Modeling the Blocking Phenomenon in Jit Environment: An Alternative Scenario

Queueing networks with blocking have proven useful in modeling computer systems, telecommunication systems, production systems and public services. In this paper, an alternative scenario of the blocking mechanism is presented and its pertinence to JIT systems is explained. For comparison purposes, we apply the traditional scenario of blocking mechanism to the same class of queueing systems. Numerical results show that the values of the performance measures of the two scenarios are close within certain ranges of system parameters. The presented scenario is easier to solve and can be modeled more efficiently

Physician Outcome Measurement: Review and Proposed Model

As health care moves from a free-for-service environment to a capitated arena, outcome measurements must change. ABC Children\u27s Medical Center is challenged with developing comprehensive outcome measures for an employed physician group. An extensive literature review validates that physician outcomes must move beyond revenue production and measure all aspects of care delivery. The proposed measurement model for this physician group is a trilogy model. It includes measures of cost, quality, and service. While these measures can be examined separately, it is imperative to understand their integration in determining an organization\u27s competitive advantage. The recommended measurements for the physician group must be consistent with the overall organizational goals. The long-term impact will be better utilization of resources. This will result in the most cost effective, quality care for the health care consumer

A Classified Model for Applying the Theory of Constraints to Service Organizations

The general principles of TOC can be applied to improve the performance of service organizations. A classified model is proposed for such applications based on Schmenner’s classification of service organizations. The flow of “material”, inventory and throughput is identified at various service organizations of the four quadrants of the service matrix. The definition of these terms might be dependent on the service. Since system constraint is at the heart of TOC, the recognition of the nature of organization constraint is the first step towards continuous improvement

A Model for the Optimal Timing and Sizing of Capacity Increments for Single-Location Facilities

This paper develops and tests a mixed-integer programming model for finding the optimal timing and sizing of plant capacities, The object of the model is to minimize the total discounted costs over a planning horizon. The factors that are considered for this purpose are the current and future values of the following: discount rates, construction and setup costs, operating costs, subcontracting costs, idle costs of excess capacities, and growth rates of demand. Actual data from a set of electrical power generating facilities are utilized to test the model. Several variations in time paths of demand, and the cost factors are considered to assess the effects of each factor on the timing and sizing decision

A Finch-Foster Duality between \u27Push\u27 and \u27Pull\u27 Production Systems

Evaluates push and pull production systems conceptualized by P.D. Finch and F.G. Foster in the light of their duality using continuous time Markov process modelling. Review of related literature; Assumptions of the model; Duality between pull and push

Business Process Improvement: Empirical Assessment and Extensions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to survey and analyze current process improvement (PI) approaches, their empirical results reported in the literature, and develop accordingly a conceptual framework and implementation guidelines. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review of the popular business database to search for case studies and empirical research on PI methods was conducted. The empirical evidence on success and failure factors were inferred and tabulated. Based on synthesis of the lessons learned from this empirical evidence along with concepts drawn from economics, and operations management, a conceptual framework is developed. Findings – It was found that the framework would serve as a diagnostic tool for identification of, and recovering from root causes of problems and inefficiencies faced in business environments. The framework proposed synthesizes and extends earlier PI tools and basic approaches used for mitigating disruptions faced in operations practice. The framework design consists of three main phases: Specify; Analyze; and Monitor closely. Accordingly, it is denoted by SAM. Practical implications – Decision makers can be altered to both the success factors and causes of failure of different PI approaches, and a framework is provided along with implementation guidelines that help assure practical effectiveness of PI efforts. The guidelines provided for practicing managers comprise two categories: specific; tool-based, and general; system-based. Originality/value – The contribution of this paper is two fold: first, empirical evidence on the drivers of success and failure of four main PI approaches, were synthesized. These include: six sigma, benchmarking, reengineering and process mapping. Second, based on this empirical evidence, a conceptual framework that guides both thechoice and implementation of business process improvement programs is developed. The proposed framework and its implementation guidelines help assure actual effectiveness of PI practice

Managing Quality: Critical Links and a Contingency Model

Addresses quality management issues of both conceptual and practical significance. The contribution is twofold: first, conceptual issues and critical relationships which have been overlooked in the current literature are discussed, as well as their policy implications. Second, a contingency approach for managing quality is proposed to guide implementation, and to help reduce the deviations between the desired and the actual outcomes of quality programs. The contingency model developed provides a basis for advancing both theory and practice

Telecommuting\u27s Past and Future: A Literature Review and Research Agenda

Purpose – Telecommuting continues to be a topic of interest for practitioners and researchers alike. There are significant numbers of employees currently involved in telecommuting around the globe. Organizational implications, global workforce implications and the scarcity of scholarly publications make this research topic one that warrants our further investigation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the literature to identify the substantive work, examine the state of this phenomenon as of to date, particularly the failure and success factors, provide valuable insight to the practitioners and research directions to researchers Design/methodology/approach – An extensive literature review was conducted in an effort to identify the significant, substantive work to date. We reviewed two major business data bases and limit our review to refereed journals because of the rigorous review process that these articles go through before publication. Findings – A schema was identified to help categorize topics found in the literature. A framework model is proposed to further explore the relationships between the motivating factors for telecommuting and the resulting outcomes from telecommuting programs. Practical implications – The literature review and the model should be useful information for both practitioners and researchers in a variety of disciplines including management, communication, and information technology. Originality/value – Few published papers have attempted to thoroughly review the telecommuting literature. Many of the articles concentrate solely on the individuals who telework. This review, looks at many facets of the telecommuting phenomenon like the workers, their managers, the organization as well as the technological and environmental issues