Publication Date: 2018
Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering (21681023)35(2)pp. 91-101
Cellular manufacturing is a practical aspect of grouping technology in where similar parts and dissimilar machines are grouped into cells to exploit the cost-effectiveness of mass production and flexibility of job shop manufacturing. In this research, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) approach is developed to solve the grouping problem in cellular manufacturing systems. The grouping problem of both machines and parts is formulated as a multi-objective mathematical program; first, minimizing intra-cell and inter-cell movement costs and second, maximizing the importance of allocating the parts to the cells with regards to the location of the machines. The weight of each part for each machine is calculated by Analytical Hierarchy Process. Then, the multi-objective GA has been solved by allocating weights to objectives. The results have also been compared with the results of heuristic Jaccard Coefficient method. © 2018 Chinese Institute of Industrial Engineers.
Publication Date: 2018
International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking (14606739)8(2)pp. 142-155
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of emergency departments. The multi-criteria comparison between the wards of different hospitals is not only useful for the patients but also important for the hospital’s management to improve their performance and for the medical policy makers to plan strategic decisions. In this paper, it is intended to consider the aspects of efficiency beyond the traditional evaluation of check list. The factors which have been chosen are divided into two subsets: first, input factors consisting of no. of active beds, no. of physicians, no. of nurses and medical equipment and second, output factors including no. of discharge, percentage of revival, average waiting time and patient satisfaction. The input oriented and constant returns to scale model of data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique is used to evaluate the efficiency of each emergency department. The model can be used to find out the causes of inefficiency and how to improve the performance. The method has been applied to evaluate and compare 24 EDs of hospitals in Isfahan. DEA model reveals that 37% of them are inefficient. The results may be then used to suggest the improvement strategies based on the input factors. Copyright © 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Publication Date: 2016
International Journal of Services and Operations Management (17442370)23(3)pp. 277-297
The present study sought to investigate the value proposition concept from the perspective of a steel-producing company and to identify elements provided by the company for its customers. Value proposition concept has been widely used by academicians and industrial practitioners recently. In order to identify the value proposition elements for different groups of customers, many interviews were first held with the managers and the experts of the organisation. The elements identified for the recommended value proposition were 'providing high-quality products', 'on-time delivery', 'provision of technical and commercial information and guides', 'development of products portfolio with emphasis on specific products', and 'competitive pricing and sustainable customers' needs satisfaction'. Then, the data were analysed by multi-attribute decision-making techniques (MADM). Besides, Shanon's entropy method and simple additive weighting (SAW) technique were used for weighing the criteria and AHP technique was used for ranking the choices. The results revealed the ranked elements of the value proposition for every customer group and also, for the overall customers. Finally, some recommendations were proposed for the business model definition and the improvement of competitive conditions. Copyright © 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Publication Date: 2015
Pakistan Journal Of Medical Sciences (1682024X)31(3)pp. 717-720
Medical Record Department (MRD) has a vital role in making short and long term plans to improve health system services. The aim of this study was to describe performance improvement indicators of hospital MRD and information technology (IT). Collection of Data: A search was conducted in various databases, through related keywords in articles, books, and abstracts of conferences from 2001 to 2009. About 58 articles and books were available which were evaluated and finally 15 of them were selected based on their relevance to the study. MRD must be capable of supporting tasks such as patient care and continuity, institute management processes, medical education programs, medical research, communication between different wards of a hospital and administrative and medical staff. The use of IT in MRD can facilitate access to department, expedite communication within and outside department, reduce space with electronic medical records, reduce costs, accelerate activities such as coding by use of coding guide software and facilitate retrieval of records that will ultimately improve the performance of MRD. © 2015, Professional Medical Publications. All rights reserved.
