| 1. |
- Bruch, Jessica
(författare)
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Management of Design Information in the Production System Design Process
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- For manufacturing companies active on the global market, high-performance production systems that contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the company are essential. Among a wide range of industries it is increasingly acknowledged that superior production system capabilities are crucial for competitive success. However, the process of designing the production system has received little attention, ignoring its potential for gaining a competitive edge. Designing production systems in an effective and efficient manner is advantageous as it supports the possibility to achieve the best possible production system in a shorter time. One way to facilitate the design of the production system is an effective management of design information. Without managing design information effectively in the production system design process the consequences may be devastating including delays, difficulties in production ramp-up, costly rework, and productivity losses.The objective of the research presented in this thesis is to develop knowledge that will contribute to an effective management of design information when designing production systems. The empirical data collection rests on a multiple-case study method and a survey in which the primary data derive from two industrialization projects at a supplier in the automotive industry. Each industrialization project involved the design of a new production system.The findings revealed ten categories of design information to be used throughout the process of designing production systems. The identified design information categories are grouped in the following way: (1) design information that minimizes the risk of sub-optimization; (2) design information that ensures an alignment with the requirements placed by the external context; (3) design information that ensures an alignment with the requirements placed by the internal context, and (4) design information that facilitates advancements in the design work. In order to improve the management of the broad variety of design information required, a framework is developed. The framework confirms the necessity to consider the management of design information as a multidimensional construct consisting of the acquiring, sharing, and using of information. Further, the framework is based on six characteristics that influence the management of design information. These characteristics are information type, source of information, communication medium, formalization, information quality, and pragmatic information. Supported by the findings, guidelines for the management of design information are outlined to facilitate an effective and efficient design of the production system and thus contribute to better production systems. The guidelines are of value to those responsible for or involved in the design of production systems.
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| 2. |
- Dencker, Kerstin, 1972-
(författare)
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An Analysis of the Proactive Approach as a Potential Tool for Adaptability in Production Systems
- 2011
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Competitive systems for manufacturing, especially assembly systems, have to cope with frequent changes of external as well as internal demands. A proactive behaviour in an assembly system should make it capable of rapid changes and have an ability to handle frequent changes and disturbances. During recent decades several different system theories have occurred of which the majority remained theories never taken to actual production solutions. The thesis presents results from four case studies. It is suggested, that the proactivity of an assembly system is strongly influenced by the system’s ability to change the three parameters: 1) level of automation, 2) level of information, 3) level of competence[l3] (among the operators in a defined work area). Proactivity is not easy to describe. However, this[l4] thesis has taken a step in that direction. A general definition of proactivity is “taking action by causing change towards a state and not only reacting to change when it happens”. Another way to phrase this is "to be anticipatory and taking charge of situations”. Proactivity can be described as the ability of preparation for: - Changes and disturbance during operation; - Planned long-term evolution for a sustainable and perfect production system. Such a system consists of technical components efficiently integrated with human operators and has the ability to handle frequent changes. Proactivity in an assembly system is dependent on the following factors: - Continuous changes; - Mandate to allocate resources; - Mandate to do short term planning. The thesis presents a first model for evaluation of different technical resources that contributes to an overall proactive system behaviour. The model has been published but not yet tested.
