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1
Соловйова, Тетяна Емілівна. "Управління стратегічною стійкістю промислового підприємства." Master's thesis, КПІ ім. Ігоря Сікорського, 2021. https://ela.kpi.ua/handle/123456789/46007.
Full textAbstract:
Магістерська дисертація на тему: «Управління стратегічною стійкістю промислового підприємства» містить 113 сторінок, 48 таблиць, 15 рисунків. Перелік посилань нараховує 60 найменувань.
Актуальність теми дослідження зумовлена низьким рівнем розвитком показників стратегічної стійкості промислових підприємств під впливом низької фінансової та соціальної активності, обмеженості попиту на виробництво. Необхідність вирішення порушених питань потребує розроблення програми з удосконалення управління стратегічної стійкості підприємства.
Зв’язок роботи з науковими програмами, планами, темами. Магістерська дисертація на здобуття ступеня магістра виконувалася згідно з планом наукових досліджень кафедри менеджменту КПІ ім. Ігоря Сікорського у межах науково-дослідної теми «Управління економічним забезпеченням міжнародних форм бізнесу і підприємництва на основі принципів сталого розвитку та економічної безпеки» (№ ДР 0117U005640).
Метою роботи є аналіз, обґрунтування та розроблення практичних рекомендацій з удосконалення управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства.
Завдання дослідження. Відповідно до зазначеної мети поставлено такі задачі: ознайомлення с теоретико-методичними основами стратегічної стійкості підприємства. аналіз стратегічної стійкості підприємств виробництв алюмінію. оцінка стратегічної стійкості ТОВ «Зеніт Ко». аналіз стратегічного положення підприємства в контексті стійкості. розроблення програми з удосконалення управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства. реалізація програми підвищення стратегічної стійкості підприємства. економічне обґрунтування доцільності реалізації запропонованих заходів.
Об'єктом дослідження є процес розвитку управління стратегічної стійкості промислового підприємства.
Предметом дослідження є теоретичні та практичні положення, методичні аспекти, щодо удосконалення управління стратегічною стійкістю промислового підприємства.
Методи дослідження. Виконання дипломної роботи другого (магістерського) рівня вищої здійснено на застосуванні загальних та спеціальних методів дослідження: статистичний аналіз, систематизації та
узагальнення; фінансово-економічний аналіз; аналіз показників стратегічної стійкості підприємства. Наукова новизна одержаних результатів. За результатами проведеного дослідження розроблені заходи з удосконалення управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства, зокрема щодо моніторингу рівня стійкості та запровадження з цією метою окремих посад фінансового та бізнес аналітика; підвищення рівня стратегічної стійкості за виробничою складовою, шляхом впровадження нового обладнання. Практичне значення одержаних результатів. Практична значущість дослідження полягає в застосуванні удосконаленого інструментарію управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства, що дозволятиме підприємству втримувати стійкі позиції за фінансовим, виробничим, соціальним факторами. Апробація результатів роботи:
1) Бояринова К.О, Соловйова Т. Е., Особливості управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства. Економіка, облік, фінанси та право: концептуальні та практичні аспекти розвитку: матеріали Міжнар. наук.-практ.конф.: м.Полтава, 3 грудня 2021 року.
URL: http://www.economics.in.ua/2017/10/konference201709. 2) Результати дослідження організаційно-економічного забезпечення розвитку кадрового потенціалу підприємства доповідались на І Міжнародній науково-практичній конференції "Бізнес, інновації, менеджмент: проблеми та перспективи". За результатами досліджень опубліковано тези доповіді: Соловйова Т. Е., Нагорна І. І. Організаційно- економічний розвиток кадрового потенціалу підприємства. Бізнес, інновації, менеджмент: проблеми та перспективи: збірник тез доповідей. C. 74-75. URL: http://confmanagement.kpi.ua/proc/article/view/201213.The master's dissertation on the topic: "Management of strategic stability of an industrial enterprise" contains 113 pages, 48 tables, 15 figures. The list of links includes 60 items. The relevance of the research topic is due to the low level of development of strategic stability of industrial enterprises under the influence of low financial and social activity, limited demand for production. The need to address the issues raised requires the development of a program to improve the management of strategic stability of the enterprise. The master's dissertation for the master's degree was performed in accordance with the research plan of the Department of Management KPI. Igor Sikorsky within the research topic "Management of economic support of international forms of business and entrepreneurship based on the principles of sustainable development and economic security" (№ DR 0117U005640). The purpose of the work is to analyze, substantiate and develop practical recommendations for improving the management of strategic stability of the enterprise. Objectives of the study. In accordance with this goal, the following tasks are set: - acquaintance with theoretical and methodical bases of strategic stability of the enterprise; - analysis of strategic stability of aluminum enterprises; - assessment of the strategic stability of Zenit Co. LLC; - analysis of the strategic position of the enterprise in the context of sustainability; - development of a program to improve the management of strategic stability of the enterprise; - mplementation of the program to increase the strategic stability of the enterprise. The object of study is the process of development of strategic stability management of an industrial enterprise.The subject of research is theoretical and practical provisions, methodological aspects of improving the management of strategic stability of industrial enterprises. Research methods. Execution of the diploma work of the second (master's) higher level is carried out on the use of general and special research methods: statistical analysis, systematization and generalization; financial and economic analysis; analysis of indicators of strategic stability of the enterprise. Scientific novelty of the obtained results. The scientific novelty of the study is as follows. According to the results of the study, measures were developed to improve the management of strategic stability of the enterprise, in particular to monitor the level of sustainability and the introduction of certain positions of financial and business analyst; increasing the level of strategic stability of the production component by introducing new equipment. The practical significance of the results obtained. The practical significance of the study lies in the use of improved tools for managing the strategic stability of the enterprise, which will allow the company to maintain a stable position on financial, production, social factors. Approbation of work results: 1) Boyarinova KO, Solovyova TE, Features of strategic stability management. Economics, accounting, finance and law: conceptual and practical aspects of development: materials International. scientific-practical conference: Poltava, December 3, 2021. URL: http://www.economics.in.ua/2017/10/konference201709.html 2) The results of the study of organizational and economic support for the development of human resources of the enterprise were reported at the First International Scientific and Practical Conference "Business, Innovation, Management: Problems and Prospects". According to the results of research published abstracts: Solovyova TE, Nagorna II Organizational and economic development of human resources of the enterprise. Business, innovation, management: problems and prospects: a collection of abstracts. C. 74-75. URL: http://confmanagement.kpi.ua/proc/article/view/201213.
2
Barratt, Mark A. "Exploring Relationships and Information Exchange in Grocery Supply Chains: a Case Study of the Enablers and Inhibitors." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/1826/4533.
Full textAbstract:
The last decade has seen a growing interest from academics and practitioners in the
development of collaborative supply chain relationships based on information
exchange. Most of the evidence gathered within this management research area has
been biased towards the role of the buyer/supplier dyadic exchange in the integration of
the supply chain. The role of the other parties and the systemic nature of supply chain
management have been relatively ignored.
Previous research in this area has also been biased due to the narrow focus of
investigation, with one problem being obtaining access to all parties involved in the
supply chain. The purpose of this study was to overcome the aforementioned research
biases and therefore, contribute to the understanding of the collaborative relationship
development process from a broader supply chain perspective.
Open access was gained to six organisations across three tiers of a coffee supply chain
in the UK grocery sector. Within this context, a theory building approach was applied to
the data collected in the case study. Through constant comparison and coding of data
from multiple strategic, tactical, operational, inter- and intra-organisational exchanges
within the same context, several findings were made. An interesting finding from the
research is the evolving role of the supply chain integrator, whereby the manufacturer
seeks to balance the needs of its retail customers with the sourcing and procurement of
raw and packaging materials from its suppliers.
In terms of the concepts of supply chain relationships and information exchange, there
are a number of common enablers and inhibitors. The inter-relationship between the two
concepts is however complex and requires further study. The other findings of the
research are expressed as a tentative theoretical framework and a series of new
emerging enablers and inhibitors to collaborative relationships and information
exchange in the supply chain. Finally the enablers and inhibitors grounded from the
case study provide a guide to the relational and often context specific factors that can
influence the development of collaborative supply chain relationships based on
information exchange.
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Datta, Partha Priya. "A complex system, agent based model for studying and improving the resilience of production and distribution networks." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1826/1757.
Full textAbstract:
The very complexity and the extended reach of today’s globe-spanning supply chain
networks, the low inventory levels and lack of redundancies required to achieve efficient
operations expose businesses to a huge range of unexpected disruptions. This calls for
building resilience in supply chains, which is not just recovery from the mishaps, but is a
proactive, structured and integrated exploration of capabilities within the supply chain to
resist and win against unforeseen happenings. Literature on supply chain and
organisational resilience are informative in identifying resilience enhancing strategies and
capabilities, but a detailed dynamic analysis of behaviour of the supply chain to
understand the suitability of different resilience capabilities over time and under different
scenarios is not carried out. The thesis addresses this gap by studying the internal
decision making mechanisms, rules and control procedures through development of an
agent-based model and its application to a paper tissue manufacturing supply chain.
