| 1. |
- Bojesson, Catarina
(författare)
-
Enabling Dynamic Capability : Managing and Organizing for Change
- 2024
-
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.
|
|
| 2. |
- Antony, Jiju, et al.
(författare)
-
Quality management as a means for micro-level sustainability development in organizations
- 2023
-
Ingår i: The TQM Journal. - : Emerald Publishing. - 1754-2731 .- 1754-274X.
-
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.
|
|
| 3. |
- Antony, Jiju, et al.
(författare)
-
Sustainable development through quality management : a multiple-case study analysis of triumphs, trials and tribulations
- 2024
-
Ingår i: The TQM Journal. - : EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD. - 1754-2731 .- 1754-274X.
-
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.
|
|
| 4. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
An assembly-oriented product design methodology to develop similar assembly operations in a mixed-product assembly line
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design, ICED. - : Design Society. ; , s. 131-140
-
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.
|
|
| 5. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
Considering assembly requirement specifications in product development : identification and approach
- 2014
-
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
-
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.
|
|
| 6. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
Drivers of complexity in a flexible assembly system - A case study
- 2015
-
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
-
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.
|
|
| 7. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
Exploring optimal flexible assembly systems
- 2013
-
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.
|
|
| 8. |
- Asadi, Narges
(författare)
-
Flexibility in assembly systems using product design
- 2017
-
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.
|
|
| 9. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
Handling product variety in a mixed-product assembly line : A case study
- 2015
-
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
-
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.
|
|
| 10. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
Identification of the causes of complexity in mixed-product and mixed-model assembly lines
- 2015
-
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.
|
|
| 11. |
|
|
| 12. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
Implications of realizing mix flexibility in assembly systems for product modularity—A case study
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Journal of manufacturing systems. - : Elsevier BV. - 0278-6125 .- 1878-6642. ; 52, s. 13-22
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To enable the production of high product variety, mix flexibility in assembly systems is of paramount importance for manufacturing companies. Mixed-product assembly lines (MPALs) are growing as the key means of realizing mix flexibility in many manufacturing sectors, as they absorb volume fluctuations and offer high product variety. With the increasing product variety in MPALs, these assembly systems are becoming more complex. However, the practical challenges of these assembly systems, in particular those concerning product design, have not been adequately addressed. By performing a case study of a heavy machinery manufacturing company, this paper investigates the implications of realizing mix flexibility in an assembly system for product modularity. The findings pinpoint the low level of product modularity in assembly as the most important challenge in MPALs. Accordingly, realizing mix flexibility in an MPAL impacts product modularity through establishing a common assembly sequence and defining similar module contents across distinct product families.
|
|
| 13. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
Linking product design to flexibility in an assembly system : A case study
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management. - : Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.. - 1741-038X .- 1758-7786. ; 28:5, s. 610-630
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose - The recent shift towards accommodating flexibility in manufacturing companies and the complexity resulting from product variety highlight the significance of flexible assembly systems and designing products for them. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the requirements of a flexible assembly system for product design from the assembly system's standpoint. Design/methodology/approach - To fulfil the purpose of the paper, a literature review and a case study were performed. The case study was conducted with an interactive research approach in a global market leader company within the heavy vehicle manufacturing industry. Findings - The findings indicate that common assembly sequence, similar assembly interfaces, and common parts are the main requirements of a flexible assembly system for product design which reduce complexity and facilitate various flexibility dimensions. Accordingly, a model is proposed to broaden the understanding of these requirements from the assembly system's standpoint. Research limitations/implications - This study contributes to the overlapping research area of flexible assembly systems and product design. Practical implications - The proposed model is largely based on practical data and clarifies the role of product design in facilitating flexibility in an assembly system. It can be used by assembly managers, assembly engineers, and product designers. Originality/value - The key originality of this paper compared to the previous studies lies in presenting a novel assembly-oriented design model. The model enhances understanding of a flexible assembly system's requirements for product design with regard to reducing complexity and managing variation in a flexible assembly system. These requirements can be applied to product design across various product families within a company's product portfolio.
