Aidé Aracely Maldonado Macías

The impact of managerial commitment and Kaizen benefits on companies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of both managerial commitment and the professional development of human resources on the benefits obtained from Kaizen implementation at the planning stage in Mexican maquiladora companies. Design/methodology/approach – As part of the methodology, a questionnaire is validated and administered to 423 workers in different companies from the states of Tabasco, Baja California, Sinaloa and Chihuahua. Moreover, a structural equation model is proposed to relate four latent variables: two concerning managerial commitment and the professional development of human resources, and two more related to the kinds of benefits obtained (economic and for human resources). Findings – Results demonstrate that managerial commitment has a direct and positive impact on economic benefits and those for human resources. The major contribution of this study is, however, the determination of dependency measures between these variables. Practical implications – This resea...

A Case Study of Human Reliability in Maquiladora Industry Manufacturing Process

This document presents an advance study of the sociotechnical factors that influence the human errors that affect the manufacture processes in the maquiladora industry. The purpose of the research is to determine the root causes of human errors from an approach of the human reliability in sociotechnical systems. The scientific methodology used is located in cognitive anthropology, by applying methods of analysis from a cultural consensus. It was used on data collection, an instrumented and structured interview known as free listings. The methodological approach of the study corresponds to a mixed methods. The study was designed transversal, exploratory and descriptive. The interviewed population was supervisors, technicians and engineers, of the two main modalities existing in the companies production area and those from quality area. With this research it is possible to make a contribution for a better classification of root causes in human errors affecting now the manufacture processes in the maquiladora industry in Tijuana, Mexico. With this knowledge may propose preventive and corrective actions in continuous improvement projects inside manufacture processes.

Assessment of Workload, Fatigue, and Musculoskeletal Discomfort Among Computerized Numerical Control Lathe Operators in Mexico

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Several manufacturing concerns in Mexico, as part of a broader effort to incorporate advanced manufacturing technology, have replaced traditional machines with those using computerized numerical control. As a result, workers have experienced new levels of workload and fatigue levels that have not been previously investigated in depth. Among a sample of over 400 computerized numerical control workers in Mexico, we found that workload has an important effect on the perception of fatigue. Our results also suggest that sleep hours per night, handled weight, and stature of the workers are variables that must be considered in the design of tasks wherein computerized numerical control lathes are present. These results can be useful for managers and industrial engineers to develop and improve production schedules when computerized numerical control machines are operated. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: With the introduction of new and more sophisticated machinery—commonly classified as advanced manufacturing technology—industrial workers must increasingly perform both physical and mental efforts, often simultaneously. A typical case is the operation of computerized numerical control lathes. This type of work has not been thoroughly studied, particularly in developing countries. In these countries, high workload levels are frequently neglected and the extent of fatigue experienced by operators remains unknown and unaddressed. Purpose: We aimed to assess workload, fatigue, and work-related musculoskeletal consequences; to explore the relationship between workload and fatigue; and to identify differences in workload and fatigue levels related to demographic and work-related variables, among computerized numerical control lathe operators in Mexico. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was completed, using a survey. Workload was assessed using the NASA Task Load Index. Fatigue was assessed using the Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory and the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery scales. We examined differences in workload and fatigue items/dimensions related to work and demographic variables, as well as correlations between workload, fatigue, and musculoskeletal discomfort. Results: Survey results had generally high internal consistency and sample adequacy. Workload items with the highest scores were overall effort, mental demands, and physical demands. Fatigue dimensions with the highest scores were lack of energy and physical effort. Chronic fatigue was the fatigue state with the highest score. Significant, positive correlations were found among workload items, dimensions/states of fatigue, and musculoskeletal discomfort. Handled weight and sleeping hours were the factors with significant differences across physical demands, physical effort, physical discomfort, lack of motivation, sleepiness, and chronic fatigue. Conclusions: Factors both directly (e.g., handled weight and sleep hours per night) and indirectly (e.g., demographics) related to workload can contribute to perceived fatigue among computerized numerical control lathe operators. Such results may help in developing effective future interventions.