Ulrika Harlin

Information enabling production ramp-up

Purpose – This paper seeks to identify information enabling and supporting production ramp-up processes, by exploring critical events and the role of information in such events. Design/methodology/approach – The research approach was based on empirical and theoretical investigations. A selection of 30 events, considered the most critical for production ramp-up realization and/or performance at one Swedish automotive company, were categorized and constituted the base for the analysis which focused information types and sources enabling event handling. Findings – Information enabling event handling is a balanced combination of problem and domain information, regardless of event category. However, a differentiation concerning preference and usage of information types between experienced and less experienced personnel is identified. Problem-solving information has the character of pragmatic information, composed of complementary parts of confirmation and novelty in terms of domain and problem information. The preferred information source in all event categories was “other people”. Research limitations/implications – The study focuses on the application of information in relation to critical events during production ramp-up. General information theory is not addressed in depth. Practical implications – Information type and information source are not dependent on certain event categories, which allows a general information strategy enabling production ramp-up. To facilitate production ramp-up and event handling managers and key personnel need to apply a holistic perspective and need to be updated on domain information of the products, the equipment, and the production process during production ramp-up. Originality/value – The originality is in the focus and role of information to achieve an efficient production ramp-up performance. A supporting model is developed which describes the structure of pragmatic information for personnel with various levels of experience, regardless of event category.

TOWARDS EFFICIENT AUTOMATION IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract New technology may contribute to several advantages, but shop-floor requirements need to be considered to achieve expected benefits. Results are based on an industrial study, where new machinery was implemented. Identified critical aspects include transfer of new knowledge related to the modified production system, scenario building, and situation awareness both within and outside the company. These critical aspects may also be relevant during planned changeovers between different levels of automation. An initial model is proposed, describing effects of varying the levels of automation and the potential of automation if critical aspects are sufficiently regarded.

Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and Psychosocial Factors at Work Among Healthcare Professionals

Aim: The study aims to examine the associations between leader–member exchange (LMX) and psychosocial factors at work. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was undertaken at four units in two not-for-profit hospitals in southwestern Sweden. The study sample included 240 employees. Results: Significant correlations were found between LMX items and most of the psychosocial domains and dimensions. The strongest correlations were found between the LMX item affect and rewards/recognition, role clarity and predictability, and the LMX item loyalty and rewards/recognition. In sum, high-quality LMX was associated with good psychosocial work conditions experienced by the employees. Conclusions: The results support possible ways for managers and employees to strengthen their relationships and this may in turn lead to more sustainable systems in health care.

Ergonomisk Værdistrømsanalyse (ErgoVSM) - Værktøj og brugerguide

General information State: Published Organisations: Department of Management Engineering, Management Science, Implementation and Performance Management, Swerea AB, Nordic School of Public Health NHV, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Reykjavík University, University of Iceland Contributors: Jarebrant, C., Johansson Hanse, J., Harlin, U., Ulin, K., Winkel, J., Edwards, K., Birgisdóttir, B. D., Gunnarsdóttir, S. Publication date: 2016

Ergonomic Value Stream Mapping (ErgoVSM) : Tool and User Guide

ErgoVSM is an intervention process tool stimulating a dialogue for creating more sustainable value streams at hospital wards. It represents a complement to traditional Value Stream Mapping. Work en ...

May sustainability of patient flows at hospitals be increased by adding a work environment module to Value Stream Mapping (VSM)? - A NOVO Multicenter study in Denmark, Iceland and Sweden

Introduction: The impact of ergonomic interventions may be offset by other changes at the work place, primarily rationalizations. These have previously been shown to imply a dominant negative effect on health and risk factors, thus causing effect modification (Westgaard & Winkel 2011). The present paper aims to present assessment of potential effect modifiers in intervention studies at hospital wards in Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. Material and methods: The effect modifiers were assessed by a newly developed method (the EMA method; Edwards & Winkel 2016). It is a type of group interview including 3-6 participants representing all occupational groups in the investigated organization. The group is asked to write down significant changes at the workplace during the investigated period. The method also includes a semi-qualitative assessment of the potential Work Environment (WE) impact of each modifier. It aims to capture both the individual and collective account of all significant events that may have caused a significant impact in relation to the specific aim of the investigated intervention. Thirteen hospital wards went through interventions based on either the lean tool VSM (Value Stream Mapping) (6 wards) or the ErgoVSM method (Jarebrant et al, 2010) where additional focus is on ergonomic issues (7 wards). Results: In total 120 interventions were implemented. However, 322 significant modifiers were assessed to have occurred during the intervention period. Of these, 120 were assessed to imply impaired WE, 166 a positive impact, 33 no impact and 3 were not assessable. The number of significant modifier events varied between wards from 8-48, while the number of implemented interventions varied from 0-28. The semi-qualitative assessments suggested a major impact on WE due to modifiers. At seven wards the dominating impact of the modifiers was estimated to improve WE; at two wards the modifiers were estimated mainly to impair WE while four wards showed a mixture of modifiers, some estimated to improve and other to impair WE. Conclusion: Numerous effect modifiers occurred parallel to the investigated interventions. This jeopardizes any inference regarding impact of the investigated interventions on WE. The study thereby highlights the significance of considering effect modifiers in ergonomic intervention research.

New ways of organizing product introductions

The aim of this paper is to describe and reflect on an interactive research approach used to address the challenges on how to improve product introductions, the part of the product realization process associated with the transfer of a product from product development to serial production. In the interactive research approach, research results as well as improvement of practice are given equal importance. The collaboration between researchers and practitioners therefore addresses both the focus and the process of the change. The approach includes four main iterative steps: 1) mapping/diagnosis, 2) feedback of results, 3) participation in development activities, and 4) follow-up/evaluation. The paper reports findings from interactive research in one company within office product industry and one company group, consisting of three company units within the engine industry. Preliminary findings indicate that the participating companies afterwards work in a more structured way with product introductions and that the employees have gained deeper knowledge about product introductions as well as experienced the advantages of working across functional boundaries. Furthermore, the interactive research approach is suitable to run projects from an ergonomics perspective as it focuses on developing both practice and theory, it is human-centered, and it emphasizes broad participation from practitioners.