Ajami, S.,
Ketabi, S.,
Yarmohammadian, M.H.,
Bagherian, H. Publication Date: 2012
Medical Archives (0350199X)66(1)pp. 53-57
Emergency Department (ED) provides urgency clinical and Para clinical care for patients who injured in accidents and incidents. Simulation is one of the decision supporting techniques that analyze risk factors and strategies in decision-making. The aim of this study was to determine the waiting time in emergency department services at Ayatolahkashani Hospital to propose scenarios for reducing waiting time. This study was an analytical and cross-sectional in which data collected by forms and observations. Population included waiting and service time in all stations related to ED's treatment processes along with diagnostic departments (e.g. Laboratory, Radiology, Ultrasonography, and C-T Scan) over a two-week period for 663 patients. For data analysis, SPSS software and simulation technique were used. Results show that add one intern to the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) service makes the most reduction on the waiting time from 112.19 to 99.24 minutes. In this option the mean of ENT services time will be reduced to 26.54 minutes, neurology services time will be reduced to 6.58 minutes and the mean of orthopedic services time were reduced to 5.98 minutes. Health care managers, in the ED are usually physicians who are not familiar with principals of management. Hence, they need simple tools for logical decision-making. Operation research methods such as simulation should be suitable for them.
Publication Date: 2011
Journal Of Medical Systems (01485598)35(2)pp. 143-150
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the Cardiac Care Units (CCU) of hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. The multi-criteria comparison between the wards of different hospitals is not only useful for the patients but also important for the hospitals management to improve their performance and for the medical policy makers to plan strategic decisions. In this paper, it is intended to consider the aspects of efficiency beyond the traditional evaluation of check list. There are some measures which are used in the existing health audit system and several quantified ratios. Among them the most important ones, based on the patient satisfaction and resource efficiency, have been selected using the weights obtained from their paired comparisons. The factors which have been chosen are divided into two subsets: first, input factors consisting of average number of active beds, medical equipment, personnel (such as doctors, nurses and technicians), and technological capabilities, and second, output factors including bed occupancy percentage, average length of stay, total percentage of survival and performance ratio. The input oriented and variable returns to scale model of Data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique is used to evaluate the efficiency of each CCU ward. The model can be used to find out the causes of inefficiency and how to improve the performance. The method has been applied to evaluate and compare 23 CCUs of hospitals in Isfahan. Although the current health audit system, which uses a check list, has reported 21 of them as first class CCU, DEA model reveals that 11 of them are inefficient. The results may be then used to suggest the improvement strategies based on the output factors. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Publication Date: 2002
Journal of Global Optimization (09255001)24(1)pp. 79-88
The Network Design Problem has been studied extensively and in many of these models the cost is assumed to be a concave function of the loads on the links. In this paper we investigate under which conditions this is indeed the case for the communication networks. The result is presented as a theorem, the Concavity Theorem, and a list of conditions that can easily be verified. It is also shown how the theorem can be extended to other applications, like in the area of road transportation.
Publication Date: 2023
Journal of Policy Modeling (01618938)45(5)pp. 935-956
This study assesses the likely effects of different political structures on economic growth by the effects of interest rate on the linkage between financial markets. For this aim, we chose two developing economies with different governance structures, Iran and Argentina. There is a political structure in Iran influenced by religion, whereas Argentina's political structure does not deal with religion. We first assess the causality amongst the financial markets of the stock market, bank deposits, and the foreign currency market (CM). Then, the effects of the markets and inflation on economic growth are assessed using Granger-causality tests and Markov-switching models. The results show that there are bidirectional causalities between the financial markets in Iran, and unidirectional causalities in Argentina. The markets affect economic growth in the both countries. For Iran, the monetary policy instrument of interest rate indicates no causalities to the markets, whereas there are strong causalities from interest rate to the markets in Argentina. As a result, Argentinian Central Bank can affect economic growth through the money flow between the markets by freely changing interest rate proportioned with the economic situation. Whereas there is no such a possibility for Iran's Central Bank. In other words, an active Central bank against the inflation volatility in Argentina versus a passive Central Bank in Iran is one of the consequences of the interest rate repression in a political structure influenced by religion. © 2023 The Society for Policy Modeling
This chapter explores options for environmental policy instruments to tackle trade-related environmental challenges and evaluate options for developing and emerging economies to choose from. International trade and investment are the channels through which environmental policies transmit from one country or region to another. The sustainability challenges may originate in various manners, namely concentration of environmentally damaging industries, overexploitation of natural resources, and emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and so on. The Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis (EKCH), the growing income level of a country can significantly influence its environmental sustainability. The Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH) deals with environmental degradation scenario originating from foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows towards the pollution-intensive sectors/regions. The Factor Endowment Hypothesis (FEH) argues that a country will specialize in the most abundantly available resource and accordingly lead to sustainability challenges. Border trade adjustments (BTA) are instruments to provide a level playing field to domestic producers where environmental standards are stringent. © 2016 Debashis Chakraborty and Jaydeep Mukherjee.