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| 3. |
- Hasan, Baha, 1977-
(författare)
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An Ontological Approach to support Knowledge Sharing between Product Design and Assembly Process Planning (APP)
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Modern manufacturing organizations have to cope with several critical issues arising from the need for mass customization such as short product life-cycles, an increasing number of product variants and frequently changing customer requirements. One of the main factors that could aid overcoming those challenges is the use of information and communication technology (ICT) applications over a collaborative manufacturing environment, in which all stakeholders share and exchange knowledge across different manufacturing domains and applications. However, the use of ICT applications over a collaborative manufacturing environment is limited at the domain level by semantic conflicts arising from the use of different ways to describe the same objects and facts arising from different conceptualizations. Similarly, ICT usage is limited on the application level by interoperability problems arising from diverse heterogeneity between different ICT applications and tools.This research presents a semantic approach to support knowledge sharing within the assembly domain. More specifically, this research is focusing on capturing and sharing assembly design knowledge and integrating the assembly design domain and the Assembly Process Planning (APP) domain. Assembly design and APP are very important engineering domains for successful manufacturing system design, which requires an efficient collaborative environment for best utilization of the assembly resources. However, though these domains represent different perspectives in understanding of the same concepts, both domains use different software applications, which might cause interoperability issues.In this thesis, a novel integration approach has been proposed; this approach is composed of two stages: the first stage includes modelling and recognition of assembly knowledge semantics from SolidWorks (SW) CAD software by using SolidWorks’ Application Programmable Interface (SW-API). The second stage includes sharing the recognized assembly knowledge semantics by using a knowledge-based system in the form of a three-layer ontology architecture which provides a common semantic base to support knowledge sharing across assembly design and APP both on the domain and the application level. Each ontology layer shares a set of concepts from the most generic level to the most specialized level. The foundation ontology layer represents the general key concepts in the assembly design and APP domains. More specialized assembly design concepts and APP concepts are represented both in the domain ontology layer, and the application ontology layer. In the latter, concepts related to SolidWorks CAD software and to assembly robotic devices are represented.
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| 4. |
- Yamamoto, Yuji, 1976-
(författare)
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Kaikaku in production
- 2010
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In today’s fast-changing and dynamic business environment, the pressures on manufacturing companies to compete on the global arena have been intensified. Production is challenged to handle and benefit from ever increasing competitions in terms of cost, delivery capability, and flexibility. In order to gain and sustain the competitive advantage under such circumstances, strong and constant development of production must be ensured not only with continuous improvements but also with radical improvements. Continuous improvement or called Kaizen has been an established approach of production improvement. The concept of Kaizen is well described and many tools and methods that support Kaizen have been developed and widely applied in industry. However, for radical improvement or “Kaikaku” in Japanese, the need and the importance of Kaikaku are still limitedly recognized at companies. Moreover, the knowledge of structured support that facilitates an effective and efficient execution of Kaikaku has been insufficiently developed. The purpose of the research presented in this thesis is to develop models and methods that address the need and the importance of Kaikaku in production and facilitate the realization of it. The research consists of a literature study and three case studies. The literature study was conducted in order to structure the concept of Kaikaku. As a result of the study, a conceptual framework of Kaikaku was developed. The three case studies were conducted to identify influential factors to the realization of Kaikaku. Both Swedish and Japanese companies were studied and analyzed. These case studies led to identify a way of realizing a certain type of Kaikaku. Some characteristics of organization setting were also found influential to the realization of Kaikaku. To conclude, the research has contributed to creating a foundation of the research area related to Kaikaku. This has opened up opportunities for further research in this field.
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| 5. |
- Andersson Schaeffer, Jennie, 1974-
(författare)
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Spaces for innovation
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Workspace design, as an enabling factor in innovation, is an emerging topic for innovation and design research. However, little research has been done on users’ experience on workspaces for innovation in a manufacturing industrial context. The aim of the dissertation is to develop knowledge and understanding of workspaces for innovation from a user perspective.The dissertation is based on studies done in four manufacturing industries and in one design and innovation consultancy, with a focus on the employees' experience of the physical space in relation to innovation. The research method used was the photo elicitation interview. The 31 participants made photographs that served as a basis for verbal interviews to communicate the relationship they experienced between their workspace and innovation. The analysis and the interpretation of the material, supported by information, cultural and phenomenological theoretical perspectives, intend to contribute to the current scientific discourse in innovation and design.A pattern was found in the results. In the manufacturing industrial companies, the majority of workspaces that users described as supporting or hindering innovation were motifs showing aculture promoting innovation in small steps. Their examples were found to be in close similarity to what previous research describe as characteristics of exploitative innovation. In the design company, the most photographed motifs were workspaces and objects that supported different variations of what previousresearch defines as characteristics for a culture supporting radical, explorative innovation.The dissertation presents results contributing to the research on ambidexterity, with focus on a possible coexistence between different innovation cultures. The results indicate that spatial differentiation creates possibilities for coexistence between the two innovation cultures. Six spatial characteristics were found in the descriptions of the workspaces related to the marginalised explorative culture in the manufacturing companies.The dissertation discusses the possibilities of creating spaces for explorative innovation (SEIs) and space as a tool for innovation. An initial version of a support for design is presented.
