Clare L. Comm

A case study in applying lean sustainability concepts to universities

Purpose – To apply the concepts of lean and sustainability to higher education.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was developed, administered to 18 public and private universities and analyzed.Findings – The focus in higher education is now on cost reduction or budget containment initiatives. Although these initiatives were not implemented with the knowledge that they were implementing “lean” practices, their application has often reduced waste, improved operational efficiency, and contributed to sustainability.Research limitations/implications – This is a preliminary study with a sample size of 18 universities in the northeastern United States. Future research should include more universities in the United States as well as in other countries.Practical implications – The participating universities in this study shared their beliefs about how “lean” thinking can contribute to the sustainability of higher education. Other universities can “learn from their lessons”.Originality/value – Very littl...

A paradigm for benchmarking lean initiatives for quality improvement

The implementation of more complex lean initiatives in the public sector of the economy is critical for quality improvement and survival. Describes the development of an eight‐step paradigm that is being used to assess and benchmark lean practices in the production and operation of military aerospace products. Traditionally, such efforts have been employed only in the private commercial sector of the economy and have focused on a five‐step managerial process that is based on traditional planning, implementation, and control phases. This research expands the traditional process to provide an indication of how lean initiatives could be developed and implemented by other industries.

A case study of the implications of faculty workload and compensation for improving academic quality

The job satisfaction of employees is just as important as customer satisfaction in terms of organizational performance. In this paper, employee satisfaction is evaluated in a unique service environment: higher education. This case study specifically focuses on how information regarding faculty workload, salary, and benefits can be used to improve academic quality. The preliminary research was conducted via a questionnaire distributed to 182 faculty members at a small private college. The response rate was 67 per cent. One major finding is that most of the faculty surveyed do not believe they are fairly compensated, nor do they feel they are getting institutional recognition for their contributions. As a result, half of the faculty in this survey sought professional income outside the college. Hence, the issue of their commitment to the university, and academic quality, arises.

An exploratory study of best lean sustainability practices in higher education

Purpose – Because of the ever‐expanding commercialization and marketing of higher education, a need now exists to apply the concepts of business process improvement to colleges and universities. Aims to explore this issue.Design/methodology/approach – An open‐ended qualitative questionnaire was developed, administered to 18 public and private university representatives and analyzed.Findings – The participants at these surveyed universities shared with the interviewers the institutional lean “best practices” that they feel will contribute to the sustainability of their universities.Research limitations/implications – This is a preliminary study with a sample size of 18 universities in the Northeastern USA. Future research should include more universities in the USA, as well as in other countries.Practical implications – Other institutions of higher education may learn from the successful implementation of the lean sustainability efforts at the institutions in this study.Originality/value – Very little past...

Less is more: a framework for a sustainable university

The “lean manufacturing” paradigm, which is a philosophy intended to reduce cost and cycle time significantly throughout the entire value chain while continuing to improve product performance, was first identified by researchers associated with the international motor vehicle industry. In much the same way, the application of lean thinking and cost reduction strategies is becoming evident on college and university campuses. For example, the design of coursework is becoming more standardized and contracted out to part‐time instructors. The implementation of complex lean initiatives is critical for quality improvement and the sustainability of colleges and universities. However, the strategy for achieving sustainability is not clear to many decision‐makers. The intent of this paper is to provide a paradigm of how a lean sustainability initiative could be developed and implemented by colleges and universities. The research for this paper is based on a review of lean principles and practices and site visits to firms in the USA possessing best practices for long‐term sustainment.

A case study using gap analysis to assess distance learning versus traditional course delivery

In this pilot study, the authors analyzed student‐faculty course evaluations at their university using gap analysis as derived from the SERVQUAL (service quality) model. Utilizing matched sections of an undergraduate management course, data were collected from students at the beginning of a semester in a traditional course setting and in a distance learning course. At the end of the semester, data were again collected from these same students. The purpose was to assess the differences between student expectations going into these courses at the beginning of the term and their final perceptions of these courses at the conclusion of the semester. The authors found that “gaps” do exist on various dimensions between expectations and perceptions in both distance learning and traditional course delivery. An ongoing longitudinal study, using the pilot study methodology, will provide conclusive findings.

Adding value to service providers: benchmarking Wal‐Mart

Purpose – Wal‐Mart is the largest retailer in the world, and one of its drivers of financial success is its focus on efficient and effective supply chain management (SCM). The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate what service providers could learn from these SCM best practices.Design/methodology/approach – Wal‐Marts best practices in SCM were investigated through a literature review of secondary data.Findings – Wal‐Marts best practices in SCM were categorized into four segments: strategic concepts, logistics and distribution, information technology, and supplier collaboration. These practices were then applied to the healthcare industry.Research limitations/implications – Wal‐Marts best practices were only applied to one service industry (the healthcare industry). Future research could apply these practices to other service industries such as higher education and the airline industry.Practical implications – Most service providers can add value to their services by learning from some, if not all, of...

An exploratory analysis in applying lean manufacturing to a labor‐intensive industry in China

Can Lean Manufacturing principles, that are suitable for capital‐intensive manufacturing in the U.S., be applied to a labor‐intensive textile firm in China? Data were collected from a family‐owned manufacturing plant, Orient Hand bag Ltd., in Fujian, China, and an Arena™ simulation model was developed to answer this question. The results indicate that, by applying Lean principles, Orient’s production efficiency for one of its most troublesome textile products could be im proved. Similarly, are these Lean principles suitable for other labor‐intensive industries in developing countries?

Marketing Majors' Satisfaction With Their College Experience: Implications for Strategic Planning in Marketing Departments

This study examines the criteria marketing majors used in selecting a college, their evaluation of and satisfaction with their chosen college, and the extent to which marketing majors differ from other business majors on these issues. Results indicate that marketing majors are satisfied with their college experience overall, but that they are less satisfied than other business majors on some dimensions. Recommendations are offered to enhance strategic planning in marketing departments.

Sustaining higher education using Wal‐Mart's best supply chain management practices

Purpose – The costs in higher education are increasing and need to be controlled. This paper aims to demonstrate what lessons higher education could learn from Wal‐Marts reasons for its financial success with its focus on efficient and effective supply chain management (SCM) best practices.Design/methodology/approach – Wal‐Marts best practices in SCM were investigated through a secondary data literature review.Findings – Wal‐Marts best practices in SCM can be categorized into four segments: strategic concepts, logistics and distribution, information technology, and supplier collaboration. The companys technology, outsourcing, and collaboration practices are particularly useful in higher education.Research limitations/implications – The adoption of Wal‐Marts best practices was investigated for only one service industry (higher education). Future research could apply these practices to other service industries, such as hotels and transportation.Practical implications – Higher education is looking for b...