Publication Date: 2025
Benchmarking (14635771)
Purpose: Identifying and prioritizing the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) critical success factors (CSFs), based on the supplier integration and process integration factors in the supply chain of the home appliance industry. Design/methodology/approach: The literature has been reviewed and the viewpoints of 20 experts in the relevant industry have been studied. The Pareto principle has also been used to select the most important factors obtained. Finally, to prioritize the most important selected factors of DFSS, a model has been developed with a two-stage Fuzzy House of Quality (FHoQ). To perform this research and consider that Polar Heating and Cooling Manufacturing Company (PHCMC) is one of the pioneers of the home appliance industry in recent decades in Iran, the supply chain of its chimneyless gas heater product has been considered as the case study. Findings: Findings indicated that the priorities of the CSFs of DFSS based on the definite weights obtained from the results of the research model are linking Six Sigma to suppliers, project management, linking Six Sigma to business strategy, linking to organizational learning, considering customer needs and management commitment, respectively. Also, the priorities of supplier integration factors based on the definite weights obtained from the model are suppliers’ partnership, information sharing, top management commitment and support, supplier strategic integration, cost, and supplier evaluation and selection, respectively. Practical implications: According to the findings, it is recommended that the design, research and development unit focus more on the processes and opinions of suppliers and with the special use of data categorization software such as MATLAB, it is also possible to improve the processes and optimize them in further integration of the supply chain. It is also possible to improve the suppliers’ integration in the supply chain with the help of correction analysis and improvement tools in the field of quality management. Originality/value: Supplier integration, process integration and DFSS are three strategic areas in supply chain management that have been addressed in this research, simultaneously. The use of two-stage FHoQ, in obtaining the priority design for the CSFs of DFSS, is one of the significant innovations of this study, which can be used for greater supplier integration and also to improve supply chain integration. © 2025, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Publication Date: 2024
VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems (20595905)54(3)pp. 531-560
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of organizational culture factors on the selection of software process development models and develops a conceptual model for selecting and adopting process development models with an organizational culture approach, using 12 criteria and their sub-criteria defined in Fey and Denison’s model (12 criteria). Design/methodology/approach: The research hypotheses were investigated using statistical analysis, and then the criteria and sub-criteria were selected based on Fey and Denison’s model and the experts’ viewpoints. Afterward, the organizational culture of the selected company was measured using the data from 2016 and 2017, based on Fey and Denison’s questionnaire. Due to the correlation between the criteria, using the decision-making trial and evaluation technique, the correlation between sub-criteria were determined, and by analytical network process method and using Super-Decision software, the process development model was preferred to the 12 common models in information systems development. Findings: Results indicated a significant and positive effect of organizational culture factors (except the core values factor) on the selection of development models. Also, by changing the value of organizational culture, the selected process development model changed either. Sensitivity analysis performed on the sub-criteria implied that by changing and improving some sub-criteria, the organization will be ready and willing to use the agile or risk-based models such as spiral and win-win models. Concerning units where the mentioned indicators were at moderate and low limits, models such as waterfall, V-shaped and incremental worked more appropriately. Originality/value: While many studies were performed in comparing development models and investigating their strengths and weaknesses, and the impact of organizational culture on the success of information technology projects, literature indicated that the impact of organizational sub-culture prevailing in the selection of development process models has not been investigated. In this study, new factors and indicators were addressed affecting the selection of development models with a focus on organizational culture. Correlation among the factors and indicators was also investigated and, finally, a conceptual model was proposed for proper adoption of the models and methodologies of system development. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Khamoushpour, B.,
Sheikh aboumasoudi, A.,
Shahin, A.,