The model with a decentralised informational structure with informed and intelligent
combination of push or pull type of replenishment strategy, flexibility, agility,
redundancy and efficiency is found to enhance the resilience of the actual supply network
in the face of large deviation of demand from forecasts. The effects of adopting several
resilience improvement strategies in tandem or in isolation and the impact of applying
different behavioural rules by different agents are studied in this thesis by carrying out
numerical experimentation. The findings from the experiments suggest that, however
flexible the resources are, however well-informed the different members are, however
well-integrated the members are through coordination and communication, however wellequipped
a supply chain is with mitigation and recovery capabilities the individual
managerial judgements that can obtain a balance between various dimensions of
performance (both global and local efficiency, quality and speed of responding to
customer orders) and resilience (speedy reaction, maintaining buffers, flexibility in
resource management) play the most important role in improving the resilience of the
entire network.
An important contribution of this thesis is to produce a conceptual framework for supply
chain resilience. This framework is used to test the appropriateness of different resilience
enhancement procedures. Another significant contribution of this thesis is to provide a
theoretical template for further research in supply chain resilience. The template will
guide development of effective procedures for managing different situations of
uncertainty. By using complex systems modelling methods, such as multi-agent models
described in the thesis, outcomes of the system under a significant range of possible agent
behavioural rules and environmental events can be explored, and improved levels of
functioning and of resilience can be found. Building such models as a means to
understand and improve resilience of supply networks is a significant contribution.
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Masoudnia, Yaser. "Bootlegging in high technology R&D departments : from initiation to disclosure." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2012. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/7919.
Full textAbstract:
Bootlegging -the unauthorised projects initiated by an employee and directed toward
innovation for the benefit of their organization -is an important aspect of innovation,
because it is considered to be a great source of bottom-up innovation within
organisations. Since it is clandestine and hidden from management and researchers, it
has remained one of the least researched aspects of the innovation process.
There are a handful of studies on the topic of bootlegging in the management
literature – mainly based on one or a small number of case studies. The research
suggests that bootlegging activity can lead to innovative new products and is seen in a
positive light by a large majority of authors. However, the existing literature lacks
empirical evidence and consensus among different authors on the various aspects of
bootlegging such as reasons for bootlegging, underground operation, disclosure stage
of bootlegging and its outcomes.
Since bootlegging is a clandestine process, after careful consideration of a variety
options, it was concluded that in-depth interviews with bootleggers is the most
appropriate approach for studying the topic. Network sampling was applied to
identify bootleggers and gain their trust. The researcher has utilised his network and
attended several professional and engineering conferences to identify and approach
bootleggers rather than contacting them through their managers and organisations.
Subsequently, 55 in-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken. The
appropriate research methodology helped to shed light on these under-researched
aspects of innovation. Cont/d.
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Gomes, Jorge Filipe da Silva. "An exploration of the effects of functional integration on performance in new product development." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.556495.
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New product development (NPD) is a process that requires the capability to obtain, process and interpret large amounts of market, technical, financial and other information, in order to develop product ideas and evaluate their technical soundness, manufacturability and economic (market) feasibility. This requires organisations and individuals to be able to overcome internal differences and barriers built during the process of differentiation (Lawrence and Lorsch, 1967), and implement an NPD process based on collaboration of structurally separated, yet interdependent, functional units (especially marketing and R&D). Studies have shown that functional integration is a critical aspect of today's NPD's activities (e.g. Song, Montoya-Weiss and Schmidt, 1997), while the introduction of structured models of product development -e.g. stagegate systems- have contributed to increase linking and collaboration in the process (Cooper, 1990; Clark and Wheelwright, 1993). Recent research, however, suggests that high integration is not always desirable or achievable, and that its relationship with other variables might depend on factors such as the stage of the project and product innovativeness (Griffin and Hauser, 1996; Weerd-Nederhof, 1998). Furthermore, there is a need to understand how companies and managers involved in NPD activities can actively promote and encourage integration of functional units during a particular project. The objective of the present thesis is twofold. First it describes and explores the means through which functional integration can be achieved in an NPD context. Second, it explores the relationship between performance in NPD and functional integration under different conditions of project uncertainty and project stage. This work used a mixed-method design to guide the collection of qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data is based on 84 semi-structured interviews with people involved in NPD activities in 30 companies in the UK and the Netherlands. Other sources of qualitative data included internal company documentation, observation, computer databases, and companies' web sites. Quantitative data is based on 107 questionnaires completed by project managers working in 47 companies/BUs in the UK and the Netherlands.
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Richmond, Robin Julian. "An investigation into product design and production techniques within a just-in-time manufacturing environment." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/1108.
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This thesis describes the implementation of a Just-in-Time (JIT) cell on a greenfield site. It concentrates on a before and after implementation situation. Various production parameters are analysed to compare flowline performance before and after the implementation of JIT. The study is primarily concerned with the philosophies behind the Japanese management style of JIT and the practical use of JIT in a relatively small production line. Each area of JIT and its associated components are studied and, where practical, executed into practice within the production line. The study includes an investigation of the present manufacturing system and recommends improvements to aid manufacturing output. Total Quality Control, Set-up Reduction, Group Technology, Kanban, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis and Value Analysis are tools used to assist the formation of the JIT cell. Results taken after implementation revealed that stock levels reduced by 25%. Shop floor area was reduced by 205 square metres and lead time reduced by 33%. Large arrears in orders were virtually eliminated six weeks after implementation. Warranty claims were greatly reduced. Quality Management greatly enhanced the product and cross-training of operatives was achieved.
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Bouachera, Taoufik. "Whole life costing optimisation with integrated logistics support considerations." Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/741.
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It has long been recognised that, in the military sector, the Integrated Logistics Support ILS can significantly enhance system effectiveness and add value to their competitiveness. Hence, it is not surprising that many organisations outside to the military support the ILS adoption to increase their competence level. Even though the ILS underlying theory is general, there is a lack of suitable methodology that facilitates ILS implementation in other industries such as Oil & Gas industry. In particular when considering complex systems with long life-span, the optimisation of maintenance-related activities is important to fulfil system readiness, safety and whole life cost requirements. Modern petroleum equipment like gas turbines and drilling rigs are dependent on readily available maintenance supports in order to maximise their operational ability. Therefore, it has been identified that the study should be conducted to an effective use of ILS with the petroleum industry. In doing so, the usage of the ILS framework as a decision tool for maintenance optimisation is outlined. This framework embraces ILS concepts to support asset managers in developing their maintenance strategies. Level of repair analysis and spare parts management have been identified as potential areas for enhancing the use of ILS. In particular, maintenance optimisation is approached as a trade-off between investment in spare parts level and repair capacity. The developed framework delivers cost-effective support strategies obtained with iterative optimisation algorithm built on heuristics and genetic algorithm techniques. Finally, this algorithm has been implemented into computational algorithms. The framework can be employed to identify the optimum level of spare parts and the optimum amount of repair capacity for multi echelon repair network and multi-indenture systems. The framework has been used to carry out optimisations intended to maximise the availability of gas turbines by varying logistics support parameters. Typical results have shown that a joint optimisation of spare parts and level of repair analysis leads to better results than optimising them separately and emphasises the need for the developed framework. As part of this research, an expert panel validation method has been used to both refine the design of the developed framework and also evaluate its functionality from experienced practitioners within the Algerian petroleum industry. The results of this validation have demonstrated the advantages of integrating spare part management and level of repair analysis LORA to the problem of maintenance optimisation and shown that the framework is able to deliver optimal maintenance supportability decisions. The generic framework developed in this thesis can be seen a novel and comprehensive model for integrating two ILS elements into the operating tool in a manner that improves maintenance support provision, while remaining both flexible and usable; and therefore as a contribution to a better adoption of ILS technique within Algerian Petroleum Industry.
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Simangunsong, Eliot Sation. "Supply chain uncertainty : linking sources of uncertainty and management practices." Thesis, Lancaster University, 2010. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.556682.
