S. Vinodh

Application of fuzzy analytic network process for supplier selection in a manufacturing organisation

The contemporary manufacturing organisations are forced to adopt advanced manufacturing paradigms for sustaining in the global markets. Supply chain management is an essential ingredient of advanced manufacturing systems since outsourcing gains vital importance. Supplier selection is a vital issue concerned in the process of managing global supply chains. A conceptual model for supplier selection encompassing various criteria and sub-criteria has been developed. In this article, fuzzy analytic network process (fuzzy ANP) approach has been used for the supplier selection process. The case study has been carried out in an Indian electronics switches manufacturing company. Based on supplier selection weighted index, the best supplier has been determined. This is followed by the conduct of sensitivity analysis as well as questionnaire-based validation. The results of the validation study indicated that the application of fuzzy ANP is practically feasible and adaptable in the contemporary industrial scenario.

Leanness assessment using multi-grade fuzzy approach

The manufacturing organisations have been witnessing a transition from mass manufacturing to lean manufacturing. Lean operations are characterised by the elimination of obvious wastes occurring in the manufacturing process, thereby facilitating cost reduction. This paper reports a research carried out to assess the leanness of an organisation using multi-grade fuzzy approach. During this research, a leanness measurement model incorporated with multi-grade fuzzy approach was designed. This is followed by the substitution of the data gathered from a manufacturing organisation. After the computation of leanness index, the areas for leanness improvement have been identified. The approach contributed in this project could be used as a test kit for periodically evaluating an organisations leanness.

Fuzzy logic based leanness assessment and its decision support system

Manufacturing organisations have been witnessing a transition from mass manufacturing to lean manufacturing. Lean manufacturing is focused on the elimination of obvious wastes occurring in the manufacturing process, thereby enabling cost reduction. The quantification of leanness is one of the contemporary research agendas of lean manufacturing. This paper reports a study which is carried out to assess the leanness level of a manufacturing organisation. During this research study, a leanness measurement model has been designed. Then the leanness index has been computed. Since the manual computation is time consuming and error-prone, a computerised decision support system has been developed. This decision support system has been designated as FLBLA-DSS (decision support system for fuzzy logic based leanness assessment). FLBLA-DSS computes the fuzzy leanness index, Euclidean distance and identifies the weaker areas which need improvement. The developed DSS has been test implemented in an Indian modular switches manufacturing organisation.

Structural Equation Modelling of lean manufacturing practices

The purpose of this research study is to analyse lean manufacturing practices in different industries and to identify the critical factors for its success implementation. Despite the fact that lean manufacturing has been frequently promoted as a means of improving business competitiveness, little empirical evidence exists in the literature validating its positive link with organisational performance. Lean manufacturing practices not only help in reducing the number of defects but also reduces the cost of production. For this purpose, empirical data is collected to measure the lean manufacturing practices prevailing in different industries located in Tamil Nadu, India. A Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique is used to build the measurement and structural models. Later, statistical estimates are used to validate the model that has been built. The data analysis helps to determine whether to accept or reject the hypothesis that has been stated based on the structural model. The result shows how lean manufacturing practices are correlated and help in improving the organisational performance among the industries being surveyed.

APPLICATION OF VALUE STREAM MAPPING IN AN INDIAN CAMSHAFT MANUFACTURING ORGANIZATION

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply value stream mapping (VSM) for enabling leanness in an Indian camshaft manufacturing organisation.Design/methodology/approach – Literature on lean manufacturing and VSM has been performed. A suitable organisation has been identified for conducting the case study. The current state map has been developed after making necessary observations and calculations. Then various improvement proposals have been identified and the future state map has been developed.Findings – The industrial impact as a result of implementing the proposals has been determined. The improvement in leanness parameters has been found.Research limitations/implications – The implementation study has been conducted in only one organisation. But the organisation has implemented world‐class strategies such as ISO quality management system. Hence, the experiences gained by the conduct of this implementation study are feasible and deployable in similar organisations.Practical implications – In ord...

