| 1. |
- Bojesson, Catarina
(författare)
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Enabling Dynamic Capability : Managing and Organizing for Change
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This doctoral thesis is based on a longitudinal single-case study conducted over five years within a product development context at a manufacturing company. In dynamic environments that demand flexibility and adaptability, it is essential to understand how organizations can improve dynamic capabilities to remain viable and competitive during periods of turbulence and change. This challenge is especially central to product development organizations offering customer-specific products as it tends to increase organizational complexity. An excessive focus on internal coordination and control to manage this complexity has led to inertia due to establishment of strict, rigid processes and hierarchical bureaucracies within organizational management and design.This study aims to contribute with new knowledge on how organizations operating in dynamic contexts can develop adaptability to changing needs. Specifically, it seeks to understand how to design and manage organizations to increase their preparedness for and adaptability to change. Investigating the factors and mechanisms that influence an organization's dynamic capability can provide insights into the sources of inertia and support the transition toward a more dynamic structure. The longitudinal study is based on data collected through an initial interview study followed by a questionnaire study, and finally through a concluding interview study. The research has been phenomenon-driven; as the organization’s circumstances have evolved, the focus of the study has shifted accordingly. Emerging from the aggregated results of the longitudinal study, the overall scope of the research is the change process, transitioning from a rigid to a more dynamic organization. Research findings are presented in five appended papers.Analysis from literature studies and the empirical study show that the primary focus on improving performance often centers on internal efficiency. However, within the case company, tension arose between the desire of strict control according to predefined processes and plans and the actual need for flexibility. Dynamic contexts require working processes that facilitate reactive problem-solving, creativity, and flexibility, as well as managers capable of going back and forth between management styles to benefit performance. Successful organizational reconfiguration depends on developing the conditions that enable the firm's dynamic capability in relation to its context. This involves identifying both the microfoundations that generate dynamic capability and the internal and external constraints to change.Considering the external environment is crucial for developing an understanding of how to best organize and manage resources and capabilities, which places demands on managerial capabilities. Managers must possess the skills to monitor the external environment and formulate strategies to respond to changing conditions, as their interpretation of the external environment will influence their decisions, which will subsequently enable or hinder possible actions. The design of organizations will impact the ability to rearrange resources and capabilities. Processes and working procedures must allow for reconfigurations to respond swiftly to changing constraints or opportunities. The use of multiple theoretical perspectives has been imperative in the analysis of the data, and the theoretical contribution extends to exploration of various factors and mechanisms that influence an organization's dynamic capability.
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| 2. |
- Antony, Jiju, et al.
(författare)
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Quality management as a means for micro-level sustainability development in organizations
- 2023
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Ingår i: The TQM Journal. - : Emerald Publishing. - 1754-2731 .- 1754-274X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The use of quality management (QM) to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) is a topic of growing interest in academia and industry. The IAQ (International Academy for Quality) established Quality Sustainability Award in 2020, a testament to this growing interest. This study aims to investigate how QM philosophies, methodologies and tools can be used to achieve sustainable development in organizations. Design/methodology/approach: Five large manufacturing organizations – three from India and two from China – who reported their achievements about using QM in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were studied using multiple sources of data collection. A detailed within-case and cross-case analysis were conducted to unearth this linkage's practical and theoretical aspects. Findings: The study finds that QM methodologies effectively met the five organizations' UNSDGs. These organizations successfully used OPEX (Operational Excellence) methodologies such as Lean, Kaizen and Six Sigma to meet UNSDGs 7, 11, 12 and 13. Moreover, UNSG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) is the most targeted goal across the case studies. A cross-case analysis revealed that the most frequently used quality tools were Design of Experiments (DoE), Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), C&E analysis and Inferential statistics, among other essential tools. Research limitations/implications: The study's sample size was limited to large-scale manufacturing organizations in the two most populous countries in the world. This may limit the study's generalizability to other countries, continents, or micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, the study's conclusions would be strengthened if tested as hypotheses in a follow-up survey. Practical implications: This practical paper provides case studies on how to use QM to impact SDGs. It offers both descriptive and prescriptive solutions for practitioners. The study highlights the importance of using essential QM tools in a structured and systematic manner, with effective teams, to meet the SDGs of organizations. Social implications: The study shows how QM can be used to impact UNSDGs, and this is very important because the UNSDGs are a set of global objectives that aim to address a wide range of social and environmental issues. This study could motivate organizations to achieve the UNSDGs using essential QM tools and make the world a better place for the present and future generations. Originality/value: This case study is the first to investigate at a micro-level how QM can impact UNSDGs using live examples. It uses data from the IAQ to demonstrate how QM can be integrated into UNSDGs to ensure sustainable manufacturing.
