Organisational Change Framework for Lean Manufacturing Implementation

Lean manufacturing system is a proven approach for success in manufacturing companies worldwide. However, several companies have failed in their attempt to implement this system. The transition to lean manufacturing system requires a radical change which involves a total reshaping of purpose, system, and work culture. This paper develops a framework that may assist manufacturing companies to implement lean manufacturing system. This study has employed explanatory mixed method approach, which begins with survey distribution and is followed by in-depth interviews at Malaysian automotive companies to further refine the general picture attained from the survey. Both quantitative and qualitative results show that the key factors to managing a smooth transition to lean manufacturing are: change readiness, leadership and management, the change-agent system, team development and empowerment, communication, and the review system. The results also serve as the basis for developing organizational change that aids the framework implementation for lean manufacturing system. This framework has strong theoretical significance because of its explicit focus on the relationship between lean manufacturing and the management of its implementation. This framework may also provide practitioners with a better understanding of the transition process to lean manufacturing, which will minimize potential resistance and conflicts and thus improve the systems chances of success. Failure to recognize the organizational changes towards lean manufacturing system may hinder the systems long-term benefits to organization

A survey on critical factors and problems in implementing benchmarking towards achieving business competitiveness in SMEs

This paper is based on a survey conducted on top management of component suppliers to Malaysian automotive manufacturers. The survey was conducted to investigate the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) top managements’ perceptions on the following: critical competitive performance measures relative to their competitors; important goals that drive the SMEs to stay lean and competitive; on critical factors and major problems encountered in implementing benchmarking initiatives. This study aims at providing empirical evidence on the SMEs top managements’ perceptions of the above three major groups of factors. Analysis of the survey results showed that the three most critical competitive performance measures relative to competitors are product quality, manufacturing cost and technological competitiveness. Meanwhile, the three most important goals that help SMEs to stay lean and competitive are customer satisfaction, productivity improvement and operational performance. This survey also revealed the critical factors that must be in-place and major problems that must be overcome prior to the benchmarking implementation and adoption in order to ensure its success. The paper culminates with a discussion and general conclusion from the survey result

Drainage in urban water environment

Good drainage improves the waterways from the place of origin is released. However, improper waste management system in drainage could lead pollution in streams and rivers. In the case study in Batu Pahat town, there are several issues arise on drainage system. One of the main problems that caused the drainage get clogged is food waste from restaurants especially in closed drainage. There are several effects that are encountered if the waste management in the drainage system is poor. The effects could happen on human, flora and fauna, and environment. The aim of this chapter will identify the method of practices that has been used for cleaning the drainage. Responsibilities of local authorities in cleaning the drains at Batu Pahat will be explained. The best management practise to overcome the drainage pollution issues will be highlighted

Spousal Age Gap and Its Effects on Reproductive Health Decision Making Process in Nigeria

The paper explores Spousal age gap and its effects on Reproductive Health Decision Making Process in Nigeria using  Ankpa Local Government of Kogi State  as a unit of analysis.  Qualitative research was carried out using in-depth interviews. 20 couples were interviewed in Ankpa local government area of Kogi State and the findings revealed that age gap Narrow spousal communication and has  implication for the younger bride’s ability to communicate very well and freely in qualitative manner with her husband, age gap provide them with experience and resources, the wider the age gap the more the respect, if the woman is of the same age with the husband there is a tendency for disrespect and as women grow older chances that they will find husbands.The paper suggest, educating women as well as creation of jobs opportunities. Keywords: Age, Health, Reproductive, Rights    and Women

Problem Solving Skills based on IDEAL Model in Implementing Undergraduate Final Year Project

