Rogério Feroldi Miorando

Learning organisation and human resources management practices: an exploratory research in medium-sized enterprises undergoing a lean implementation

Despite the fact that Lean Manufacturing (LM) implementation has been widely discussed in the literature, a reduced number of works focus on medium-sized enterprises (MEs). Such gap becomes more evident when searching for works exploring the dimensions of learning organisation (DLO) that surround LM implementation in MEs. This paper aims at assessing DLO maturity and the importance of human resources management (HRM) practices in MEs that are starting LM implementation. We verify the applicability of a method for assessing maturity levels of DLO and HRM practices in seven different MEs. The method was originally conceived for large enterprises well advanced in the lean implementation process; it combines concepts of HRM and organisational learning with lean implementation roadmaps. Adapting the method for application in MEs allows such companies to anticipate and minimise organisational learning problems by conducting appropriate HRM practices, leading to a more effective LM implementation. We conclude that the method is a suitable diagnostic tool for MEs, indicating which phases of the lean roadmap are better prepared to be implemented.

Implementation of lean supply chain: an empirical research on the effect of context

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effect of a set of contextual variables on the implementation of lean supply chain (LSC) practices. The authors do that by investigating one main research question: “how do the contextual variables (i.e. plant size, supply chain level, level of onshore suppliers and age of the LM initiative) influence on the degree of adoption of LSC practices?” Design/methodology/approach To this end, the authors collected data from 115 companies from different sectors located in Southern Brazil. Data collected was analyzed by means of multivariate techniques. The authors tested if the frequency of observations for each contextual variable was associated to the implementation levels of the LSC practices. Findings The evidences suggest that supply chain context significantly impacts the likelihood of implementing LSC practices. In particular, the influence of tier level, plant size and larger experience in implementing LM seems to be substantial across a wide mix of practices. On the other hand, results indicate that contexts in which companies are still beginners at the lean journey and their level of onshore suppliers appear to be less pervasive than previous empirical researches imply. Originality/value The implementation of LSC practices entails a different business model, in which improved profits arise from the cooperation rather than bargaining or imposing power over supply chain partners. However, not all organizations should implement the same set of practices, since the adoption of any specific management practice depends upon a set of contextual variables. The understanding of the relationship between the level of adoption of LSC practices and the contextual variables helps to anticipate occasional difficulties and sets the proper expectations along the implementation.

ICT Trends in Brazil

Brazil is the prototypical emerging country, poised for economic and social growth. However, much of its economy is still tied to low-technology products and services. To improve its global competitiveness, Brazil must further develop its information and communication technologies.

Uma análise qualitativa da governança de TI em um programa de pós-graduação

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de caso do modelo de Governanca de TI de um Programa de Pos-graduacao. O estudo e realizado com o uso de entrevistas individuais semiestruturadas que exploram aspectos complexos e inter-relacionados, de dificil identificacao por metodos quantitativos. As entrevistas possibilitam mapear a Governanca de TI do Programa e identificar carencias, possibilidades de melhoria e novas oportunidades de negocio. Entre os principais aspectos identificados, pode-se citar: a falta de principios formais de TI, a baixa participacao dos profissionais de TI no processo decisorio e a possibilidade de exploracao do ensino a distância com o uso da TI.

Avaliação das Dimensões de Aprendizagem Organizacional e do Gerenciamento de Pessoas na Produção Enxuta: Pesquisa em Empresas de Médio Porte

Despite the fact that Lean Manufacturing (LM) imple mentation has widely been discussed in literature, little has been evidenced involving medium-sized enterprises (MEs). This gap is significantly increased when the Organi zational Learning (OL) dimensions that surround the LM implementation in MEs are added to the problem. Thus, this paper aims to assess the OL dimensions maturity and the People Ma nagement Practices (PMP) importance in MEs that are beginning LM implementation. This r esearch verifies the application of an existent method, originally conceived for large ent erprises, and consolidates the results from seven different MEs in order to propose a general a pproach for the problem. This approach allows MEs anticipate and minimize OL issues by dri ving the appropriate PMP and providing a more effective LM implementation sustainability .

Análise dos métodos de avaliação de investimentos e opções de controle de Risco para projetos internos de TI em empresas de Tecnologia

O ambiente competitivo em que as empresas de tecnologia estao inseridas exige que estas se adaptem de forma rapida as mudancas, buscando opcoes que tragam flexibilidade para seus investimentos. Muitos modelos de avaliacao de investimentos tem falhado em capturar o valor desta flexibilidade. Este trabalho apresenta uma analise dos modelos de avaliacao de investimentos utilizados por empresas de tecnologia em seus projetos de TI. Para isto, realizou-se uma pesquisa Survey com 34 empresas situadas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Os principais resultados mostram que: (i) existe uma crescente exigencia pela realizacao de analises de investimentos sempre que um investimento em TI e necessario; (ii) grande parte das empresas nao realizam analises quantitativas de seus projetos; e (iii) as acoes de contingencia para os riscos estao desalinhadas ou subutilizadas se comparadas as alternativas propostas pela literatura. Isso oferece espaco para ganhos com metodos quantitativos que oferecam maior flexibilidade, como e o caso de Opcoes Reais.