|
|
| 14. |
- Asadi, Narges
(författare)
-
Supporting flexibility in an assembly system through product design
- 2015
-
Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Increasing customer demands for product variety in conjunction with the short lifecycle of products has caused manufacturing companies to introduce a wide range of products by accommodating flexibility. An assembly system is an essential part of the manufacturing system from both cost and time perspectives. Hence, the shift towards flexibility in manufacturing companies highlights the significance of establishing flexible assembly systems and designing products that are closely aligned with them. Despite its significance, however, the flexible assembly system concept and its requirements for product design have not been clearly defined in research and from a practical point of view. Most research on flexible assembly systems has mainly approached either the design or the balancing and scheduling issues of these systems, whereas only a few studies have briefly defined the flexible assembly system they focused on, without further specifying the characteristics of a flexible assembly system and its requirements for product design.Taking that into account, the objective of this work is to provide a framework to contribute to the understanding of the concept of flexibility in an assembly system and its requirements for product design. In order to fulfil the objective, four empirical studies combined with literature reviews have been conducted. The empirical studies, a multiple case study and three single case studies, investigate the definition of flexibility in an assembly system as well as the requirements that a flexible assembly system imposes on product design.Through its findings, this research provides a definition of flexibility in assembly systems that mainly revolves around volume, mix and new product flexibility. In addition, six constituents of a flexible assembly system have been identified: adaptable material supply, versatile workforce, increased commonality, standardised work content, integrated product properties and strategic planning. Furthermore, three requirements of a flexible assembly system for product design are defined, which, if fulfilled, reduce the complexity created by product variety and consequently support flexibility in the assembly system. Accordingly, to increase the understanding of the concept of flexibility in an assembly system and its requirements for product design, a four-staged framework is suggested. The proposed framework deals with the activities related to the concept and the development of a flexible assembly system and is expected to be received by assembly practitioners as a link between assembly and product design teams in the product realisation process. Future research can further validate the framework in practice.
|
|
| 15. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
The Essential Constituents of Flexible Assembly Systems : A Case Study in the Heavy Vehicle Manufacturing Industry
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0972-2696 .- 0974-0198. ; 16:3, s. 235-250
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The major challenge of today’s manufacturing industry in tackling demands for a wider range of products with short life-cycle times and meeting customisation requirements has drawn considerable attention towards flexibility in manufacturing systems. As a prominent part of a manufacturing system, an assembly system provides a platform for increasing efficiency while delivering various market demands. However, owing to the dearth of a unified and clear definition of the constituents of flexible assembly systems, in both theory and practice, the recognition of flexibility in assembly systems still remains elusive. In order to establish a sound base for discussing the constituents of flexible assembly systems, this research paper explores the literature concerning flexibility in manufacturing and assembly as well as in flexible systems management domains. To reflect an industrial perspective, a multiple case study of five manufacturing plants in the heavy vehicle industry is performed. By identifying six essential constituents of flexibility in assembly systems, the study proposes a clear definition of flexibility in assembly systems which mainly revolves around mix and volume flexibility. To further enhance the findings, the compatibility of a few previously identified types of manufacturing flexibility in the assembly systems of the case plants is investigated and additional dimensions of flexibility in assembly systems are revealed. Finally, the implications for theory and practice as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.
|
|
| 16. |
- Asadi, Narges, et al.
(författare)
-
Towards Establishing Similar Assembly Interfaces for a Mixed-product Assembly System
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Procedia CIRP. - : Elsevier BV. - 2212-8271. ; , s. 635-640
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Developing a mixed-product assembly line (MPAL) is an elaborate task due to the complexity raised by product variety. This paper proposes that securing similar assembly interfaces across distinct product families is an essential requirement of MPALs which facilitates flexibility and reduces complexity. The concept of similar assembly interfaces has been developed and analysed in a case study at a heavy vehicle manufacturing company. The results suggest that assembly interfaces can be defined according to generic assembly operation steps: pick, place and attach. The paper highlights the need for development of a cross-functional methodology to analyse and establish similar assembly interfaces.
|
|
| 17. |
- Backström, Tomas, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
-
Conclusions
- 2017
-
Ingår i: International Series in Operations Research and Management Science, Volume 255. - Cham : Springer New York LLC. - 9783319559841 ; , s. 167-171
-
Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this concluding chapter, each of the previous chapters are reflected upon based on the emergent quality management paradigm presented in Chap. 9 by Backström. This book introduces four processes: innovation, production, knowledge creation, and value creation processes. It is emphasised that companies must prioritise and develop all four of these processes to survive and prosper. Throughout the book, dichotomies associated with these processes have been elaborated on and discussed. Historically, these dichotomies have often created dilemmas owing to the current understanding of their relations. However, as suggested in this book, alternative perspectives can be used in a constructive way to resolve these potentially high-impact dilemmas. Recognising the dichotomies as mutually dependent gives further possibilities for the development of production systems.
