of two key Board chairmen, J. Herbert Tritton, appointed in 1874, and Richard White, 1902, in influencing the Company's fortunes. It is argued that, whereas the Company was well managed and profitable up to 1870 under a Board which still included connections with the original directors, overinvestment following substantial capital increases in 1874 and 1877 presented problems in the more challenging business environment of the late nineteenth century, leading to shareholder unrest and the near collapse of the Company. Financial restructuring in 1902/3, disadvantageous to shareholders, and a revision of the Company's operating policy under Chairman White led to a slow recovery prior to the First World War, in still difficult trading conditions. Appendices include the first full list of the many vessels owned by General Steam, with, in most cases, details of entry and exit from the Company's service, Balance Sheets and information on capital structure