Zulfiqar Khan

Developing a BPI framework and PAM for SMEs.

Purpose – The last decade has seen much interest in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from successive UK Governments highlighting the importance of this sector to the wealth‐creating process of the UK economy. World‐class manufacturing (WCM) is a set of methodologies that are used by organisations to compete globally and continuously improve their competitiveness. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are now competing at a global level and many are world‐class. The majority of the companies that make up the OEMs supply chains are SMEs. It is, therefore, imperative that SMEs also improve their competitiveness to a world‐class level. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a triangulation methodology consisting of a literature review, analysis of a 150‐company survey and semi‐structured interviews in the development of the business process improvement (BPI) framework and performance assessment methodology (PAM) tool.Findings – This study advocates a p...

Implementing Six Sigma in Saudi Arabia: An empirical study on the fortune 100 firms

This paper presents the results of a survey that gathered evidence regarding the current status of Six Sigma adoption and implementation in Saudi Arabia. Although Six Sigma has become the focus of business for a quarter of a century, the philosophy has not gained the same attention in developing countries. Moreover, little academic research has been carried out on the extent of Six Sigma implementation in these countries. The study focuses on Six Sigma implementation among the fortune 100 manufacturing and service firms in Saudi Arabia since they represent the most important organisations operating in the country and could serve as an indicator for the extent of Six Sigma adoption. The results indicate that the rate of Six Sigma implementation is less than 32% of respondents. Reasons behind Six Sigma implementation, popularity of Six Sigma compared with other similar initiatives, Six Sigma implementation success factors, tools and techniques used, level of training, barriers and impediments in the implementation and benefits gained from implementation are investigated and compared with the literature. Moreover, the findings suggest that there is no significant difference in the level of most of Six Sigma practices between manufacturing and service firms which asserts that service firms recognise Six Sigma and are using it to boost performance

Modelling Patient Flow in a Radiotherapy Department

This paper reports the development of a simulation model of the radiotherapy department of Walsgrave Hospital and shows the results of experiments conducted using the model. In the radiotherapy department a key target is the number of days from the time that the consultant refers the patient to the department to the date that the patient receives their first treatment. Many factors can affect this time and this project has attempted to identify and quantify the effects of these factors. Initial discussions were held to provide a framework for the study. These discussions were followed by a series of visits to the department to observe the way in which it operates and to interview staff in each of the main areas of work. Following this a flow diagram of the department was produced. This was used as a basis for the development of a computer simulation model which represents the way in which a patient moves through the department, from referral by a consultant, to the planning of the treatment, to the treatment itself, and finally discharge from the hospital. A series of experiments was used to evaluate the effects of changes to the input to the model, the number of resources in the model and the way in which the department operates. Finally, recommendations are made for future work to develop the model further and suggestions are made for its application.

Evaluating competitive advantage priorities of SMEs in Jordan

The current climate that Jordanian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face is quite fierce. Organisations in competing with products imported from Far East with fewer defects and lower prices are facing a life-or-death situation. In order to survive, it is vital that awareness on competitive advantage priorities should be made which gives managers a comprehensive evaluation tool that highlights how their companies are competing. The paper identifies and evaluates competitive advantage priorities based on the paradigms provided by the literature on competitive strategy and the perceptions of SMEs managers through a developed survey. The study reveals that cost, quality and delivery are the most important priorities among Jordanian SMEs. Also, the paper finds significant differences in the level of ranking in favour of those companies with higher percentage of exports to international markets which indicate that export-oriented companies are keener on improving their competitive priorities than those targeting local market.

Improving cost model development process using advanced data generation and data analysis techniques

This paper provides an example of the use of virtual manufacturing and data mining techniques in the development of a model for manufacturing process time estimation and hence the cost. A range of experiments was initially carried out which involved using a virtual model of a vertical end milling machining process. Data generated from the virtual model was then analysed using data mining in order to identify the relationships between processing times and product features, process features and process activities. The results of this methodology are presented in this paper.

Simulation modelling for problem understanding: a case study in the East Slovakia Coal Industry

This paper is about an intervention that was initially concerned with physical processes but which required consideration of information flows and culture. The investigation was intended to improve the processing strategy and operations of an organization in the East Slovakian Coal Industry. Simulation modelling was used to help the debate, and it helped reveal issues of misunderstanding within the organization and poor communication that led to misallocation of resources. New ways of approaching the process were proposed that would lead to significant reductions in coal waste.

Implementing an integrated ABC and TOC approach to enhance decision making in a Lean context

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to implement an integrated activity-based costing (ABC) and theory of constraints (TOC) approach to enhance decision making in a Lean company. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the literature, this paper proposes an integrated ABC and TOC approach and applies it to a Lean plastic manufacturing company to improve its product-mix decision. Findings – The results of the case study show that the current conventional product-mix decision used by the company and the proposed integrated approach can give significantly different results concerning the optimal product-mix and the associated bottlenecks. Moreover, the paper suggests that managers who implement Lean production without utilising a supportive management accounting system may experience disappointing financial results. Research limitations/implications – The validation of the suggested method is based on a single case study with an action research approach. For future research, the authors suggest the impleme...