Hulya Julie Yazici

The role of project management maturity and organizational culture in perceived performance

This study investigates whether project management maturity (PMM) relates to perceived organizational performance and how an organizations cultural orientation is a contributing factor. Perceived organizational performance is defined as project effectiveness and efficiency followed by resulting business performance. A survey-based research was conducted with 86 project professionals from various U.S. service and manufacturing organizations. The study revealed that PMM is significantly related to business performance but not to project performance. Furthermore, while clan organizational culture is a sole contributing factor for project and business performances, PMM interacts with market culture in improving business performance. This study shows that in order to deal with project time, budget, and expectations issues, an organizational culture change toward sharing, collaboration, and empowerment is a must. Furthermore, an increasing project management maturity along with a results-oriented organizational culture improves an organizations competitiveness, resulting in cost savings and increased sales. PMM efforts are therefore crucial. PMM accompanied by an understanding of cultural orientation is a best strategy for todays project-based organizations.

An exploratory analysis of hospital perspectives on real time information requirements and perceived benefits of RFID technology for future adoption

Auto identification and data capture (AIDC) technologies, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) has been promising for real time traceability, communication, identification and location of goods, assets and people. Despite this promising trend, health care sector has not fully embraced RFID technology. The purpose of this study is to understand how RFID technology can be beneficial for meeting hospital real time asset and people management information requirements prior to adoption of the technology. Data collected from 81 operation directors shows that the hospital real time information requirements are significantly linked to perceived efficiency and patient satisfaction benefits of RFID. Furthermore, causal path analysis shows that the RFID enablers of staff capabilities/readiness for technology and investment in information systems (IS) contribute to the perceived efficiency and patient satisfaction benefits of RFID. Among the barriers not implementing RFID technology, cost is found the most significant. The significant association between hospital information requirements and perceived benefits of RFID technology shows that if hospital needs are understood, user acceptance of AIDC is likely. Moreover, staff readiness for technology and investment in IS prior to RFID adoption plays a significant role in how hospitals can benefit from RFID.

The role of communication in organizational change: an empirical investigation

Despite their widespread availability, the role information technologies (IT) play on organizational processes is not clear. This paper, investigates the causal links between organization structure, communication media, and task complexity for better organizational communication. A field survey was administrated in a leading international manufacturing company, followed by a causal path analysis there of communication determinants and outcomes.The findings indicate the significance of organization structure for cross-functional information access, delivery, use, and sharing needs. IT was perceived to be somewhat important, but its effect on communication depended on task complexity. In all, traditionally rich communication media is used and preferred.

Simulation modeling of a facility layout in operations management classes

Teaching quantitative courses can be challenging. Similarly, layout modeling and lean production concepts can be difficult to grasp in an introductory OM(operations management) class. This article describes a simulation model developed in PROMODEL to facilitate the learning of layout modeling and lean manufacturing. Simulation allows for the evaluation of layout alternatives and the testing of labor-allocation strategies. In addition, the model shows the lead-time and resource utilization advantages of cellular layouts. Implications of these advantages for lean production are analyzed. As such, students learn to formulate operation strategies and make better decisions based on the outcomes of the simulation. Furthermore, limitations of the model and the need to generalize the model for adaptation in similar classes are discussed.

Influence of flexibilities on manufacturing cells for faster delivery using simulation

Purpose – The effects of cellular manufacturing (CM) on increased delivery speed and resource utilization along with its interaction with volume, mix, routing, and labor flexibilities are not clear for manufacturers and supply chain managers. Aims to focus on this.Design/methodology/approach – Based on real data from a US screen‐printing company, a simulation model is designed to determine the influence of volume, mix, routing and labor flexibilities in presence of volatile demand. Simulation of one and two cell configuration is compared with job shop to determine the shortest delivery and highest utilization.Findings – As volume flexibility increases, delivery is faster in presence of CM compared to job shop. Furthermore, added routing flexibility results in 70 percent shorter lead time with low volume flexibility, and 85 percent shorter lead time with high volume flexibility. Additionally, in the two‐cell design, assignment of fewer, but more multi‐skilled workers shared between cells results in higher ...