Khademolqorani, S. Publication Date: 2024
International Journal of Business Performance Management (13684892)25(5)pp. 720-739
The purpose of this research is to provide a new approach to measure, predict and ultimately improve service quality of all data and indicators affecting service quality simultaneously. In this research, two indicators of performance and gap of service quality have been used. The data mining model provided based on clustering has been used to segment and target users, and based on decision trees used to estimate service quality, and random forests have been used to predict service quality gap. The results of service with the decision tree showed that among the five indicators of service quality gap, guarantee, empathy and responsiveness indicators have more importance and among the five performance indicators, responsiveness time indicators, responsiveness ratio and problem-solving time have more importance. Knowledge and improving the quality of services extracted in this model can be implemented in various service organisations with different indicators. Copyright © 2024 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Publication Date: 2023
TQM Journal (17542731)35(7)pp. 2052-2067
Purpose: This paper aims to revise the ideal ratio for selecting new products based on their qualitative analysis of desired/undesired functions. Design/methodology/approach: The Kano model has been integrated with the ideal ratio to select and prioritize the design of new products. First, the functional analysis method in value engineering was used to determine the attributes and functions of each product design. Then, the Kano model was used to determine the type of each product attribute and to use the desirable functions of attractive attributes, one-dimensional, must-be and undesirable functions of reverse attributes in the ideal ratio to select and prioritize the design of the product. To examine the application of the proposed approach, a gas instruments manufacturing company was investigated, and five new products were selected for the study. Findings: Based on the results, the product design of industrial regulator GS 77/22 was selected as the superior product and the digital diaphragm gas meter, ultrasonic gas meter, axial regulator and turbine gas meter had the second to fifth priority, respectively. Practical implications: The proposed method can help product designers determine product designs suitable for customers' expectations and provide a desirable prioritization of the product design in terms of their ideal ratio according to the customers. Originality/value: The proposed approach provides a more desirable prioritization compared with other prioritization methods based on customers' viewpoints. In the proposed method, the Kano model results in respecting customers, understanding community needs, respecting consumers' rights and increasing the organization's social responsibility, which will significantly increase the chance of product success in the market. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Publication Date: 2023
International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management (17466474)39(1)pp. 20-41
This study aims to show how to optimise the combination of costs of quality in the product life cycle towards achieving robust product design. The Taguchi design of experiments and prevention, appraisal, failure (PAF) model of the costs of quality was applied for determining the optimal combination of the costs of quality in the product life cycle. Four product life cycle phases at four levels of quality cost were considered as control factors. Also, the signal to noise ratio (S/N) was calculated. Data was collected on the fridge product in a home appliance manufacturer. Findings indicated internal failure costs policy for the introduction and growth phases, prevention costs policy for the maturity phase, and appraisal costs policy for the decline phase. The proposed approach helps firms to manage their quality costs and their total costs more effectively. Copyright © 2023 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Publication Date: 2023
Human Systems Management (01672533)42(1)pp. 55-71
PURPOSE: This study aims to bridge the literature gap and provide a comprehensive and clear vision of managing Human Capital risk through an easy-to-apply risk management methodology. In addition, to provide an integrated process to manage Human Capital risks. METHODOLOGY: This paper conducted a mixed-method approach; risks were gathered by analyzing 14 semi-structured interviews with corporate leaders and HR expertise in 14 ICT companies in Isfahan. In the quantitative phase, variables were assessed by two methods; FMEA and Fuzzy analysis in 14 companies. FINDINGS: Results show that despite realizing the importance of human capital in achieving goals and competitiveness, companies are not ready to mitigate the Human Capital risks. Detected Risks are divided into behavioural and attitudinal risks. The Employees' demotivation, Leaving work after receiving the required training, and Lack of commitment to the delivery time or quality are the most urgent risks that should be mitigated as prior in the ICT companies in Isfahan. ORIGINALITY: This paper is one of the few studies that holistically dealt with Human Capital risks by providing practical and managerial strategies and recommendations to mitigate the risk exposure. This paper is also one of the leading studies in introducing the FMEA method in measuring this type of risk. © 2023 - IOS Press. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2022
