Roberto Antonio Martins

Performance measurement as a foundation to continuous improvement evolution

This article aims to discuss theoretically how performance measurement can support the process of continuous improvement. The starting point is the assumption the process of continuous improvement is an evolutionary process and it needs an infrastructure to attain their objectives. One element of such infrastructure is the performance measurement and it should have different characteristics according to each stage of evolution of continuous improvement. Therefore, the main result is a framework that establishes the main characteristics of the performance measurement system according to each level of continuous improvement.

Total quality management programs: a framework proposal

The paper proposes a framework to help quality practitioners involved with the task of quality planning. The proposed framework utilises both external and internal information (such as a market diagnosis and the organization’s strategic plans) which are filtered through the methodologies and techniques of quality management to deliver a time phased plan consisting of the main actions required to implement total quality management in either a manufacturing or service company.

Continuous improvement strategies and production competitive criteria: Some findings in Brazilian industries

The Brazilian economy has been substantially deregulated over the past 10 years, which not only has exposed previously protected industry sectors to global competition, but also has been forcing Brazilian industries to implement best practice management principles, strategies and technologies in order to remain competitive. In view of that, a study was conducted in a sample of companies representative of different Brazilian industry sectors aimed at identifying the relationship between continuous improvement strategies and production competitive criteria. The study also focused on the use of management practices such as performance measurement and benchmarking. A theoretical discussion as well as a conceptual framework for continuous improvement deployment are presented so as to validate the conduction of the study. The results of the study indicate that although competitive priorities are drawn from customer and market demands, there is no clear indication of alignment between competitive priorities and deployment of improvement actions.

Modelo para alinhamento entre a maturidade dos sistemas de medição de desempenho e a maturidade da gestão da cadeia de suprimentos

Supply chains have become increasingly important for companies to survive in todays competitive market. Theories and methods that contribute to the improvement of their management are important elements of research and development in the field of Industrial Engineering. Considering performance measurement systems as one of these elements, this paper aims to propose a model for alignment between performance measurement systems and its maturity to the maturity levels of supply chain management due to the lack of studies that address the relationship between these two elements. Therefore, performance measurement systems and their maturity, as well as maturity models for supply chain management were studied enabling the creation of a theoretical model of relationship between these two elements. The multiple case study method was applied to three different units of analysis to verify the suitability of the theoretical model proposed. In most of the cases, as the main results of this study, it was identified the existence of a relationship between the maturity of performance measurement system and the maturity of supply chain management although the dimensions of maturity of these two elements are not always at the same development level. The contribution of this model is to present a new approach to the theory of the performance measurement systems in the supply chain management, as well as to provide practitioners with the correct alignment between the maturity of supply chain management and maturity of performance measurement systems. Resumo: As cadeias de suprimentos sao cada vez mais importantes para a sobrevivencia das empresas no mercado competitivo atual. Teorias e metodos que contribuam para a melhoria de sua gestao sao elementos importantes para a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento na area da Engenharia de Producao. Considerando os sistemas de medicao de desempenho como um desses elementos, este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar um modelo para alinhamento entre sistemas de medicao de desempenho e sua maturidade aos niveis de maturidade da gestao da cadeia de suprimentos. Para isso, foram estudados os sistemas de medicao de desempenho e sua maturidade, bem como os modelos de maturidade para a gestao da cadeia de suprimentos, permitindo, desta forma, a construcao de um modelo teorico de relacao entre estes dois elementos. Com o uso do metodo de pesquisa de estudo de multiplos casos aplicados em tres diferentes unidades de analise, foi possivel verificar a aderencia do modelo teorico proposto. Como principais resultados, na maioria dos casos, foi identificada a existencia de uma relacao entre a maturidade do sistema de medicao de desempenho e a maturidade da gestao da cadeia de suprimentos, embora nem sempre todas as dimensoes da maturidade dos dois elementos encontrem-se em um mesmo nivel de desenvolvimento. Como contribuicao, o modelo busca apresentar uma abordagem inedita para a teoria dos sistemas de medicao de desempenho no âmbito da gestao da cadeia de suprimentos, como tambem, proporcionar aos praticantes o alinhamento correto entre a maturidade da gestao da cadeia de suprimentos e a maturidade dos sistemas de medicao de desempenho. Palavras-chave: Sistemas de medicao de desempenho. Gestao da cadeia de suprimentos. Maturidade dos sistemas de medicao de desempenho. Maturidade da gestao da cadeia de suprimentos.