|
|
| 18. |
|
|
| 19. |
- Backström, Tomas, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
-
Introduction
- 2017
-
Ingår i: International Series in Operations Research and Management Science, Volume 255. - Cham : Springer New York LLC. - 9783319559841 ; , s. 1-8
-
Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- It is well known that the development of successful business and production systems are full of conflicting forces; initiatives that seem conducive to one line of work can be a constraint on another line of work. This kind of dilemma is the core subject of the current book, and by applying alternative perspectives to such dilemmas, the book will present ideas on how these could be managed in organizations. Organizations need to manage a number of challenges in terms of dualities in order to create a contemporary production system, which seems to be key to future innovative quality improvements in operations. The challenges and dichotomies that are addressed in this book are all part of four interrelated processes that together constitute key elements of a contemporary production system: The innovation process—creation and implementation of new offerings and solutions, The production process—production and distribution of offerings and solutions, The knowledge creation process—emergence and distribution of knowledge, The value creation process—created customer value based on the offerings and solutions developed.
|
|
| 20. |
- Bengtsson, Marcus, et al.
(författare)
-
Integrating Quality and Maintenance Development : Opportunities and Implications
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the 23rd International Congress on Condition Monitoring and Diagnostic Engineering Management (COMADEM 2010): Advances in Maintenance and Condition Diagnosis Technologies towards Sustainable Society. - 9784883254194 ; , s. 821-828
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Today, the drive in many organizations is to focus on reducing production costs while increasing customer satisfaction. One key to succeed with these goals is to develop and improve both quality and maintenance in production as well as quality and maintenance in early phases of the development processes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how and motivate why research within quality and maintenance development may interact, in order to help companies meet customer demand while at the same time increase productivity. The paper is based on ideas and research perspectives of the newly formed competence group on ‘Quality- and Maintenance Development’ at the School of Innovation, Design and Engineering at the Malardalen University, Sweden. This paper elaborates on the concepts of Quality and Maintenance, its important integration, and provides some examples of ongoing research projects within the competence group.
|
|
| 21. |
- Bojesson, Catarina, et al.
(författare)
-
Exploring microfoundations of dynamic capabilities – challenges, barriers, and enablers of organizational change
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Journal of Organizational Change Management. - 0953-4814 .- 1758-7816. ; 34:1, s. 206-222
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting an organization’s dynamic capability and, consequently, its ability to manage organizational change. Design/methodology/approach: A single case study was conducted to provide a deeper understanding of the situation that the case company experienced during a specific phase of reconfiguration. Data were collected through nine in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Gioia methodology. Findings: Challenges, barriers and enablers affecting the organization's dynamic capability in the reconfiguration phase were identified. Originality/value: This study contributes to the theory of dynamic capabilities and to the current investigatory stream regarding microfoundations by presenting practical examples of challenges, barriers and enablers that affect an organization’s ability to succeed during an organizational reconfiguration. These examples are intended to aid in discussions on microfoundations of dynamic capabilities and their impact in practice.
|
|
| 22. |
- Carlsson, Anna-Lena, et al.
(författare)
-
Phases of Co-Production : Follow-up Research on the Industrial Research School INNOFACTURE
- 2015
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mälardalen Univerity is characterised by its close collaboration with companies and with the public sector in the region. A main strategic directions of the university is to develop co-production with partner companies, expressed in the university vision “A Strong MDH – the Coproducing University”. The concept ’co-production’ is in this paper used interchangeably with concept ’co-creation’, emphasising our view of equal participation and interaction with the goal of knowledge, that by the company can be made useful outside the university (see Terblanche, 2014). Based on Mälardalen University’s vision, co-production is a main goal for the Innovation and Product Realization (IPR) environment. IPR is located at the School of Innovation, Design and Engineering and has a common graduate education with three mutually supportive cooperating research groups: Product realization, Innovation management, and Information design. Here ideas from different fields and cultures meet, creating new ideas, possibilities, and knowledge as a result. The approach to develop new insights and knowledge in order to address societal challenges, through working closer between academics and research users, has a potential to improve how research is conducted. Still, there are many questions and challenges in this approach, with need of development: How is research and research education framed and undertaken? What constitutes co-production? What distinguishes reseach in co-production from other forms of research? What are the benefits and barriers of co-production? As we shall see, the follow-up research aim to contribute to how our third level education in a co-production environment can be undertaken.