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Supply chain uncertainty is a key issue that affects firm competitiveness (1993; Yang et al., 2004); and, therefore, identifying the major sources of uncertainty within supply chains and developing strategies to manage them is an important challenge (Sabri & Beamon, 2000). There is an emerging literature on supply chain uncertainty but additional empirical research is required to further develop understanding of this phenomenon. This leads to an important research question to explore what sources of uncertainty can be identified in practice, what are the dimensions of these sources, and how can they be managed. To address this research question, this thesis has developed a theoretical model of supply chain uncertainty. Using this theoretical model to structure the investigation, an empirical study has been conducted in the food industry in Indonesia with twelve inter-related companies (4 suppliers, 4 iv manufacturers, and 4 retailers). Twenty three semi-structured interviews with thirty two senior representatives from the twelve companies have been conducted; interviews were audio and video recorded, and analysed using Atlas.ti. A comprehensive approach, which goes beyond previous studies, has been undertaken. Fourteen sources of uncertainty, including those internal to the firm (e.g., manufacturing process), internal to the supply chain (e.g., supplier) and external (e.g., environment) have been explored and twenty two management strategies for reducing or coping with the relevant dimensions have been identified Other research contributions are also identified such as the dynamic and multi dimensional process of managing sources of uncertainty. The findings of the thesis have implications for managers. For example, reducing uncertainty strategies such as collaboration are generally preferred over coping with uncertainty strategies but are difficult to implement when sources of uncertainty span beyond the boundaries of the firm. Future research should explore issues emerging from this study, such as ethical issues affecting supply chain uncertainty. Keywords: Supply chain uncertainty; uncertainty management; case study research.
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Holt, Diane Lesley. "The development and empirical testing of a pressure/ response model of green supply chain management amongst a cross-sectoral sample of members of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply." Thesis, Middlesex University, 2005. http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/6882/.
Full textAbstract:
This study develops and empirically tests a model of factors determining green supply chain management practices in organisations. Previous research on aspects of green supply chain management is dominated by anecdotal, sector specific studies that examine specific aspects of the supply chain, such as purchasing or logistics. Many argue this field is embryonic and lacking a structured integrative framework of research. This study addresses this gap by focussing on a whole supply chain approach that provides a synthesis of previous research to develop a model of green supply chain management. The data from a cross-sectoral survey of 149 members the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply is used to test this model, using a variety of multivariate techniques. The model identifies environmental attitude as the primary determinant of green supply chain management practices, influenced to a lesser extent by external legislative factors. The influence of organisational contingencies on this model is also explored, and size identified as the only contingency that influences the relationships in this model. The dominant influence of environmental attitude suggests that within organisations there are internal factors, or individuals, that may push forward the green agenda, and those initiatives that focus on changing the environmental attitude/ culture of an organisation might be the most effective at improving environmental performance. This study suggests that factors previously identified as important within green supply chain management, such as supply chain or competitive pressures, are less influential than expected. However, future research should seek to compare the findings from this study with a larger, cross-sectoral sample that includes diverse organisations from different nations, sectors and levels of channel power.
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Walton, Bryn. "Factors impacting the success of new product development in the UK grocery retail industry : the role of market knowledge and intra & inter firm cross-functional integration in product innovation performance." Thesis, University of Kent, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.633826.
Full textAbstract:
In mature markets, successful new product introductions are becoming increasingly important for sustaining profitability and business growth (Cravens et al 2002), but evermore difficult to achieve due to factors such as increased levels of competition, rapidly changing market environments, higher rates of technical obsolescence and shorter product lifecycles (Griffin 1997). There is no lack of academic literature with respect tb New Product Development (NPD) as a whole - why it is important, how it is used and the key success factors therein - yet failure rates and the cost of developing new products remain prohibitively high. Working within the context of the UK grocery retail industry this thesis explores how product innovation is affected by Market Knowledge Dimensions, and Cross-Functional Integration within firms and across the supply chain. The research is supplemented by an exploration of the link between Market Information Gathering Activities and the creation of Market Knowledge and the mediating/moderating impact that Knowledge Integration Mechanisms has on Product Innovation Performance. Structural Equation Modelling is used to test a conceptual model developed through a review of the academic literature and exploratory qualitative research. The results of this research highlight the link between market information gathering activities and market knowledge volume and show the importance of Market Knowledge Volume and Market Knowledge Tacitness (in appropriate contxtual environments) in generating successful new products. The research also makes a significant contribution to the current academic literature by suggesting that quantity of collaboration at both an inter- and intra-firm level is not an antecedent of success unless organisations have the R&D strength to turn collaboration at an inter-firm level into internal competencies and competitive advantage.
11
Ibrahim, Almahdi Mohamed Saleh. "Soft enterprise resource planning implementation related issues: a case study approach." Thesis, University of Salford, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.492400.
Full textAbstract:
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have evolved from the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems and, accordingly, manufacturing companies represent the natural environment for their application. Nevertheless, ERP systems have also been introduced to different environments (e.g. service industries, refineries etc) with considerable success. However, comparatively little research has been conducted in the area of ERP implementation in such contexts of application.
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Musa, Haslinda. "The relationship of business continuity management, supply chain risk management and ICT within the supply network." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.550856.
Full textAbstract:
Literature has shown that Business Continuity Management (BCM) has been of particular interest to the researcher since the establishment of BS 25999 in 2006, although the underlying concept was first introduced in the mid 1980s. Previous studies of BCM have tended to focus on individual organisations and do not deal adequately with supply chains which are also at risk. For supply chains, risk management is usually discussed within the Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) topic. BCM and SCRM are therefore related but also differ. Both can be conceptualised as a management innovation which is an emerging topic within innovation research and as such factors affecting the adoption of this type of innovation are under-researched. Information and Communication Technology (lCT) had been argued as a potential source of disruption to business and at the same time ICT might be advantageous in supporting BCM and SCRM. This argument seems relevant to relating BCM, SCRM and ICT in terms of their adoption within the supply chain. Data from a questionnaire survey of 110 organisations across various sectors in the United Kingdom (UK) are used to answer the research question: "what are the key determinants to the adoption and the stages of adoption of BCM, SCRM, and ICT in an organisation within its supply network?" The data collected were analysed quantitatively, from simple analyses such as mean scores, and Spearman correlation coefficients, to more sophisticated analysis such as factor analysis, ANOV A, logistic regression and multiple regression. Adoption level, and a second dependent variable (stages of adoption), are predicted by a model with four categories of independent variables including (i) the characteristics of the innovation (BCM, SCRM, and ICT; including, the relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, and observability), (ii) the internal and external factors of innovation characteristics (managers' support, strategy integration, and stakeholders pressure on the innovation), (iii) the characteristics of the organisation (size, position in supply chain, decentralised organisational structure and organisational performance), and (iv) the external environment (stakeholders pressure, system openness, environmental uncertainties and supply chain complexity).
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Sakor, Madj. "An examination of strategic alignment between manufacturing strategy and business strategy in Syria." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.489245.
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Although much of the manufacturing strategy and business strategy literature emphasizes the importance of alignment, little empirical research has addressed strategic alignment between manufacturing strategy and business strategy. Managers' awareness of concepts discussed in the literature raises the profile of manufacturing within the organization, and highlights its role and importance in achieving corporate objectives. Scholars exploring manufacturing strategy stress the importance for strategy of horizontal integration of manufacturing with other functional strategies, and vertical integration to achieve business and corporate-level strategies.
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Rice, Gareth. "The application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to industrial process selection (with the BOC Group), and, The application of life cycle thinking to industrial process improvement (with Borax Consolidated)." Thesis, University of Surrey, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.594156.
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This EngD portfolio considers two important applications of Life Cycle Thinking to industrial processes. These are the use of Life Cycle Assessment in process selection, and the application of Life Cycle Thinking to process improvement. The portfolio can be broken down into two distinct parts: that associated with the most recent two years spent with The BOC Group and that related to the initial two years with Borax Consolidated. The work at The BOC Group shows how the environmental management tool of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can be used at the process selection stage (specifically in industrial applications). This is demonstrated by applying LCA to the production of liquid carbon dioxide (and its downstream use), and through a comparative LCA of the oxygen-based Vitox technology with alternative mechanical aeration techniques in the activated sludge process for waste water treatment. The work further includes a comparative assessment of alternative production methods for the generation of liquid oxygen. The work carried out at Borax Consolidated focuses on fluidisation as a novel method of dehydrating boric acid, and shows how life cycle thinking can be applied during process improvement and selection. It includes a comparative assessment of the impact associated with fluidisation and current technology
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Gunasekera, Sanwara D. R. S. "The development of a framework for assessing the integration of construction supply chains." Thesis, University of Ulster, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.603567.
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Supply Chain Management (SCM) is increasingly becoming important in the construction industry, which is still largely a fragmented industry. Several government sponsored reports have been instrumental in promoting the concept in the UK construction industry. However, previous literature helped identify that construction organisations are in the need of a mechanism that would allow them to measure integration of supply chains. Hence this research aimed to develop a framework for construction organisations to assess and improve integration of their supply chains. In this endeavour a Delphi survey was conducted in the Northern Irish construction industry to 'build' a SCM framework, and thereafter a UK-wide questionnaire survey to test the framework. Firstly, the Delphi method was used to prioritise and validate the inclusion of 13 critical success factors (CSFs) compiled from previous literature. This generated scores for each CSF, which could potentially be included in the developed SCM framework. Secondly, the Delphi method was used to develop the SCM framework based on the 13 CSFs and 4 levels of integration. This is the most significant contribution to knowledge created via this research. Thereafter, an e-survey was undertaken to test the robustness of the SCM framework. This added rigour to this research and utilised a mixed methodologies approach. In addition to testing the propositions and receiving feedback on the SCM framework, the e-survey revealed the current and future levels of integration of construction supply chains in the UK. This is the first quantitative survey that has been conducted among individuals in the UK construction industry regarding integration of construction supply chains. In conclusion, the proposed SCM framework is applicable to all main sectors of the construction industry; namely clients, consultants, main contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. This empirically tested framework is easy to use and helpful in assessing and improving construction supply chains.
