Challenges and success factors for implementation of lean manufacturing in European SMES

Small and medium-sized enterprises are crucial to value creation in the European economy. The SMEs need continuous improvement initiatives to stay competitive. However, SMEs are less likely to implement lean practices compared to larger companies. Limited research exists on the factors that are vital for succeeding with Lean implementations in SMEs. A case study of Norwegian and Belgium SMEs has been conducted in the European research project ERIP (European Regions for Innovative Productivity). Six critical success factors are suggested, which correspond well with previous research: 1) Ensure strong management involvement. 2) Develop thorough employee participation. 3) Allocate sufficient time for preparing the organisation. 4) Focus on creating motivation to complete initiatives. 5) Build competence internally in the organisation. 6) Establish a performance evaluation system

Functional Requirements for a Collaborative Order Management Tool for Use in an Engineering Setting

Part IV: ICT and Emerging TechnologiesInternational audienceWhen products are engineered to order, meeting customers’ expectations requires efficient order management. Despite its importance, literature on order management in the engineer-to-order production situation is scarce. This paper contributes to filling this gap by presenting functional requirements for a collaborative order management tool for use in an engineering setting. The functional requirements were derived from theory and validated and expanded through interviews with two case companies. Feedback from the case companies supports the usefulness and validity of the proposed requirements

Reverse Logistics for Improved Circularity in Mass Customization Supply Chains

Manufacturing companies that seek to improve circularity performance across the supply chain, face many challenges in the transition of traditional linear approaches into more circular supply chain models. Reverse logistics is a key area for reuse, recycling and refurbishment of products and materials, where collection and material handling are often critical barriers. This research identifies strategic aspects of reverse logistics in circular supply chains, with focus on mass customization. A literature review on reverse logistics and reverse supply chain management is carried out and used as a basis for a case study of a mass customization furniture manufacturer. Key aspects of a reverse logistics strategy in mass customization settings are discussed, considering supply chain, product and customer-related factors. The large variety of products often complicates collection, material handling and recovery processes after end-of-life. This study presents further insights to strategic reverse logistics aspects for improved circularity performance of mass customization manufacturers, for instance how modular product architectures across the product portfolio may be beneficial for increasing circularity.publishedVersio

Przedstawienie Świętej Krwi z Walldürn / Polska Sztuka Ludowa - Konteksty 1970 t.24 z.1

Polska Sztuka Ludowa 1970 t.24 z.1; s.27-3

Development and implementation processes of digitalization in engineer-to-order manufacturing: enablers and barriers.

This study seeks to gain knowledge about key conditions in the process of digitalization using a socio-technical systems design as a theoretical framework and a case-study approach. Semi-structured interviews with 15 relevant stakeholders are conducted to learn about barriers to and enablers of the development and implementation process in a manufacturing company. After conducting a thematic analysis, eight higher-ranked themes relevant to the digitalization process are identified. These are grouped to describe the overarching phenomena, resulting in four enablers (shared trust, shared visual understanding, shared user perspective, and shared learning) and four barriers (trusting the system, understanding benefits, perspective of economics, and learning to manage scope). The study takes a holistic view of digitalization in its investigation of the development and subsequent implementation processes. The findings contribute to the literature via three key takeaways for stakeholders of a digitalization process in manufacturing. First, it is vital to understand and strengthen the role of the key enablers identified in this paper. Second, managers should observe and identify barriers in their own organizations, related both to technical and social aspects. Third, some of the enablers described in this paper can serve managers as helpful tools to approach the expected barriers to digitalization. This paper also challenges the research literature by arguing that research conducted on digitalization that sets new standards and premises for the working life in industry needs to use up-to-date socio-technical design concepts and theories

The Servitization of Manufacturing: A Methodology for the Development of After-Sales Services

Part VI: Services, Supply Chains and OperationsInternational audienceIt has been suggested that though many companies realize the importance of providing after-sales services, most do not fully understand the maximum benefit from such offerings. Though several research papers document an approach for the implementation of a service operations strategy, a practical guide for the development of after-sales services is lacking in the current literature. Therefore, in this paper, we apply existing theory and use practical insights in order to propose a nine-step methodology for the development of after-sales services. The methodology links customer value from services to portfolio management theory. Two case studies describe application of the methodology. It can be used by practitioners in order to exploit the untapped potential of providing product-service offerings, with the aim to generate greater profits and a higher level of customer service

Development and implementation processes of digitalization in engineer-to-order manufacturing: enablers and barriers.

This study seeks to gain knowledge about key conditions in the process of digitalization using a socio-technical systems design as a theoretical framework and a case-study approach. Semi-structured interviews with 15 relevant stakeholders are conducted to learn about barriers to and enablers of the development and implementation process in a manufacturing company. After conducting a thematic analysis, eight higher-ranked themes relevant to the digitalization process are identified. These are grouped to describe the overarching phenomena, resulting in four enablers (shared trust, shared visual understanding, shared user perspective, and shared learning) and four barriers (trusting the system, understanding benefits, perspective of economics, and learning to manage scope). The study takes a holistic view of digitalization in its investigation of the development and subsequent implementation processes. The findings contribute to the literature via three key takeaways for stakeholders of a digitalization process in manufacturing. First, it is vital to understand and strengthen the role of the key enablers identified in this paper. Second, managers should observe and identify barriers in their own organizations, related both to technical and social aspects. Third, some of the enablers described in this paper can serve managers as helpful tools to approach the expected barriers to digitalization. This paper also challenges the research literature by arguing that research conducted on digitalization that sets new standards and premises for the working life in industry needs to use up-to-date socio-technical design concepts and theories.publishedVersio

A Collaborative Planning, Information and Decision Support System

Part 10: Collaboration PlatformsInternational audienceIn this paper, we discuss the importance of collaborative planning for manufacturing enterprises. We have analysed user stories provided by industry to understand the collaborative processes in their workplaces and their needs for Information Systems (IS) support. Based on the analysis of the user stories, we have proposed a framework for collaborative planning and ideas for the design of IS supporting this activity. These will be used to conduct focussed interviews with the users to refine our design before implementing the system

Grønn bydistribusjon i Oslo

ISBN nr. 9788214057867publishedVersio