|
|
| 23. |
- Davoudi, Sara
(författare)
-
What happened with the leviathan of the Public Sector? : The challenges of vertical coordination in regional public organizations and its effect on public value
- 2021
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Putting the capability to satisfy citizens’ needs at the heart of public organizations, public value has been argued to be the ultimate goal of public sector programs and policies. However, the contemporary public sector’s complex and multilevel structures has led to limited information processing between the various levels within organizations. Such vertical fragmentation has created issues in vertical coordination, hampering the efficiency and effectiveness of the regional public sector. Addressing these issues, the aim of this thesis is twofold. First, this thesis aims to describe and explain public organizations’ coordination challenges. Second, this thesis aims to elaborate on the implications of this explanation to create a deeper understanding of how these challenges affect public organizations’ ability to perform public service that adds to public value. In order to reach the aim, quantitative and qualitative methods have been used. The empirical base consists of two questionnaire studies (930 public transport users in the first and 921 in the second), as well as a comprehensive interview and documentation study with 11 respondents representing 11 Regional Public Transport Authorities and their respective policy documents. In this thesis, I argue that vertical specialization has brought conditions where each level interprets the regulations and policy documents based on their own individual preconditions such as individual ideologies and self-interests, as well as attitudes and relationships between different divisions. As such, these preconditions influence the outcome of rules and regulations that were created with the purpose of reforming the public sector. Further, the thesis outlines how the same individual precondition may act as a structural filter on the flow of information about citizens’ needs, influencing the distribution of information upstream in the organization. If we neglect these conditions and focus only on the rules and regulations, we risk missing aspects that influence the organization and its coordination outcome and, in turn, the citizen.
|
|
| 24. |
- Deleryd, Mats, et al.
(författare)
-
Towards societal satisfaction in a fifth generation of quality - the sustainability model
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Total Quality Management and Business Excellence. - : ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 1478-3363 .- 1478-3371.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The quality concept has developed over many generations. The purpose of this article is to review and describe how the quality movement developed through four sequential generations and how a fifth generation is upcoming. Building on the different generations of quality, the fifth generation reveals differing needs between customers and stakeholders. In the new generation of quality, societal satisfaction would be a more appropriate way of measuring sustainable success. Consequently, and to support societal satisfaction, additional quality management models that complement current approaches are needed. For organisations to manage current, fast-changing environments successfully, existing management models need to be further developed. Hence, to support decision makers in the fifth generation of quality, Quality 5.0, achieve societal satisfaction, this paper proposes a generic model for sustainable development, based on a longitudinal trend analysis of two sequential Delphi studies conducted in 2012 and 2018. The sustainability model supports all organisations-private or public, large or small-on their pathway towards sustainable organisational success and a sustainable future.
|
|
| 25. |
|
|
| 26. |
- Elg, Mattias, et al.
(författare)
-
Quality assurance of information in performance easurement systems
- 2012
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management. - : Inderscience. - 1746-6474. ; 10:4, s. 514-530
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of this paper is to develop and empirically investigate a conceptual framework for quality assurance of information in performance measurement systems. Three different strategies that may be applied for improving the quality of information in performance measurement systems are elaborated upon: craftsmanship, communicative actions and pragmatic assessment. These three strategies focus on different aspects: The craftsmanship strategy pays attention to the procedures that generate information; the communicative action strategy draws attention to the information itself; and the third model, pragmatic assessment, looks at how performance measurement influences decision making from a holistic perspective. Each of the strategies employs different tactics for ensuring quality of information. Based on empirical identification and elaboration of the three strategies, we argue that they have complementary roles. Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
|
|
| 27. |
- Eriksson, Henrik, 1973, et al.
