Alejandro Germán Frank

Contextual factors and lean production implementation in the Brazilian automotive supply chain

Purpose This paper aims to understand the patterns of lean production implementation, and the relationship between three context factors (i.e. firm size, positions within the supply chain and time length of the lean initiative) and the adoption of lean production practices in firms of the automotive supply chain in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected data from 65 companies of the automotive supply chain in Brazil. For data analysis, first a cluster analysis was performed to identify common characteristics in the companies’ context factors when considering patterns of lean implementation. Then, multivariate analysis of variance was used to investigate the differences between the context factors and the degree of use of lean practices. Findings High lean adopters had better performance than low lean adopters in terms of lead time, inventory and turnover. Firms at the first and second tier of the automotive supply chain were “leaner” than firms at the third tier. Large-sized firms were more likely to have a higher degree of use of lean practices than medium and smaller ones. Some, but not all, lean practices followed these patterns. Results also showed that some lean practices were most commonly adopted at the beginning of the lean journey, whereas others took more time to mature. Originality/value This paper demonstrated how lean practices were implemented at different positions within the supply chain, and the patterns of implementation often followed. It also considers lean in the context of developing countries such as Brazil.

Factors influencing knowledge transfer between NPD teams: a taxonomic analysis based on a sociotechnical approach

This paper sets out a taxonomy of the main factors influencing knowledge transfer (KT) between new product development (NPD) teams, based upon a sociotechnical approach whose framework consists of personnel, technological, work design, and external environment subsystems. The taxonomy was constructed from a literature survey combined with: (1) interviews and focus groups conducted with NPD experts and (2) a principal component analysis applied to a survey of 82 companies. Such steps were necessary because of the large amount of data collected from the literature review. They combine extensive explanatory descriptions from qualitative analysis together with strong confirmatory results given by multivariate quantitative analysis. The final set of 16 main factors summarized more than 100 elements of the NPD environment that influence KT between NPD teams. The key contributions of the proposed taxonomy are: (1) It is the first proposal of an organized understanding about KT influence factors based on a systemic and sociotechnical perspective; (2) New variables emerge from such analysis; and (3) It helps to understand better the elements needed for KT management in the NPD process.

Chitosan gel containing polymeric nanocapsules: a new formulation for vaginal drug delivery

The vaginal route of administration is an alternative for several treatments for either local or systemic pharmacological effects. However, the permanence of a drug in this route represents a challenge for formulation development that can be overcome by using nanoencapsulation and chitosan gel. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the performance of chitosan hydrogels containing cationic and anionic acrylic-based nanocapsules (Eudragit® RS 100 and Eudragit® S 100, respectively) with Nile red as a model of lipophilic substance in the vaginal route of administration, as measured by increases in the residence time and the penetration of these formulations. Several formulations were prepared with increasing chitosan concentrations, and were analyzed in terms of pH and rheological behavior so that the most suitable formulation could be selected. The enhancement of the adhesion (tensile stress test and washability profile) and penetration (confocal laser scanning microscopy and extraction followed by quantification) properties of the formulations, when applied to porcine vaginal mucosa, were evaluated. The nanocapsule suspensions produced presented adequate properties: size of approximately 200 nm (polydispersity index of ≤v0.2); zeta potential around +10 mV for the cationic formulation and -10 mV for the anionic formulation; and pH values of 6.1±0.1 (Eudragit RS 100), 5.3±0.2 (Eudragit S 100), 6.2±0.1 (Nile red loaded Eudragit RS 100), and 5.1±0.1 (Nile red loaded Eudragit S 100). The chitosan formulation presented suitable viscosity for vaginal application and acidic pH (approximately 4.5). The tensile stress test showed that both formulations containing polymeric nanocapsules presented higher mucoadhesion when compared with the formulation without nanocapsules. In the washability experiment, no significant differences were found between formulations. Confocal microscopy and fluorescence quantification after extraction from the mucosa showed higher penetration of Nile red when it was nanoencapsulated, particularly in cationic nanocapsules. The formulations developed based on chitosan gel vehicle at 2.5% weight/weight containing polymeric nanocapsules, especially the cationic nanocapsules, demonstrated applicability for the vaginal delivery of hydrophobic substances.

An integrative model for knowledge transfer between new product development project teams

Knowledge transfer (KT) between new product development (NPD) project teams is considered by many authors as a process. A variety of works in literature have proposed models to elucidate such a KT process and its stages. However, the nomenclature used to describe these models and the proposed KT stages present large heterogeneity. Researchers from different fields have studied the KT processes; hence, there have been different interpretations or approaches for the same problem. This study presents a comparison of 14 KT models organized in two main research approaches: the emergent approach (which considers the dynamics and integration of the team) and the engineering approach (which considers the organization and management of knowledge). The comparison is based on content analysis. The main contribution of this paper is the proposition of a new model for KT between NPD project teams, integrating the previous models so as to provide a more complete and consistent KT framework.