Benchmarking (14635771)29(2)pp. 522-550
Purpose: This paper aims to propose an integrative economic model of the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) and performance prism based on concurrent engineering and developed balanced scorecard (BSC). Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, the supplier aspect added to the basic BSC framework, a quality function deployment (QFD) developed in four phases and the economic GRI priorities were determined. Finally, the outcomes of QFD were used in Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for ranking the economic indicators. Findings: The indicators of financial interpretation, risks and opportunities had the first rank in learning and growth, internal processes, customer and financial BSC aspects, and they had the second rank only in the suppliers' BSC aspect. Research limitations/implications: In this paper, merely the economic indicators of the GRI standard was studied, and no comparison was made between the variables of the other standards and the GRI standard. Originality/value: The most important contribution of this study is merging the supplier aspect and BSC based on the concept of suppliers, inputs, process, outputs and customers (SIPOC) in supply chain analysis. Achieving economic sustainability by a concurrent engineering approach is another novelty of this paper. The proposed model was examined in the tile and ceramic industry for the first time. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Balouei jamkhaneh, H.,
Shahin, A.,
Parkouhi, S.V.,
Shahin, R. Publication Date: 2022
TQM Journal (17542731)34(1)pp. 125-144
Purpose: This study aims to identify the drivers of human resource empowerment in understanding the new concept of Quality 4.0 in the digital era. Design/methodology/approach: First, the literature of quality management evolution in the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) and the position of the required workforce in Quality 4.0 were reviewed and then by using the opinions of experts and managers of Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) firms, a set of driver effects on the readiness and ability of human resources was identified in the context of Quality 4.0. After identifying the drivers, cause-and-effect relationships among these drivers were investigated using the Grey DEMATEL technique. Findings: A total of 29 Quality 4.0 drivers of readiness and workforce ability were identified, based on multiple interactions of quality management in different stages of the production cycle. They were divided into new valuation approaches, composite dimensions, team creativity and thorough inspection. “Technical abilities and capability to solve problems” was identified as the most significant driver. Practical implications: Findings help KIBS firms to take necessary measures and plans. Consequently, they can increase the readiness and ability of human resources based on the changes in managing Quality 4.0. Also, considering the importance of each driver, they will be able to take a step towards total quality improvement. Originality/value: Despite extensive research on the subject of the fourth Industrial Revolution, research on the human aspects required for managing Quality 4.0 is limited. This study was performed to examine the cause-and-effect relationships between human resource drivers to adapt to the changes in Quality 4.0. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Publication Date: 2022
Studies in Systems, Decision and Control (21984182)420pp. 561-580
A literature review on 35 articles that are published between 2019 and 2020 are made. The focus is on studying the risk management in supply chain under the Covid-19 circumstances. 24 articles out of the 35 articles are directly related to this study. The biggest difference between the Supply Chain Management (SCM) threats and pandemic is that the impact of the pandemic will stay for a long period of time. There are a lot of articles considering resilience in SCM, while less studies are on its stability, robustness and viability. In order for a SCM to be viable, it needs to be stable, resilient and robust as well, based on vulnerability cycle and viability zone. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Barforoush, N.,
Etebarian, A.,
Naghsh, A.,
Shahin, A. Publication Date: 2021
International Journal of Innovation Science (17572223)13(5)pp. 645-663