(författare)
-
Exploring Quality Challenges and the Validity of Excellence Models
- 2016
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Operations & Production Management. - 0144-3577 .- 1758-6593. ; 36:10, s. 1201-1221
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose is to identify and explore important quality-related challenges facing organizations, and how current excellence models incorporate these challenges.Methodology: The article is based on a Delphi study in Swedish organizations, 49 challenges were generated and ranked according to importance. The top 10 ranked challenges were compared to the principles of four excellence models.Findings: The excellence models seem to still be relevant since their content matches many of the challenges identified. The MBNQA and the SIQ models were found to have the most comprehensive coverage, while the ISO model had limited coverage.Research Limitations/Implications: Three areas for further research were identified: 1) how QM can evolve in different contexts with varying needs in terms of adaptive and explorative capabilities, 2) the interfaces of QM and sustainability, and ways to understand how customers and stakeholders can be active contributors to improvements and 3) the roles of the owners and board of directors in QM, and how to organize and distribute responsibilities of the QM work.Practical and Social Implications: Three important challenges could be addressed in upcoming revisions of excellence models: 1) making QM a strategic issue for company owners; 2) involving customers in the improvement activities; and 3) developing processes that are robust, while still easily adaptable.Originality/Value: The Delphi study has identified upcoming challenges in the QM area based on input from 188 quality professionals.
|
|
| 28. |
- Eriksson, Yvonne, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
-
Visual management for a dynamic strategic change
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Journal of Organizational Change Management. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 0953-4814 .- 1758-7816. ; 31:3, s. 712-727
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – Strategic changes in an organization will face challenges not only related to the changes as suchbut also with regard to how the vision of the future is interpreted and understood by the organization.Visual management is a field of research that could contribute to change management research as a meansto facilitate management of the dynamics in a change process and to facilitate the process ofcommunication. The purpose of this paper is to problematize episodic change processes with regard tocommunication and to contribute with a proposed model on how to facilitate dynamic strategic changemanagement using visual management.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses an interdisciplinary approach by linking changemanagement literature to visual communication to be used for visual management.Findings – A proposed model presents how a dynamic episodic change process can be managed in terms ofvisual management, potential pitfalls to avoid, and what ambidextrous capabilities are needed throughout thecomplete episodic change.Research limitations/implications – The proposed model is still yet theoretical, based on a literaturereview of dynamic change management and visual communication. Future research will validate the model inpractice to confirm its robustness.Practical implications – An implementation of visual management in Kotter’s (1995) eight steps on how tostrategically manage change in combination with theories on ambidexterity and episodic change is suggested.Originality/value – The paper contributes to how visual management can support change management bycombining visual communication and change management.Keywords Quality management, Change management, Strategic planning, Operations management,Visual management, Visual
|
|
| 29. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Challenges and propositions for research in quality management
- 2018
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Production Economics. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0925-5273 .- 1873-7579. ; 199, s. 125-137
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- From its inception, the field of quality management (QM) has been characterised by practice-driven development. Although QM has reached maturity as a field of research based on empirical enquiry, its practitioners still struggle to adapt QM implementations to reap their benefits. This study aims to identify their challenges to better understand how contemporary QM research addresses them. We propose approaches to bridge the potential relevance gaps between research and practice. A Delphi study of QM practitioners in Swedish private and public organisations, several of which operate globally, generated 49 challenges. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to cluster these challenges into themes, and the literature was reviewed to investigate how each theme has been addressed in QM research. The empirical investigation identified three themes related to future QM challenges—organisations’ adaptability to rapid changes in the business environment, quality as a strategic concern for business owners, and managerial ownership of quality. By analysing these challenges, six propositions for future research were proposed to reduce potential relevance gaps. Future research should focus on how to make QM a strategic concern for owners, and explore how it can contribute to organisational ambidexterity and adaptability. Research should also determine how context influences the way QM is applied, and investigate how it can improve organisational learning and innovation. Finally, research should indicate how top managers can adopt the responsibilities of quality managers, and explore the ways the principal values of QM can be better integrated into organisations.
|
|
| 30. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Continuous learning using dissatisfaction feedback in new product development contexts
- 2010
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management. - : Emerald. - 0265-671X .- 1758-6682. ; 27:8, s. 860-877
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how various dissatisfaction feedback transferrals contribute to the decision-making process in product development contexts. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents the results from a qualitative interview-based study of 16 product development organizations and their customer dissatisfaction feedback systems; 84 percent of the companies within a machine industry segment in Sweden are covered. Findings – Based on the empirical investigation, a taxonomy of five decisions based upon dissatisfaction feedback is developed: reactive, preventive and developmental decisions are connected with exploitation of products, while future developmental and future preventive decisions are connected with exploration of future products. Originality/value – The project is essentially managerial, aiming to provide managers and other decision makers with a framework that displays how various dissatisfaction feedback transferrals contribute to various decisions in product development contexts. The paper highlights that despite costly investigations in customer feedback systems, very few customer dissatisfaction feedback transferrals are connected to explorative future developmental actions.
