Case studies in industry and services
Najaf Ghrachorloo; Faramarz Nouri; Mostafa Javanmardi; Houshang Taghizadeh
Abstract
In the past years, East Azerbaijan Province in Iran has always been at the top of the number of incidents in the country in the reports related to the annual analysis of incidents of domestic natural gas subscribers. Despite planning and spending at the expense of previous years, there has been no significant ...
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In the past years, East Azerbaijan Province in Iran has always been at the top of the number of incidents in the country in the reports related to the annual analysis of incidents of domestic natural gas subscribers. Despite planning and spending at the expense of previous years, there has been no significant reduction in incident statistics. The purpose of this article is to investigate the root factors affecting the occurrence of incidents in domestic consumers of natural gas in East Azerbaijan province and to provide control and reduction strategies for incidents. To study the statistical analysis of natural gas-related incidents, the big data mining data approach of natural gas incidents in East Azerbaijan province during the years 2014 to 2020 besides Pareto analysis, root analysis, and Delphi have been used. The results of data and information analysis indicate that the most important technical factors affecting the bite are: lack of proper installation of the chimney, use of non-standard chimneys, leakage due to seams between the chimney parts, / the presence of cracks, and virtual blockage of the chimney.
Case studies in industry and services
Robert S Keyser; Parisa Pooyan
Abstract
In a Lean production environment, reduced setup times can lead to many benefits, including reduced lead times. Previous research has primarily relied on the SMED methodology and mathematical modeling to reduce setup times at machine centers – and both are very useful techniques. We use the Soft ...
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In a Lean production environment, reduced setup times can lead to many benefits, including reduced lead times. Previous research has primarily relied on the SMED methodology and mathematical modeling to reduce setup times at machine centers – and both are very useful techniques. We use the Soft Systems Methodology, combined with the Seven Tools of Quality, to provide a structured, illustrative means for diagnosing production and quality issues. A baseline average setup time was established by which future setup times would be compared. The intervention included brainstorming sessions between management and the converting center work crew that disclosed many reasons for increased setup times, some of which were under management’s control. Our findings resulted in a 24% reduction in average setup times and a 62% reduction in the moving range at a bottleneck machine center in the corrugated box industry.
Case studies in industry and services
MOJISOLA ADERENIKE BOLARINWA; Emmanuel Chukwuwuikem Ofiebor
Abstract
The quality-of-service delivery in any organization needs to be at its best, otherwise, there would be losses in that organization. The health industry, particularly hospitals and specifically emergency departments in hospitals are not excluded. If anything, they play such vital roles that its evaluation ...
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The quality-of-service delivery in any organization needs to be at its best, otherwise, there would be losses in that organization. The health industry, particularly hospitals and specifically emergency departments in hospitals are not excluded. If anything, they play such vital roles that its evaluation needs to be carried out as regularly as possible. Several methods have been deployed in order to evaluate service quality. Two of these methods; the Taguchi approach and the SERVAQUAL approach have been utilized and compared in this research. The Taguchi approach, through the application of mini-tab software, showed that the role of the Nurses in the emergency department appeared to be the most vital. The SERVAQUAL approach revealed that patients perceived empathy from the workers as the highest quality displayed by staff in the department. It can be concluded that these two approaches gave similar results, as Nurses are trained particularly to have a great deal of empathy.
Keywords: Emergency department, Health, Patients, Service Quality, Taguchi.
Case studies in industry and services
Kh. Ghaziyani; farhad hosseinzadeh Lotfi; Sohrab Kordrostami; alireza amirteimoori
Abstract
Today, one of the main problems in many organizations such as banks with many branches, is that the method of evaluating them is not correct. The traditional techniques used to evaluate performance are often single-level and do not provide the manager with enough information to identify the inefficiency ...
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Today, one of the main problems in many organizations such as banks with many branches, is that the method of evaluating them is not correct. The traditional techniques used to evaluate performance are often single-level and do not provide the manager with enough information to identify the inefficiency causes of inefficient units. In contrast, Bi-level Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models solve the problem of ignoring internal relationships. In this paper, first, the factors that had a higher rank were selected as input and output factors with the help of bank experts and the AHP method. Then, the performance of 30 branches of the Central Bank of Iran was evaluated using the leader-follower method and generalizing Russell's non-radial method. In this paper, the intermediate data is desirable and undesirable. The results showed that the proposed model does not have the problems of traditional models and provides a more realistic assessment of the efficiency of bank branches.