AHP‐based lean concept selection in a manufacturing organization

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report a study in which analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been used for selecting the best concept in lean environment.Design/methodology/approach – There existed a need for the case organization to identify the best concept from the perspective of lean manufacturing. The concept selection problem is a typical multi‐criterion decision‐making problem. AHP judges and selects the elements/concepts which have a greater influence on the pre‐determined objective. In this study, AHP has been used for selecting the best concept.Findings – The validation indicated that AHP is an effective approach for enabling best concept selection, thereby improving the leanness of the organization.Research limitations/implications – The implementation study has been carried out by substituting the data gathered from only one manufacturing organization. Yet the findings and contribution of this research work would be useful to the leaders of majority of the manufacturing companies sit...

Application of fuzzy QFD for enabling leanness in a manufacturing organisation

Increasing global competition is forcing manufacturing organisations to transform their manufacturing pattern from mass manufacturing to lean manufacturing. Lean manufacturing is focussed on the elimination of waste thereby enabling cost reduction. Quality management is an important aspect associated with lean practices. Modern customers are gaining importance and their voice needs to be accurately translated into technical languages. Quality function deployment (QFD) is a technique extensively used for this purpose. In order to cope with the vagueness associated with relationships and correlations in QFD, fuzzy numbers are integrated with a QFD framework and fuzzy QFD is used in this project. A case study is carried out in an Indian electronics switches manufacturing organisation. The approach is very effective in the identification of lean competitive bases, lean decision domains, lean attributes and lean enablers for the organisation. The case study results are practically validated which indicate the receptivity of this approach in the industrial scenario.

Implementing lean sigma in an Indian rotary switches manufacturing organisation

The manufacturing organisations have been witnessing a transformation in the manufacturing paradigm. Lean sigma and six sigma are the two business process improvement strategies widely employed by organisations to enhance their manufacturing performance. To achieve dramatic result in cost, quality and time, best strategies need to be applied to enhance the process performance. Lean sigma and six sigma are two powerful and effective strategies, enabling the organisation to overcome their weakness and for retaining their improvement. Lean sigma combines the variability reduction tools and techniques drawn from six sigma with the waste and non-value added elimination tools and techniques from lean manufacturing to achieve savings in the organisations. This study uses an integrated lean sigma framework to reduce the defects occurring in the final product, thereby contributing savings to the organisation. The proposed framework integrates lean tools within six sigma methodology to enhance the bottom-line results and to win customer loyalty. The implementation of the proposed framework shows dramatic improvement in key metrics and substantial financial savings to be generated by the organisation.

Agility index measurement using multi-grade fuzzy approach integrated in a 20 criteria agile model

This paper reports a research carried out to assess the agility level of an organisation using a multi-grade fuzzy approach. Agility refers to the capability of an organisation to respond quickly in accordance with the dynamic demands of the customers. During this research, an agility index measurement model containing 20 criteria incorporated with the multi-grade fuzzy approach was designed. Subsequently, the data gathered from a manufacturing company was substituted in this model and the proposals for enhancing the agility level of this company were derived. The usage of the model contributed in this paper will indicate the actions required to enhance an organisations agility level. This process will accelerate the absorption of agility characteristics in modern organisations.

Implementing lean sigma framework in an Indian automotive valves manufacturing organisation: a case study

The manufacturing organisations have been witnessing a key transition to lean manufacturing paradigm so as to eliminate waste. Concurrently, six sigma methodology has been widely used for reducing the defects. In order to attain the combined benefits of these two approaches, the amalgamated lean sigma framework has originated. Lean sigma framework proves drawbacks, such as lack of systematic and scientific management and feeble lean anchorage. In order to overcome these deficiencies, this article contributes a refined lean sigma framework, and its effectiveness has been test implemented in an Indian automotive valves manufacturing organisation. The implementation benefits are described in this article.