|
|
| 31. |
|
|
| 32. |
- Fundin, Anders, 1974
(författare)
-
Dynamics of Quality Attributes Over Life Cycles of Goods and Services
- 2005
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis is based on seven papers and has three main objectives. The first objective is to provide a theoretical framework that explains the dynamics of quality attributes over their life cycles, considering the technology readiness of users. Empirical investigations have been conducted with questionnaires constructed by a combination of Kano's theory of attractive quality and technology readiness, to collect data about a service consisting of a number of quality attributes. The results indicate that this theoretical combination, together with information about the number of times a service has been used, enables organizations to estimate how far the service has come in its life cycle and how long it will take to complete the cycle. This can be a helpful aid when estimating the pace at which an organization needs to offer new services or service attributes on a market. The second objective is to provide empirical investigations into how dissatisfaction feedback over product life cycles is transferred from users, and how that information and knowledge is utilized in product development contexts. Three research studies were conducted. One is an explorative collective case study carried out at three organizations in three multinational manufacturing companies in Sweden. The second is a descriptive single case study conducted in a collaboration project with ALSTOM Power, Industrial Turbines. The third is a multiple case study covering 84% of the companies within a machine industry segment in Sweden. As a general conclusion, the results show that feedback mainly is used for corrective and reactive actions only (exploitation of products), and is seldom used as an input in the New Product Development Process when developing possible future products (exploration of products). The third objective is to investigate manufacturing companies' current positions and movements on a goods-to-services continuum. The results of an explorative multiple case study of 17 machine industry companies suggest that most of the companies have not reached very far on the goods-to-services continuum. However, most of them are interested in better utilizing the life cycles of goods by incorporating service development activities within their lines of business.
|
|
| 33. |
|
|
| 34. |
- Fundin, Anders
(författare)
-
Exploring modes of service innovation in manufacturing firms
- 2010
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract Manufacturing companies differentiating their offerings with new services need to combine both product and service innovation. We study how service development is influenced by the choice of (1) separation or integration of service development and (2) the modes of innovation. Our results show that service development often is more structured if services are developed separately. Furthermore, service innovations often follow a sequence of innovation modes different from those of product innovations. Since different innovation modes benefit from varying degree of structure in the development process, many companies find it hard to develop products and services within the same development project.
|
|
| 35. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Exploring routes of dissatisfaction feedback : A multiple case study within a machine industry segment
- 2006
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management. - : Emerald. - 0265-671X .- 1758-6682. ; 23:8, s. 986-1001
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore routes of dissatisfaction feedback transferrals within a Swedish machine industry segment. The study focuses upon transferrals from dissatisfied users to the product development organizations. There is also an interest in determining whether the feedback is reliable and, if not, how to improve the reliability of this information to create a better basis for decision-making. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents the results from a qualitative interview-based study of 16 product development organizations and their customer dissatisfaction feedback systems. About 84 percent of the companies within a machine industry segment in Sweden are covered. Based on the empirical investigation, a typology describes four different dissatisfaction feedback constructs, depending on whether the feedback system is active or passive, and on whether the feedback is codified or personalized. Findings - The study indicates that parallel usage of codified and personalized dissatisfaction feedback, compared to using these transferrals in isolation only, improves reliability of dissatisfaction information and puts product developers in a better position when deciding on future actions. However, a real challenge is how to turn passive dissatisfaction routes into active ones. Managing passive dissatisfaction routes with service personnel and call centres as knowledge carriers more actively in product development can certainly reveal many of the hidden needs of users. Originality/value - Our project is essentially managerial, aiming to provide managers and other decision-makers with a framework to establish reliable and adequate customer feedback systems for more effective product development. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
|
|
| 36. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Exploring the customer feedback process
- 2002
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of, the Multinational Alliance for the Advancement of Organizational Excellence (MAAOE).