Case studies in industry and services
Ayyappan Solaiyappan
Abstract
To enhance the manufacturing process capability of a refractory company, the scope for implementing the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology is analyzed in this work. The DMAIC methodology of Six Sigma is used in this project to determine the Critical to Quality Characteristics (CTQs), defining the possible ...
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To enhance the manufacturing process capability of a refractory company, the scope for implementing the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology is analyzed in this work. The DMAIC methodology of Six Sigma is used in this project to determine the Critical to Quality Characteristics (CTQs), defining the possible causes, identifying the variation in sources, establishing the variable relationships, and implementing the control plans. It was found from the DMAIC approach that the quality of Raw Crude, Water Content, and the frequency of using Temperature Calibration Equipment are the main factors responsible for lowering Productivity in Shaft Kiln. To improve the productivity of Kiln, it was suggested to process the raw crude free of mud, remove the moisture content present in the magnesite stones and take action on changing the frequency of measuring the oil feeding calibration equipment.
Case studies in industry and services
Rasoul Jamshidi; Sattar Rajabpour Sanati; Morteza Zarrabi
Abstract
The saving banks of “umbilical cord blood stem cells” are considered as strategic health-based institutions in most countries. Due to the limited capacity of cord blood sample storage tanks, the samples should be evaluated according to their quality. So these banks need a method to assess ...
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The saving banks of “umbilical cord blood stem cells” are considered as strategic health-based institutions in most countries. Due to the limited capacity of cord blood sample storage tanks, the samples should be evaluated according to their quality. So these banks need a method to assess quality. In this paper, first, the effective factors on the quality index of the extracted cord blood from newborn infants are identified using the electronic records and database of Royan’s umbilical cord blood bank. Then by machine learning and various statistical methods such as multilayer perceptron neural networks, radial basis function neural networks, logistic regression, and C4.5 decision tree, the quality value of blood samples and their proper category (for discarding or freezing) are determined. Two different sets of data have been used to evaluate the proposed methods. The results show that the ensemble of radial basis function neural network with k-means clustering model has the best accuracy compared to other methods, which categorizes the samples with 91.5% accuracy for the first data set and 81.6% accuracy for the second one. The results also show that using this method can save about $1 million annually.
Case studies in industry and services
Seyed Farid Mousavi; Arash Apornak; Mohammadreza Pourhassan
Abstract
Although the importance of supply chain agility considering the necessity of speed of action, response to customers, progressive changes in the market, consumers’ needs, etc. in many industries is clear both scientifically and experimentally, today organizations have found that the benefit ...
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Although the importance of supply chain agility considering the necessity of speed of action, response to customers, progressive changes in the market, consumers’ needs, etc. in many industries is clear both scientifically and experimentally, today organizations have found that the benefit from this cooperation is greater than cases performed without collaboration with relevant organizations. Meanwhile, supply chain management refers to integration of all processes and activities in the supply chain through improving the relations and implementing the organizational processes in order to achieve competitive advantages. On the other hand, uncertainty in the supply chain results in non-optimality of decisions that are made with assumption of certainty. Accordingly, the main aim of this research is to provide a model for supply chain in an agile and flexible state based on uncertainty variables. The method of research has been based on a mathematical model, whose stages of implementation are investigated by breaking down this model step-by-step. For this purpose, in the first stage and after getting familiar with the intended modeling industry, solution and simulation were done. Eventually the results were compared indicating that through reducing the risk-taking (increasing the protection levels), the objective function which was of minimization type worsened. This study also showed that model robustification is very important in order to reduce the risk of decision-making.
Case studies in industry and services
Robert S Keyser; Parisa Pooyan
Abstract
Root cause analysis techniques are often applied to problems in the workplace; however, they may also prove very useful to home projects. This research explores the application of two root cause analysis techniques in home projects: (1) 5 Whys to determine the root cause of a home air conditioning unit ...
