Emerald | International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management

Creating a sustainable national index for social, environmental and economic productivity

Thomas F Burgess, John Heap — 2012-01-17 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - To create a social, environmental and economic (SEE) index for countriesDesign/methodology/approach - The methodology in the OECD handbook on building composite indicators was followed. The data are taken from UN data sources.Findings - An index was created which describes each of 194 countries. The countries were clustered in three groups: high, medium and low performing. The country positions matched intuitively those expected. A more focused grouping of the 35 most populous countries was examined. The method was felt to be rigorous and successful in creating an informative measure of SEE.Research limitations/implications - Future research could include identifying factors that determine a country’s SEE productivity. A similar index could be envisaged at more local level.Practical implications - The SEE index offers a standard method for benchmarking the SEE productivity of countries, regions and the globe. Originality/value - A SEE index is created using a rigorous methodology. We believe this to be a unique and valuable contribution.

Sales and Operations Planning and the firm performance

2012-04-20 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - This paper aims to improve upon the highly dispersed sales and operations planning (S&OP) research by integrating the findings of existing studies to identify and measure the S&OP effect size on firm performance.Design/methodology/approach - The methodology adopted was a systematic literature review of 271 abstracts and 55 papers. Three databases were selected for the search: EMERALD, EBSCO, and SCIENCEDIRECT.Findings - Although empirical evidence of the effects of S&OP in the supply chain is described, relatively few of the 55 papers reviewed estimate the effect of S&OP on firm performance. The research findings indicate a lack of unifying frameworks for the measurement of S&OP and the constructs related to firm performance. The review offers partial evidence of the effect of S&OP on firm performance, suggesting the need for additional scientifically sound survey or case study research on S&OP. Practical implications - Practitioners will benefit from insights related to the intermediate role of S&OP in mediating the effects of structural changes on firm performance. There is at least partial evidence that cross-functional planning processes can mitigate the negative effect of misaligned organisational structures and contradictory incentives schemes on firm performance. Formal and informal communications between functions, networking and internal integrating roles can boost performance. Furthermore, internal alignment seems to facilitate supply chain integration with both suppliers and customers, particularly when inter-organisational information systems favour supply chain integration.Originality/value - This paper contributes to providing a better understanding of the role of S&OP as a determinant of firm performance in the supply chain.

The Construction Industry Macro Maturity Model (CIM3): Theoretical Underpinnings

Christopher Joseph Willis, Jeff Hudson Rankin — 2012-04-20 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to introduce an alternative approach of measuring construction industry performance using maturity modeling. The focus is on introducing a newly developed maturity model referred to as the Construction Industry Macro Maturity Model (CIM3) and highlighting its use by assessing the maturity of the construction industry of the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. Design/methodology/approach - Current methods of construction industry performance measurement such as labour productivity and competitiveness are briefly reviewed highlighting their weaknesses. The theoretical underpinnings of the CIM3 is discussed and the implementation of the CIM3 to measure the cost and quality management maturity of the New Brunswick construction industry is presented. Findings - An assessment of the construction industry’s maturity using the CIM3 provides a leading indication of performance. This is based on the industry being structured according to key practices areas that contain key practices. The industry’s key practices are linked to objectives that lead to the achievement of performance goals. The maturity of the construction industry with respect to its key practices is a function of the relative importance of the key practices and the capabilities of the industry in implementing the key practices. The implementation of the CIM3 in New Brunswick found that the NB construction industry is more mature in cost management than in quality management. Originality/value - This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge on industry performance measurement, more so, construction industry performance measurement. The concept of maturity modeling applied here promotes and demonstrates the use of leading indicators of performance, as recommended in most performance measurement literature.

Prominent obstacles to Lean

sanjay Bhasin — 2012-04-20 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - This article explores that despite the prominence of Lean since 1990, there still exist ambiguous perceptions about the prominent obstacles preventing organisations to either adopt Lean or thwart its wider implementation. Design/methodology/approach - Sixty-eight UK manufacturing organisations operating Lean were analysed in an effort to elucidate the factors contributing to the low numbers of successful Lean conversions. Surveys were utilised as part of the research methodology supplemented with seven extensive case studies in a validating exercise.Findings - The prominent barriers are clearly identified in relation to the organisation's size which should assist organisations about to embark upon their respective Lean journey. The preventative proposals should improve the implementation records.Research limitations/implications - The research focuses upon manufacturing organisations in the UK which would greatly benefit companies and managers on their respective Lean endeavours.Practical implications - Whilst the barriers were identified, their prominence and type varied amongst the sizes of the organisation. Equally, remedial strategies are proposed to improve the poor implementation records.Originality/value - The preventative strategies should greatly benefit Lean managers and improve the poor implementation rates in the UK. Correlating the barriers encountered to the size of an organisation would aid this process.

An Assessment of the Critical Success Factors for Six Sigma Implementation in Indian Industries

Darshak A Desai, Jiju Antony, M B Patel — 2012-04-20 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the results from an empirical investigation of six sigma status in the Indian industry, especially to highlight critical success factors (CSFs) of Six Sigma implementation in developing economy like India.Design/methodology/approach - Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on survey questionnaire suitable for Indian industries. The results of the study are based on descriptive statistics.Findings - Findings – The results of this exploratory empirical study reflect the impact of different CSFs of Six Sigma implementation in different size and sectors of Indian industries. Research limitations/implications - Research limitations/implications – The major constraints of the study were the number of companies surveyed as well as time and budget. Moreover, a detailed impact of different CSFs of Six Sigma implementation in Indian industry by means of semi-structured interviews could not be executed due to above constraints.Originality/value - Originality/value – Very little research has been carried out exploring the status of CSFs of Six Sigma implementation in Indian industries. This paper will provide value to academics, researchers and practitioners of six sigma by way of providing insight into the CSFs for Six Sigma implementation, especially, in Indian industries.

Integration of Demand Forecasts in ABC-XYZ Analysis

Bernd Scholz-Reiter, Jens Heger, Christian Meinecke, Johann Bergmann — 2012-04-20 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Item classification based on ABC-XYZ analysis is of high importance for strategic supply and inventory control. It is common to perform the analysis with past consumption data. In this context, the purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that an integration of demand forecasts can improve the performance of item classification in particular the performance of ABC-XYZ Analysis.Design/methodology/approach - For the study, real data of an industrial enterprise in the mechanical engineering sector (focal company) were analyzed and evaluated. Findings - The study shows that a comprehensive data analysis of the focal company can recommend a specific implementation of the ABC-XYZ classification. In contrast to the classic method of making the ABC-XYZ analysis based on consumption data only, the developed approach in this paper offers considerable advantages. These are quantifiable in respect to an assumed optimal reference classification.Originality/value - The evaluation of the results is very promising and applicable to other branches besides mechanical engineering.