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Cadden, Trevor. "The influence of organisational culture on strategic supply chain relationship success : symbiosis in action." Thesis, University of Ulster, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.625506.
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The thesis critically appraises the author's published works, whilst also attempting to demonstrate originality, rigour, significance, and coherence throughout. The papers enclosed (both core and supporting) represent a critical evaluation of the authors work over the past eight years. In that time, 14 pieces of work have been published in high quality journals, or disseminated at peer reviewed conferences. Outlined below are the thesis aim and objectives, followed by the research context and key contributions as they unfolded and developed during the authors research . Research Aim and Objectives The overarching aim of this thesis is to summarise the author's contribution to knowledge in the area of inter-organisational relationships through published works, specifically focusing on the influence of organisational culture in achieving and sustaining improved buyer supplier performance outcomes along the supply chain.
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Ab, Rashid Mohd Fadzil Faisae. "Integrated multi-objective optimisation of assembly sequence planning and assembly line balancing using particle swarm optimisation." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2013. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/8257.
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In assembly optimisation, Assembly Sequence Planning (ASP) and Assembly Line Balancing (ALB) optimisations currently performed in serial, present an opportunity for integration, allowing benefits such as larger search space leading to better solution quality, reduced error rate in planning and fast time-to-market for a product. The literature survey highlights the research gaps, where the existing integrated ASP and ALB optimisation is limited to a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based approach, while Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) demonstrates better performance in individual ASP and ALB optimisation compared to GA. In addition, the existing works are limited to simple assembly line problems which run a homogeneous model on an assembly line. The aim of this research is to establish a methodology and algorithm for integrating ASP and ALB optimisation using Particle Swarm Optimisation. This research extends the problem type to integrated mixed-model ASP and ALB in order to generalise the problem. This research proposes Multi-Objective Discrete Particle Swarm Optimisation (MODPSO), to optimise integrated ASP and ALB. The MODPSO uses the Pareto-based approach to deal with the multi-objective problem and adopts a discrete procedure instead of standard mathematical operators to update its position and velocity. The MODPSO algorithm is tested with a wide range of problem difficulties for integrated single-model and mixed-model ASP and ALB problems. In order to supply sufficient test problems that cover a range of problem difficulties, a tuneable test problem generator is developed. Statistical tests on the algorithms’ performance indicates that the proposed MODPSO algorithm presents significant improvement in terms of larger non-dominated solution numbers in Pareto optimal, compared to comparable algorithms including GA based algorithms in both single-model and mixed-model ASP and ALB problems. The performance of the MODPSO algorithm is finally validated using artificial problems from the literature and real-world problems from assembly products.
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Onyas, Winfred Ikiring. "Performing product trajectories and overlapping markets : an analysis of coffee global value chains." Thesis, Lancaster University, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.657627.
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This research presents an original contribution to knowledge illuminating how overlapping product trajectories and markets co-evolve, mutually influencing each other. By so doing, this study sheds light on how markets define, interrupt and divert product trajectories, with product trajectories holding together markets, connecting goods, agencies and practices enacted at different points in the trajectory. Putting forward an Exchange Networks model, this research extends the notion of market framing (Callon, 1999) to analyse overlapping markets, examining how market agencies compete to define exchange objects and enrol suppliers into their market actor-networks. This analysis importantly draws attention the shifting exchange networks connecting buyers, suppliers and exchange objects, revealing how agential practices shape and sustain overlapping markets. Analysing 'global value chains' as an example of a product trajectory, this research reports on the findings of an ethnographic study of the global coffee trajectory originating from the Good African Company market in Uganda - a Southern-led differentiated coffee market existing alongside the mainstream coffee market. The empirical data gathered captures the everyday practices of agencies shaping these two competing markets at the farmer - buyer segment of their coffee trajectories. This study therefore addresses an empirical gap in the Global Value Chain and commodity studies literature, providing a detailed analysis of how a Southern-led differentiated coffee market existing alongside the mainstream market is performed. In so doing, this research uncovers the particularities largely obscured in the structures, . systems and flows portrayed in Global Value Chain studies, addressing the reductionism assumed in the approach. An actor-network frame of reference developed in this thesis draws attention to the entrepreneurial capacity of semi-illiterate farmers and the unevenly distributed value along the coffee global value chain. These represent pertinent issues of interest to international development agencies, policy makers and NGOs in designing markets for, and channelling support to, developing countries.
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Sakellariou, Evy. "Front End and New Product Concept Development: An insider action research study of FMCG products in a multi-national organization." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.502510.
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The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding on the application of the first stage of the innovation funnel and on the gaps in knowledge through an analysis and synthesis of the NPD and the Front End literature. Within this literature it has been found that different authors propose different steps for the innovation funnel. These steps are discussed and then synthesized and classified under three major stages namely: Ideas/Concepts (Stage 0), Feasibility/Capability (Stage 1), Launch (Stage 2). It is the Ideas/Concepts (Stage 0) stage that is the area of concern of this action research study. There is a general awareness of certain problems and success factors during the front end. However, this stage remains 'fuzzy'; these activities of the early stage for fast consumer goods are the least explicit and a deeper understanding is needed through further research (Khurana & Rosenthal, 1998).The research explores 'Front End and New Product Development: An insider action research of FMCG products in a multi-national organization'. Such a research employs a constructivist approach to reveal the stages and the success factors at the international Front End, as perceived by Subject Matter Experts in international innovation, to develop a new International Product Concept Model and to apply it in a multi-national organization.
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Solding, Petter. "Increased energy efficiency in manufacturing systems using discrete event simulation." Thesis, De Montfort University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2086/4762.
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Market demands are forcing industrial manufacturers to develop their production systems by increasing flexibility, improving quality and lowering production costs. With the help of simulation techniques the understanding of manufacturing systems can be enhanced and alternate solutions can be tested. Simulation has therefore played an important role in industrial development in recent years. New or improved simulation technologies, and new ways to use the available technologies, are still being developed. Energy related costs are often neglected by Swedish industry due to the low energy costs historically in Sweden, compared to other European countries. The developments of the energy market with uncertainty concerning future prices have increased the need for energy efficiency. Resources in manufacturing facilities need to be used in the most efficient way. The increasing use of computer-based tools for supporting production planning and control, as well as management and control of energy systems, has not been as beneficial as might first appear. These two types of tools are seldom integrated, which complicates the control of either system. A methodology for analysing the production system, the energy system and these systems interaction with each other, will enhance the possibility of improved control of the facility. This research has focused on formulating a methodology for more efficient use of energy in manufacturing plants, with main focus on electricity use. The methodology uses Discrete Event Simulation (DES) as a tool for applied analysis of manufacturing systems. Focus area of the study has been on the energy intensive foundry industry. The methodology aids the process of efficient working by identifying what processes are important, what activities have to be carried out and what types of analyses can be undertaken. A way to categorise equipment by energy usage is presented to simplify the procedures of collecting, presenting and using data in the simulation model. An approach to how the model can be built is described so that the simulation model can be used for analysis of energy use. To evaluate the methodology four case studies were carried out at different foundries in Sweden. It was found that the level of maturity between the different companies at the outset of the research project varied, regarding manufacturing and simulation as well as energy use. These differences enhanced the analysis in the way that specialised solutions had to be made to complete the analysis. The output from the simulation case studies showed that there is potential to reduce both electricity and power use in all foundries studied. The methodology, and the integration of Discrete Event Simulation, complements the use of energy models for industrial applications, since analysis can be made on the discrete production which is mimicked by the model. The range of applications that utilise Discrete Event Simulation in industry is also enhanced. The research study has successfully shown that energy data can be added to a simulation model and that the model can be built in a way that makes it useful for analysis of both production efficiency and energy use. The methodology presented can help companies reduce their overall energy use and peak power loads. This will not only reduce the total energy related costs for the companies but also the CO2 emissions, reducing the companies' overall environmental impact. To extend the methodology future research will be conducted to add optimisation techniques to the simulation models and to integrate the models with surrounding systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Load Management Systems (LMS). Future investigation is also needed to determine whether the methodology can be used for dynamic Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) where the production will contribute to the impact a product will have on the environment during its whole life cycle.
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Bradfield, D. J. "A prototype method and tool to facilitate knowledge sharing in the new product development process." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2007. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/4767.