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Root cause analysis techniques are often applied to problems in the workplace; however, they may also prove very useful to home projects. This research explores the application of two root cause analysis techniques in home projects: (1) 5 Whys to determine the root cause of a home air conditioning unit that runs continuously but does not cool, and (2) an innovative Lean PFMEA to repair a John Deere riding mower that starts, then stops. Employing the 5 Whys technique led to the discovery of incorrect color-coded wiring from the original air conditioning unit to the thermostat. Lean PFMEA enabled a correct diagnosis and resolution of the mower start/stop issue via a Kaizen event, grass clippings in the fuel line, which was remedied by cleaning the fuel tank and replacing the fuel lines, fuel filter, and carburetor. These techniques provide Lean methodological approaches to problem-solving, which often leads to reduced homeowner aggravation, repair time, and repair expense.
Case studies in industry and services
K. M. Mustafizur Rahman
Abstract
Job satisfaction of the employees is a concerning issue, accelerates the productivity of any organization. Higher job satisfaction among the employees means the higher chance of profitability of the employers. An effective understanding of factors associated with job satisfaction of the employees is ...
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Job satisfaction of the employees is a concerning issue, accelerates the productivity of any organization. Higher job satisfaction among the employees means the higher chance of profitability of the employers. An effective understanding of factors associated with job satisfaction of the employees is precious to push organizational development. This study based on the data collected from three aluminum industries inRajshahi cityofBangladesh during January 21, 2016 to March 20, 2016 to identify the determinants of job satisfaction among the employees. In this study, age, sex, education, work experience, satisfaction with salary, workplace environment and workplace management system are revealed as the determinants of job satisfaction. For instance, higher aged respondents in more likely to satisfy with job than lower aged (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.30 [0.48-3.57]). Female are more likely (OR: 1.90 [1.03-3.51]) to satisfy with their job than the male. Higher educated employees are less likely (OR: 0.97 [0.56-1.70]) to satisfy with their job than the lower educated employees. Respondents with 15 & above years of experience are more likely (OR: 1.05 [0.33-2.15]) to satisfy with their job than those have less than 5 years of experience. Satisfaction with salary (OR: 1.97 [1.14-3.41]), workplace environment (OR: 1.62 [0.59-6.51]), management system (OR: 1.24 [1.25-3.98]) are significantly associated with job satisfaction of the employees. As the first study, it provides the determinants of job satisfaction among the employees in aluminum industries in Rajshahi city of Bangladesh. Relevant authorities are suggested to consider the study’s findings and recommendations to create new policies regarding job satisfaction.
Case studies in industry and services
Hadi Mehrabi Sharafabadi; Mohamad Ali Movafaghpour
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to identify the delay factors and evaluate the type ranking of delays in natural gas distribution projects. We have investigated 274 projects in Khuzestan gas company from 2015 to 2020. Projects investigated in this study included urban, rural, transmission lines, industrial ...
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The main purpose of this study is to identify the delay factors and evaluate the type ranking of delays in natural gas distribution projects. We have investigated 274 projects in Khuzestan gas company from 2015 to 2020. Projects investigated in this study included urban, rural, transmission lines, industrial pipelines, and construction. We identified 22 delay factors and categorized them into owner, contractor, and other related factors. This research shows that Most of the delay factors are related to owner causes. In addition to identifying the factors, this study also deals with the extent of their relationship. In addition to identifying the delay factors, this study also deals with the extent of their relationship. We showed that delay factors may not be independent and there is a significant association between them. These Relations clearly showed that reduction or elimination of many delay factors lead to eliminating many others. The findings of the research were validated and implemented by company experts.
Case studies in industry and services
Yayan Saputra; Fibi Eko Putra; Taufik Hidayat
Abstract
The number of pipeline construction industry and electricity prices in Indonesia from 2013 to 2019 has increased. In order for the pipeline construction industry to be sustainable and competitive, the industry must strive to reduce electricity consumption, one of which is the ISO 50001 energy management ...
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The number of pipeline construction industry and electricity prices in Indonesia from 2013 to 2019 has increased. In order for the pipeline construction industry to be sustainable and competitive, the industry must strive to reduce electricity consumption, one of which is the ISO 50001 energy management system approach. This research identifies energy intensity data; energy performance data from Significant Energy Use (SEU) in the production process of the pipeline construction industry and comparing it with baseline values; targets to be achieved; and analyzing the effects of machines, materials, methods, human and environmental factors on energy consumption. Based on the results of the discussion, this research can conclude that the construction of piping work requires electricity for the cutting and welding process. The highest electrical intensity intensity is in the welding process, which averages 16.4 KJ/cm (88.2% of total energy consumption) and the cutting process is 2.2 KJ/cm (11.8% of total energy consumption). So a significant use of energy for corrective action is that the pipe work process is a welding process. Factors that cause high energy consumption/energy intensity in pipe construction work include method and material factors. Result of every factors can reduce the electricity consumption of the welding process from 16.4 KJ/cm to 7.5 KJ/cm (54.3%).
