Rodolfo de Castro

Evaluation of value stream mapping in manufacturing system redesign

The value stream mapping (VSM) technique, developed within the lean production paradigm, was presented as an innovative graphic technique to help practitioners redesign production systems. This paper presents the results of a project whose main purpose is to evaluate the real applicability of VSM to redesign disconnected flow lines based on manufacturing environments with a diversity of logistical problems. The research was developed using multiple case study methodology in six industrial companies. The experiences have served to highlight the following results: (1) the validity of VSM as a redesign tool is confirmed; (2) resources required for the application process are established; and (3) the differences between theoretical concepts proposed by VSM and their real-world practical applications are indicated and analyzed. These results have led to conclusions relating to: (1) communication solutions for practitioners to obtain maximum efficiency when using VSM; and (2) definitions of theoretical development points for VSM to become a reference among redesign techniques.

Extent of the use of Lean concepts proposed for a value stream mapping application

This article illustrates and analyses the causes for the limited adoption of Lean manufacturing concepts in proposals for the redesign and improvement of productive systems in serial production companies. Research was conducted using multiple case studies in six companies that approached the redesign of their productive systems with a Lean perspective using a technique called value stream mapping (VSM). Future scenarios presented by the research team illustrate that the companies were not exploiting the full potential of the concepts and techniques inherent within Lean philosophy. The main reasons include technical, theoretical and training shortcomings faced by the teams responsible for their implementation. Thus, the article attempts to present the key factors necessary to exploit the full potential of Lean concepts.

Development of lean supply chains: a case study of the Catalan pork sector

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the characteristics and the performance of the Catalan pork supply chain, with the objective to assess whether this operates according to the parameters of a lean chain. Moreover there is a tentative lean supply chain model contribution.Design/methodology/approach – To test lean approaches in the Catalan pork supply chain we have used case research methodology. The research strategy started with a conceptual model proposal as a tool to carry out the assessment. The research went on a multiple case studies in a large‐scale sample of the population and developed a semi‐structured interview as a basic instrument to apply it.Findings – The article shows the pork sector has actively adopted the productive techniques associated with lean management. The structure of the specific chain in the Catalan pork sector is suitable to implement lean supply chain strategies according to the presented model.Research limitations/implications – This paper should be of value ...

The pork industry: a supply chain perspective

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to highlight and summarize the main factors found along the pork supply chain, which affect the quality of pork products, taking into consideration the product attributes demanded by consumers.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a review of the pork supply chain literature, and the main objective is to describe and analyze the complexity of the pork production industry from a holistic perspective. An extensive review of the relevant literature was done together with discussions and reflexions carried out with pork sector researchers.Findings – The paper highlights the complexity involved in the pork supply chain in order to obtain quality products and demonstrates that, by looking at pork production as a chain instead of as individual steps made by different companies, the meat sector can more easily meet the challenge of accurately responding to changing customer demands.Research limitations/implications – The contribution describes the main factors and attribute...

Evidence for quality management systems being instrumental in improving supplier performance: the case of the wind power sector

This paper evaluates whether ISO certification enables a supplier to become an extended resource in a specific sector. The evaluation consisted of a statistical analysis of data from 90 suppliers to a wind turbine manufacturer. The suppliers were selected, evaluated and audited as extended resources from a resource-based view (RBV). We test the differences that the qualified suppliers exhibit in main ISO processes and we identify specific areas that will improve supplier relationships. We also demonstrate significant differences exist when the level of technology the supplier uses is taken into account. Our results may well be applicable in a wider manufacturing processes context. We determine that ISO certification alone is not enough to cement a positive relationship in an upstream supply chain environment, despite such relationships being crucial to the success of a business, and support the use of a wider sector-specific certification tool that goes beyond ISO certification.