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| 3. |
- Antony, Jiju, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainable development through quality management : a multiple-case study analysis of triumphs, trials and tribulations
- 2024
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Ingår i: The TQM Journal. - : EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD. - 1754-2731 .- 1754-274X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeIn a highly competitive and globalised era, agile organisations proactively steer towards sustainability. This situation persuaded the organisations to align Quality Management (QM) initiatives to achieve sustainable outcomes. This study aims to explore quality-sustainability linkage, explicitly focusing on attaining the prestigious IAQ Quality Sustainability Award. Further it investigates, the impact of QM as a strategy for promoting sustainability to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs).Design/methodology/approachDue to the lack of substantial literature connecting QM to sustainability, the current research adopted an explanatory multiple-case study. Six cases were purposively chosen for the study. Three cases of those who have achieved the prestigious IAQ Quality Sustainability Award and remaining have been selected that have fallen short of receiving the award. A detailed within-case and cross-case examinations involving six cases that reported their QM achievements aligned with SDGs.FindingsThe findings demonstrate the significant role of QM adoption in achieving positive results from the perspective of SDGs, such as reduced environmental impacts, improved operational efficiency and enhanced quality of life. Effective stakeholder collaboration, proficiency in analytical tools and strategic alignment with SDGs emerged as critical success factors. Conversely, weak linkage with sustainability and unclear approaches were crucial challenges in attaining the IAQ Quality Sustainability Award.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper outlines essential commandments for organisations actively seeking to promote sustainability. It offers valuable insights for decision-makers, facilitating a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities in pursuing sustainable performance.Originality/valueThe distinctive nature of this study lies in its dedicated exploration of the intricate relationship between QM deployment and its true impact on the achievement of the SDGs.
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| 4. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
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An assembly-oriented product design methodology to develop similar assembly operations in a mixed-product assembly line
- 2017
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design, ICED. - : Design Society. ; , s. 131-140
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- With the growing demands for product variety, Mixed-Product Assembly Lines (MPALs) as an effective means of creating product variety are recently increasing in manufacturing companies. However, handling different products from distinct product families creates high complexity in performing assembly operations in an MPAL. The elevated complexity, calls for increased similarity between assembly operations in an MPAL which requires product design changes accordingly. Hence, the objective of this paper is to suggest an assembly-oriented product design methodology to increase similar assembly operations for various products cross-product families. The proposed methodology uses Interface Diagram, a product architecture modelling tool, for comparing assembly operations crossproduct families, suggesting an assembly-oriented design, and communicating it to designers. The methodology has been developed by conducting a case study in heavy vehicle manufacturing industry. The results highlight a visual approach towards establishing a common language between assembly and design teams to consider the requirements of an MAPL in product design.
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| 5. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
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Considering assembly requirement specifications in product development : identification and approach
- 2014
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Ingår i: FAIM 2014 - Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing: Capturing Competitive Advantage via Advanced Manufacturing and Enterprise Transformation. - : DEStech Publications, Inc.. - 9781605951737 ; , s. 969-976
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Due to the major advantages such as reduced time to market and improved quality at lowered cost, the principles of design for assembly capabilities and concurrent engineering are of great significance when developing new products. However, identifying assembly requirement specifications and considering them in New Product Development (NPD) in a timely manner, while securing efficiency and robustness of assembly processes, still remains a challenging task. In presenting a case study of an NPD project in a manufacturing company, this article focuses on the process of capturing and incorporating the requirements related to the assembly system during the early phases of NPD. Further, the results of the research study indicate the different assembly requirements in the case company and pinpoint the challenges in practices involved in handling them. The assembly requirements identified in this research reflect some of the challenges encountered in handling the requirements, through the investigated requirement practice. Based on the results, the issues of when and how to consider the assembly requirements are highlighted in the conclusions and suggestions for future research are made.
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| 6. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
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Drivers of complexity in a flexible assembly system - A case study
- 2015
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Ingår i: 48th CIRP International Conference on Manufacturing Systems (CIRP CMS 2015): Key Enabling Technologies for the Factories of the Future. - : Elsevier. ; , s. 189-194
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Various ever-changing market demands have propelled manufacturing companies to offer product variety in an efficient and timely manner. Assembly as a key stage of manufacturing process is used to realise product variety through establishing mixed-product assembly systems. Although establishing a flexible mixed-product assembly system which both offers product variety and absorbs market demands fluctuation is pivotal for maintaining competitive edge in certain industries such as vehicle manufacturing, it is also considered an elaborate task which calls for further investigation. In this paper, complexity in a flexible mixed-product assembly line is investigated and the key drivers of complexity are identified. To fulfil the research objective, a case study during the pilot implementation of a flexible mixed-product assembly concept in a heavy vehicle manufacturing company has been conducted. The results indicate the key factors concerning assembly process, product design, and information and communication technology (ICT) which contribute to complexity in the flexible assembly system. The paper concludes with an outlook for possible future research.
