Pedro Garrido-Vega

Analysis of interaction fit between manufacturing strategy and technology management and its impact on performance

Purpose – Using the matching/difference perspective, the purpose of this paper is to examine the interaction fit between a set of managerial practices from manufacturing strategy (MS) and another set from technology management (TM) and the link of this fit to operational performance.Design/methodology/approach – The paper applies multiple statistical methods to a database of an international sample of plants in the auto supplier sector to explore (deviation score analysis/multiple linear regression) and confirm (correlation and variance subgroup analysis) whether a matching model presents organisational disequilibrium, where states of fit are related to effectively higher performance than states of misfit.Findings – Results from regression show that there were no states of misfit between the levels of both manufacturing practice sets/areas. This means that there are no significant differences in performance that may be tested for matching interaction. However, subgroup analysis provides greater detail on ...

Improving supply chain responsiveness through Advanced Manufacturing Technology: the mediating role of internal and external integration

Abstract Responsiveness is one of the key performance factors that firms need to face up to the challenges posed by today’s markets. Many manufacturing firms are investing in advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) with a view to improving competitiveness. However, empirical evidence shows that investments in AMT alone do not lead to improvements in performance. In this study, a model that links AMT implementation and responsiveness through internal integration and external integration is proposed. A sample of 441 Spanish industrial companies was used to test the model through structural equation modelling. The findings highlight that internal integration needs to be supplemented with external integration in order to ensure that the implementation of AMT will result in improved responsiveness. Supply chain managers should focus on integration within the supply chain – firstly internal and later external – to obtain returns on investments in AMT in the form of improved flexibility and more reliable and faster deliveries.

Mejorando la cadena de suministro en un hospital mediante la gestión Lean

OBJECTIVES Supply management is an area where hospitals have significant opportunities for improvement. The main objective of this paper has been to analyze how the application of Lean principles can improve logistics costs and user satisfaction. In connection with satisfaction, it also aimed to examine which aspects of the service define it and check for differences between different groups of users. METHODS The results of an experience to reorganize the hospital logistic system based on some Lean principles have been studied. This is therefore a case study, which combine different methods of data collection. The logistics cost calculation was carried out using the full costing method. To measure satisfaction of healthcare personnel, the internal logistics service users, an anonymous survey was conducted. Processing of the data obtained from the survey have included exploratory analysis, factor analysis and ANOVAs. RESULTS The data have showed an improvement in logistics management after the implementation of Lean principles. Logistics costs were reduced and the satisfaction level of the internal users with the new logistics system was increased. Some differences in the degree of satisfaction by different groups of users were also detected, although they did not seem to distinguish between different aspects of logistic service. CONCLUSIONS The analyzed experience shows the applicability and suitability of Lean principles to improve logistics operational costs and increase user satisfaction.

Gestión Lean en logística de hospitales: estudio de un caso

OBJECTIVE To study the applicability of the principles of Lean Production to manage the supply chain of a hospital. In particular, to determine which Lean practices and principles are applicable, the benefits obtained and the main barriers for its implementation. Managing the hospital supply chain is an important issue, both for its effect on the quality of care and its impact on costs. METHODS This study is based on a case study. STUDY PERIOD 2005-10. SCOPE Hospital Virgen Macarena in Seville. Process of implementing a comprehensive logistics management plan based on Lean principles and technological investments. RESULTS The implementation of the comprehensive plan has reduced inventory, decreased lead times and improved service quality. Also, there have been other important improvements: enhanced employee satisfaction and increased staff productivity, both dedicated to health and the logistics. CONCLUSIONS The experience analysed has shown the applicability and appropriateness of Lean principles and some of its techniques in managing the logistics of hospitals. It also identifies some of the main difficulties that may arise.

The effects of teaching and assessment methods on academic performance: a study of an Operations Management course

Whether the use of more active teaching–learning methods has a positive impact on academic performance remains unanswered. This article seeks to contribute to the issue by conducting a study of an Operations Management course with almost 1000 students per year over three consecutive academic years. The study compares three scenarios with differing degrees of student involvement and Information Technology usage. The findings show no differences in terms of exam grades, but there is an increase in the percentage of passes in the most active scenario analysed, in which continuous assessment tests are used. Notwithstanding, student involvement in the optional assessable activities was found to be a significant factor for predicting the likelihood of passing the subject, especially when continuous assessment tests are used, since their grades show a higher correlation with exam grades.

SEIS SIGMA EN PYMES CON BAJO VOLUMEN DE PRODUCCIÓN. UNA EXPERIENCIA DE ÉXITO EN AERONÁUTICA

Six Sigma is currently one of the most powerful tools that exists for quality improvement. Designed for highly repetitive and high volume production manufacturing processes, it has been adopted by leading large organisations in many different sectors all around the world. Our goal is to study its applicability to SMEs with low production volumes and identify key success factors and obstacles to its implementation. The methodology followed is Action Research in an SME in the aeronautics sector using the DMAIC improvement cycle applied to a specific Six Sigma project. The results confirm Six Sigma’s applicability and suggest that success depends on key factors, such as the team’s commitment, the availability of resources and prior learning.

Advanced Production Practices and Performance: Empirical Evidence from Spanish Plants

This paper presents an empirical study that analyses the effect of applying three Advanced Production Practices (APPs) (Total Quality Management-TQM, Just in TimeJIT, and Total Productive Maintenance-TPM) on business performance measured with financial and non-financial (or operational) indicators. The study was conducted on a sample of Spanish companies in the automotive components, electronics and machinery sectors that took part in the 3rd Round of the High Performance Manufacturing (HPM) Project. The results of an analysis using Partial Least Squares (PLS) show that only two of the nine implementation indicators for the APPs being analyzed (process emphasis in TQM, and JIT delivery by suppliers) are positively related with non-financial performance. No significant relationship was found with financial performance, or between operating and financial performance. However, it should be borne in mind that the small size of the sample used in this study only enables strong relationships to be detected; a larger sample would be required to detect moderate or weak relationships.

Process control and quality performance: the role of shop-floor leadership practices

Human Resource Management issues are a crucial factor in the effective implementation of tools and practices in the field of Quality Management. Our study addresses this issue by considering the existence of complementarities between Process Control (PC) and two shop-floor leadership practices (i.e. Shop-Floor Contact (SFC) and Supervisory Interaction Facilitation (SIF)), directed to promote contact and interaction between middle managers and supervisors with blue collar workers to explain quality performance, which is measured by Quality of Conformance (QC) and Customer Satisfaction (CS). The data used in this study were gathered from 317 manufacturing plants, with more than 100 workers, operating in 10 countries all over the world. Our results confirm the positive effects that PC practices have on both QC and CS. In addition, we observed that leadership practices moderate the relationship between PC and quality performance measures. Specifically, it seems that the SFC interacts with PC to improve CS; whereas, SIF can be an aid for PC to increase QC.

Towards an integrated proposal for performance measurement indicators in Advanced Production Practices

Junta de Andalucia (PAIDI Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion de Andalucia Plan Proyectos de excelenciaP08-SEJ-03841