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)
|
|
| 37. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Exploring the customer feedback process
- 2003
-
Ingår i: Measuring Business Excellence. - : Emerald. - 1368-3047 .- 1758-8057. ; 7:2, s. 55-65
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
|
|
| 38. |
|
|
| 39. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Exploring the emergent quality management paradigm
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Total Quality Management and Business Excellence. - United Kingdom : Informa UK Limited. - 1478-3363 .- 1478-3371. ; 32:5-6, s. 476-488
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The development of successful production systems is affected by conflicting forces, that is, initiatives seemingly conducive for one line of work can be a constraint for another. Consequently, this paper presents an alternative perspective on how these issues could be managed in organisations. There are a number of key challenges in terms of the involved dichotomies for future innovative quality improvements in operations. These dichotomies are part of four interrelated processes that are the central elements of a production system. As such, aiming for stability or change is a production process dilemma in terms of the production and distribution of offerings and solutions. Control and creativity are the main dilemmas of the innovation process, that is, the creation and implementation of new offerings and solutions, while exploitation and exploration are the dilemmas of the knowledge creation process and efficiency and effectiveness of the value creation process. As the simultaneous existence of both parts of the dichotomy seems to be a paradox, this paper suggests the emergent quality management paradigm as an alternative perspective providing the guidance, examples, and practical solutions necessary to solve these dilemmas by recognising the dichotomies as mutually dependent.
|
|
| 40. |
|
|
| 41. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Management towards sustainable behaviour in organizations by measuring organizational culture
- 2023
-
Ingår i: EurOMA conference – European Operations Management Association.
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- To adapt organisations to the increased pace of societal change owing to climate andfinancial crises and the post-pandemic situation, planning operations with anorganisational culture that can adapt and transform is needed. Research has demonstratedthe importance of an organisation’s culture with respect to employee performance and thevalue delivered to stakeholders. To develop an organisation’s culture, knowledge of thebehaviours that support and those that hinder organisational values is equally important.This study aims to develop and evaluate measures of organisational culture adapted to anorganisation’s values.
|
|
| 42. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Quality 2030 : quality management for the future
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Total Quality Management and Business Excellence. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1478-3363 .- 1478-3371.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Quality management (QM) has shown an impressive ability to update and evolve. The purpose of this paper is to highlight themes that have been identified as vital and important for research projects within QM during the coming decade. The paper is also an attempt to initiate research for the emerging 2030 agenda for QM, here referred to as ‘Quality 2030’. This article is based on extensive data gathered during a workshop process conducted in two main steps: (1) a collaborative brainstorming workshop with 22 researchers and practitioners (spring 2019) and (2) an appreciative inquiry summit with 20 researchers and practitioners (autumn 2019). The process produced five collectively elaborated and designed future research themes for QM: (a) systems perspectives applied, (b) stability in change, (c) models for smart self-organising, (d) integrating sustainable development, and (e) higher purpose as QM booster. The process also identified a positive core of QM, defined as core values and aspects in the field and practice that need to be preserved and nurtured in the future.
|
|
| 43. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Service transition : Finding the right position on the goods-to-services continuum
- 2012
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Modelling in Operations Management. - : Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. - 2042-4094 .- 2042-4108. ; 2:1, s. 69-88
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to describe and further develop existing models of service transition; that is, how companies position and move on the goods-to-services continuum. This study concludes that service transition can be profitable for manufacturing firms as long as they do not become stuck in a mismatch between their organisational arrangements and their offerings. The paper contributes by: providing an overview of companies’ positions on the goods-to-services continuum, introducing movements on the continuum, suggesting service development as a possible engine of renewal and providing empirical evidence on the relationship between positions on the continuum and profit margins.
|
|
| 44. |
- Fundin, Anders
(författare)
-
Strategies for emergent quality management
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Participatory Innovation Conference 2018 PIN-C 2018. ; , s. 14-20
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper explores strategies for emergent quality improvement, which involve managing both efficiency and effectiveness, or the 'quality dilemma'. An empirical investigation is conducted with seventeen quality managers, representing organisations in ten private companies and one organisation in the public sector. The results indicate five distinct themes of importance to manage the quality dilemma: 1) leadership, 2) the quality organisation, 3) prioritisation, 4) knowledge and competence, and 5) the quality profession. While the dilemmas are categorised into five distinct and critical themes, the second part of the results present tactics regarding how to move positions towards emergent quality management: perspectives, processes, and decision support. The conclusions imply that the current method of organising quality improvement must be revised.
