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- Assarlind, Marcus, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Designing interventions in SMEs: Experiences from a pan-European multiple case study
- 2012
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 15th QMOD-ICQSS conference. - 9788389333469 ; , s. 123-135
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe how interventions can be carried out in order for small and medium sized companies (SMEs) to adopt new ways of working, by understanding the context, process and content of the intervention. Interventions are defined as activities aimed at introducing new ways of working through a series of focused activities in the organization.Design/methodology/approachThe work was part of an EU-funded project called FutureSME aiming at aiding SMEs in becoming more competitive. This paper is based on a multiple case study of twelve SMEs from six European countries undergoing similar interventions. The empirical data has been collected through presentations by company representatives, A3 reports including structured information about the intervention and its outcome, and case essays containing subjective descriptions of respective company’s experiences from the interventions. The material has been subject to a cross-case analysis.FindingsThis paper elaborates on previous research on important factors to consider in order for interventions to lead to long-term effects in SMEs. The results from this study suggest that in the design of the interventions at SMEs, one needs to carefully consider the context aspects regarding the intervention, which is seen as a deficiency in the project. It is also pointed out that not only the process or context of the intervention is of importance, but also the content. We suggest content that 1) supports the formulation of strategies, 2) encourages dialogue, and 3) uses company data. Hence, when designing an intervention in SMEs it is beneficial if the content have such characteristics, and by inclusion both short-term success and long-term sustainability are more likely as a result of the intervention.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper does not deal with how to motivate SMEs to initiate an intervention process.Originality/valueIntervention studies have mostly focused on larger companies. The special set-up with dedicated external support and a long term relationship within a large-scale project has provided access to a study of twelve SMEs across Europe and has provided a rare opportunity for research.
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| 2. |
- Bäckström, Ingela, et al.
(författare)
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Measuring the Starting Points for a Lean Journey
- 2012
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Ingår i: 15 th QMOD conference. - Poznan : Agence Reklamova Comprint. - 9788389333469 ; , s. 146-156
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- AbstractPurpose –The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of measuring the startingpoint of improvement work focusing on soft values and to present one way of measuring thestarting point of a Lean implementation. The purpose is also to describe the Leanimplementation planned within a municipal division and also to present their measuredstarting conditions.Methodology/approach –A literature study, with Lean implementation, measuring startingpoints for improvement work, soft values and the effects of the improvement work in focushas been carried out. Documents from the planned Lean implementation within a municipaldivision have been studied. To measure the conditions for the implementation a previouslyconducted measurement approach that measured health-related Quality Management was used.Findings –The paper contains an argument for the importance of measuring the effect of aLean implementation with a focus on soft values and measuring starting points. A descriptionof one planned Lean implementation within a municipal division and their starting conditionsare presented.Practical implications –To measure the conditions at the starting point of a Leanimplementation gives managers information to help them focus on important improvementareas. A description of a Lean implementation can help other organizations to plan theirimplementation.
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| 6. |
- Palm, Klas, et al.
(författare)
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Towards Improving InnovAbility : Elaborating on the Ability to Measure Innovation Quality in Service Organizations
- 2012
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Ingår i: Electronic Proceedings of the 15th QMOD Conference. - : Comprint. - 9788389333469
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeA frequent topic in quality management initiatives is measurement. The old saying “you get what you measure” is then used to reinforce interest in measurement. With this rhetoric, it isargued that proper measurement is a prerequisite for an organization’s ability to continuously improve. Simply put, without understanding “where you are”, and later “what you got“ as a result of your interventions, it is difficult to learn. In other words, you become unable to complete the improvement cycle, generally known as the PDCA-cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act). This general logic of organizational learning is hard to argue against. It also illustrates the critical importance of finding “the right” organizational measurements that capture the quality of the desired result. So what measurements and evaluation tools should be used for improving one of the most essential activities of an organization, the activity known as innovation? That is a question asked in the service industry today, and the question of interest in this paper. More specifically, this paper aims to contribute knowledge about and new perspectives on the measurement of innovation quality in service organizations.Methodology/ApproachThe paper is based on a literature review of the phenomenon of innovation quality in combination with an empirical study of public officials’ and managers’ perception and definition of innovation quality. The methodological approach for the empirical study is qualitative and carried out in the form of a desk review and interviews with staff at the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) head office and at Swedish embassiesabroad.FindingsThe planning of monitoring and evaluation of the innovation process has to be done early in the innovation process. By defining the concept of innovation and the development of three types of quality indicators, innovation can be evaluated. Concepts and indicators have to bedesigned in context. It is not possible to rely on ready-made definitions. By following a five-step model in the cyclic process of measuring innovation quality, the PDCA cycle will be accomplished and the conditions for InnovAbility will improve.Value of the PaperThe paper contributes to the understanding of how innovation quality can be measured, andthereby how the ability to innovate (InnovAbility) can be improved, in service organizations.
