Lean manufacturing in Brazilian small and medium enterprises: implementation and effect on performance

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the degree to which lean manufacturing (LM) practices are being implemented within Brazilian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), by defining what LM means, in the view of SMEs in Brazil. In addition, the paper investigates the relationship between LM implementation and performance of such companies. The research method used in this paper comprised of an exploratory survey using the partial least-square method with the structural equation modelling technique (PLS-SEM). The results show that the companies studied used practices in a fragmented manner, without a holistic view of LM, which is considered to be one of the most important parts of this approach. Only the constructs of statistical process control, total productive maintenance and employee involvement are being implemented as an integrated approach for Brazilian SMEs. These companies do not take other important constructs such as customer involvement, continuous flow, pull production, set-up time reduction, supplier development and supplier feedback into consideration as part of LM systems, despite using some practices in a dispersed manner. Concerning performance, the present study shows that even in a fragmented way, the implementation of these LM practices help these companies to achieve improvement in operational performance.     

Selection and implementation of pollution prevention techniques in small and medium enterprises in countries in transition

This paper aims to open the discussion about the possibility and economic feasibility of applying pollution prevention techniques in industrial enterprises with smaller production capacities than those specified in Directive 2010/75/EU. The work refers to countries with transition economies where low cost of environmental resources and pollution fees are present. The research is conducted on pilot sample of seven small- and medium-size enterprises belonging to the food and beverage sector. The enterprises have different characteristics in terms of company size, capacity levels, production processes employed, and status of the transition in terms of their ownership status. The selection of appropriate prevention techniques is done using newly developed Method for Identification of Prevention Techniques (“MIP”). The MIP method combines: (i) Minimization Opportunities Environmental Diagnosis methodology developed by Regional Activity Center for Sustainable Consumption and Production Barcelona and its approach to data collection, (ii) United Nation Industrial Development Organisation’s step-by-step approach to environmental diagnosis of industrial enterprises, (iii) Driving Forces, Pressure, State, Impact, Response Framework used by European Environmental Agency to facilitate problem–solution identification, (iv) Multicriteria ranking method for selection of best available techniques, and (v) Philosophy of Shewhart–Deming’s circle to introduce the system of planning, control, and correction and integrate prevention concept into business policy. This provided necessary flexibility corresponding to companies’ abilities to finance implementation. The results confirmed that the pollution prevention concept can be applied to small- and medium-sized companies of different production capacities and organization levels with both environmental and economic benefits.     

Blockchain-driven supply chain finance solution for small and medium enterprises

Blockchain has attracted much attention in recent years with the development of cryptocurrency and digital assets. As the underlying technology of cryptocurrency, blockchain has numerous benefits, such as de-centralization, collective maintenance, tamper-resistance, traceability, and anonymity. The potential of the blockchain technology (BT) is widely recognized in the financial field. Although some scholars have proposed the combination of blockchain and supply chain finance (SCF), the details of this combination is rarely mentioned. This study first analyzes the coupling between SCF and blockchain technology. Second, the conceptual framework of blockchain-driven SCF platform (BcSCFP) is presented. Third, the operation process of three SCF models on the BcSCFP is proposed. Finally, a case study combined with actual events is conducted. This paper has a positive practical significance in the operation and management of banks and loan enterprises.     

Implementing a software measurement program in small and medium enterprises: a suitable framework

The successful implementation of software measurement programs is not an easy task. Software measurement program implementations sometimes fail, and this failure is frequently caused by their definition: the measurement program does not provide the required information, the data required are difficult to obtain and so on. The definition of measurement programs is even less encouraging in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), since most of the outstanding measurement program models are not suited to these types of companies. Additionally, the literature provides few cases of measurement program implementation, which could be used as a source of reference for good practices through which to successfully perform these activities. A measurement program definition framework suited to SMEs called MIS-PyME is used to implement a measurement program in the software development and maintenance department of a medium company. The result of this measurement program and the good practices detected from this experience are expounded, along with the benefits obtained using MIS-PyME in contrast to our previous experiences of using the goal question indicator metric.     