|
|
| 45. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
The quality dilemma: Combining development and stability
- 2017
-
Ingår i: International Series in Operations Research and Management Science. - Cham : Springer International Publishing. - 0884-8289. ; 255, s. 9-33, s. 9-33
-
Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The objective of this chapter is to problematize the strategic management of both efficiency and effectiveness through quality management. First, the chapter describes five cases with lessons learned from the dichotomy of efficiency and effectiveness on how quality management could be turned into either a constructive or a destructive dilemma. Then, the history of the quality movement and how it has developed during the last century is discussed briefly. Quality management will be considered in relation to organization theory regarding exploration, exploitation, and dual organizational capabilities. Finally, the chapter concludes with proposals on ways forward for quality management as a strategy for both short-term efficiency and long-term effectiveness and survival.
|
|
| 46. |
- Fundin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Use Customer Feedback To Choose Six Sigma Projects
- 2003
-
Ingår i: Six Sigma Forum Magazine. - : American Society for Quality. - 1539-4069. ; 3:1, s. 17-21
-
Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Six Sigma methodology offers an organization significant improvement potential, but project selection is often a problem. A formalized customer feedback system can provide reliable and valuable information to a project selection team, since dissatisfied customers are a continuous source of ideas concerning product innovation and improvement. A case study illustrates how a Swedish turbine manufacturer uses feedback as a driving force in a process improvement process (PIP) that allows selection of Six Sigma projects vital to the development of new products. The application of Six Sigma allowed the firm to expand a fault handling process based on customer dissatisfaction from a product support process to one that encompass process issues as well. Implementation of the PIP is still in progress, but the improve phase has been completed and the check phase is in progress. Faults classified from process owners have resulted in the identification of 67 potential Six Sigma projects.
|
|
| 47. |
|
|
| 48. |
|
|
| 49. |
|
|
| 50. |
- Gama, Fabio, 1980-
(författare)
-
Managing the Collaborative Front End of Innovation in Manufacturing Firms : Requirements, Capabilities, and Conditions
- 2018
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The front end of innovation is critical to innovative efforts in firms yet it remains to be poorly understood. This especially important since innovation efforts in the front end are becoming increasingly open in line with the era of open innovation. Although the literature on the front end of innovation is well developed, prior studies have largely focused on bilateral agreements and have overlooked conditions for collaborations with science-based partners (universities and research institutes). This is especially true for manufacturing firms, for which a continuous stream of new product ideas are a key source of competitiveness. To make things worse, the front end of innovation in this setting is often characterized by incongruent practices by partners, different magnitudes of fuzziness, and high risks in revealing new ideas. Developing new product definitions with different partners is thus a risky endeavor that may seriously compromise competitive advantages if mishandled. Therefore, there is a need for greater knowledge to facilitate the collaborative front end with different types of partners. Accordingly, the purpose of this dissertation is to understand how to manage the collaborative front end in manufacturing firms, with a particular focus on requirements, capabilities, and conditions.To fulfill this research purpose, data on manufacturing firms were collected through four case studies and one survey. In total, this dissertation is based on empirical data from 81 interviews with R&D members across 10 medium-sized and large manufacturing firms, as well as a survey of 146 small and medium-sized manufacturing firms. Respondents were based in Brazil or Sweden. The key theories and literatures covered in this dissertation include coordination modes, control mechanisms, organizational routines, the resource-based view, and appropriability mechanisms.This dissertation makes numerous theoretical contributions to the front-end literature. First, it extends the front-end literature by presenting the concepts of systematic idea generation and fuzziness assessment as a prerequisite for improving front-end performance. Second, this dissertation extends the front-end literature by listing the collaboration conditions that help firms cooperate with science-based partners. By collaborating with science-based partners, firms can access (unpublished) codified and tacit scientific knowledge, enabling them to rapidly build on the latest research findings. The findings suggest particular practices that can be applied to reduce cultural differences and diminish goal divergence among project members. Third, the findings in this dissertation enrich the front-end literature by describing a set of detailed practices to streamline the involvement of different types of partners using diverse protective practices. Fourth, it suggests a theoretical framework that describes how to manage the collaborative front end of innovation. The theoretical framework explains how manufacturing firms can use their organizational capabilities to develop new product ideas efficiently and safely. In particular, the framework discerns the capabilities that are necessary to explore mechanisms, practices, and routines in terms of divergent thinking, external expertise, and multiple opinions. Altogether, these contributions assist firms to better manage collaborative front end.
|
|
