Poul Henrik Kyvsgaard Hansen

The trajectory of implementing ISO 9000 standards versus total quality management in Western Europe

This paper investigates the pattern or trajectory of implementing ISO 9000 standards versus TQM in Western Europe from a longitudinal perspective, using empirical data. The research is based on three large‐scale surveys conducted in 1992‐1993, 1996‐1997 and 2001‐2002 respectively, in 13 Western European countries. The results of the surveys show that European companies have put considerable effort into ISO 9000 certification. However, the results also reveal that, around 1996‐1997, European companies had also planned to implement TQM. However, the result of the planned “go beyond ISO to TQM” fell short of the anticipated extent, indicating that the adoption of TQM in Europe was slower than expected. Early in the twenty‐first century, European companies are still very keen on implementing TQM, indicating an obvious intention to shift from ISO 9000 to TQM. To ensure that the shift will occur this time however, the two approaches must be integrated properly. Although both ISO 9000 standards and the TQM/EFQM model have been recently updated or modified, how to best incorporate the two systems remains one of the major tasks of quality management in the future.

Configurations of NPD - Production Interfaces and Interface Integration Mechanisms

This paper describes and illustrates different configurations of the interface between new product development and production processes, including both intra–firm and inter–firm interfaces. These configurations are partly based on a process view of product innovation and partly on a structural view of product innovation. In addition to this typology of interfaces some integration mechanisms are described. The typology will serve as a basis for further research aimed at identifying consistent configurations of the different types of integration mechanisms that are available for industry to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of product innovation processes.

Attracting Young Talents to Manufacturing: A Holistic Approach

In the last years, despite the global economic crisis, manufacturing is facing a serious difficulty in the recruitment of the brightest high-skilled human resources. National and international institutions have provided important guidelines to combat this skills mismatch and several innovations have been made both in STEM and manufacturing education. However, there is still a lack of concrete strategies harmonizing together delivery mechanisms and pedagogical frameworks throughout the whole student lifecycle. In order to mitigate these urgent needs, ManuSkills innovative approach provides a strong integrated strategy towards attracting young talent to manufacturing, by raising the awareness and providing the acquisition of new manufacturing skills. The key-concepts and the strategy to achieve learning objectives are presented. Finally, ManuSkills Five Pillars, i.e. Interaction with the Experiments, Interaction with real companies, Social networks, Challenges and making real products, Career management and skills orientation, are explained in detail with the support of examples of application.

Dealing with complex and ill-structured problems: results of a Plan-Do-Check-Act experiment in a business engineering semester

ABSTRACT Challenged by increased globalisation and fast technological development, we carried out an experiment in the third semester of a global business engineering programme aimed at identifying conditions for training student in dealing with complex and ill-structured problems of forming a new business. As this includes a fuzzy front end, learning cannot be measured in traditional, quantitative terms; therefore, we have explored the use of reflection to convert tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge. The experiment adopted a Plan-Do-Check-Act approach and concluded with developing a plan for new learning initiatives in the subsequent year’s semester. The findings conclude that (1) problem-based learning develops more competencies than ordinarily measured at the examination, especially, the social/communication and personal competencies are developed; (2) students are capable of dealing with a complex and ambiguous problem, if properly guided. Four conditions were identified; (3) most students are not conscious of their learning, but are able to reflect if properly encouraged; and (4) improving engineering education should be considered as an organisational learning process.

Co-design of a Game to Support Increased Manufacturing Insight and Interest Among Teenagers and Young Adults

This paper is focusing on the specific development of a serious game to support manufacturing insight and interest among teenagers and young adults. To achieve the necessary motivation and engagement, a co-design approach has been chosen, involving students, teachers, and industrial companies. This dynamic design process involved the different stakeholders from inception of the idea to actual use and evaluation. The first versions of the game were developed as a board game to allow for the most flexible adoption of new ideas or even re-orientation of the original ideas. However, the goal is to develop an online digital version that can be played simultaneously but flexible among a number of educational institutions.

A Study of Technological-Organisational Development and Market Dynamics in Denmark and Norway

In recent years, experience in introducing elements of Computer-IntegratedManufacturing (CIM) has brought about a recognition that implementation of CIM should be balanced in regard to both technological and organisational dimensions to obtain true competitive benefits. Empirical studies indicate that many industrial enterprises have been able to apply advanced manufacturing technology successfully, at least technically; however, few companies have been capable of improving their competitive strength (cf. Voss, 1988). As a consequence, attention has been directed towards ways of establishing a balance between technological and organisational means, and towards establishing a link between changes in manufacturing and corporate improvements, for example, in terms of increased competitiveness.

Measurement of Design Front-End - Radical Innovation Approach

The overall structure and main characteristics of a future product are all decided in the front-end phase, which strongly affects subsequent new product development activities. Recent studies indicate that these early front-end activities represent the most troublesome phase of the innovation process and, at the same time, one of the greatest opportunities to improve a company’s overall innovation capability. In this paper dealing with criteria, we concentrate only on the objectives viewpoint and leave the attributes discussion for future research. The two most crucial questions are: What are the objectives of measurement in radical design? What are the most crucial future challenges related to the selection of relevant measurement objectives?

Envisioning an Advanced ICT-supported Build-up of Manufacturing Skills for the Factories of the Future

In this paper, we present the main concepts and the aim of the ManuSkills FoF project which is to study the use of enhanced ICT-based technologies and training methodologies to facilitate an increase of young talent interest in manufacturing and to support their training of new manufacturing skills. The project will experiment with a wide range of innovative delivery mechanisms such as serious games and teaching factory, supported by the use of social media augmented by gamification and leveraging the distribution channels preferred by young talent. In addition, the project will explore the pedagogical frameworks best suited to the personalization of individual learning needs taking into account the industrial demand. ManuSkills will address all three stages of the young talent pipeline (i.e. children, teenagers, young people), where in the early stages the focus will be to make manufacturing education more attractive to young talent, whilst in the later stages the focus will be to facilitate transformative deep learning of individuals, with reduced time-to-competence.

Modularization in Danish Industry

There are many pre-requisitions to make a mass customization strategy efficient. Speaking about the product dimension modularization seems to be an essential factor. However, though many companies have gained experience there is still a significant confusion about managing the modularization effort. In general, the phenomenon of modularization is not well known. The cause-effect relationships related to modularization are complex and comprehensive. Though a number of research works has contributed to the study of the phenomenon of modularization it is far from clarified. Recognizing the need for further empirical research, we formulate a research framework with the purpose of uncovering the current state in Danish industry and to identify tentative managerial implications.

The Ruler Game Physical simulation of production activities

This paper describes a production game used in teaching of production engineering students at Aalborg University. The elements of the game are described and related to a theoretical course dealing with process and production planning issues. It is concluded that the game so far has been a successful supplement to the traditional teaching program.