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New Product Development (NPD) plays a critical role in the success of manufacturing firms. Activities in the product development process are dependent on the exchange of knowledge among NPD project team members. Increasingly, many organisations consider effective knowledge sharing to be a source of competitive advantage. However, the sharing of knowledge is often inhibited in various ways. This doctoral research presents an exploratory case study conducted at a multinational physical goods manufacturer. This investigation uncovered three, empirically derived and theoretically informed, barriers to knowledge sharing. They have been articulated as the lack of an explicit definition of information about the knowledge used and generated in the product development process, and the absence of mechanisms to make this information accessible in a multilingual environment and to disseminate it to NPD project team members. Collectively, these barriers inhibit a shared understanding of product development process knowledge. Existing knowledge management methodologies have focused on the capture of knowledge, rather than providing information about the knowledge and have not explicitly addressed issues regarding knowledge sharing in a multilingual environment. This thesis reports a prototype method and tool to facilitate knowledge sharing that addresses all three knowledge sharing barriers. Initially the research set out to identify and classify new product development process knowledge and then sought to determine what information about specific knowledge items is required by project teams. Based on the exploratory case findings, an ontology has been developed that formally defines information about this knowledge and allows it to be captured in a knowledge acquisition tool, thereby creating a knowledge base. A mechanism is provided to permit language labels to be attached to concepts and relations in the ontology, making it accessible to speakers of different languages. A dissemination tool allows the ontology and knowledge base to be viewed via a Web browser client. Essentially, the ontology and mechanisms facilitate a knowledge sharing capability. Some initial validation was conducted to better understand implementation issues and future deployment of the prototype method and tool in practice.
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Betancourt, Arocha Roberto A. "Technology evolution and the emergence of dominant design in the military industry." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.631231.
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In the study of innovations and their influence in development economics, scholars have used the concept of dominant design as a fundamental characterization in a number of models in order to explain the dynamics of innovation and of the industry at large. There is not a universally accepted concept of dominant design in the research community, although its notion has been proved effectively to explain the relationship between technological and industrial change, and the nature of competition, and more recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in standardising and formalising dominant design nomenclature. In the past thirty years, scholars have argued that dominant designs are a phenomenon that occurs at the level of the entire product and at the technological system level. However, no research has been found that examined the possibility of using dominant design in the military industry (MI). The MI complex has been generally defined as a coalition consisting of the military and industrialists who profit by manufacturing arms and selling them to the government. It is a vast industry in its own right. The aim of this study is to evaluate and determine the validity of dominant design in the MI by close examination of the submarine and the Submarine Industry (SI), which designs, develops, and builds these vessels. This research follows the track to academic and theoretical authorities on dominant design in the industry, by exploring technological indicators of over 380 submarine designs produced since the emergence of the. first commissioned submarine in 1900 until year 2000 and more than 4,280 submarines built in that period. The study used the data collected by the researcher in five different Navies (France, Germany, Russia, UK and U.S.). The thesis also shows the level of commitment of numerous shipyards in sustaining and ensuring the submarine industrial base by a long lasting relationship between the production and their furtherance in the navy's list.
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Cardoso, Carlos Jose Cabral. "The use and the role of formal methods in R & D project selection processes." Thesis, University of Manchester, 1993. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.632542.
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Much effort has been spent on designing and developing formalised selection techniques (FST), whereas R&D project selection practices remain surprisingly opaque. The suitability and effectiveness of FST have been strongly criticised in the literature, but their adoption and continued use by some organisations raises questions about the assumptions in most of the literature on R&D project selection. Some surveys of FST usage have been carried out, but use has persistently been measured unidimensionally, as if it meant the same to everyone. There have been few attempts, however, to describe the role played by formalised selection techniques in the selection process, and the different meanings of use. This study takes a step towards filling this gap. This study is based on the assumption that R&D project selection processes are political in nature, and that FST are not simply used with a view to determining the decision in a more or less mechanistic way (instrumental use). FST are also used in a political and symbolic ways as a means of persuading other interested parties of the advantages/disadvantages of the projects they are endorsing/rejecting (supportive way), so to gain their support for a preferred course of action, and to legitimise decisions already influenced by political concerns. A survey of R&D project selection processes in U.K. organisations, mainly of an industrial kind, was carried out using a mailed questionnaire. Predictive analysis of FST usage, and of instrumental and supportive use were conducted at three levels - the individual, the project, and the organisation. The analysis shows that instrumental use is determined, to some extent, by R&D management practices, whereas supportive use seems more dependent on the perceptions of the selection process, therefore, confirming the main proposition of this study. The findings also confirm that FST have found some use, and that they are used in more than one way. An attempt is made to define a typology of FST users and usage modes, at each level of analysis. The profiles of instrumental and supportive users are examined in detail. Instrumental use seems closer to a decision making process that takes place in a rational way, whereas supportive use appears more in line with the political process model of decision making. Finally, an effort is made to assess the managerial impact of FST usage, in terms of time and cost of the selection process, and in terms of decision quality and decision acceptability.
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Salleh, Aliah Hanim Mohd. "New product development for consumer service businesses." Thesis, University of Manchester, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.631238.
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In this study of "New Product Development ("NPD") For Consumer Service Businesses", an attempt has been made to develop some of the insights that have emerged in previous research. The findings in this thesis represent the author's understanding of how the management of NPD process in service companies differs in some aspects from the theory espoused (that is, prescribed NPD models drawn from the manufacturing context). Services are largely intangible. inseparable (between production and consumption). variable and perishable. It is well known that these unique features differentiate services significantly from manufactured goods. These differences. as the services marketing literature argue. may require a distinctive approach to marketing management. Specifically. the results substantiate how certain new service development ("NSD") practices were observed to reflect these differences. This doctoral research has provided further empirical evidence in fully supporting this argument. consistent with the findings of very recent re,search on new services development ("NSD"). A focus on NPD on a largely process-perspective is taken. As such. issues arising mainly concern effective management of the NPD process. involving the classical NPD activities often described in the marketing literature. comprising those from Idea-Generation to Market Launch. The proficiency of NPD activities undertaken is found to have profound impacts on several service success dimensions. This is in further support of pa~t studies. advocating that the key to success lies in the new product process (mainly, Booz Allen and Hamilton's (1982) and Cooper and Kleinschmidt's (1986) studies on industrial goods and recently, de Brentani's (1989) study on industrial new service success). A number of special characteristics of NSD activities are identified relating mainly to (a) NSD process and activities, (b) new service performance, (c) organization of the NSD activity. (d) NSD objectives, and (e) associated types of NSD's initiated. Several significant finance and non-finance sector differences in terms of these characteristics are also identified and illustrated. The analysis and discussion revolve around the testing of ten hypotheses concerned with the key topics. Subject to the limitations of this research. circumstances where certain observed deviations in NSD practices from the prescribed NPD (manufacturing) models are examined. to understand how service companies have made appropriate adaptations to the NPD process to meet unique problems in the service environment. While a general conformity to the NPD (theory espoused) model is noted in terms of underlying marketing principles. a modification of the existing NPD model in several aspects needs to be made, to better suit it to the specifics of the service environment.
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Chavalkul, Yada. "Package openability : Design for novel packaging for older people." Thesis, Birmingham City University, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.535498.
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This study examines how novel packaging could be designed so that opening is easy for older people. Research into package openability is well established, possibly because of increases in the number of older people, whose ability to open packaging declines with ageing. However, research focusing on the design of indications that provide effective opening information for older people has not been extensive. Indications in this study were defined as packaging elements such as shapes, textures, symbols and diagrams. This study employed mixed methods research, based on a participatory design approach. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were used to provide rich insights into older peoples' design requirements for opening indications. Through focus groups, both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to accurately elicit design requirements derived from participants' varied views on openability of novel packaging samples. These combined data informed the creation of design recommendations for packaging concerning sensory, cognitive and hand functions. In-depth interviews recorded older peoples' interactions with packaging. These provided data consequently used to define the relationship between two and three dimensional indications. Design recommendations concerning the use of combined two and three dimensional indications were also developed. All research results were synthesised to create an indication centred Design Framework Tool. This new, practical tool presents design problems and solutions associated with the different stages of package opening alongside the cognitive processes that occur at each stage. Designers can use this tool to diagnostically create novel packaging that is easy for older people to open
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Borisoglebsky, Dmitry. "Development of frameworks for steel manufacturing planning capability improvement using discrete event simulation." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2013. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/7959.