Purpose: Many industries accomplish green innovation for sustainable development, but it should play a significant role in the sustainable development and implementation of an organizations benefit. The purpose of this paper is to examine if green business innovation in terms of technology, organization, stakeholder and policies is able to develop competitive advantages. Design/methodology/approach: This study was carried out in two stages and covered 4 variables and 21 indicators. Based on the experts’ opinions and literature review, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed among 113 experts of oil refining companies in Iran. The data were analyzed by the structural equation modeling technique. Findings: The results indicated the effects of organizational factors, legislation, regulations and technology on green innovation. They also revealed the role of green innovation in reaching competitive advantages. Moreover, the relationship between stakeholder and green innovation was investigated. Practical implications: The findings provide guidance on how firms can be better prepared for green innovation and get the most out of it and deal with the risks involved in green innovation, it is important that companies evaluate organization, technology and environment readiness and formulate corresponding strategies. Such a proactive approach can help enterprise control and minimize the risks of green innovation. A self-evaluation of the green innovation readiness of an enterprise helps the enterprise establish a mechanism to keep track of technological evolution. Originality/value: This study contributes to the emerging field of green innovation which embed organization, technology, stakeholders, legislation and flows of the value created, delivered and captured in a value network. It also highlights the gaps in addressing the challenges of an innovative model for competitive advantages and suggests avenues for future research. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Shahin, A.,
Labib, A.,
Haj shirmohammadi, A.,
Balouei jamkhaneh, H. Publication Date: 2021
International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management (0265671X)38(2)pp. 628-645
Purpose: The aim of this study is to develop a 3D model of decision- making grid (DMG) considering failure detection rate. Design/methodology/approach: In a comparison between DMG and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), severity has been assumed as time to repair and occurrence as the frequency of failure. Detection rate has been added as the third dimension of DMG. Nine months data of 21 equipment of casting unit of Mobarakeh Steel Company (MSC) has been analyzed. Then, appropriate condition monitoring (CM) techniques and maintenance tactics have been suggested. While in 2D DMG, CM is used when downtime is high and frequency is low; its application has been developed for other maintenance tactics in a 3D DMG. Findings: Findings indicate that the results obtained from the developed DMG are different from conventional grid results, and it is more capable in suggesting maintenance tactics according to the operating conditions of equipment. Research limitations/implications: In failure detection, the influence of CM techniques is different. In this paper, CM techniques have been suggested based on their maximum influence on failure detection. Originality/value: In conventional DMG, failure detection rate is not included. The developed 3D DMG provides this advantage by considering a new axis of detection rate in addition to mean time to repair (MTTR) and failure frequency, and it enhances maintenance decision-making by simultaneous selection of suitable maintenance tactics and condition-monitoring techniques. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Publication Date: 2021
TQM Journal (17542731)33(1)pp. 163-181
Purpose: In this study, an integrative approach of customer satisfaction and cost of quality has been proposed for the value analysis of products based on a cost–benefit ratio. Design/methodology/approach: For the integrative approach, Kano and prevention-appraisal-failure (PAF) models have been applied. By the proposed approach, the value of products can be analyzed according to customer viewpoints and cost of quality. Four products of a home appliance company have been used to examine the new approach. Findings: Findings indicate the priorities of the studied products as stove, TV, fridge and washing machine, respectively. Such a set of prioritized products plays a strategic role in the competitive advantage of the studied company. Research limitations/implications: In this study, the weights of the cost of quality items have been assumed as equal. Also, the costs of quality items were limited to the most important ones at the studied company. However, more cost of quality items might be considered in different case studies. Originality/value: In this study, the Kano and PAF models have been considered simultaneously for product value analysis from the viewpoint of customers. In addition to the classic method of value analysis which is merely based on previous events, the proposed approach is typically proactive. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Publication Date: 2021
International Journal of Procurement Management (17538432)14(4)pp. 487-504