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| 7. |
- Poksinska, Bozena, et al.
(författare)
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The Daily Round of Lean Leaders - a Go to Gemba Study
- 2012
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 15th QMOD-ICQSS conference. - 9788389333469
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of managerial practices and leadership in Lean organisations. The results presented in this paper are based on five case studies. The manager’s role changed radically with the implementation of Lean production. The focus in managerial tasks changed from managing processes to developing and coaching people. Supporting structures were developed to empower employees and give them more responsibility for the daily management activities. These supporting structures included visual control, goal deployment, short daily meetings, two-way communication flow, and a system of continuous improvement. Many leadership behaviours exhibited by Lean managers can be classified as transformational leadership behaviours. However, the need for transformational leadership behaviours was smaller, if the supporting management structure was strong. Our final conclusion is that the more successful case is a leader supported by the system than a system supported by leader.
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- Siva Subramaniam, Vanajah, 1971
(författare)
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Improvement in product development: Application of back-end data
- 2012
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Ingår i: 15th QMOD Conference (Quality Management & Organizational Development), 5-7 September 2012, Poznan, Poland. - 9788389333469 ; , s. 1409-1422
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Working with Quality Management there is emphasis on moving efforts upstream, i.e. to work on improvements as early as possible in the design phases. Less is done on how to use, and work with, data from the back-end of the product development process to support upstream improvement. In this paper the purpose is to suggest practices on how data from the back-end of the product development process can be fed back to the early design phases as a basis for improvements. The case studied will have a special focus on how use of claim data, one type of back-end data, can support robust design methodology. This paper is based on a case study at a medium-sized Swedish manufacturing company. The study has encompassed interviews, direct observations, participation, and document analysis. Interviews were semi-structured; the questions mainly addressing use of the back-end data in product development. Data collection was based on real-time feedback and observations in order to assess the outcome, and its contribution towards improvements in product development. The back-end data, when analyzed and fed back into the product development process, aids in closing the product development loop from claims to improvement in the design phase. Further, the use of back-end data in improvement work extends the usage of the claim database to various users, e.g. designers or developers. This can be facilitated through the establishment of links from the claim database to existing tools such as FMEA. Finally, continuous reporting and use of back-end data creates awareness of improvement needs and provides an opportunity to monitor performance over time in relation to customer usage variations.The paper addresses an area that has not previously been explored in depth, namely the use of back-end data as a basis for upstream efforts. Principles of robust design methodology are applied in product development through systematic analysis of the claims data, where failures during product use stage are addressed in connection to noise factors.
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- Åslund, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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A process towards societal value within a community-based regional development project
- 2012
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 15th QMOD-ICQSS conference. - Poznan, Poland : Comprint. - 9788389333469
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study and describe the processes of a community-based area development project and to compare it with a previously developed process map of societal entrepreneurship. The purpose is also to verify the process map.Methodology/Approach - Observation and participating studies has been conducted at workshops carried out within the development project, the purpose of which is to create societal value. Data concerning the project have been collected, including an interview with the project leader. These data have been analyzed and compared with the previously developed process map, the illustration of the societal entrepreneurship process in order to verify the societal entrepreneurship process and to achieve a deeper understanding of the processes within societal entrepreneurship. Findings – The processes, activities and tasks of a community-based area development project are described. It seems as if the main process has been used three times and a model that illustrated this is presented. The earlier developed process map has been verified.Value - The description of the area development project can help other communities to plan development projects. The illustration of the societal entrepreneurship process can be valuable for societal entrepreneurs who are planning a societal value initiative in some form. It can also be valuable for decision-makers and stakeholders who can contribute to, are concerned with, or may be affected by societal entrepreneurship.
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