Allan S. Carrie

Integrated performance measurement systems: a development guide

The performance management process is seen as a closed loop control system which deploys policy and strategy, and obtains feedback from various levels in order to manage the performance of the business. The performance measurement system is the information system which is at the heart of the performance management process and it is of critical importance to the effective and efficient functioning of the performance management system. Research identifies two critical elements with respect to the content and structure of the performance measurement system. These are: integrity and deployment. The viable systems model (VSM) provides a framework for assessing the integrity of the performance measurement system. The reference model developed for integrated performance measurement systems provides a framework against which performance measurement systems can be designed and audited.

Numerical taxonomy applied to group technology and plant layout

This paper identifies the need for a technique which can assess whether a functional or n group cell system of production is most appropriate in a specific case as well as develop the appropriate system. The paper describes the technique of numerical taxonomy and shows how it may be applied to both group technology and plant layout. A computer programme for production flow analysis is presented. The component-machine matrix method of production flow analysis, as presented by Burbridge, is shown to be of limited value in practical cases and an improved method is proposed. The use of numerical taxonomy in developing functional-type layout is also described.

Quantitative models for performance measurement system

This paper describes works at the Centre for Strategic Manufacturing, University of Strathclyde on developing Quantitative Models for Performance Measurement Systems (QMPMS) using cognitive maps, cause and effect diagrams, tree diagrams, and the analytic hierarchy process. It describes how the technique can be used to identify factors affecting performance and their relationships, structure them hierarchically, quantify the effect of the factors on performance, and express them quantitatively. A simple example is used throughout the paper to explain how the concept of the model works. An application of the method to model `total production cost per unit’ of a collaborator company is presented. Then taxonomy of performance measurement is outlined. The taxonomy, which is developed based on the QMPMS, can be used to prioritise performance measurement.

Strategy management through quantitative modelling of performance measurement systems

This paper is based on previous works on performance measurement and on quantification of relationships between factors which affect performance. It demonstrates how tools and techniques developed can be used to evaluate the performance of alternative strategic choices through a quantitative approach to modelling of performance measurement systems. The paper provides a brief background to the research problem and preceding works. The tools and techniques used are briefly introduced. Use of these tools and techniques to evaluate the performance of alternative manufacturing strategies is demonstrated. Finally, the capability of the approach to deal with dynamic environments is demonstrated using sensitivity analysis.

Integrated performance measurement systems: an audit and development guide

The performance management process is seen as a closed loop control system which deploys policy and strategy, and obtains feedback from various levels in order to manage the performance of the business. The performance measurement system is the information system which is at the heart of the performance management process and it is of critical importance to the effective and efficient functioning of the performance management system. Research identifies two critical elements with respect to the content and structure of the performance measurement system: integrity and deployment. The viable systems model (VSM) provides a framework for assessing the integrity of the performance measurement system, while the reference model developed for integrated performance measurement systems provides a framework against which performance measurement systems can be designed and audited.

A design technique for the layout of multi-product flowlines

SUMMARY In designing a multi-product flowline, problems of material handling and workflow arise on one hand and of machine utilization on the other. Because of variations in the number of operations on parts and in their operation sequences, a sequence of machines that satisfies one particular family of parts is unlikely to satisfy all the other families. On the other hand, if a sequence is generated to accommodate all the families of parts, a simple flowline is unlikely. This is the problem of the layout of multi-product flowlines. Most of the solution techniques available are for the single-machine case which is a restricted aspect of the problem. Solution of the general machine case has received very little attention in the literature. This paper considers all the facets of the problem. It advances a solution technique based on the link-analysis or travel-charting method. The technique is all embracing and hence can be tailored to satisfy the requirements of either a single machine or the general machi...

Integrated clusters – the future basis of competition

As manufacturing becomes a truly global affair, the basis of competition will switch from individual companies and their supply chains to regional clusters. Large multi‐nationals can relocate operations to any part of the world, with significant impact on the regions into and out of which they move. This will introduce new considerations for managers seeking to achieve agile manufacture. In particular, they must recognise the interdependence of all the stakeholders in the economic infrastructure of their part of the world. This contribution discusses the nature of clusters giving some examples. It comments on the role of governmental agencies in economic development.

MANAGING THE TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION PROCESS

Abstract Technology acquisition plays a key role in the management of technology in industrial organisations. To provide a competitive advantage to organisation whose primary business focus is on product development, change management and market success, a conceptual model was developed which provides a formalised approach to technology acquisition, involving a staged process for identifying a technology; a methodology for acquiring the technology, and a decision-making process for sourcing the technology. To ensure widespread application and ease of operation, the model is realised in a groupware environment — MANTRA — a structured resource that represents a decision-making process integrating product attributes and marketplace requirements with the technology acquisition process.

From integrated enterprises to regional clusters: the changing basis of competition

Abstract As manufacturing becomes a truly global affair, the basis of competition will no longer be between individual companies and their supply chains but between regional industrial clusters. Large multi-nationals can relocate operations to any part of the world, with significant impact on the regions into and out of which they move. This has significant implications for economic development in any regional economy. A new form of competition has come into being, namely, that between different regions of the world seeking to attract and retain manufacturing bases of multi-national companies. The strengths of the regional clusters — networks of interrelated businesses and other organisations — influence the multi-nationals in their location and sourcing decisions. This paper discusses the nature of clusters, giving illustrative examples from several parts of the world. Nevertheless, the cluster concept is only partially understood. Many questions concerning cluster development need to be examined. A brief discussion of the operations management and IT issues within clusters, as opposed to within individual member companies, is given. The paper presents a research agenda.

Application and assessment of IDEF3‐process flow description capture method

The IDEF techniques have been developed in projects sponsored by the US Air Force in order to describe, specify and model manufacturing systems in a structured graphical form. These techniques can be classified in two categories: the “modelling” and the “descriptive” varieties. Compares two IDEF methods (one of the modelling type and one of the descriptive type) in order to represent (model or describe) two different aspects of an industrial organization. The methods compared are IDEF0, function modelling method, and IDEF3, process flow description capture method. Concludes that when considering the sequencing of the activities in process, aiming at highlighting their eventual simultaneity, then IDEF3 is more suitable, for its capability of splitting the flow of control from a single stream into several branches or joining several branches into a single stream. However, when it is necessary to direct attention on the objects which participate in the process, whether control, input, output or mechanism, th...