Problem solving skills is the formal framework for undergraduate program in science and technical knowledge. This work aims to define the problem skills of the final year project (FYP) students. Most educators believe that problem solving is among the most important and practical kinds of learning and thought. One of the approach of problem solving skills introduced by Brandsford in IDEAL Model. This model consists five stages of problem solving; identify problem as opportunities, define the problems, develop and understanding goals, explore possible strategies, anticipate potential effects before apply and look back and learn. This research objectives are to develop research instrument based on IDEAL Model and identifying problem solving skills among students in conducting FYP. There are 324 students involved in this research from eight faculties in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. The findings indicate that the reliability of the research instrument is sufficient to use and that the mean of identifying problem as opportunities in the IDEAL model showed higher score than other approaches. To sum up, problem-solving receives considerable attention in the undergraduate and helps students to improve their academic and problem-solving skills. Research on the development of problem-solving skills by students, the transfer of problem-solving skills to new contexts, and the effectiveness of particular pedagogical approaches to problem-solving teaching has provided a basis for academically accomplishments by students

A Comparative Analysis of Supplier Performance Measures for Malaysian Aero Composite Manufacturing Companies: Case Study

The aim of this paper is to study how aero composite manufacturing companies in Malaysia do performance measures. The paper outlines the method of maintaining the approved suppliers and their continuous compliance to the requirement and to ensure that only approved supplier in the approval supplier list are referred to for purchasing of product manufacturing related activities. This paper provides a rational and comparative approach for findings solutions to eliminate the cause(s) of non-conformities in order to prevent recurrence or potential non-conformities in product, process, and quality system of suppliers. This is a qualitative case study, which, therefore, limits its generalisability. However, its contextualization enables insight to be applied to the wider manufacturing environment

Green Supply Chain Management in Malaysian Aero Composite Industry

Green supply chain management (GSCM) is a concept that gaining popularity in the most region in the world. For many organisations, it is a way to demonstrate their sincere commitment to environment sustainability. This paper is then, to investigate GSCM practices in aero composite manufacturing companies, as an initiative for environmental enhancement of green management programme in Malaysia which has the potential to offer greater economic value especially in manufacture of composites material components and sub-assemblies for aircraft application. Two major companies in the sector were chosen as the location of the study. The findings show that GSCM practices in the two companies are currently moderate; and, most of the practices have significant relationship to each other. Lean manufacturing system was became most preferable approach to support the development of green supply chain practices

The Relationship between Manufacturing System Performance and Green Practices in Supply Chain Management

Green supply chain management is an increasingly recognized practice among companies that are seeking to improve environmental performance. Of particular concern is how to arouse organizational awareness and put green activities into practice in order to enhance manufacturing performances. This paper investigates the correlation of green supply chain practices and manufacturing performances in Malaysian certified MS ISO 14000 manufacturing firms. The findings shows that green supply chain practices which that can be denominated product recycling,environmental compliance and optimization have significant influence to some of the manufacturing performances

Survey Approaches In Green Supply Chain Management Research: An Analysis

Survey is an approved method that has been used by researchers for many years ago. The effectiveness of the method cannot be denied and until today, it is still the best method to identify a population perspective on the particular thing or anything that related to the purpose of a study. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent of the survey approaches in green supply chain management (GSCM) research. The findings show that GSCM survey-based research is mainly conducted in Asian countries regions which focused on the GSCM practice and performance. Postal survey is the most preferred in data collection as well as survey are also distributed in workshops. Analysis methods such structural equation modeling (SEM), conformity factor analysis (CFA), non-parametric test, correlation test, regression analysis, and ANOVA were selected to test the researches hypotheses while SPSS and AMOS are the favourite software that used for the analysis

Green Practice in the Supply Chain: The Case of Malaysian Aero Composite Manufacturing Industry

Green supply chain management is a concept that gaining popularity in the most region in the world. For many organizations, it is a way to demonstrate their sincere commitment to sustainability. In addition, many realize that customers and other stakeholders do not always distinguish between a company and its suppliers. This paper is then, to investigate green supply chain practices in Malaysian aero composite manufacturing companies, as an initiative for environmental enhancement of green management programme in Malaysia which has the potential to offer greater economic value especially in manufacture of composites material components and sub-assemblies for aircraft application. The study indentified that industry are currently do not have enough efforts toward green supply chain and it shows that there is lack of initiative on greening suppliers. However, the industry is struggling to enhance the green activities through continuous improvement programme such as lean manufacturing, as per requested from the customers, stakeholders and ISO practices