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| 6. |
- Höckerdal, Karin, 1983-
(författare)
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Enhancing the process of environmental improvement in manufacturing industry
- 2012
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- To enable competitive industrial production, it is crucial to understand how to design and operate competitive production systems. Today, much operations management research focuses on the environmental dimension of sustainable manufacturing. Even though the environmental impact of industrial and commercial activities has become more vivid and severe, evidence points to a slow diffusion of industry-led ideas and actions for improving the environmental performance. It seems as if the manufacturing industry is still in the beginning of the process towards designing and operating environmentally benign production systems. However, increasing raw material and energy prices as well as potential penalties for lacking compliance provide cost related incentives for manufacturing companies to reduce their environmental impacts. Since production typically determines several environmental impacts such as exploitation of resources, contamination of soil, water and air, generation and emission of greenhouse gases etc., an important opportunity to reduce the environmental impact is found within a company’s production activities. In this, environmental issues can be viewed as either constraints or opportunities for competition. Companies can choose to adopt different positions ranging on a continuum from re-active behaviour, merely complying with environmental laws and regulations, to pro-active positions where competitive advantages are sought for. Either way, the increased environmental concern requires manufacturing companies to develop strategies, technologies and practices that will reduce the environmental impact from production.This research focuses on the process of environmental improvement applied by companies within the manufacturing industry and aims to explore the current state as well as develop support for enhancing this process. By collecting and analysing the empirical and theoretical findings, common barriers facing the companies in their strive to reduce the environmental impact from production as well as enabling factors, supporting the progress towards increased environmental performance have been identified. Based on an analysis of the current state one example of a link of challenges impeding the process of environmental improvement has been identified. The identified link of causes and effects shows a path towards a reactive improvement approach when dealing with environmental issues in production. In order to reach a more proactive state this link had to be broken. A general pattern describing the stages from a reactive to a proactive approach was identified, indicating that an increased understanding of and commitment to environmental issues were crucial parameters in order to succeed. Based on the findings, a number of requirements for enhancing the process of environmental improvement in production were derived. It was concluded that developing a support in terms of an improvement process was one way of improving the current state. Using an existing visual structure as a baseline a process for Green Performance Mapping was developed in cooperation with the studied companies. Ultimately, the suggested process was evaluated against the stated requirements and suggested as a support for enhancing the process of environmental improvement in production within the manufacturing industry, thereby contributing to reducing the environmental impact from production.
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| 7. |
- Sjögren, Peter, 1986-
(författare)
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Considering Engineering Change Management in Project Realisation : The Case of Offshore Platform Projects
- 2015
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Offshore wind converter platforms are complex installations that increase the competitiveness of offshore wind as an energy source. Prior research in the field of offshore platform project execution has focused on early project phases and planning as means to increase project reliability. Later phases such as fabrication, transport and installation have not received the same attention from academia and industry. Projects of this type frequently suffer both large and small deviations. The further projects progress, the more deviations they accumulate. The accumulated deviations have to be resolved in a timely manner so as to avoid impairing the quality and scheduling of an overall project. This research explores the design of converter platforms and the management of engineering change in relation to fabrication, transport and installation in order to increase the overall reliability of projects.Two offshore platform projects in three case studies form the source of empirical data. The first of the three studies considered prior research connected to fabrication and installation of offshore platforms. In the second study, the effect of two different platform designs on the fabrication and installation process was investigated. The third study considered engineering change management as a tool to achieve changeability, and examined its ability to buffer against deviations affecting later project phases i.e. fabrication, transport and installation. The findings revealed that the design’s effects on a project’s outcome are often not the driver of reliability. Rather, it was found that engineering change management is essential to any project to manage the changeable nature of projects. This research also raises concerns as to how much engineering change to allow for and in what project phase. That engineering change, as a tool, should preferably be used sparingly in early phases and as necessary in later phases. The observed engineering change process in the studied projects was chaotic. This research suggests that engineering change can be organised around change carriers. In this way, it is predicted that the processes of change can become more stable and predictable.
