Improving Construction Processes by Integrating Lean, Green, and Six-Sigma

The overall goal of this research was to develop and implement methods to improve the performance and the efficiency of construction processes prior to and during the construction phase in Design-Bid-Build (DBB) projects. In order to accomplish these goals, the three methods Lean, Green, and Six-Sigma were implemented in two different scenarios and validated by different case studies. First, a framework was developed that integrated the three methods Lean, Green, and Six-Sigma with an overall layout of the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) improvement model. The framework was then validated via a construction process of installation of pile caps for an educational institute during the construction phase in Pittsburgh. The framework highlighted two issues with the pile caps construction process. First, disparate quantities of materials (purchased and installed) were determined. Second, the pile caps construction process took a total time of 54 business days while it could have been completed in 30 business days. Using life cycle assessment, environmental impacts of the pile cap construction process were analyzed and results showed that major environmental impacts including global warming potential, release of carcinogenics, negative respiratory effects, ozone depletion, and ecotoxcity could result from the materials used for the process. Next, the root causes behind waste generation were determined via developing and administrating a questionnaire to a local construction company. Second, the previously developed framework was further validated and applied to a residential development project in Saudi Arabia. The construction sector has been growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia; however, the quality of Saudi Arabian construction is decreasing, resulting in excess waste generation and associated environmental impacts. This case study examined a project with 53 residential units overall but only 10 units acceptable at final inspection. The largest quality issue was determined to be exterior paint blistering. Using the developed framework, defective units were investigated through a field examination, narrowing down the causes of the blistering applying the Pareto method as follows: Inadequate method, untrained workers, weather, and others. Next, the Process improvement tool was applied to reduce the blistering causes and to improve the current process. A new method designed and applied to a separate residential unit for validation. The modified method showed a great improvement and in the end the unit was able to pass inspection. Finally, building on the previous case studies, the framework was later refined with the goal of applying it earlier in a project, prior to construction, to further reduce potential waste generation and associated environmental impacts. Using Lean Green, and Six-Sigma (LG6) and adopting the same improvement model, DMAIC, the owner can evaluate all steps separately in the process, addressing all resources consumed and analyzing environmental impacts which might be generated; this highlights potential waste and so can help the owner avoid waste occurrence by indicating where the process needs to be amended to create less environmental impact and more efficiency. For this research, the model was used to help evaluate the construction process for the installation of 160 woodpiles. The model identified that four steps out of eight were considered as non-adding value steps or waste. Three steps out of four non-adding value steps were involved with moving down, moving around, and setting up the equipment. The remaining wasteful step was cutting to length all installed woodpiles. The model showed that if these steps were replaced, eliminated or planned well, environmental impacts would be reduced by 9% and expenses by 1%

The Impact Of Changing Technology: The Case Of E-Learning

For centuries, education has relied on classroom methods, but technology-enhanced learning can potentially bring about a revolution in learning, making high-quality, cost-effective education available to a greater number of people. The basic advantages of e-learning include anytime-anywhere access to learning, cost reductions, ability to reach larger markets, more effective learning with personalized instructions, and flexibility. For the full potential of e-learning to be realized, however, the content, services, and systems from different suppliers all need to work together. This paper provides an overview of the benefits and limitations of e-learning as well as its cost-effectiveness. The continual advances in information technology as well as software-based training and education are rapidly offering a cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional face-to-face learning. With the introduction of e-learning, students are empowered to embark on active, independent learning. They can access course information and perform research with the help of this virtual space provided using the Internet. Consistency, fast deployment, and simple evaluation are all attractive features of e-learning, but the most compelling reason to consider the introduction of e-learning may be the significant reduction in costs associated with education. Once developed, the online guidance component can be used many times with minimal costs. Students can also go through the training process repeatedly to ensure maximum effective learning

Implementasi Pendekatan Saintifik Pada Sintaks Discovery/Inquiry Learning, Based Learning, Project Based Learning