Knowledge transfer between NPD project teams

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for the identification of improvement opportunities in the knowledge transfer (KT) process between new product development (NPD) project teams. This method helps to prioritize which KT mechanisms of the company have to be improved and which other new mechanisms have to be implanted to reduce KT barriers and foster the KT process.Design/methodology/approach – The proposed method follows a structure based on the QFD and FMEA quality tools approaches. Thus, a set of matrices for the KT barriers and mechanisms prioritization is used.Findings – The presented results enabled the identification, inside the company, of the main points for the KT process improvement. The implementation of the suggestions was not started off until the conclusion of the present research. However, the problems identification and the generated discussions around these problems have already had an important repercussion in the project team. In this sense, the interviewees point...

Lean production and operational performance in the Brazilian automotive supply chain

The purpose of this paper is to understand how lean production (LP) practices are associated with operational performance in the Brazilian automotive supply chain. A survey was carried out to identify the effect of 11 lean practices on five operational performance metrics. The sample comprised 64 companies of the Brazilian automotive supply chain. Results suggest that Brazilian companies are experiencing reduction of Lead time due to the implementation of total productive maintenance practices; and reducing inventory based on the adoption of just-in-time practices. Nevertheless, there appears to be a significant gap in the way these companies are implementing LP practices, which may hinder the achievement of better operational performance results. The survey was limited to companies from Brazil and, therefore, its findings might not be expanded to other companies or sectors. The results also provide a better understanding regarding LP practices and their individual effect on performance metrics.

The use of chitosan as cationic coating or gel vehicle for polymeric nanocapsules: Increasing penetration and adhesion of imiquimod in vaginal tissue

&NA; The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is strongly related to cervical cancer, can be reduced by the topical application of imiquimod. Some strategies have been used to increase the adhesion and penetration of drugs through the vaginal mucosa. Two of them are the development of mucoadhesive semisolid formulations and the development of polymeric nanocarriers. In this paper, we hypothesize that the combined use of these two strategies results in a better performance of the formulation to retain imiquimod into the vaginal tissue. Aiming this, two different systems are proposed: (a) chitosan‐coated poly(&egr;‐caprolactone)‐nanocapsules incorporated into hydroxyethylcellulose gel (HEC‐NCimiq‐chit), and (b) poly(&egr;‐caprolactone)‐nanocapsules incorporated into chitosan hydrogel (CHIT‐NCimiq). These formulations were submitted to three main tests: mucoadhesivity by interaction, permeation and washability test (or retention test). We developed an integrative index that allows comparing the global performance of the proposed formulations by considering jointly the results of these three tests. Thus, when considered the integrative indexes for the formulations, our results show that CHIT‐NCimiq presents the best performance for the treatment of HPV. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available.

ICT Trends in Brazil

Brazil is the prototypical emerging country, poised for economic and social growth. However, much of its economy is still tied to low-technology products and services. To improve its global competitiveness, Brazil must further develop its information and communication technologies.

The moderating effect of Lean supply chain management on the impact of Lean shop floor practices on quality and inventory

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between the implementation of Lean shop floor (LSF) practices and Lean supply chain management, and their effect on quality and inventory turnover. Design/methodology/approach A survey-based research method was conducted and data were collected from 110 plants located in Brazil. The research constructs were validated through rigorous procedures (unidimensionality and discriminant validity and reliability) through confirmatory factor analysis and two hypotheses were tested using ordinary least square regression. Findings The results indicate that: Lean supplier relationship positively moderates the effect of LSF practices on inventory turnover; Lean customer relationship negatively moderates the effect of LSF practices on inventory turnover; and Lean supplier relationship positively moderates the effect of LSF practices on quality. Originality/value From a theoretical perspective, the results of this study provide evidences supporting the importance of understanding the systemic relationships between Lean implementation at the shop floor and the firm’s relationships with supply chain partners, that was not tested before. As managerial implications, the results suggest that managers should take a decision to foster a Lean supply chain management depending on which performance metrics they need to improve: quality or inventory turnover.

Influence factors and process stages of knowledge transfer between NPD teams

Purpose – This paper aims to present a model that maps the relationship between factors and process stages of the knowledge transfer (KT) between new product development (NPD) teams. Design/methodology/approach – The model was constructed through a quantitative evaluation with scholars and practitioners of the NPD field. To evaluate the model and its usefulness, a practical application was carried out in two large Brazilian companies. Findings – A relationship model between 16 main influence factors and 11 stages of the KT process was obtained. It could be seen through the practical applications that the model helps companies to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities in the KT between NPD teams. Research limitations/implications – Prior studies had been concerned with the analysis of KT factors, but considering KT as an isolated act. So, this work has advanced in the deployment of the KT stages and the relationship of those with different influence factors. Practical implications – This paper b...