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| 7. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring optimal flexible assembly systems
- 2013
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- As a prominent part of manufacturing system, assembly system provides a platform for increasing efficiency while delivering various market demands. However, due to the lack of a unified and clear definition of flexibility in assembly systems, the recognition of optimal flexibility in assembly system without clashing with efficiency still remains elusive. In order to establish a sound basis to discuss the characteristics of flexible assembly and to address the question of reaching optimal flexibility, this paper makes use of a case study performed in five manufacturing plants. The study proposes a clear definition for flexible assembly and identifies six enablers for flexibility in assembly systems. Further in this research the applicability of few different types of manufacturing flexibility in assembly system is investigated. The paper concludes with discussions and suggestions for future research.
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| 8. |
- Asadi, Narges
(författare)
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Flexibility in assembly systems using product design
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Growing customer demands for product variety, new and rapid technological developments, and the short life cycle of products characterise the current volatile market. To maintain a competitive edge in the market, manufacturing companies need to accommodate flexibility in their assembly systems that are essential parts of the manufacturing systems with respect to cost, time, and creating product variety. Given the importance of establishing flexible assembly systems, the complexity raised by increasing product variety and the value of appropriate product designs to assembly systems highlight the pivotal role of product design in a flexible assembly system. Despite its significance to theory and practice, however, the characteristics of flexibility in an assembly system and its links to product design are still ambiguous and unexplored.The objective of this thesis is to expand the current knowledge of flexibility in assembly systems and using product design to support its achievement. To accomplish the objective and by adopting an interactive research approach, five case studies were conducted in the heavy machinery manufacturing industry. A literature review underpins all the case studies comprising one multiple and four single case studies.Through its findings, this research defines flexibility in an assembly system, identifies its dimensions, and pinpoints its enablers. Additionally, three requirements of a flexible assembly system for product design are identified: a common assembly sequence, similar assembly interfaces, and common parts. These requirements, if fulfilled in product design across distinct product families, reduce the perceived complexity and support various flexibility dimensions in the assembly system. Moreover, the development of a common assembly sequence and similar assembly interfaces, as the two key requirements of a flexible assembly system for product design, is described.Further, based upon developing understanding and knowledge about a flexible assembly system and its requirements for product design, a model and a framework are proposed. The model addresses the role of product design in achieving flexibility in an assembly system. To support the alignment of product design with the key requirements of a flexible assembly system during the product design process, the assembly-oriented framework details the development of these requirements. Through its outcomes, this thesis contributes to the research area of flexible assembly systems and sheds light on its interface with the engineering design field. Moreover, the proposed model and framework aim to assist assembly practitioners and product designers in establishing a flexible assembly system and aligning product design with its key requirements.
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| 9. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
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Handling product variety in a mixed-product assembly line : A case study
- 2015
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Ingår i: DS 80-4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 20TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING DESIGN (ICED 15) VOL 4: DESIGN FOR X, DESIGN TO X. - : The Design Society. - 9781904670674 ; , s. 41-50
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In today’s fast-changing global market, using mixed-product assembly lines (MPALs) and mixed-model assembly lines (MMALs) allows manufacturing companies to be flexible and to maintain their competitive edge through product variety. Balancing and sequencing issues have been recognized as the main challenges of MPALs and MMALs, but other practical needs of MPALs remain unclear. Recognizing the practical needs of MPALs helps in identifying related requirements for product design, leading to products that closely align with the MPAL concept. The objective of this paper is to offer an industrial perspective on the needs of MPALs and to identify its requirements vis-à-vis product design. To achieve this objective, a single real-time case study in a heavy-vehicle-manufacturing company has been performed. The results from this industrial case study suggest that in order to handle product variety in MPALs and to reduce the related complexity, certain dimensions of flexibility need to be created in the assembly system, and requirements related to product design should be considered simultaneously in order to support assembly processes.
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| 10. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
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Identification of the causes of complexity in mixed-product and mixed-model assembly lines
- 2015
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The increasing demands for product variety have directed manufacturing companies towards accommodating flexibility by establishing mixed-product and mixed-model assembly lines. However, since greater variety leads to increased complexity, establishing these assembly lines becomes complicated. By conducting a case study, this paper investigates the causes of complexity and the applicability of assembly instructions in one mixed-product and four mixed-model assembly lines in a heavy vehicle manufacturing company. The results indicate a set of causes for complexity and highlight the significance of assembly instructions, as the practical implications for development of flexible assembly systems and design of products closely aligned with them.
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