One of the demands of the 2013 curriculum is the use of a scientific approach to learning. The existence of this approach certainly requires adequate knowledge by the teacher about learning and its implementation in the classroom. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the relationship of the five stages of the scientific approach (5M) with the syntax of several learning models (discovery/inquiry learning, based learning, project based learning). To answer these objectives, references and relevant research results are used through library studies. Analysis of the relationship of the five stages of the scientific approach to the syntax of the learning model is done by a structural approach. The results of the study indicate that the scientific approach can be used together with the learning model. The five stages of the scientific approach can be synchronized with the syntax of the existing learning model. The results of this study are the provision of knowledge for teachers in preparing learning plans and applying them in classroom learning. Key Words: Scientific Approach, Syntax, Doscovery Learnin

Evaluating Educational Concepts Mastery of Prospective Teachers in Ambon: An-ex-post-facto Study from Comprehensive Examination Result

Abstract: Evaluating Educational Concepts Mastery of Prospective Teachers in Ambon: An-ex-post-facto Study from Comprehensive Examination Result. Objectives: This study aims to describe prospective teachers’ education field comprehensive examination results. Methods: A descriptive ex-post-facto method is employed to obtain data from students who took the final project on three study programs (Islamic Education, Biology Education, and Mathematics Education) in one of Ambon’s Education Institutes of Education Personnel. Through observation and documentation, comprehensive examination scores of 108 students (27 males; 81 females) were obtained. Further, this data was analyzed using presentation techniques on six sub-components of the comprehensive educational exam. Findings: The results showed that the average ability of prospective teacher students was 83.94% (high category). Conclusions: Some prospective teachers were unable to adequately explain teacher competence and teaching theory. Therefore, they have to improve their capability in this topic.Keywords: learning outcomes, prospective teacher, comprehensive, Education field.Abstrak: Evaluasi Penguasaan Konsep Pendidikan Calon Guru di Ambon: Studi Ex-post-facto Hasil Ujian Komprehensif. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendiskripsikan hasil ujian komprehensif-bidang pendidikan mahasiswa calon guru. Metode: Metode deskriptif ex-post-facto digunakan dalam penelitian ini, untuk mendapatkan data dari mahasiswa yang memprogramkan tugas akhir pada tiga program studi (Pendidikan Agama Islam, Pendidikan Biologi, Pendidikan Matematika pada salah satu Lembaga Pendidikan dan Tenaga Kependidikan di kota Ambon. Data diperoleh melalui studi dokumentasi hasil ujian komprehensif bidang pendidikan berupa skor yang diperoleh dari 108 mahasiswa (27 laki-laki; 81 perempuan). Data dianalisis menggunakan teknik persentasi pada enam sub komponen ujian komprehensif-bidang pendidikan. Temuan: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa rerata kemampuan mahasiswa calon guru adalah 83,94% (kategori Tinggi). Kesimpulan: Masih ada mahasiswa yang belum dapat menjelaskan dengan baik tentang teori belajar dan kompetensi guru, mengindikasikan bahwa penguasaan bagian ini perlu diperkuat lagi.Kata kunci: hasil belajar, calon guru, komprehensif, bidang pendidikan.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23960/jpp.v12.i2.20221

The Social Media As Echo Chamber: The Digital Impact

The media serve as the channels used to deliver information or research data for any purpose. With media and technology combined, if today a person is sitting in one corner of the world, he or she can send knowledge and words to an unimaginable number of people without fear of being interrupted or argued with. This paper explores the impact of media technology in our lives. The advent of the “social media” is playing a role in all facets of our lives. Its overriding existence with free search engines has changed the trends in education, economics, politics, and our day-to-day routine. Here we highlight how the quest of technology in the form of “social media” has been an important aspect of getting this world expressed in terms of bytes. The social media include web-based technology that has changed communication into a more interactive dialogue. The social media have completely transformed the way we connect or reconnect with old friends and acquaintances, entertain ourselves, pursue our hobbies, shop, relax, and look for jobs. The social media are the primary communication medium today for a new generation of digitally aware consumers

