A critical assessment of prevailing models for measuring lean manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing (LM) is a thought developed in Toyota, thus, there is lack of studies investigated whether the implementation of LM is appropriate for different enterprises’ or not because of different organizational and social culture of enterprises and labor. This paper critically analyzes eleven prevailing models for LM in an attempt to find a unified model that can be applied inside enterprises. In the literature several models have a tendency to focus only on a few single components. However, different enterprises use diverse dimensions and models for measuring LM. It aims to review the various LM models prevailing in the contemporary research papers along with presentation of an in-depth analysis exploring the similar and dissimilar aspects. The dimensions of the LM models adopted by different enterprises are quite diverse as revealed through this investigation. The contribution of this review is twofold: various models for LM are critically analyzed followed by a comparative evaluation with a vision to propose a potential model for LM that is applicable for manufacturing enterprises. Results show that the unified model comprises of 11 components for LM initiated from the principles of Toyota Production System (TPS)

Linkages of QMS and soft EMS: perceptions of operations managers as modelled by SEM

Empirical studies in the contemporary operations management (OM) literature are found to be inadequate to explore whether the two ISO management standards namely, quality management system (QMS) and environmental management system (EMS) are integrated together in the same enterprise or not. This paper aims at investigating the linkages among QMS and soft EMS and establishing their associative relationships. In this context, a conceptual model is initially developed and subsequently examined in the Malaysian manufacturing industries in an empirical manner. The primary data, gathered from a sample of 329 Malaysian industries through a structured questionnaire, were analysed using techniques from both SPSS 22 and structural equation modelling (SEM). Both principal component analysis (PCA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were utilised. Findings show that the postulated hypothesis is both statistically and practically significant. Hence, the hypothesis is supported which reflects that both ISO standards (QMS and Soft EMS) can be integrated together in the same enterprise, and reiterates provisions for manufacturers to endure practicing these management standards to sustain their operations

Design and simulation of superdirective adaptive antenna arrays

A novel technique for the design and implementation of an adaptive superdirective antenna array is presented. With this technique, the characteristics of the adaptive superdirective array can be held almost constant over a wide scan-angle range. These characteristics were made possible by means of both amplitude and phase variations, based on predetermined optimized array polynomials. The commonly used adaptive algorithms were compared and the LMS (least mean square) algorithm was selected for the simulation of the adaptive array system. The system performance was determined for different scan angles. The mean square error between the desired patterns and the simulated patterns after being multiplied by the adaptive weights is shown for a scan-angle of 9

Design and simulation of superdirective adaptive antenna arrays

A novel technique for the design and implementation of an adaptive superdirective antenna array is presented. With this technique, the characteristics of the adaptive superdirective array can be held almost constant over a wide scan-angle range. These characteristics were made possible by means of both amplitude and phase variations, based on predetermined optimized array polynomials. The commonly used adaptive algorithms were compared and the LMS (least mean square) algorithm was selected for the simulation of the adaptive array system. The system performance was determined for different scan angles. The mean square error between the desired patterns and the simulated patterns after being multiplied by the adaptive weights is shown for a scan-angle of 9

Securing superior properties of composite (PP+WF) through central composite design

Due to numerous attractive properties, use of composites is in increasing trend. Efforts are being made to develop new composites securing their useful properties at optimum level for more demanding applications. The purpose of this project is to optimize the mechanical properties of composite (polypropylene + wood fiber) using Central Composite Design (CCD) technique. Accordingly experiments were conducted to develop mathematical models in terms of three process parameters - composition (percentage of PP and wood fiber), injection pressure (bar), and time (second) for functional characteristics such as tensile strength and water absorption. Design expert software was used for convenience to carry out the analysis with a view to identifying the optimum level of the processing parameters for securing the desirable properties of the composite