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| 8. |
- Islam, Md Hasibul, 1991-
(författare)
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Operational performance driven production system design process
- 2022
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The design process of a production system referred to as the production system design process (PSDP) impacts on the operational performancethroughout the lifecycle of the production system, especially on the rampupand operation phases. Despite the impact of activities of PSDP on the operational performance, how to manage the PSDP is still a challenge for manufacturing companies. Earlier research urged to develop a systematic PSDP concerning its impact on the operational performance.This thesis aims to contribute with knowledge of how manufacturingcompanies can manage the PSDP by investigating 1) the enablers in thePSDP that impact on operational performance in ramp-up and operation phases, and 2) how the lean production concept could be adopted tomanage the activities during the PSDP. A case study was conducted in aprocess type manufacturing company, where empirical data were collectedfrom three new production line launching projects by qualitative means.This thesis identifies a set of enablers in the PSDP that potentiallyimpact the operational performance after launching the productionsystem. Empirical findings demonstrate that ensuring proper actions onthe identified enablers in the PSDP could lead to higher operationalperformance of the designed production system. These enablers rangefrom the company´s internal boundary to external vendors, requiring asystematic way to manage these diverse aspects. Adopting the lean production concept in the PSDP context, this thesis proposes a model of Lean Production System Design Process, containing 13 principles andrelevant practices.The proposed model of lean PSDP could be used as a systematic processto manage the activities in the PSDP that would ensure proper actions related to the identified enablers. Empirical findings indicate that adoptionof lean in the PSDP could result in reducing lead time of launching a new production system, and achieving fast ramp-up and desired operational performance considering sustainability aspects. Finally, this thesis demonstrates how the lean PSDP could be a means to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage based on the resource based view theoretical perspective.
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| 9. |
- Javadi, Siavash, 1984-
(författare)
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Towards tailoring the product introduction process for low-volume manufacturing industries
- 2015
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- As the closing phase of product development projects, the product introduction process significantly influences the time to market and product quality. The rapid launching of new products to market aids manufacturing companies in avoiding crucial consequences, such as a loss of market share and revenue and the early obsolescence of products in a globalized market. Therefore, the characteristics and influential factors of the product introduction process must be identified to facilitate the management of new product development projects and to maintain competitiveness for manufacturing companies.The management and support of product introduction processes in low-volume manufacturing industries require solutions that are tailored to the characteristics and requirements of these industries. However, studies on the characteristics of low-volume manufacturing industries and their influence on the product introduction process are limited. Therefore, the objective of the research presented in this thesis is to develop knowledge about product introduction process and its facilitators in low-volume manufacturing industries by focusing on characteristics of products and production systems in these industries. To fulfil this objective, the characteristics of low-volume manufacturing industries and their influence on the product introduction process were investigated via literature reviews and a multiple-case study. In addition, the facilitators of the product introduction process in low-volume manufacturing industries were examined. A case study was performed, comprising two longitudinal real-time cases and two retrospective cases, all within one Swedish company.The characteristics of low-volume products and production systems are studied in this research. The identified influences of these characteristics on the product introduction process include few engineering prototypes, limited and uncertain numbers of pre-series productions and the infeasibility of conventional production ramp-up. Other identified influences include the modification of existing products instead of the development of entirely new products, the use of existing production systems with slight modifications for new products, a high frequency of introducing new products, and an extensive focus on the functionality of products instead of their manufacturability.Finally, the utilization of knowledge and experiences from the development and production of prior similar products was identified as a potential facilitator of the product introduction process in low-volume manufacturing industries. A process was suggested to support the product introduction process in low-volume manufacturing industries in gathering, sharing and using knowledge and experiences from the production of prior similar products. This process can compensate for the lack of opportunities to test and refine products and production systems during the product introduction process in low-volume manufacturing industries.