Significance of Organizational Culture in Perceived Project and Business Performance

Abstract: For todays project-based organization, understanding of culture is increasingly important. This study examined how an organizations culture contributes to perceived project and business performance. Surveys collected from project managers, project engineers, and executives from 76 U.S. firms revealed the significance of Clan or group culture in improving performance as measured by project time, budget targets, and customer expectations. Clan culture was also found to significantly contribute to an organizations business performance. Cost savings, sales growth, and increased competitiveness were found to be associated with Clan or group culture. Furthermore, project manager experience moderated the organizational culture and performance relationship. Results from this study indicate that Clan or group culture facilitates a cohesive, high performing teamwork environment, and results in improved project and business performance.

Buyer perceptions on the buyer-supplier collaborative relationship and performance: a service example

Increasing need to improve efficiency and/or productivity and achieve competitive advantage causes organisations to look into collaborative relationships with their supply chain partners. This study examines how buyer-supplier collaboration contributes to relationship outcomes as measured by supplier delivery performance, buyer perceived business performance and revenue. Surveys collected from 57 managers of a US service organisation reveal the significance of knowledge transfer in improving buyer performance and supplier delivery performance. Also, knowledge transfer is a key mediator explaining the association between supplier relationship management and performance constructs when buyer-supplier relationship length is added to the model. If buyer and suppliers are in a trustworthy and sustainable relationship, they will be more likely learn from each other, respond to each others concerns and problems that in turn improve business performance. Buyer and suppliers can use these results to better understand the implications of knowledge management in the supply chain.

Supplier perceptions of knowledge sharing in buyer-supplier relationships: a service example

The increasing need for supply chain visibility and strategic partnership depends on buyer-supplier relationship and business to business (B2B) sharing of explicit and tacit knowledge. This study examines how the behavioural and psychological determinants contribute to the sharing of explicit and tacit knowledge between buyer and supplier. Surveys collected from 100 US service supplier organisations show that collective responsibility for risks and benefits, discussing long term planning; making decisions beneficial to each other and mutual dependency are instrumental in successful buyer-supplier knowledge sharing. While both explicit and tacit knowledge are perceived significant, explicit knowledge contributes to the sharing of core business processes while tacit knowledge is associated with the sharing of environmental and business planning information. Furthermore, as-needed specialty and preferred vendor contracts facilitate the association of psychological determinants and buyer-supplier knowledge sh...

An intelligent composite system for statistical process control

Abstract Combining statistical process control, artificial neural networks and an expert system for the intelligent analysis and control of a plastic extruder facility is described. Statistical methodology is compared and contrasted to the exploratory neural network technique, which learns to relate and classify dependent production variables based on measurements taken on-line during the process. Integrating the neural network analysis into a composite control system using an expert system is presented.

A simulation based capability assessment of advanced mining technology

Capabilities enable a firms successful positioning and sustained profitability. Advanced technology, if adequately selected, enhances capabilities. However, the role of advanced technology on business competitiveness and growth is conflicting. This study presents a simulation approach to assess the role of technology choice in formulating mining strategies for a leading mine organisation in North America. Mining operations are mostly described uncertain, inconsistent, capital intensive and resource dependent. System simulation is a powerful decision-making tool allowing the visualization and quantification of outcomes resulting from technological as well as operational changes. Mine projections vary from one to thirty years strategic plans specifying which ore zones are going to be extracted for highest profitability. The study demonstrates that advanced technology choice alone is not sufficient for assessing capability and formulating strategies, rather the combination of mining method and technology choice decisions affects how competitive strategies are formed. Furthermore, advanced mining technology promotes a value generating growth strategy measured by shortened mine life with an increased throughput and high resource utilisation which results in an increased net present value of the technology investment.