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Customers of a steel manufacturing company now order a large number of low volume orders instead of a small number of high volume orders as they would have done just a few decades ago. The change in customer expectations has complicated production planning and scheduling within a steel manufacturing company. The aim of this research is to improve production planning and scheduling capability in steelmaking using one of the popular simulation techniques, called discrete event simulation. In this research it is observed that there are three major areas that need attention to improve production planning and scheduling capability. First, selection of optimal schedules and plans based on throughput, production time, stock size, and other production processing criteria. Next, incorporating cost into the criteria to select the schedules and plans will make the planning more cost effective and realistic at the same time. In addition, with the increased use of discrete event simulation modelling, there is a need to improve the model development efficiency and make the process less reliant on practitioners’ experience and capabilities, in order to improve the overall planning and scheduling capability. This thesis presents frameworks to address the three major areas for the capability improvement. This research adapts a systematic approach to validation. Theoretical, realisation, and empirical parts of the research were separately validated. Real life case studies were used for validation of each proposed framework. Discrete event simulation can improve the accuracy of production planning & scheduling and cost estimation for complex production systems. GA-based multi-objective optimisation can be successfully applied to optimisation of plans and schedules. Production planning and scheduling optimisation for some production areas provides a challenging problem to GAs. Cost estimation in the steel manufacturing company needs improvement because of the current lack of accurate costs of product families that affects quality of price management. The developed cost estimation technique is capable of providing more realistic cost for product families. The cost estimation technique would be useful for companies operating on volume-driven manufacturing processes rather than on unit-driven. Conceptual modelling needs to be improved in order to achievein model development efficiency and to make the process less reliant on practitioners’ experience and capabilities. A formal information collection process can aid conceptual modelling of production systems by further development of DES models for cost estimation.
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Abdullah, Azizan. "Study of total quality management (TQM) application by Malaysian small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs)." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2007. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/55700/.
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After 50 years since TQM began to be popularised in the management literature, companies still struggle to implement and sustain these programmes of continuous improvement despite the central importance of TQM to maintaining business competitiveness. Much of what has been written under the banner of TQM has been drawn directly from studies of large businesses and there remains a void as to how small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can engage such systems (in the absence of a large number of business managers and an established hierarchy of command). SMEs have therefore been left behind in the academic debate and few studies have truly attempted to investigate the models of TQM application at SME businesses. Malaysia is an economy that is dependent upon SME businesses and the improved performance of these organisations to meet the challenges of the economy in the transition to a modern manufacturing state. Following an extensive literature review and interviews with academic experts in the field of TQM, the objectives of this study were designed to close this gap in knowledge and to identify the enablers of successful TQM implementation and how the models, engaged by Malaysian SME businesses. The survey questionnaire distributed to Malaysian and Welsh SMEs to gain a general understanding of TQM implementation and to identify the enablers from the perspective of senior business managers. The main section of this study concentrated upon eight purposively selected and in-depth case studies of Malaysian SMEs (3 award winners and 5 non-award winners) to determine differences in performance and the differences in features engaged at high and lower performing businesses. The findings of this study show a series of enablers that correlate with higher performance and underpin a model of TQM that was later developed by the researcher. The analysis of the research clearly indicates three levels of TQM application starting with Quality Control (QC), then a broader application of management involvement with Quality Assurance processes (QA) and finally a system-wide application of Total Quality Management (TQM) which involves a high degree of strategic integration of TQM principles. The integration between functional areas in the factory, formalisation of activities and clear strategy were present at the TQM businesses and resulted in effective and efficient systems of customer service, operational excellence and human resource integration. The conclusions of the study suggest there is a logic and structure to high performance businesses and the application of TQM and this finding has important implications for the future study of TQM application by SME businesses and how best to promote these concepts for the economic prosperity of Malaysia. With almost 100:1 better performance advantage enjoyed by the award-winning companies over their closest rivals the importance of promoting TQM on a national scale cannot be under-estimated and could bring about a renewed interest in the relationship between TQM implementation, SMEs improvement and national competitiveness for SMEs and for their larger customer businesses in Malaysia and abroad.
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Garza, Reyes Jose Arturo. "An investigation of OEE and development of the improved measures of performance OEE+ and ORE for manufacturing process management." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.633241.
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This research is focused on manufacturing performance measurement systems in general and, particularly, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and Process Capability Analysis (PCA). Two improved approaches, namely: Overall Equipment Effectiveness Plus (OEE+) and Overall Resource Effectiveness (ORE), are proposed, developed and evaluated. Also, the relationship between the overall effectiveness of a machine or process and its capability is investigated. ' OEE provides, according to many authors and practitioners, an effective and appropriate quantitative measure of the overall performance of a machine or process. OEE is defined based on the time-based elements of Availability (~), Performance (P) and the unit-based element of Quality (Q). However, this research demonstrates that, while these three elements are important, other factors also have a significant contribution to process performance. For example, the efficient use of raw materials as well as the environment (e.g. production system, logistics, labour, etc.) in which the equipment or process ?perates can also be important. By definition, OEE is unable to evaluate and Identify improvement opportunities in these areas. Consequently, OEE+ and ORE are defined in order to provide a more complete and improved measure ?f overall effectiveness. Also, an investigation of the process capability Impact on overall effectiveness is carried out through this research. The technical characteristics or properties of OEE, OEE+ and ORE are analysed an~ ,compared for a range of product characteristics and manufacturing poliCies using a defined set of experiments run on a discrete-event simulation model of an automated bottling line. The relationship between overall e~ectiveness and process capability is also investigated using the bottling simulation model and the experimental design technique Taguchi method in the form of orthogonal arrays. The research concludes that OEE is an inappropriate measure of ~e~or~ance for some manufacturing processes. The weaknesses and limitations of OEE are defined and demonstrated. ORE is demonstrated to be a more complete and improved evaluation of overall effectiveness when compared with OEE or OEE+. Furthermore, ORE provides managers with a ~roader perspective of their processes and, consequently, enables them to ake better decisions about how to run and improve their processes more ~ffectivelY and effiCiently. Finally, the research illustrates the relationship e~een overall effectiveness and process capability and suggests the eXlste~?e of a "breaking point" beyond which improvements in process capability have little impact on the overall effectiveness of a process.
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Santos, Juliana. "Operations management perspectives on expert services." Thesis, Lancaster University, 2013. http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/67361/.
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Expert Services like consulting, legal advisory and software design play a significant and growing role in the developed economies. In operations management (OM), the term “Professional Services” is frequently used to refer to these offerings. The literature on Expert Services proposes that these services are different from other types of services and require a different OM approach. However, recent empirical research calls into question some of the OM assumptions about Expert Services and their delivery processes. Some empirical and theoretical studies also suggest that individuals’ expertise is fundamental to making these delivery processes more efficient and effective. For these reasons, operations management researchers are calling for more robust models to explain the nature of Expert Services. This thesis therefore focuses on understanding Expert Services delivery processes and explores in detail the role individuals’ expertise plays in them. To reach its goals, this PhD by publication uses evidence from three Expert Service providers to compose three papers that contribute towards a better understanding of these service delivery processes. The three papers deal, respectively, with the characteristics of Expert Services delivery processes, with the nature and implications of customer involvement in the delivery process and with the development of new expert services. Combined, the insights from the three papers draw attention to the managerial implications of having expertise as a key productive resource. The outcomes of the papers also create means to refine and revisit OM concepts in relation to how Expert Services are developed and delivered. This research therefore contributes to the OM knowledge of Expert Services, addressing some of the recent calls for research in the area. This thesis also sets out an agenda for future research that can further increase our understanding of these offerings and create means to improve their delivery processes.
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Balendra, Sujan. "Global optimisation for modular process design." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.501666.
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The aim of this thesis is to investigate methods for allowing modular process design and simulation systems to rigorously find globally optimal solutions. Sequential Modular Flowsheets are still used by many companies for process design even though they do not use global optimisation. Applying global optimisation to a process flowsheet in the early stages of the design will have significant positive impacts on profitability. In order to maintain a competitive edge in the practical business world it is critical to optimise new designs and operations in manufacturing plants. Significant improvements in finding the global optimum are shown using basic interval contraction when solving mathematical problems with equality constraints. Developments were made to fixed point type contractors to further improve computational efficiency to a set of mathematical test problems containing constraints. The idea and development of contraction was taken forward to modular flowsheets. Global optimisation algorithms have been developed for solving modular flowsheets to involve contractors. The Algorithm was tested to draw conclusions about the computational efficiency with and without the basic contractors. A global optimisation algorithm to find all the global solutions to modular flowsheeting problem was devised and tested. Different interval model formulation of flowsheeting problems were constructed to investigate the computational efficiency for interval global optimisation algorithms and the interval contraction techniques were investigated for every type of formulation.
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Jumani, Muhammad Saleh. "Cost modelling of rapid manufacturing based mass customisation system for fabrication of custom foot orthoses." Thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/2193.