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| 10. |
- Lindahl, Emma, 1989-
(författare)
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Circular Production Management : Strategies for accelerating the transition from linear to circular
- 2024
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The manufacturing industry is searching for ways to reduce its use of natural resources but at the same time remain a business and be competitive. Production companies have seen the possibilities ofcircularity in production, which could bring new business opportunities when steering production towards closed-loop production systems. This licentiate thesis is focused on production operations, a central function in the production company that directly creates value for the customer in the manufacturing stage. Previous research shows that circularity could work as a strategy for the production company to reach the UN Sustainable Development goals. Previous research has focused on circularity in theproduct development stage and the design of production systems.However, little literature has focused on how established production operations practically change from their current linear production to a circular production. This licentiate thesis investigates how the production operation works with circularity transition today, and in what ways the production operation is supported to reach circularity goals. To address thementioned literature gap, research studies have been carried out by production companies in Sweden. Findings from the studies show similarities between the investigated companies regarding the scope and definition of the adopted circularity strategy, lack of clarified goals and lack of strategies in managing the production towards the anticipated direction. However, based on common circularity principles adopted from literature and managerial data generated from company interviews, themes and concepts were discovered that could give general recommendations anddirections for production companies to accelerate the transition from linear to circular production. The findings from the empirically driven investigations provide valuable insights into how circular transition couldbe managed in practice and which obstacles may arise and be overcome.The main contribution is three main aspects, circular production strategy, management systems and standards, which are identified as the enginethat in close connection with production operations drives the circularity transition. The practical contribution of this thesis addresses the lack of practical guidance on how manufacturing companies actually couldachieve circular production.
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| 11. |
- Sjödin, David Rönnberg
(författare)
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Managing joint development of process technologies : empirical studies of interorganizational collaboration within the process industries
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The concept of open innovation has gained widespread acceptance in different lines of research, and it has had a major impact on both research and practice during the last decade. The inherent logic of open innovation is simply that firms can and should use external as well as internal knowledge and information sources, and both internal and external paths to market, when they seek to maximize returns from development activities. While the mainstream literature has mainly reported on open innovation during product development, this thesis highlights the importance of open innovation activities during process development. Indeed, strong collaboration and significant joint development activities are typically required between buyers and suppliers when developing and implementing new process technologies. This is especially true in the process industries where process development is a key source of competitiveness. However, joint process development projects in this setting are often plagued by severe budget overruns, time delays, and quality problems. Developing and implementing new process technology is thus a risky endeavor that may seriously endanger long-term competitive advantages and the financial viability of firms if not managed proficiently. In particular, these projects are often complex to manage, as interdependencies among a number of actors, activities, and the overall process design create problems and information gaps for both buyers and suppliers. Therefore, there is a need for increased knowledge to facilitate improved collaboration so as to decrease the risk of project failure. Accordingly, the purpose of this thesis is to increase the understanding of how process firms and equipment suppliers can improve the management of joint development projects.Empirically, the results are based on three case studies and a comprehensive project-level survey within the process industries. The thesis is based on empirical data from 84 interviews with employees of two process firms and nine equipment suppliers as well as 251 survey respondents from 52 joint development projects. These numbers include respondents from eight European countries. The results can be summarized in a number of points. First, firms should revise their development processes to manage interorganizational collaboration. Second, different problems and collaborative activities must be managed as the project progresses from development to implementation. To this end, different stages require different participants and different modes of communication and coordination among participants. Thus, the content and the intensity of the collaboration should be tailored to the information processing needs in different stages of the equipment’s lifecycle. To support an appropriate collaboration process, firms should tailor their procurement procedures to the characteristics of the project. These findings present a number of implications for managers and practitioners alike in light of the increasing importance of interorganizational collaboration and process development.