以金融为桥梁 以法制为保障 促进我国中小企业标准化工作更好发展

改革开放以来,中小企业作为中国市场经济体系中最具创新活力的＂经济细胞＂,在中国经济发展的格局中已成为不可或缺的重要组成部分。目前我国中小企业开展企业标准化工作还存在着一些问题,而通过金融、法制等创新手段,可以更好地加强中小企业标准化工作,从而保障中小企业持续健康发展。     

广义经验模态分解性能分析与应用

针对经验模态分解（empirical mode decomposition,EMD）的均值曲线采用三次样条拟合而容易引起包络过冲和不足等缺陷,相关学者提出了许多改进均值曲线的变种EMD方法,取得了一定的效果。广义经验模态分解（generalized EMD,GEMD）方法综合了多种改进EMD方法,通过定义不同的均值曲线对信号进行逐阶筛分,从得到的每一阶分量中选取最优作为最终的广义内禀模态函数（generalized intrinsic mode function,GIMF）,由于每一阶的GIMF分量都是最优的,因此相较于EMD等单一均值曲线筛分方法,GEMD分解结果也是最优的。论文对GIMF分量准则进行了改进以及对GEMD性能进行了分析,并将GEMD应用于仿真和实测信号的分析,结论表明GEMD分解是完备的和正交的,有比EMD更强的分解能力,而且适合机械振动信号的处理和故障诊断。     

中小跨径梁桥地震易损性研究

为对桥梁系统地震易损性进行准确评估,结合Copula函数技术,提出基于串-并联组合体系的桥梁系统易损性分析方法。桥墩是桥梁抗震中的控制构件且较难修复,采用串联体系将多个桥墩进行组合,对于修复难度较低的桥台及支座构件,采用并联体系进行模拟。在此基础上,将桥墩、桥台及支座三类构件体系进行串联,构成桥梁系统的串-并联组合体系。以三跨连续箱梁桥为例,阐明了基于串-并联体系的桥梁系统易损性分析方法,并将分析结果与基于串联体系的桥梁系统易损性进行对比。结果表明:对于中小跨径的连续梁桥,基于单一串联体系会明显高估桥梁系统的易损性,相对于串-并联体系,在轻微、中等、严重及完全四种破坏状态下,其中位值偏差在纵桥向分别为22.2%、20.7%、20.5%及24.6%;在横桥向分别为30.0%、16.1%、9.8%及11.3%,基于串-并联组合体系建立桥梁系统地震易损性更切实合理。     

Cognitive consensus in recent mainstream American sociology: An empirical analysis

A number of observers have commented that American sociology has recently experimenced a shift in its cognitive structure. In order to empirically investigate these observations, citations in the two most prominent sociological journals during 1955 and 1970 are examined. The data indicate that (a) various theory groups account for a relatively small percentage of authors cited during either period, (b) a number of the earlier theory groups are less prominent than they once were, and (c) there is evidence of the emergence of one new theory group.     

Organizational development and time-based flexibility: An empirical analysis of AMT adoptions

It has been consistently reported that many firms that have adopted advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) are failing to exploit the true flexibility potential of these systems. Since a firm's ability to improve flexibility is thought to be reliant on the flexibility of its people, it is often suggested that inadequate emphasis on people-centred implementation activities such as worker development are major contributors to many of these failures. The purpose of this study is to determine if differences in the level of effort exerted on several organizational development activities have any impact on a firm's time-based flexibility ability to respond quickly to changes in customer needs. Our analysis indicates that firms which expend higher levels of effort on worker development and functional integration strategies will achieve higher levels of time-based flexibility.     

Developing and marketing patent information services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Birmingham, UK

The Patent Information Service of Birmingham Central Library was re-assessed in the light of changing customer requirements and new opportunities to better meet those needs. A substantial funding injection enabled research to be carried out and the results put into practice, e.g., in expanding the range of services – with particular emphasis on helping small and medium enterprise (SME) businesses, and in positive marketing of the services, rather than the previous passive provision of services. The resulting integrated business and intellectual property service was then re-branded as ‘Business Insight' and given wide promotion in the Birmingham area.     

食品企业实施HACCP体系的关键

HACCP(危害分析与关键控制点)是食品制造产业确认危害、对危害进行评估及建立控制方法的系统,旨在确保食品安全卫生,可用于由食品原料至最后消费这一食物链的整个过程。目前,HACCP管理体系被世界上公认为是最经济、最有效的一种食品安全控制体系,已有许多国家和地区采纳并实施,将其作为保障食品安全和保护消费者健康的有效措施。笔者作为一名HACCP管理体系的审核人员,在近年来的审核过程中,可喜地看到很多企业在实际生产中认真执行了体系要求,使HACCP体系在控制食品的安全、卫生等方面的的确确发挥了作用,规范了企业生产行为,在加工…     

Research,development and growth in state-owned enterprises: empirical evidence from Ecuador

ABSTRACT

Investment in R&D is essential for the survival and growth of organizations. Recent literature has focused on the study of effects of R&D on the growth of private companies. However, there is no research studying the effects of R&D on the growth of Latin American public companies. This paper estimates, using an endogenous growth model, the effect of investments in R&D on sales growth in public enterprises of Ecuador. Data corresponding to a sample of 86 public companies have been taken from the Survey of Activities of Science and Technology (ACTI) of Ecuador for the period 2012 to 2014. These data are estimated by OLS. The results show that there is a statistically significant positive relation between investment in research and development and the growth of sales in public companies.     