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Solid freeform fabrication (SFF) or Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques have emerged in recent years as advanced manufacturing techniques. These techniques have demonstrated advantages particularly in situations where the demands for unique geometrical structured customer-specific products are high and the time to market is very short. Applications of these techniques in the medical sector in combination with the latest medical digital imaging technologies are growing quickly. The techniques have inherent advantages of compatibility with the output information of medical digitising techniques. Foot orthoses are medical devices used as shoe inserts in the treatment of foot disorders, injuries and diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, congenital defects and other foot related injuries. Currently custom foot orthoses are fabricated through manufacturing techniques which involve costly and based on lengthy trial and error manufacturing process. These techniques have limitations in terms of fabricating required geometries and incorporating complex design features in the custom-made orthoses. The novelty of this research is to explore the commercial scale application of rapid manufacturing techniques and to assess a rapid manufacturing based design and fabrication system for production of custom foot orthoses. The developed system is aimed at delivering the custom made orthoses at mass scale with improved fit, consistency, accuracy and increased product quality. The traditional design and fabrication process for production of custom foot orthoses was investigated and modelled with IDEF0 modelling methodology. The developed IDEF0 model was re-modelled and then the rapid manufacturing approach was integrated in the design and fabrication process. The main functions of foot geometry capture, orthoses design and manufacture of orthoses were modelled and evaluated individually with respect to time and cost and quality of the final product. Different well-established rapid manufacturing techniques were integrated in the current design and fabrication process. The results showed that the techniques have significant impacts on the overall design and fabrication process in terms of increased process efficiency, low lead-time, increased productivity and improved quality of the final product. An orthosis model was fabricated on an experimental basis using different well established rapid manufacturing techniques. The techniques were separately investigated and analysed in terms of orthoses fabrication cost and build time. The cost and lead-time in different techniques were modelled, analysed and evaluated for evaluation of commercial scale applications. The analysis and evaluation of the cost and lead-time modelled for different rapid manufacturing techniques showed that selective laser sintering technique is the better option for integrating the technique in fabrication of custom foot orthoses and that it has the potential to compete with conventional techniques.
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Thompson, Stephen James. "Artefacts, technicity and humanisation : industrial design and the problem of anoetic technologies." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/2739.
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This thesis concerns the intellectual heritage and autonomy of West European and American industrial design as a discourse community at a moment when biotechnological developments are challenging the certainty of what it means to be human. Proceeding from the assumption that industrial design is an autonomous intellectual engagement played out through the interpretation of technology as an artefact, the thesis identifies how this is a critical moment for industrial designers, who appear to be unable to respond to a problem of the apparent disconnection and the progressive displacement of the human in reference to technology. The thesis identifies the cause of this as the understanding of the artefact, which has conventionally been placed at the centre of its analysis. The way that this has been constructed has not only impacted on design solutions but has led to a particular understanding of technology. It is this understanding of the artefact that has ceased to be sustainable and has precipitated the crisis. The thesis argues that, by revisiting the artefact as a mutable consequence of culture, it is possible to relieve the problem by opening up the scope for finding new methodological approaches. These can be used to develop design strategies that are sufficiently subtle and coherent in their terms to engage with the open complexity of future discussions of the distributed and enacted human.
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Palmer, A. "Concept of right first time (RFT) design." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2004. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/8325.
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Customer demands and intense competition have resulted in the need for shorter development lead times. The problems with shorter lead times have been well documented. Nfistakes are costly and the need for a sustainable and efficient new product development process has become paramount to a successful product. Vehicle Manufacturers (VM's) have had their choice of a variety of tools and philosophies to assist in reducing lead times. Amongst others, the use of Quality Functional Deployment (QFD), CAD/CAE, cross-functional teams and simultaneous engineering have each been mooted as being the panacea for efficient design and development. The author argues the need for a Right First Time (RFT) design policy and states that this can be delivered through the "Hoshin Kanri" method of policy deployment. The resultant strategies are achieved through the tactical use of the most appropriate tools, integrated into the new development process. Performance is measured against agreed target in a Case Company (Nissan) and the strategy is tested for Strengths and Weaknesses. The result is achievement of an 80% reduction in Design Change compared with previous programs. The approach is explained in the Thesis, as are the Quantitative and Qualitative results, which are finally analysed using an adapted T-Matiix. In conclusion, the author uses the experience to draw 14 Rules for undertaking Right First Time Design and "proves" them in two alternative companies to ensure that the principles arc robust.
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Hou, Jiachen. "Manufacturer-centralised web environment to support SMEs in product life-cycle analysis, supplier selection, and design specification." Thesis, Nottingham Trent University, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.441432.
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Hui, Sai Chung. "A two-tier adaptive approach to securing successful ERP implementation." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/256.
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In recent years, a significant volume of industrial and academic research has been directed towards understanding the evolution and development of ERP systems and their associated applications. However, the associated technological and social changes are significant, and although many corporations have successfully implemented ERP, there have also been many reported cases of failed implementation. This has led several researchers to examine in detail the causes of these failures, in an effort to identify critical success factors associated with successful implementation. This dissertation reports on an action research study that arose from an initiative designed to improve the likelihood of success when implementing a particular UKdeveloped ERP system in China, namely `System 21' from JBA International. The project in which this research is embedded was a joint venture between JBA and a leading US beverage company, Pepsi Cola. The dissertation initially focuses on the analysis of underlying reasons for pilot project failures in this joint venture. This draws upon qualitative data from managers, consultants and other stakeholders involved in the ERP implementation at three geographically dispersed sites. The research then turns to an examination of ERP implementation methodology in the context of joint venture collaboration and associated issues such as change management and business process (re)engineering. This is grounded in a literature review of several approaches adopted by the major ERP solution providers. The literature review phase is followed by the design and distribution of a detailed questionnaire aimed at identifying, and subsequently addressing, the concerns of various customer stakeholders in a number of Hong Kong based businesses spanning a range of industrial sectors. Its aim was to secure the necessary improvements in methodology required to underpin the successful implementation in future Pepsi Joint Venture projects in China. Ultimately, this led to a set of recommendations in the form of a strategic framework for implementing ERP systems in China. In summary, a key deliverable arising from the research was the production of a business model for the achievement of success when implementing joint venture ERP systems in China. A second related deliverable is the improvement of the generic implementation methodology currently available to customers of `System 21'. This has been achieved by developing a framework evolved from an adaptive approach to the implementation of ERP systems. To a great extent, the findings and recommendations are also applicable to other multinational companies who are operating in China and keen on implementing ERP systems within this particular setting, with its associated cultural and other restrictions.
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Phillips, Catherine Mary. "Emerging models of production and consumption : capacity and consumer strategies in the UK organic food sector." Thesis, University of Bath, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.436774.
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Sharifi, Hossein. "A methodology for assisting manufacturing organisations to implement agile manufacturing." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.399167.
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Khoo, N. K. "An integrated system for reconfigurable cellular manufacturing systems." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.407215.
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Jaafar, Harlina S. "Logistics service quality and relationship quality in third party relationships." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2006. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/7818.
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The market for third party logistics (TPL) service has expanded hugely over the past few years as its total revenue has reached $333 billion globally. It is expected that the industry will grow substantially, and became increasingly complex. As the industry matures, a number of authors have recognised that logistics service quality is becoming a vital tool for delivering superior logistics service performance and thus creating customer satisfaction. Concurrently, considerable evidence has been accumulated that shows relationship quality is useful in the marketing channel context in driving customer loyalty. However, empirical research investigating the effects of the relationships among logistics service quality, customer satisfaction, relationship quality and customer loyalty has received relatively little attention in the literature. This study attempts to fill this void by investigating customers' satisfaction with TPL providers' services across industrial sectors in the UK and the relationship quality they have with them. It empirically tests the validity of Mentzer et al's (2001) Logistics Service Quality PQ) scale for measuring logistics service quality and the LSQ process model that underpins it. A disaggregated model of relationship quality is also used to assess its impact on customer loyalty. Structural equation modelling analysis of the data collected by mail survey of 183 logistics-related managers confirms that LSQ measures are generalisable across industrial sectors in the UK. The results show that technical quality dimensions of logistics service do not drive customers' satisfaction, but serve as the order qualifiers while the functional quality dimensions act as order winning criteria that differentiates TPL providers' service excellence for customer satisfaction. It also supports existing theoretical studies that suggest that relationship quality produces loyal customers. The research contributes to both marketing and logistics discipline in that it empirically demonstrates the positive link between logistics service quality and customer satisfaction as well as customer satisfaction, relationship quality and customer loyalty.
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Betteridge, Michael. "A methodology for aggregate assembly modelling and planning." Thesis, Durham University, 2000. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4285/.
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The introduction of Concurrent Engineering highlights the need for a link between the early stages of product design and assembly planning. This thesis presents aggregate assembly process planning as a novel methodology to provide this link. The theory behind the research is to bring all aspects of product development together to consider assembly planning at the conceptual stage of design. Decisions taken during the early design stage not only have the greatest influence on production times and costs, but also should ensure that a design is easy to manufacture and assemble. An automated computer-based system has been developed to implement the methodology. The system generates aggregate assembly process plans which give details of feasible sequences, assembly process times and costs, resource requirements, and factory loadings. The Aggregate Assembly Modelling and Planning (AAMP) system employs object-oriented modelling techniques to represent designs, process planning knowledge, and assembly resources. The minimum information requirements have been identified, and a product model encompassing this data has been developed. An innovative factor of this thesis is to employ Assembly Feature Connections (AFCs) within the product model to represent assembly connectivity. Detailed generic assembly process models, functioning with limited design data, are used to calculate assembly criteria. The introduction of a detailed resource model to represent assembly facilities enables the system to calculate accurate assembly times, dependent on which resources are used within a factory, or even which factory is employed. A new algorithm uses the structure of the product model, process constraints and assembly rules to efficiently generate accurate assembly sequences. Another new algorithm loads the assembly operations onto workstations, ensuring that the capability and capacity are available. The aggregate assembly process planning functionality has been tested using products from industry, and has yielded accurate results that prove to be both technically feasible and realistic. Industrial response has been extremely favourable. Specific comments on the usefulness and simplicity of such a comprehensive system gives encouragement to the concept that aggregate assembly process planning provides the required link between the early stages of product design and assembly planning.