Case studies in industry and services
Farkhondeh Mortaz Hejri; Changiz Valmohammadi; Mahmood Alborzi
Abstract
This study aimed to identify factors affecting the green management process readiness of banks and determining the interactions and priority of these factors. To this end, factors affecting the green management process readiness in the banking industry were extracted by using an in-depth study of the ...
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This study aimed to identify factors affecting the green management process readiness of banks and determining the interactions and priority of these factors. To this end, factors affecting the green management process readiness in the banking industry were extracted by using an in-depth study of the extant research and qualitative content analysis. Also, fuzzy DEMATEL method was used to explain and assess the interrelationships between the identified factors. The research sample included 14 experts in the process management field in the industry and academicians with knowledge of the concepts of emerging technologies and more than 10 years of experience at the level of managerial activities in the banking industry. Application of DEMATEL revealed that “green awareness”, “green attitude”, “green governance”, and “green technology” are the influential factors, while “green operation”, “green infrastructure”, “green lifecycle”, “green strategy”, and “green policies” are permeable factors. It was also found that “green awareness” has the greatest impact on other factors and "green operations "is the most permeable factor. The obtained results might help to raise the awareness of individuals including managers, policymakers of the organizations toward establishing and fostering a green attitude to adopting green operations.
Case studies in industry and services
Eman Nasser; Amal Nasser; Mona Younis
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to enhance the quality of private hospitals in Egypt. The health care field, especially in the private hospital in Egypt has acquired huge importance lately because of its great contribution to the fast handling of patients. Today, customers of the private hospitals complain ...
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The purpose of this paper is to enhance the quality of private hospitals in Egypt. The health care field, especially in the private hospital in Egypt has acquired huge importance lately because of its great contribution to the fast handling of patients. Today, customers of the private hospitals complain from slow handling during registration process, which may lead to making the patient condition worse and may refers to bad performance of the hospital at all. In view of the importance of these complains, the researcher selected the (PATH) as a tool to improve the quality in emergency department at hospital. Using that tool structural and organizational changes such as: quality committees; multidisciplinary teams and technology investments. The study found that applying the (PATH) in the emergency department leads to decrease the patient waiting time and leads to improve the overall performance of the ( Sina hospital).
Case studies in industry and services
Walid Meslameni; Taoufik Kamoun
Abstract
The evolution of the means aimed at improving the availability of strategic equipment requires a credible level of maintenance with the development of original monitoring techniques such as vibration diagnostics. The vibration monitoring of strategic equipment through a vibration diagnosis requires mainly ...
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The evolution of the means aimed at improving the availability of strategic equipment requires a credible level of maintenance with the development of original monitoring techniques such as vibration diagnostics. The vibration monitoring of strategic equipment through a vibration diagnosis requires mainly the identification of vibrational images of the different types of damage. However, one of the important vibration problems is essentially due to the phenomenon of imbalance. This phenomenon corresponds to an imbalance of the rotor due to the offset between the axis of inertia and the axis of rotation, which causes significant and cyclical vibrations. The aim of this study is to analyze the vibratory behavior of a screw compressor to improve its reliability and consequently its availability. To identify the imbalance fault, two sets of vibration measurements on April and January were fundamentally examined at the compressor level. Fourier transform based on spectral analysis was used to create a vibration detection approach with vibration signals. The comparison of the results obtained with that of the simulation resulting from the model of dynamic behavior of the compressor is conclusive.
Case studies in industry and services
Annette Serwaa Agyeman; Adjei Gyamfi Gyimah; Solomon Adu-Asare
Abstract
Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) contribute significantly to the development of a country and many of these institutions are found in most developing countries including Ghana. However, many challenges have been alleged to stifle the efforts of microfinance companies in their attempt to make their all-important ...