Relação entre sistemas de medição de desempenho e projetos Seis Sigma: estudo de caso múltiplo

ABSTRACTThis paper aims to investigate the relationship between performance measurement systems and development of six sigma projects. Five case studies were carried out in Brazilian companies. The empirical fi ndings supported the mutual relationship established after the literature review. Furthermore, a delay was observed in the relationship. The performance measurement system infl uences fi rst the development of projects. There are fa ctors which exerts both negative and positive infl uences on projects. In other hand, the six sigma projects play a role of external leverage during the refl ection of using performance measurement system which leads to change of such systems.KEY WORDSperformance measurement system, performance measurement, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, performance measures. Relacao entre sistemas de medicao de desempenho e projetos Seis Sigma: estudo de caso multiplo Ricardo Coser Mergulhao UFOPRoberto Antonio Martins UFScar 1140-156 (342-358).indd 34240-156 (342-358).indd 342 112/08/2008 12:10:172/08/2008 12:10:17

Integração, flexibilidade e qualidade: os caminhos para um novo paradigma produtivo

O presente artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa de carater exploratorio realizada em quatro empresas sobre a introducao do novo paradigma produtivo mundial, tendo como objeto de estudo o sistema de Planejamento e Controle da Producao. Os resultados demonstram inexistencia de uma metodologia formal para a transicao de paradigma produtivo, ficando o sucesso dependente das pessoas. Alem disso, persiste um mau entendimento da maneira pela qual as atividades de Planejamento e Controle da Producao gerenciam o processo produtivo. Esse entendimento abre uma grande oportunidade para os sistemas de manufatura gerenciarem de maneira mais eficaz e eficiente seus processos produtivos.

Investigation of TQM implementation: empirical study in Brazilian ISO 9001-registered SMEs

This paper presents an investigation of TQM implementation in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) ISO 9001:2008 registered Brazilian companies. The applied research method was a survey with 200 firms, and the structural equation modelling technique applied to analyse the empirical data. The results reveal significant issues about the context considered. The findings point out that ISO 9001:2008 practices may not necessarily drive performance improvements, i.e. the Brazilian SMEs are not moving towards TQM because of the lack of awareness of TQM and commitment to continuous improvement philosophy. The companies appear to be more concerned with TQM practice implementation, which guarantees the ISO certificate than with quality improvement, which leads to a better performance. Finally, the results of the study have come into question if the TQM model is robust enough to be implemented on SMEs. The search of an answer to this question requires more investigation by scholars.

Product development process in the Brazilian autoparts industry: management practices and trends

This paper presents the results of a research survey taken among managers who have responsibility for product development in Brazilian autoparts companies. This research is an investigation about management practices in the product development process (PDP). Some management issues were examined, such as reference models, organisational structure, performance metrics, methods and tools, partnership, and others. In the last decade, this industry underwent a broad process of restructuring, this was especially due to Brazilian economy deregulation, with management implications in PDP as well as in its activities, and the research results show that companies are improving their management practices in PDP. Some of the results are: there is a wide dissemination of PDP reference models, but they are only partly implemented; there is application of methods and tools to problem solving but their integration should be improved; development teams are used to carry out PDP activities; and matrix organisational structure type is adopted by some companies, but functional structure is still widely used. The study also identified that follow-source projects are the most common type, platform type projects have been adopted for one quarter of the companies, and systemists are the most evolved in PDP management practices among the surveyed companies. Regarding trends, companies address an increasingly reducing number of innovation cycles that require effort to increase development speed, but with no impact on project quality, and there is an expectation that local units will get greater autonomy of product development, especially in those activities where they have the capability.

TQM e Seu Impacto na Performance Organizacional: Construção de Um Modelo Baseado na Literatura

As praticas de TQM tem significativos efeitos sobre a satisfacao dos clientes e constituem um meio eficaz pelo qual as empresas podem ganhar vantagem competitiva e melhorar sua performance. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo contribuir para o desenvolvimento da teoria em TQM, apresentando as relacoes causais entre os seis constructos da gestao da qualidade proposto no Malcolm Baldrige (lideranca, foco no cliente, planejamento estrategico, relacionamento com fornecedores, gestao de recursos humanos e gestao de processos) e o desempenho (performance) organizacional. O trabalho traz uma vasta revisao da literatura sobre o tema e propoe um modelo considerando as interacoes entre os constructos. Observa-se que alguns constructos possuem somente uma relacao indireta com a performance organizacional enquanto outros possuem uma relacao mais clara e definida. O modelo construido sera testado empiricamente em pesquisas futuras.

Adaptação de um wiki para a informatização da documentação do sistema de gestão da qualidade

The ISO 9001 compliant Quality Management System documentation often creates bureaucracy in organizations. This paper describes the WikiQMS as an alternative for computerizing the documentation of this system. The scientific method was applied to develop the system. The prototype was developed using the Wiki software based on the ISO 9001 requirements found in the literature review and on an Expert Panel evaluation. The field experiment in a junior enterprise enabled to validate the system in a real setting of implementation of Quality Management System documentation. The prototype complies with the minimum requirements for implementation and management of ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Furthermore, The WikiQMS offers some advantages of Web 2.0 such as collaborative editing, collective authorship, accessibility, and usability.