93 research outputs found
Faculty Impact Statements, 2008
Each issue [in the Research Series] has a distinctive titl
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An exploratory investigation of the implementation of Lean in a UK automotive plant
This thesis reflects upon several decades of research into Lean Production systems, highlighting the need for further investigation using an empirical study of exemplar implementations of Lean. The initial point of departure is an analysis of the current views of Lean based on a detailed literature review. The resulting Views of Lean Table provides a framework for the investigation of an exemplar Lean operation, viz the Nissan Sunderland Plant, widely regarded to be one of the most productive automotive plants in Europe. The exploratory nature of this investigation, and unique opportunity for access, argued for the use of an inductive single case study as an appropriate research approach. A four phase approach was used to; a) identify views of Lean, b) gain an initial understanding of the Nissan Production Way at the Nissan Sunderland Plant, b) acquire a detailed description of the Nissan Production Way and c) to assess the level of intrinsic motivation amongst employees.
The primary objective of this research is to establish whether our current knowledge of Lean sufficiently encapsulates the concept’s many facets. Detailed semi-structured interviews with Nissan Production Way experts revealed that Nissan Sunderland Plant’s production system uses a large number of elements in contrast to the relatively narrow list of ‘Lean’ elements cited in the Views of Lean Table. In contrast to academic theory there was a focus on extrinsic motivation with low intrinsic motivation offset by the plant’s continuous fight for survival and ‘whatever-it-takes’ attitude. In practice Lean is viewed as an overarching philosophy with a toolkit encompassing a wide range of tools which are used when they are suitable for the task in hand
Implementation of the lean approach in sustainable construction: a conceptual framework
There has been a growing awareness of the adoption of lean principles within UK construction organisations. The UK Government has recognised the importance of the construction industry in achieving the overall goals of sustainable development. Therefore, the Government has put several policies and strategies in place for achieving more sustainable construction. Assessment and performance improvement have been advocated by many researchers, and there is a substantial interest in performance measurement by construction organisations. Assessing the implementation efforts and benefits of lean approach in sustainable construction has become more critical to organisations in pursuit of continuous improvement. The inadequacy of many frameworks and tools developed to address this advancement in the area of lean and sustainability provided the motivation for this research. Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop a conceptual framework for assessing the implementation efforts and benefits of the lean approach in sustainable construction within contracting organisations.
The objectives of this study were to explore the process of implementation of the lean approach throughout all the levels of construction organisations, investigate the linkages between lean and sustainable construction, review the concept of lean and its application to sustainable construction, analyse the barriers and success factors, and to identify the benefits of lean in sustainable construction.
An exploratory method of investigation and study involving both quantitative and qualitative methodology was utilised in this research. An in-depth literature review and questionnaire survey was conducted among UK-based construction professionals on issues relating to sustainability and lean in order to identify the barriers, success factors and linkages between sustainability and the lean concept. The data collected were analysed with SPSS 19.0 version software using the percentile method, factor analysis, Kruskal Wallis test, Cronbach's Alpha reliability test and the Severity Index Analysis. A case study was also used with content analysis, in order to allow for a better understanding of the implementation process and drivers of lean at the organisational level.
The success factors in implementing lean and sustainability were subjected to factor analysis. A factor analysis of the data yielded two (2) critical success factors, which were labelled as management and resource factors and organisational culture factor. All the identified benefits of implementing lean construction were classified into economic, social, and environmental benefits. Also, the drivers of implementing lean were discussed and classified into internal and external drivers.
The research further revealed that reduction in waste is the most important benefit of synchronising lean and sustainability. The most significant barrier is resistance to change. The adoption of lean techniques will impact significantly on the realisation of sustainable construction as there are linkages between lean and sustainability. The developed framework of lean implementation process at the strategic level is made up of three sections, namely: policy and strategy deployment, assessments criteria, and the application and the implementation phase (with their respective sub sections). The framework highlighted the need to understand the implementation issues within a contracting construction organisation as well as the drivers of implementing lean. This study has theoretical, practical and methodological significance for successful lean implementation in contracting construction organisations in the UK
New Trends in Environmental Engineering, Agriculture, Food Production, and Analysis
This Special Issue presents the latest advances in agriculture, aquaculture, food technology and environmental protection and engineering, discussing, among others, the following issues: new technologies in water, stormwater and wastewater treatment; water saving, lake restoration; new sludge and waste management systems; biodiesel production from animal fat waste; the microbiological quality of compound fish feeds for aquaculture; the role of technological processes to improve food quality and safety; new trends in the analysis of food and food components including in vitro, in vivo, and in silico analyses; and functional and structural aspects of bioactivities of food molecules
Clemson Catalog, 1992-1993, Volume 67
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/clemson_catalog/1145/thumbnail.jp
Clemson Catalog, 1985-1986, Volume 60
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/clemson_catalog/1173/thumbnail.jp
Clemson Catalog, 2000-2001, Volume 75
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/clemson_catalog/1152/thumbnail.jp
5 European & African Conference on Wind Engineering
The 5th European-African Conference of Wind Engineering is hosted in Florence, Tuscany, the city and the region where, in the early 15th century, pioneers moved the first steps, laying down the foundation stones of Mechanics and Applied Sciences (including fluid mechanics). These origins are well reflected by the astonishing visionary and revolutionary studies of Leonardo Da Vinci, whose kaleidoscopic genius intended the human being to become able to fly even 500 years ago… This is why the Organising Committee has decided to pay tribute to such a Genius by choosing Leonardo's "flying sphere" as the brand of 5th EACWE
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