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Hawisa, Hisham. "Management of manufacturing variation using product key characteristics." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.421488.
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Dauber, Volker Ferdinand. "Measuring and minimising waste in construction by applying lean thinking." Thesis, University of Dundee, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.445871.
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O'Donnell, Tina. "Supply chain optimisation : reducing the bullwhip effect." Thesis, University of Ulster, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.435603.
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Ashall, David. "Effects of principal effective operational practices on small and medium enterprises." Thesis, University of Hertfordshire, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.438252.
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Cochrane, Sean David. "Manufacturing knowledge verification in design support systems." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.445363.
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Meng, Li Ying. "A financial justification framework for investment in product data management." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.422995.
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Colotla, Ian. "Operation and performance of international manufacturing networks." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.426517.
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Abeysooriya, Ranga Prasad. "Cutting patterns for efficient production of irregular-shaped pieces." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2017. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/414693/.
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The research presented in this thesis belongs to the subject area of operations research. The study investigates and utilises the solution methodologies known as heuristics and local search for three practical problems related to cutting and packing using irregular shapes and multiple bins. From an application point of view, the problems domains remain in manufacturing, specifically where minimising the resources is required to meet a particular outcome. Many manufacturing processes begin with cutting desired items from a stock sheet of material, hence this study focuses on generating efficient cutting patterns, which is applicable in the manufacture of furniture, shoes, tools, ships, and garments. First, we consider designing an efficient solution procedure for solving two-dimensional irregular shape single bin size bin packing problem and two-dimensional irregular shape multiple bin size bin packing problem. Our intention is to consider alternative strategies such as placement policies, hole-filling and handling rotation of pieces; particularly with unrestricted rotations. Despite the fact that both problems are widely applicable in sheet cutting, their consideration in the literature is limited. To our knowledge, only a few authors have attempted to incorporate the first problem with the unrestricted rotation of pieces while the second problem with unrestricted rotation has not been considered at all. Being applicable in the real world, both the problems require powerful algorithms to determine the arrangement of irregular pieces on stock sheets in order to minimise the material waste. In this thesis, our focus is on developing algorithms to solve each problem efficiently. These algorithms draw on concepts in computational geometry, computer science as well as operations research. We investigate a set of newly proposed single-pass constructive algorithms that builds a feasible solution by adding pieces sequentially to a packing area defined by a set of bins which can either be homogeneous or heterogeneous. Each problem has a large solution space due to the different combinations of bins and arrangements of irregular pieces. We adopt the optimisation power of local search methods and metaheuristics to find good solutions. As one of the useful heuristic procedures, we use the Jostle heuristic (JS) to solve irregular shape single bin size bin packing problem and irregular shape multiple bin size bin packing problem due to its promising performances in handling both allocation and placement decisions of the pieces together. The Jostle was used in earlier studies for solving irregular strip packing problems and in this study we adopt it first time to solve irregular bin packing problems. Also, our implementation of Jostle handles identifying promising orientation angles of the pieces using the newly proposed angled tuning mechanism when placing pieces. Experimental results reveal that the proposed algorithms can manage different variants of the problem and find solutions with good utilisation of material. For the third problem of this study, we consider multi-period irregular bin packing problem with use of residuals. This allows using leftovers of a certain period which are usable as input stock material for the next periods. Here, we expand the previous work on irregular bin packing algorithms for heterogeneous stock sheets to consider the inventory and production process of sheet cutting. We propose two models to test the impact of a variety of operational policies around the retention and reuse of residual materials in the sheet cutting process. It also examines the cost sensitivity of using residuals with respect to nine practical scenarios within those operational policies. The computational results demonstrate that the proposed multi-period approach with residuals derives better results than solving each order individually for a selected set of operational scenarios and disclose which policy would be more advantageous to operate in each scenario. The results facilitate developing a tool to guide the manufacturers to take effective decisions based on the scenarios applicable to their sheet cutting process.
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Backholer, Charlotte. "The meaning and management of product-service quality." Thesis, University of Bath, 2014. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.681036.
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This thesis explores how quality is measured when a combination of product and service are being provided and investigated how these processes are managed. Relatively little research exists on measuring quality of Product Service Bundles (PSB). This thesis attempts to address this gap by carrying out multiple, cross-sectional case study research on a variety of business-to-business (B-2-B) PSB providers situated within the UK. The thesis makes three principal contributions. First, some aspects of quality need to be considered ‘core’ when providing an integrated PS offering and this work identified four that were predominant: physical product, product performance, service experience and service outcome. The empirical work also confirmed that these aspects need to be integrated in some manner and measurement was a critical part of this process. Second, building on this question of integration, the analysis of the eight pilot cases and four main project cases illustrated that the development of a quality assurance system (QAS) to measure the quality aspects of the PSB is fundamental to its success. The empirical work identified the role of the QAS, predominately focused on the product elements. Although, the QAS had the capability to manage the service element of the integrated PS offering, the research findings identified this was underutilised. Third, the management of the quality of an integrated PS offering, via the QAS, etc., must recognise the complementary nature of contractual and relational governance and then actively develop mechanisms that address and intertwine both dimensions of inter-organisational exchange. While existing research has considered them separately, this research considered them jointly, as part of the PS offering. Finally, several potential avenues of further work have been identified but, in particular, a longitudinal study would help to determine how the life cycle of the PSB influences the management of PS quality.
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Mahmoud, Hesham. "Resource-independent computer aided inspection." Thesis, University of Bath, 2016. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.707592.
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Quality is of paramount importance when establishing and maintaining market share in any manufacturing sector. Measurement is a critical tool in ensuring product conformance and is a major enabler in the control of manufacturing processes to improve and maintain quality. Furthermore, measurement is evolving into a value-adding process in its own right and the gained measurement knowledge has become crucial for both design and manufacturing stages. Despite this ever increasing importance, measurement planning and execution is still carried out with great reliance on manual operations and ambiguous practice guidelines utilising tools and software that are very specific to the individual pieces of equipment used in the measurement process. In addition, in industry, measurement plans are defined in isolation instead of in an integrated and interoperable manner with other manufacturing activities. This research aims to formulate an interoperable integration framework for defining measurement processes through the introduction and realisation of resourceindependent measurement specifications (REIMS). REIMS is a data model that represents both measurement features and operations to enable their exchange between computer aided for x (CAx) applications. REIMS enables measurement process definitions to be exchanged between various measurement geographical locations and resources within a distributed manufacturing system. It, therefore, reduces the recently identified variability due to the measurement planning phase that varies depending on the experience and skills of the measurement operators. REIMS also removes an integration barrier at the measurement planning-execution interface and assists in obtaining consistent measurement knowledge. Comparable measurement knowledge is crucial for taking proper decisions for improving both design and machining phases. This thesis uses system engineering methods for analysing the measurement process and its data flow and requirements. As a result of this analysis, the REIMS data model has been developed based on the STEP modelling and implementation mechanisms to formulate a computer interpretable format of the measurement process data. STEP-based methods have been selected as the framework as they have been previously validated for interoperable data exchange between design and machining applications. The theoretical basis of REIMS is the concepts and definitions presented in the ISO standardised documents for “geometric product specifications (ISO GPS)” as these documents, for the first time in the domain, consider design specifications and measurement activities in relation to each other. The REIMS data model has been realised and a prototype implementation has been designed utilising the CTC-01 test case encoded as an ISO10303-242 compliant model. This test case has previously been used by the national institute of standards and technology (NIST) for validating the exchange of design data including product manufacturing information (PMI) between different CAD systems and as such provides an authoritative example. The implementation framework uses C++ and ST-Developer to obtain the design information from the AP242 file data and demonstrates the ability of the REIMS data model to map design specifications into measurement features and to define the necessary measurement operations to complete the process definition. An ISO10303-21 compliant file has then been constructed from the REIMS data to establish the proposed data exchange mechanism. Based on the findings of this thesis, the REIMS provides a coherent, comprehensive and flexible framework for representing the measurement process. Through adoption of REIMS as the standardised framework for measurement planning, companies could ensure the consistency of the measurement knowledge that is gained and maintained in the enterprise regardless of the location or equipment. This would facilitate the spread the measurement process benefits throughout the digital factory with potential for cost saving due to resource fluidity, a significant decrease in plan translation errors and reducing the equipment specific training requirements.