Performance measurement and new product development : is it linked to manufacturing strategy?

There has been an increasing emphasis on measuring the performance of manufacturing operations using measures other than profit and productivity. The literature argues that operations need to measure quality, reliability, flexibility and customer satisfaction but this may not be the case. One area of performance measurement that is often neglected or put in the too hard basket is new product development (NPD). As firms attempted to capture new markets and customers NPD is becoming increasingly important and the link between NPD, marketing and manufacturing should be of strategic importance. There is evidence that suggest manufacturing is often driven by marketing but in turn manufacturing can do little to influence marketing. This paper examines some of the performance measures widely used in manufacturing and seeks to examine some of the links between NPD performance measurement and manufacturing strategy. The paper describes an analysis of results of a global manufacturing survey

An analysis of elements of manufacturing management programs: Are developing economies bridging the gap?

Whilst manufacturing has fluctuated in relative importance during much of the 20th century as a result of world wars, the great depression and particular localised events, it continues to play a key role in the development of most economies. In the past decade there have beel) a large number of significant innovations in manufacturing, which have resulted in more flexible and cost efficient methods and higher quality products. This study compares the use of technologies and improvement programs betWeen DEeD and Non-DEeD countries and examines differences in the use and outcomes across the economies. Empirical studies provide an opportunity to test whether the 'capabilities' or strengths of a firm can be linked to these activities and if developing economies are using technology or management programs such as quality management and business process re-engineering to catch up to manufacturers in developed economies.. The analysis utilises data from the second International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS), which was carried out over the period 1996-98

Manufacturing management programs : are developing economies bridging the strategic gap?

Over the past decade there have been a large number of significant innovations in manufacturing which have resulted in more flexible and cost efficient methods and higher quality products, as manufacturers have set about upgrading their processes, systems and performance. This study compares the use of technologies and improvement programs between OECD and Non-OECD countries, and also between small and large firms, and examines differences in the use and outcomes across the economies and different sized firms. The empirical analysis provides an opportunity to test whether the ‘capabilities’ or strengths of a firm can be linked to these activities and examines if developing economies are using technology or management programs such as quality management and business process re-engineering to catch up to manufacturers in developed economies. The analysis utilises data from the second International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS), which encompasses 703 firms in 23 countries

“Just working in a team was a great experience…” : student perspectives on the learning experiences of an interprofessional education program

Interprofessional education (IPE) programs aim to improve collaboration between health- and social-care professionals and to optimize clinical outcomes. Such programs are complex to design, and evaluation of effectiveness is difficult. Combining qualitative and quantitative data may provide greater understanding of how a program affects participants and what aspects are influential on attitudes and behavior. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore undergraduate student perspectives on what attributes of a 4-week IPE program they considered contributed to a successful learning experience. Due to the fact that the students were not formally assessed, the realistic context of the activities and the quality of the facilitators created an environment where the students felt empowered to interact freely without fear of reproach. Learning the roles of other professions and their contribution to a healthcare team broadened the students’ perspectives on healthcare and increased their sense of selfworth and pride in their professions. In addition, being able to identify the relevance of the learning experience to their future practice motivated the students. This information can be used to create optimal learning environments for facilitating the development of successful future healthcare teams

Company size and the adoption of manufacturing technology

Increasing competition from globalisation, rapid improvements in technology and environmental requirements have led many manufacturing firms to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies to remain competitive. Smaller enterprises can compete successfully with large companies through operations capabilities embedded in people and operating systems. They face various constraints including lack of resources and experience, but their small size can bestow advantages in implementing changes because they have fewer layers of bureaucracy and are more flexible. To explore how well SMEs are adopting manufacturing technologies, this paper compares the past use, payoffs and expected future use by large firms and SMEs of a range of advanced manufacturing technologies and improvement programs as reported by manufacturing managers in a global survey. The analysis of data from 632 firms from both OECD and non-OECD countries indicates that in general, SMEs have used advanced technologies less than larger firms in the past and received a lower payoff. They also expect to use such these technologies less in the future

Understanding changes in work organisation: How do Australian manufacturers compare?

Whilst manufacturing has fluctuated in relative importance during much of the 20th century it continues to play a key role in the development of most economies. In the past decade there have been a large number of significant changes in the organisation of work in manufacturing, which have resulted in more flexible and cost efficient methods and higher quality products. This study examines some of the differences in work organisation practices and training between Australian firms and firms in other countries and examines outcomes across the differing regions. Empirical studies provide an opportunity to test whether the 'capabilities' or strengths of a firm can be linked to improvement activities and if Australia is using approaches to work organisation in manufacturing in ways that provide different outcomes to firms in other regions. The analysis utilises data from the second International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS), which was carried out over the period 1996-98

Performance measurement and continuous improvement : are they linked to manufacturing strategy?

