Raed El-Khalil

Simulation analysis for managing and improving productivity

Purpose – The current economic crisis increased the demand on management to improve process efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to identify and resolve inefficiencies within the car assembly system utilizing discrete simulation modeling and analysis in order to improve productivity at one of the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) body shops in North America. Design/methodology/approach – This research was driven by a manager’s recommendation from one of the Big Three (GM, Ford, Chrysler LLC) companies in order to improve operational performance. The data utilized in creating the simulation model was obtained from one of the assembly facilities that produce three different vehicles over a period of one year. All model simulation, inputs and outputs were discussed and agreed upon by facility management. Findings – The established base model was verified and validated to mimic the actual facility outputs indicating all process bottlenecks. Two model scenarios were considered: the first scenario focu...

Simulation and modelling: operating and managing a new axle manufacturing system

Discrete simulation and computer modelling serve as an effective means for the analysis and optimisation of manufacturing systems. Simulation and computer modelling tools provide a quantitative means for the analysis of a current manufacturing process as well as evaluating alternative designs and/or systems. This paper will present an analysis and optimisation of a new manufacturing system for front suspension axle assembly process utilising computer modelling and simulation. This paper is sponsored by one of the original equipment manufacturers axle assembly plant in North America. The main objective of this paper is to determine the optimal offline buffer locations for a front axle assembly line to achieve maximum throughput within budget limitations or constraints.

The Mediating Effects of Employee-Company Identification on the Relationship between Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility and corporate ethics on one hand and organizational citizenship behavior on the other. The relationship is investigated taking into consideration the employee-organization identification factor. A conceptual model was proposed and empirically tested using survey data and deploying the PLS analysis. The model proved to be of good-fit and most hypotheses were supported. Results were discussed, limitations were presented, and recommendations for future research were set.

Effects of corporate sustainability practices on performance: the case of the MENA region

Sustainability focuses on the effect of present actions on societies, environments and ecosystems of the future. The purpose of this paper is to discover to what extent the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region corporations carry out various aspects of corporate sustainability. This paper studies corporate sustainability practices and examines the association between corporate sustainability practices and performance in the MENA region.,A thorough literature review was conducted. The findings indicate six key categories/constructs that can be used as indicators for measuring corporate sustainability and performance. Based on the literature review, a theoretical framework was constructed and tested. Data for this quantitative and explanatory study were obtained through a self-administered survey which was distributed to senior managers at corporations in the MENA region.,The findings of this study show that the corporations operating in the MENA region are underachieving in all aspects of sustainability except for the energy management facet. Larger-sized companies tend to be more involved in corporate sustainability practices in the categories of internal and external education, external health and resources and energy management. This study finds the existence of a strong positive relationship between each sustainability category and each performance category.,Most studies on sustainability focus on North America, Europe and East Asia, not the MENA region. The findings will help corporations in the MENA region become aware of the importance of increasing their engagement in the sustainability aspects that they lack, as this will lead to a boost of their overall performance.

Managing span of control efficiency and effectiveness: a case study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the following issues: first, the significance of the three independent variables (the chassis, trim, and assembly departments) on the three outputs (direct run loss first time capability, jobs per hour (JPH) lost, and injury rate); second, the optimal level of span of control based on the best achieved outputs; and third, whether increasing the span of control post 2009 improved manufacturing outputs in comparison with a span of control pre 2009. Design/methodology/approach The optimal level of span of control at the automotive Big Three (Chrysler LLC, Ford, General Motors) is investigated using design of experiments. Findings The analysis shows that the variables are significant for all outputs, except for chassis on injury. All three variables deteriorate as the span of control increases. The paper indicates that the lower the span of control the better the output variables. Originality/value Based on the recommendations given by the managers at the Big Three facilities visited, the top three variables that were utilized from the assembly facilities for this study are the span of control at the Chassis, Trim, and Assembly departments, and the outputs are Direct Run Loss First Time Capability, JPH Lost, and Injury Rate.