Pornthep Anussornnitisarn

Toward a cloud-based manufacturing execution system for distributed manufacturing

Abstract This paper illustrates the needs and challenges for the management of distributed manufacturing in a multi-company supply chain and processes these further as features of new IT systems. Requirements are collected from manufacturing companies and combined with insights from literature in the field of current ERP/MES system drawbacks, advantages, needs and challenges. The findings show that the needs and challenges in data integration inside SME networks are closely related to the limitations of current supply chain solutions. Current ERP-solutions lack extended enterprise support and a shared cloud-based approach. On the other hand, current MES solutions can operate the manufacturing process, but not for distributed manufacturing. As an answer to the requirements, we made a proposal for the core of architecture for next generation of MES solution in this position paper. Moreover, a pilot software tool has been developed to support the needs related to real time, cloud-based, light weight operation.

Sustaining organisational innovation and learning through external knowledge

This research is on external knowledge or knowledge to be transferred from an external source. It focuses on identifying technical knowledge subjects for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the automotive industry. Five considerably successful SMEs participated in the research. Top executives from these SMEs and staff from the Department of Industrial Promotion (DIP) under the Ministry of Industry, Thailand and Thailand Productivity Institute (TPI) took part in the interviews and discussions. Twenty external knowledge subjects transferred to participating SMEs over the span of three organisational life-cycle stages: start-up, growth and maturity. The aims of external knowledge are to minimise process variations, improve performance levels and sustain improvement in the three stages. In addition, it appears that gurus (as a transferring agent) are widely used during the start-up stage, while there are more roles from coaches and mentors when moving towards the maturity stage. The findings and interpretations are useful to SMEs and relevant public agencies. Finally, the limitations and shortcomings are discussed.

Establishing interrelationships among organisational learning, innovation and performance

Knowledge and learning ability are critically successful factors in the competitive advantage of an organisation. The knowledge from both internal and external sources should be transferred to all levels of the organisation. The reason is that increasing the performance of organisation focuses not only on improvement thru learning, but also on innovation. This study aims to review the key literatures relating to the relationships among organisational learning, innovation, and performance. The steps of reviewing the literature were performed in accordance to the methodology suggested by Denyer and Tranfield (2009). The findings showed that: 1 organisational learning directly influences innovation 2 innovation directly affects performance 3 organisational learning directly influences performance through innovation. As a result, organisational learning is essential for continuous performance improvement and long-term competitiveness.

Innovation in the public sector: the roles of external influences

The study identifies the common factors that contribute to service innovation and improvement for the public sector. Two public agencies, Bantak Hospital and the Department of Corrections, are selected and examined owing to their successful transformations. The findings from these two cases show that, for public agencies, the external factors greatly influence the paradigm shift in an organisation. For Bantak Hospital, becoming more proactive in the community helps improve necessary services to citizens. For the Department of Corrections, a paradigm shift helps change the perception of its staff and administrators in terms of inmate handling and control. This study is sponsored by the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC). This agency is expected to continue playing a crucial role in transforming public agencies in Thailand.

Productivity growth: importance of learning, intellectual capital, and knowledge workers

The research aims to examine the impacts of intellectual capital (IC) and knowledge workers on productivity. This study is derived from the need to gain better understanding on creativity and innovation in a workplace. The study focuses on the national and organisational levels. For the methodology, three premises are developed and tested a correlation test. The results show the impacts from a proportion of knowledge workers on productivity at a national level, especially the industry and service sectors. From the third premise, it is clear that IC positively affects a firm’s productivity. Several implications relating to workplace and life-long learning are brought up. Finally, the possible situation in which the IC can be used as a surrogate when attempting to measure productivity in an organisation is suggested.

Productivity improvement: impacts from Quality of Work Life

The research examines the characteristics of the impacts from Quality of Work Life (QWL) on productivity. This study takes place at one manufacturer, the Bangkok Interfood Company Limited (BIF) in Thailand. Initially, several ratios representing both productivity and QWL are developed. Afterwards, quantitative data is collected over the period of 13 months. Primary techniques used for this study include the Multi-Criteria Performance/Productivity Measurement Technique (MCPMT), and statistical and mathematical models. The MCPMT helps combine information from all ratios into one dimensionless scale – the overall levels of both QWL and productivity. Then, the liner and quadratic models are applied to gain insights on how QWL influences productivity. The results illustrate positive impacts from QWL on productivity. Furthermore, based on the findings from a nonlinear model, the impacts from QWL appear to be diminishing at the beginning before a more accelerated pace later. These imply the need for a companys top management to be patient with QWL. Finally, the limitations and future research are discussed.

Service satisfaction through external knowledge management

Service improvement represents one of the primary goals for public-sector reforms in several countries. This paper demonstrates an in-depth analysis into one Thai public agency. In this example, the Nakhon Pathom City District or the NPCD has experienced high satisfaction levels from citizens of more than 90% in terms of accessibility, atmosphere, etc. Importantly, the NPCD has not requested additional funds to help sustain service operations despite increasing demands from residents and nonresidents. Instead, the district chief has applied Knowledge Management (KM), initiated and supported by the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC). The Kasetsart University and the OPDC or the KU-OPDC research team illustrates many useful examples, including home-delivery services (similar to pizza-delivery services) and retail banking (e.g., opening the branch in the supermarkets or shopping malls). This study also demonstrates other important viewpoints such as the citizen-centred approach and win-win attitude when striving for service improvement.

Implications from divide issues on the Royal Thai Government's e-learning programme

This paper attempts to illustrate and discuss the three divide issues that have to be carefully considered by the Office of Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) for its e-learning programmes deployment. This programme aims to improve common skills of the Royal Thai Government (RTG) staffs in response to the requirements of the Good Governance (GG) Act adapted in 2003. These three divide issues are: (1) digital, (2) language and (3) competency. For the digital divide issue, the focus is on the infrastructure barrier (i.e. speed and size of the internet network between Bangkok and the provincial areas). For the language barrier issue, the focus is on the need to have the learning contents in Thai. This barrier will increase the required investment cost. The competency issue deals with the low number of qualified developers (specifically multimedia) for learning contents in the local market. By having identified these issues, it is hopeful that the deployment of the e-learning programme will be better planned and prepared. Finally, the guideline for the OPDC to be used during planning is recommended.

Knowledge management practices: progress on e-government and preparation for quality management

The study assesses an integration of knowledge management (KM) into operations and practices in the Royal Thai Government. This study is sponsored by the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC). It aims to gather and provide feedback on KM practices, based on the opinions from 252 Chief Knowledge Officers (CKOs) in central and provincial administrations. The overall results show that KM has been widely accepted and practiced. It is also generally supported by information and communication technology (ICT). However, serious KM-related issues have emerged. They include: relationships with human resource development; utilisation of external knowledge for sustainability; use of more complex and mobile technologies; integration within a management process linking with performance measurement and analysis; extending KM practices for emergency or crisis management. Given this awareness, future strategies and plans for KM can be formulated, including benchmarking studies with other countries.

A note on organisational learning: continuation and sustainability

Organisational learning (OL) has been considered to be an effective developmental initiative in an organisation that aims to develop, sustain and advance in a global market. There is a wide range of beliefs of about how OL occurs, and whether it is discrete or continuous. The results from the surveys on OL, coupled with literature reviews, helps formulate the proposed model underlying the need for OL to take place continuously. This proposed model is referred to as the driving-enabling-learning-outcome or DELO model. The model represents the next important research issues when focusing on OL. In this study, the model not only attempts to describe OL as a continuous goal-driven process, but also allows the interrelationships with various influencing factors and facilitating effect of an OL framework.