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| 12. |
- Sjögren, Peter
(författare)
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Towards a Learning Process for Ad hoc Engineering Change Teams
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Engineering changes disrupt plans, can affect technical solutions negatively, and put project organisations under strain. However, engineering changes are a crucial part of the design process and a prerequisite in adapting to a dynamic project environment.Prior research has suggested the efficacy of the pre-emptive actions of reducing the number of, and front-loading, changes. However, pre-emptive measures to stop engineering changes from materialising are difficult to achieve if there are shortcomings in the project processes. Even with formal processes in place, they often fall by the wayside when changes occur, replaced by ad hoc practices. In such cases, when a change is raised, an ad hoc team of practitioners is formed to manage it. In the informal handling of the change that follows, practitioners tend to focus on risk aversion rather than weighing risks against the opportunities.To improve the performance of ad hoc teams in managing engineering changes, an organisational-learning approach has been developed. This research is based on the fields of both project- and engineering-change management and applies a multiple case study design with cases from product development and engineering-type projects. Research results are based on data from over 40 interviews with project managers and engineers as well as over 100 change requests, the contents of which were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The research methodologies both of soft systems and projects-as-practice were used to analyse results from qualitative data.This research further develops the concept of ad hoc teams in the context of engineering design, thus contributing to the field of strategic guidelines and organisational issues regarding engineering-change management. The strength of the suggested process lies in its capture both of the specific and the practical. It is specific in the sense that it focuses on issues related to emergent changes and its sibling initiated changes to raise awareness of their differences and how they relate to possible opportunities within changes. It is practical in that it acknowledges the importance of an active line-management organisation that supports project planning, execution, and development to sustain a culture of learning as it relates to the engineering-change management process, pre-, in- and post-change. Through a systems view, the process also incorporates change types and the concept of change carriers. Finally, the suggested process includes practical management guidelines for emergent changes and initiated changes. To that end, this research specifies a workshop structure to heighten practitioners’ awareness of their practices and praxis in handling engineering changes.
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| 13. |
- Yamamoto, Yuji, 1976-
(författare)
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Kaikaku in production toward creating unique production systems
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In the business environment characterized by the severe global competition and the fast-paced changes, production functions of manufacturing companies must have a capacity of undertaking not only incremental improvement, Kaizen, but also large-scale improvement that is of a radial and innovative nature here called “Kaikaku” (Kaikaku is a Japanese word meaning change or reformation).Moreover, production functions especially those located in high-wage countries must be proficient in radical innovation in production to maintain their competitive advantages. They must to be capable of creating new knowledge and constantly developing and implementing radically new production technologies, processes, and equipment which make their production systems more “unique”. Here, a unique production system means a production system that is valuable for the company’s competition, rare in the industry, difficult for competitors to imitate, and difficult for them to substitute.Kaikaku is not a new phenomenon in the industry, and much research has been done on how to manage large-scale changes in Kaikaku. However, the previous research has rarely focused on the relation of Kaikaku and creating unique production systems. Kaikaku can be an effective means to create such systems. The objective of the research presented in the doctoral thesis is to propose how to plan and implement Kaikaku so that it contributes to creating unique production systems. To fulfil the objective, five empirical studies were conducted. In the empirical studies, data were collected through literature review, interviews, participant-observation, and action research. Japanese and Swedish manufacturing companies were studied.General conclusions of the research are summarized as follows. In order to achieve Kaikaku so that it contributes to realizing unique production systems, the intent and commitment to realize such systems must be present at the strategic level of the organization. Organization structures and resources need to be prepared to support the mentioned kind of Kaikaku. A process of Kaikaku can be a less linear and systematic but more cyclic and emergent process which can be seen as a series of unfolding smaller improvement or development projects that are undertaken during Kaikaku to achieve overall objectives. In each projects exploration and organizational learning are facilitated. The research has also found a specific direction of how to develop a production system in order to make the system more unique. Finally, in the research, a design method that is helpful to create unique production lines, cells, and equipment has been found and studied
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