Richard Greatbanks

Interval efficiency assessment using data envelopment analysis

This paper studies how to conduct efficiency assessment using data envelopment analysis (DEA) in interval and/or fuzzy input-output environments. A new pair of interval DEA models is constructed on the basis of interval arithmetic, which differs from the existing DEA models handling interval data in that the former is a linear CCR model without the need of extra variable alternations and uses a fixed and unified production frontier (i.e. the same constraint set) to measure the efficiencies of decision-making units (DMUs) with interval input and output data, while the latter is usually a nonlinear optimization problem with the need of extra variable alternations or scale transformations and utilizes variable production frontiers (i.e. different constraint sets) to measure interval efficiencies. Ordinal preference information and fuzzy data are converted into interval data through the estimation of permissible intervals and @a-level sets, respectively, and are incorporated into the interval DEA models. The proposed interval DEA models are developed for measuring the lower and upper bounds of the best relative efficiency of each DMU with interval input and output data, which are different from the interval formed by the worst and the best relative efficiencies of each DMU. A minimax regret-based approach (MRA) is introduced to compare and rank the efficiency intervals of DMUs. Two numerical examples are provided to show the applications of the proposed interval DEA models and the preference ranking approach.

Overall equipment effectiveness as a measure of operational improvement – A practical analysis

Presents a practical analysis of operational performance measurement at Airbags International Ltd (AIL), a supplier of airbag safety devices to the automotive industry. First, the primary measure of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is described. Its implementation and use within the operational environment of AIL is then described and analysed. Finally, presents the potential benefits of developing OEE as an operational measure and contrasts AIL’s performance with other applications of OEE found with the research literature.

The impact of balanced scorecards in a public sector environment

Purpose – Many papers discuss the use of the balanced scorecard yet few provide empirical evidence within a longitudinal context. Still fewer studies present balanced scorecard evidence from within public services. This study seeks to consider the impact of implementing and using the balanced scorecard within a public service city council environment.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the recent literature within the area of public sector performance measurement. A longitudinal case study approach is adopted using interview and documentation analysis to consider the impact of balanced scorecards in a public sector organisation. The impact of balanced scorecards was evaluated at three levels: strategic planning, team management, and individual staff performance.Findings – The empirical evidence suggests that the use of scorecards within the case organisation enables employees to clearly appreciate their role, and focus on delivery of performance‐related measures which support organisational st...

The use of quality management tools and techniques: a study of application in everyday situations

Purpose – This paper describes the use and application of a structured approach to the basic implementation of quality management tools and techniques such as the QC7 tools.Design/methodology/approach – A methodology based around the application of a structured approach to the use of basic quality management tools is adopted, and provides a simple yet powerful means by which the steps of problem solving can be sequentially linked together.Findings – Everyday process examples are used to highlight the benefits of such tools and techniques in contributing to a greater understanding of the process by the process operator or owner. For each example, the use of appropriate tools or techniques are examined and their application analysed. The paper then goes on to discuss the wider implications of quality management tool application within industry and business.Research limitations/implications – It is not suggested the examples detailed are thoroughly scientific in methodology but they do serve to illustrate th...

Prerequisites for the implementation of the SMED methodology: A study in a textile processing environment

Discusses the practical application of the single minute exchange of die (SMED) within a textile processing operation. First, the operational environment is presented, and the SMED application is considered against a changing business requirement. The current approaches to SMED are then discussed within the context of traditional textile manufacture. The prerequisite requirements for successful SMED application, defined in this paper as SMED‐ZERO, are then presented and discussed. Concludes by suggesting that all of the SMED‐ZERO attributes must be in place before the traditional SMED techniques can be applied successfully.

Impact of EFQM Excellence Model on leadership in German and UK organisations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe research which aimed to discover whether there were differences in leadership practices and perceptions of good leadership practice between German and UK organisations.Design/methodology/approach – A survey based on analysis of self‐assessment documents submitted for the European Quality Award or its equivalents in Germany and the UK was distributed to 300 organisations in Germany and the UK. A response rate of 20 per cent was achieved. The survey was also distributed to 20 assessors.Findings – There were more differences in perceptions of good practice between German organisations recognised for excellence and German organisations not using the Excellence Model than between German and UK organisations. In the UK, there were more differences between what was described as good practice and what was described as usual practice among organisations not using the Excellence Model than among organisations recognised for excellence. German assessors differed in ...

The ba of blogs: Enabling conditions for knowledge conversion in blog communities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between the characteristics of a blog community and the enabling conditions of knowledge conversion using the knowledge creation cycle and the enabling context (ba) in which knowledge is converted from individual to collective and from tacit to explicit.Design/methodology/approach – A literature review is used to identify environmental factors and enabling conditions for knowledge conversion and the sense of community within blog communities as well as a blog‐based virtual ethnography of a blog community.Findings – The paper proposes ten potential enabling conditions that influence the sense of community in blog environments, and which facilitate the ba of socialisation (originating ba) and externalisation (conversing ba) necessary for conversion of tacit knowledge between individuals.Research limitations/implications – This study observed one blog community over a five‐month period of time. Future research could be extended to examine mul...

The use and efficacy of anecdotal performance reporting in the third sector

Purpose – This research paper seeks to examine the important issues of performance measurement and reporting in a third sector community organisation. It aims to highlight the dysfunctional nature of funding body performance reporting criteria, which do not always align with the values and goals of the voluntary organisation. In contrast, this paper aims to consider the value of using anecdotal performance data to provide a more informed perspective on the performance of third sector organisations.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the current literature regarding performance measurement from a voluntary sector perspective. It then considers the value and efficacy of anecdotal performance reporting and presents empirical findings from a single case study organisation.Findings – The paper identifies that many forms of performance reporting frameworks used by funding bodies provide little or no value to the voluntary organisation, and that anecdotal performance reporting is often more aligned ...

Organizational change through quality deposits

This article sets out the argument that despite the perceived relative lack of success with Total Quality Management, some things have actually been learned and some changes have been made in the organizational processes, systems, and culture by those involved. The key question examined in the article is how this learning and these changes, as a form of quality deposits, can be retained within the organization so that they actually build up over time and eventually make the organization ripe for major improvement change. The article sets out positive arguments for this, although it is pointed out that more research is still needed. It is also hypothesized that this is probably the most likely way in which change actually happens within large complex organizations.

General practice: balancing business and care

193 CSIRO Publishing Journal Compilation