An empirical analysis of the relationship between individual characteristics and research productivity

This paper provides an analysis of the relationship between research performance and individual characteristics (e.g., career path information) of researchers, based on information provided in the curriculum vitaes of 565 excellent researchers within the life sciences and medical sciences fields in Japan. I specifically analyzed the relationship between the experiences of practical physicians and research performance. As a result, I found that the experience as a practical physician had a statistically positive relationship with the number of research papers, but there was not a significant relationship with the number of citations. Moreover, the diversity of a researcher’s career related significantly to the number of citations and patents. An employment experience at a young age with a company or independent administrative agency had a significant and positive relationship with number of coauthors. However, a significant relationship between work experience in a foreign country and research performance was not observed.     

An empirical analysis of the main drivers affecting the buyer surplus in E-auctions

We empirically examine the impacts of the product category, the auction format, the 2008 global financial crisis, the group purchasing, the contract type, the platform ownership, and the number of participating suppliers on the buyer surplus obtained from e-auctions. To this end, we collect a unique dataset from a purchasing organisation that offers e-auction solutions to its corporate customers. By using a standard Tobit model, we show that the product categories, the auction type, and the number of participating suppliers have significant effects on the decrease in the procurement prices with respect to the minimum of the initial submitted bids. It is observed that the 2008 global financial crisis led to an increase in the buyer surplus. We classify the product categories into three groups based on their impacts on the average of the decrease in the procurement prices. We show that the average decrease in procurement prices is higher for the group purchasing option than for the individual buying option. It is concluded that the types of contract between buyers and auctioneer and the platform ownership have no statistically significant effects on the average decrease in procurement prices.     

Antecedents of implementation success in closed-loop supply chain: an empirical investigation

Implementation of closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) has gained increased consideration in the last few years owing to an increase in environmental concerns, product returns and scarcity of natural resources. It aids in improving environmental, economic and social performances. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of CLSC critical success factors (CSFs) on performance outcomes. Firstly, CSFs and performance outcomes are extracted by conducting exploratory factor analysis using SPSS software. Then, the relationships between CLSC CSFs and performance outcomes are empirically tested by Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach, using the data collected from 138 professionals working in remanufacturing, refurbishing and recycling operations in North American manufacturing organisations. Empirical analysis demonstrates that CSFs, ‘environmental concerns’, ‘sustainable production’ and ‘product design and collection’ have a significant positive effect on environmental performance. Results also validate the significant positive effect of CSFs, ‘demand and inventory management’ and ‘raw material prices’ on economic performance. In our knowledge, this is the first study that examines the impact of CLSC CSFs on performance outcomes. The results provide managers in manufacturing organisations with insights on most important CSFs that improve performance.     

中小企业的质量战略

中小企业的竞争是异常激烈的,特别关注其生存和发展,以质量求生存与发展不失为一种明智选择。本文将介绍中小企业可借鉴的８项质量战略。１彻底执行顾客满意战略中小企业的生存依赖于市场的专门化与细分化,因此产品质量与服务质量要求更高并且要具有特色。相对于大企...     

An empirical analysis of risk-taking in car driving and other aspects of life

The link between risk-taking behavior in various aspects of life has long been an area of debate among economists and psychologists. Using an extensive data set from Denmark, this study provides an empirical investigation of the link between risky driving and risk taking in other aspects of life, including risk-taking behavior in financial and labor-market decisions. Specifically, we establish significant positive correlations between individuals’ risk-taking behavior in car driving and their risk-taking behavior in financial and labor-market decisions. However, we find that the strength of these correlations vary significantly between genders, and across risk decisions. These correlations and their differences across genders get stronger when we construct more “homogenous” groups by restricting our sample to those individuals with at least some stock-market participation. Overall, the empirical results in this study suggest that risk-taking behavior in various aspects of life can be associated, and our results corroborate previous evidence on the link between individuals’ risk preferences across various aspects of life. This implies that individuals’ driving behavior, which is commonly unobservable, can be more fully understood using observable labor market and financial decisions of individuals.