Quality management system and sustainability: a Malaysian perspective

Recently numerous studies have examined the interrelationships among quality management system (QMS) and sustainable performance (SP) of organisations, but none of the approaches addressed the issues in a holistic manner. Moreover, there is a very little empirical evidence concerning sustainability initiatives and how the QMS affects SP. This paper aims at investigating the linkage among QMS and SP of manufacturing sector of Malaysia applying techniques from SPSS and structural equation modelling (SEM). The developed model is examined in 329 industries in two phases. The first phase includes semi-structured interviews with Malaysian managers to examine the model's applicability. While in the second phase structured questionnaire is designed for gathering quantitative data. From the interviews with 12 managers, it implies that practices by local manufacturers are consistent with the developed model. Subsequently, the PCA and CFA were conducted to validate the hypothesis which reveals that SP is not affected by QMS

Understanding contemporary models for organizational sustainability: critical review

This paper aims to critically review thirteen contemporary models and initiatives for Sustainable Development (SD). Sustainability is the action oriented variant of Sustainable Development. However, in the literature, there are mixed results regarding identification of the main dimensions of sustainability. Few efforts were done to compare between these models and show the similarities and dissimilarities aspects. Thus, different scholars have identified different models for measuring SD. As revealed through the analysis it is found that organizations are focusing on diversified aspects rather than identical or uniform strategies when dealing with sustainability issues. The main contributions of this paper are twofold; (1) it depicted thirteen different models for SD and (2) it introduced the different dimensions for SD compared with those from different scholars

Ab initio and finite-temperature molecular dynamics studies of lattice resistance in tantalum

This manuscript explores the apparent discrepancy between experimental data and theoretical calculations of the lattice resistance of bcc tantalum. We present the first results for the temperature dependence of the Peierls stress in this system and the first ab initio calculation of the zero-temperature Peierls stress to employ periodic boundary conditions, which are those best suited to the study of metallic systems at the electron-structure level. Our ab initio value for the Peierls stress is over five times larger than current extrapolations of experimental lattice resistance to zero-temperature. Although we do find that the common techniques for such extrapolation indeed tend to underestimate the zero-temperature limit, the amount of the underestimation which we observe is only 10-20%, leaving open the possibility that mechanisms other than the simple Peierls stress are important in controlling the process of low temperature slip.Comment: 12 pages and 9 figure

Quality management practices and sustainable performance: examining the role of soft TQM as mediator

Malaysian managers are trying to implement quality management (QM) practices in their industries to be competitive. However, few empirical studies are conducted in the developing economy of Malaysia to examine the role of TQM soft dimension (STQM) as possible mediator in the relationship among QMS ISO9001:2015 and sustainable performance (SP). Using 329 primary data collected from Malaysian numerous industries, this paper aims to develop a conceptual model that links the three practices namely QMS, STQM and SP in one integrated model and to examine the mediating structure of soft TQM (STQM) aspects through techniques exploited from structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings from AMOS program show that bootstrapping technique supported that STQM is treated as mediator construct. Full mediation is detected in this paper which reflects the importance of practising STQM aspects for Malaysian manufacturers. The main contribution of this paper is through introducing bootstrapping for mediating estimation and focusing on all measured industrial sectors that Malaysia needs to be an industrialised nation in the coming few years

Relationships of lean, green manufacturing and sustainable performance: Assessing the applicability of the proposed model

While Lean Manufacturing (LM) focuses on minimization of wastes, Green Manufacturing (GM) emphasizes on achieving zero emissions. Little is known about the linkage between these two initiatives and their integration. Furthermore, it is also not clear whether these two initiatives can coexist in the same organization or not. To address the gaps, this paper highlights the potential synergic effect and proposes a multi-dimensional model based on assumptions (1) GM is represented by the soft aspects of Environmental Management System (EMS), (2) the EMS is the possible mediator in the relationship between LM and Sustainable Performance (SP), and (3) the mediating model can be examined using bootstrapping technique within Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The contributions of this paper are theoretical in nature which include (i) proposal of a conceptual approach comprising of three integrated models (ii) introduction of the lean manufacturing with four bundles namely, problem solving, process, philosophy and people (LM 4P). Four hypotheses were postulated for the research. The preliminary results indicate that the model is validated by conducting semi structured interviews in few industries in Malaysia. The future direction of this paper is to empirically investigate the model for hypotheses testing through the techniques employed in SEM. © IEOM Society International. © IEOM Society International