To maintain or achieve competitiveness and profitability, a manufacturing firm or enterprise must respond to a range of challenges, including rapid improvements in technology, declining employment and output, globalisation of markets and environmental requirements. In addition, substantial changes in government policy have had important impacts in many countries as has the increasing levels of global trade. Manufacturing enterprises need to have a clear understanding of what their customers want and why customers purchase their products rather than purchase from their competitors and they need to fully understand the aims of the business in terms of its customers, market segments, product attributes and geographical markets and performance. Continuous improvement (CI) methods have become widely adopted and regarded as providing an important component of increased company competitiveness. This paper examines the extent to which continuous improvement activities have contributed to the different areas of business performance

Changes in work organisation : a comparison of North America, Latin America and Australia

While manufacturing has fluctuated in relative importance during much of the 20th century, it continues to play a key role in the development of most economies. In the past decade there have been a large number of significant changes in the organisation of work in manufacturing, which have resulted in more flexible and cost efficient methods and higher quality products. This study examines some of the differences in work organisation practices and training between Australian firms and firms in the Americas and examines outcomes across the differing regions. The analysis utilises data from the second International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS)

Unsupervised isometric exercise versus wait-and-see for lateral elbow tendinopathy

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the effect of unsupervised isometric exercise compared with a wait-and-see approach on pain, disability, global improvement, and pain-free grip strength in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy. Methods Forty participants with unilateral lateral elbow tendinopathy of at least 6 wk duration were randomized to either wait-and-see (n = 19) or a single supervised instruction session by a physiotherapist, followed by an 8-wk unsupervised daily program of progressive isometric exercise (n = 21). Primary outcomes were Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation, global rating of change on a six-point scale (dichotomized to success and no success) and pain-free grip strength at 8 wk. Secondary outcomes were resting and worst pain on an 11-point numerical rating scale, and thermal and pressure pain thresholds as a measure of pain sensitivity. Results Thirty-nine (98%) participants completed 8-wk measurements. The exercise group had lower Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation scores compared with wait-and-see at 8 wk (standardized mean difference [SMD],-0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI],-1.58 to-0.26). No group differences were found for success on global rating of change (29% exercise vs 26% wait-and-see (risk difference, 2.3%; 95% CI,-24.5 to 29.1)), or pain-free grip strength (SMD,-0.33; 95% CI,-0.97 to 0.30). No differences were observed for all secondary outcomes except for worst pain, which was moderately lower in the exercise group (SMD,-0.80; 95% CI,-1.45 to-0.14). Conclusions Unsupervised isometric exercise was effective in improving pain and disability, but not perceived rating of change and pain-free grip strength when compared with wait-and-see at 8 wk. With only one of the three primary outcomes being significantly different after isometric exercises, it is doubtful if this form of exercise is efficacious as a sole treatment. © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Diagnostic ultrasound imaging for lateral epicondylalgia: A case-control study

Copyright © 2014 by the American College of Sports Medicine.Introduction: Lateral epicondylalgia (LE) is clinically diagnosed as pain over the lateral elbow that is provoked by gripping. Usually, LE responds well to conservative intervention; however, those who fail such treatment require further evaluation, including musculoskeletal ultrasound. Previous studies of musculoskeletal ultrasound have methodological flaws, such as lack of assessor blinding and failure to control for participant age, sex, and arm dominance. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic use of blinded ultrasound imaging in people with clinically diagnosed LE compared with that in a control group matched for age, sex, and arm dominance.Methods: Participants (30 with LE and 30 controls) underwent clinical examination as the criterion standard test. Unilateral LE was defined as pain over the lateral epicondyle, which was provoked by palpation, resisted wrist and finger extension, and gripping. Controls without symptoms were matched for age, sex, and arm dominance. Ultrasound investigations were performed by two sonographers using a standardized protocol. Grayscale images were assessed for signs of tendon pathology and rated on a four-point ordinal scale. Power Doppler was used to assess neovascularity and rated on a five-point ordinal scale.Results: The combination of grayscale and power Doppler imaging revealed an overall sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 47%. The positive and negative likelihood ratios for combined grayscale and power Doppler imaging were 1.69 and 0.21, respectively.Conclusions: Although ultrasound imaging helps confirm the absence of LE, when findings are negative for tendinopathic changes, the high prevalence of tendinopathic changes in pain-free controls challenges the specificity of the measure. The validity of ultrasound imaging to confirm tendon pathology in clinically diagnosed LE requires further study with strong methodology