Implementasi Peningkatan Mutu Lembaga Pendidikan Islam Menuju Era 5.0

The implementation of improving the quality of Islamic Education Institutions towards the 5.0 era with the concept of quality that must be used as a benchmark to be applied, is a must in paying attention to it on an ongoing basis. That is why, the purpose of this writing needs to explain it. The method used in this study was used by Systematic Literature Review with four stages, 1) designing a review, 2) conducting a review, 3) analysis, and 4) writing a review.  From the research process carried out, it was found that the management of Islamic Educational Institutions towards the 5.0 era, requires management that has entrepreneurial nuances, is based on Communities and Mosques, requires a leadership figure with a transformative, democratic and laissez faire style, then requires a good evaluation system to the improvement of adequate facilities. Then on the side of the Concept of Improving the Quality of Islamic Educational Institutions Towards the 5.0 era, Some of the concepts that can be applied such as 1) the concept of internal and external quality assurance that is responsive and adaptive. 2) Optimization of resources in line with the concept of marketing. 3) Requires the support of all parties, including the role of shops as admirers in Islamic Educational Institutions. 4) Requires orderly governance. and 5) Implementation of digital-based quality planning

Hemodynamic changes following injection of local anesthetics with different concentrations of epinephrine during simple tooth extraction: a prospective randomized clinical trial

Background: Presence of epinephrine in local anesthetic cartridge increases the duration of local anesthesia (LA), decreases the risk of toxicity, and provides hemostasis. However, the unfavorable effects are increasing heart rate (HR) and raising blood pressure (BP). The aim was to evaluate hemodynamic changes in the BP, HR, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) of normal patients undergoing tooth extraction using LA with various epinephrine concentrations. Material and Methods: A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted on 120 patients who were divided randomly into 3 parallel groups according to the LA received. Group 1: lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 1:80,000 (L80). Group 2: articaine 4% with epinephrine 1:100,000 (A100). Group 3: articaine 4% with epinephrine 1:200,000 (A200). Inclusion criteria: normal patients whose BP < 140/90. Exclusion criteria: hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, and allergy to LA. BP, HR, and (SpO2) were evaluated in 3 different time points: 3 minutes before LA, 3 minutes after LA, and 3 minutes after extraction. Results: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly increased after injection of L80 and continued after extraction to be significant than pre-injection. SBP significantly increased after injection of A100 then decreased after extraction. In the group of A200, SBP insignificantly decreased after injection then increased after extraction. The increasing of SBP between time point 1and 2 was significantly higher in G1 than G3 ( p =0.014). Diastolic blood pressure decreased after LA in the 3 groups; however it was significant only with L80, then increased after extraction for all. Conclusions: The changings of DBP, HR and SpO2 after anesthesia and extraction showed no significant difference among the three groups. However, A200 had significant lesser effect on SBP than L80 and the least effect on other parameters. Therefore, A200 is considered safer than L80 and A100 and is recommended for LA before teeth extraction in normal patient

The Balance of Payment of the KSA and Its Main Determinants Financial Economic Time Series Analysis from 1981 to 2007

This paper addresses the impact of different factors that are theoretically believed to have significant impact on the status of the balance of payment. The paper applies those theoretical concepts on the status of the balance of payment of Saudi Arabia from 1981 to 2007. The paper gives interesting implications in that regard for decision makers so they can address different implications on the status of the balance of payment of the country by incorporating endogenously different macro-variables addressed by the current paper while they take decisions regarding the improvement of the status of the balance of payment economically

Lean and green – a systematic review of the state of the art literature

The move towards greener operations and products has forced companies to seek alternatives to balance efficiency gains and environmental friendliness in their operations and products. The exploration of the sequential or simultaneous deployment of lean and green initiatives is the results of this balancing action. However, the lean-green topic is relatively new, and it lacks of a clear and structured research definition. Thus, this paper’s main contribution is the offering of a systematic review of the existing literature on lean and green, aimed at providing guidance on the topic, uncovering gaps and inconsistencies in the literature, and finding new paths for research. The paper identifies and structures, through a concept map, six main research streams that comprise both conceptual and empirical research conducted within the context of various organisational functions and industrial sectors. Important issues for future research are then suggested in the form of research questions. The paper’s aim is to also contribute by stimulating scholars to further study this area in depth, which will lead to a better understanding of the compatibility and impact on organisational performance of lean and green initiatives. It also holds important implications for industrialists, who can develop a deeper and richer knowledge on lean and green to help them formulate more effective strategies for their deployment