This study is aimed at selecting the location of warehouses and the distribution of goods in a distribution network using fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy AHP methods. According to experts, several potential areas for Esfahan Steel Company warehouses were identified to test the model. The statistical population of this study includes all cities in the country. The purpose of this study was to determine the location of warehouses and the distribution of goods in a distribution network. Fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy AHP methods have been used for this purpose. The main findings indicate that six cities of Tehran (Khorasan Road), Shiraz, Kerman, Mashhad, Rasht, and Hamadan are suitable as central warehouses of Esfahan Steel Company. Also, to commercialise the proposed priorities, six suggestions including branding, rail freight development, defining new delivery terms, defining the goals and strategies of warehouses and agencies, controlling virtual needs, and blocking products in warehouses are presented. Copyright © 2021 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Publication Date: 2021
International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management (17466474)32(2)pp. 246-264
The aim of this study is to identify the conformity level of decision makers’ perception of customer needs and indicators of satisfying customers. For this purpose, the marketing and sales department of Esfahan Steel Company (ESCO) was selected for case study. The statistical population included clients and decision makers of the company. Technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was used for data analysis. Main findings revealed that decision makers do not properly understand clients’ demands and expectations; and the actions have been taken based on imaginations rather than realities arising from customers’ expectations. Furthermore, there is no suitable process through which the customer priorities influence organisation’s strategies. Customers’ expectations were ranked and the results were taken for proposing priorities in developing suitable strategies and plans for continuous improvement. Copyright © 2021 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Niroumand, M.,
Shahin, A.,
Naghsh, A.,
Peikari, H.R. Publication Date: 2020
International Journal of Innovation Science (17572223)12(1)pp. 1-20
Purpose: This paper aims to propose a framework for the dimensions of frugal innovation enablers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach: A mixed research approach has been applied. First, by a comprehensive literature review, the most important factors influencing frugal innovation have been identified. Then, an interview has been conducted with 18 experts who were selected by snowball sampling method. In the next step, all identified variables have been modified in a questionnaire with 48 factors, which were distributed to 200 employees and managers of SMEs in the home appliance manufacturing industry of Isfahan province, who were selected by non-random sampling. Data has been analyzed using SPSS-25 software for exploratory factor analysis. Findings: Findings indicated that the most important enablers of frugal innovation are world-class design, human aspect, marketing, support, knowledge, social aspect, prototyping, cultural aspect, environmental aspect, distinct brand creation, core functions focus, local R&D, cost-cutting business model and low-cost production. Practical implications: The proposed framework provides an effective basis to managers and decision-makers in the field of frugal innovation to evaluate their capabilities in implementing frugal innovation, the results of which are helpful in developing a roadmap for achieving frugal innovation in SMEs and particularly in home appliance manufacturing companies. Originality/value: The comprehensive framework of this study has not been applied, developed or studied in the literature. The proposed framework provides new insights for future studies on the subject of frugal innovation, e.g. investigating the influence of frugal innovation on frugal innovation performance. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Publication Date: 2020
International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management (17466474)30(3)pp. 304-322
The aim of this study is to explain how the quality of industrial paints can be improved by failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) and Taguchi design of experiments. For this purpose, a paint manufacturer was selected and FMEA was applied to identify and prioritize the paint problems. Taguchi was also used to identify and determine the levels of the factors influencing the quality of products. L18 array was selected for designing the required experiments and linear graphs were applied to identify interactions among factors. Findings indicated that the best quality was obtained for the experiment with the characteristics of granule size higher than 10, peak metal temperature (PMT) of 232°C, pigment of high quality, resin content of 55%, catalyst content of 4.1%, using plate with medium quality and maximum content of additives. Results also indicated a decrease of average RPN in all of the identified problems. Copyright © 2020 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Publication Date: 2019
TQM Journal (17542731)31(6)pp. 873-873
