José Ma. Castán Farrero

Optimization of replacement stocks using a maintenance programme derived from reliability studies of production systems

This paper is the outcome of a study carried out in a nine‐cell flexible manufacturing unit which produces components for Diesel engine injection pumps. The study involved the monitoring and recording of the various types of failure which led to interruptions in production. The objective of the study was to design a maintenance system for the optimal management of replacement stocks, both from the technical and economic point of view. The design of this programme was based on matching a given statistical distribution (Weibull’s distribution, exponential, normal, log‐normal, or gamma) to the time between failures. By means of this fit, the basic system parameters were determined: average lifetime, failure rate, mean time between failures, mean time between inspections. Knowledge of these variables permits us to determine the frequency of inspections in relation to the level of reliability we require of the system. This information also enables us to establish a programme to determine which elements require inspection, the frequency of these inspections and the operations that need to be carried out.

Dimensions of Perceived Service Quality in Higher Education Virtual Learning Environments

Virtual learning environments (VLEs) make intensive use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to underpin the delivery of basic higher education institution functions (teaching, administrative procedures, materials distribution, etc.), and are a characteristic feature of today’s educational context. The spread of e-learning and of competence in this field has given rise to growing concerns about the quality of this service. It is therefore vital to develop systems, models and scales that allow institutions to obtain valid, reliable and consistent measurements of the quality of educational services provided by means of VLEs. That is the basic aim of the work described in this article. Taking the literature on perceived service quality (PSQ) as its point of reference, and also a holistic approach to educational services, it presents a scale model that allows PSQ in such environments to be measured. The scale is formed by 24 items grouped into four dimensions: core business (teaching), facilitative or administrative services, support services and user interface.ResumenLa aparición de entornos virtuales de aprendizaje (EVA) caracterizados por el uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) en las diversas funciones institucionales básicas de la educación superior (docencia, procesos administrativos, desarrollo y distribución de materiales, etc.) constituye un elemento característico del contexto educativo actual. La expansión del aprendizaje virtual (e-learning) y la competencia en este ámbito han hecho que aparezca una creciente preocupación por la calidad de este servicio. En este sentido resulta necesario desarrollar sistemas, modelos y escalas que permitan obtener medidas válidas, fiables y consistentes de la calidad de los servicios educativos que se ofrecen en EVA. Este es el objetivo básico del presente trabajo, que toma como punto referencia la literatura sobre calidad del servicio percibida (CSP), y adoptando una perspectiva holística de los servicios formativos se presenta una escala modelo que permite medir la CSP en dichos entornos. Esta escala está compuesta por 24 ítems que se subsumen en cuatro dimensiones: servicio esencial (docencia), servicios facilitadores o administrativos, servicios de apoyo e interfaz del usuario.

Analysis of the relationship between the integration of management systems and the creation of value

The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the value creation and the integration of management systems. The results of the literature review show that the integration of management systems is a source of value creation that allows gaining competitive advantage. In addition, the integration of management systems can be classified as an intangible resource and in the costs leadership strategy. The measurement of the relationship is proposed as future research.