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Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) contribute significantly to the development of a country and many of these institutions are found in most developing countries including Ghana. However, many challenges have been alleged to stifle the efforts of microfinance companies in their attempt to make their all-important contribution to the development of nations. This study explored the effect of operational flaws on the performance of microfinance institutions in Ghana. The results discovered flaws and challenges associated with the operations of the MFIs in many areas including corporate governance, credit risk management, credit administration, regulatory challenges, and training programs. The study also revealed that such flaws and challenges do harm the overall performance of the MFIs. Based on the findings, it is recommended that MFIs put in place a well-composed and resourceful credit committee to perform the duty of credit risk management in the institutions. The institutions could also reduce their interest rates to encourage their clients to apply for more loans. Lastly, it is recommended that the MFIs take all necessary steps to ensure that they reduce the flaws and challenges they face to mitigate the negative impact of such deficiencies on their performance.
Case studies in industry and services
Astrid Diandra Maulidina; Fibi Eko Putra
Abstract
Some company strategies in managing business that can be implemented are Supply Chain Management (SCM). SCM works to ensure the availability of the material obtained from the supplier. With the increasingly advanced information technology in line with the progress in hardware and software technologies, ...
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Some company strategies in managing business that can be implemented are Supply Chain Management (SCM). SCM works to ensure the availability of the material obtained from the supplier. With the increasingly advanced information technology in line with the progress in hardware and software technologies, the computing methods are also growing. One of the most important computing methods in its development is the Decision Support System (DSS). Every company is required to move quickly in decision-making or action, similarly, in the selection of suppliers. With reference to the Hierarchy Analytical Process (AHP) method, this research aims to make decisions in the selection of suppliers objectively based on the various criteria set. This is made so that the goods supply process can be run according to the needs of the company as one of the utilization and availability of Tugboat.
Case studies in industry and services
Boby John; Abdulrahiman Areshankar
Abstract
Six Sigma is a structured and systematic approach to performance and quality improvement. Six Sigma is a rigorous methodology consists of five major phases, namely definition, measure, analysis, improvement, and control for problem solving. A lot of case studies have been published and many large organizations ...
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Six Sigma is a structured and systematic approach to performance and quality improvement. Six Sigma is a rigorous methodology consists of five major phases, namely definition, measure, analysis, improvement, and control for problem solving. A lot of case studies have been published and many large organizations have reported financial benefits by the application of Six Sigma methodology. This paper is a case study on reducing the bearing end plate reworks in a machining process through the application of Six Sigma methodology. The study focuses on reducing the rework due to thickness and diameter variation. From the list of identified potential causes, two causes, namely tool type and coolant pH are shortlisted as root causes. The optimum values of tool type and coolant pH, which would simultaneously optimize the diameter and thickness, are identified using the design of experiments and Taguchi's loss function approach. The implementation of optimum settings shows that the capability of the machining process to meet the customer requirements on thickness and diameter has substantially improved and rework has reduced.
Case studies in industry and services
Nabil Beithou; Zaid Abu Al-Ganam
Abstract
Energy is a main factor in developing nations. Energy is almost a must for surviving with dignity. Palestine situation is different from other countries which can import their energy needs from outside. Palestinians are facing a critical shortage in energy due to Israeli Occupation. They must depend ...
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Energy is a main factor in developing nations. Energy is almost a must for surviving with dignity. Palestine situation is different from other countries which can import their energy needs from outside. Palestinians are facing a critical shortage in energy due to Israeli Occupation. They must depend on the naturally available energy to survive in dignity and develop their lives. In this paper, the scope of using geothermal energy in Palestine is taken into consideration, its availability and practical applications, as a source of renewable energy, which is identified by the reliability and sustainability. It has been found that the Palestinians should depend on their own free energy; geothermal energy has a notable role in reducing the residential energy consumption especially for the heating and cooling purposes. Geothermal energy could also be used to reduce the electrical bill that overloading the Palestinians shoulders by using low temperature geothermal water in generating electricity.
Case studies in industry and services
Seyed Fakhreddin Fakhrehosseini; Meysam Kaviani
Abstract
The expansion of production and development in the industrial sector is due to increase the investment on the activity of this sector. On one hand limits of the financial resources to the investment and high risk of investments in industrial and production activities, and by the other hand, the frequency ...
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The expansion of production and development in the industrial sector is due to increase the investment on the activity of this sector. On one hand limits of the financial resources to the investment and high risk of investments in industrial and production activities, and by the other hand, the frequency of necessities and goals is inevitable to planning and priorities of investment. This study wants to provide optimize pattern by attention to the condition of risk and uncertainty and fluctuations in supply and demand market of industry, to determine priorities and economics feasibility to the investment in this sector. This study will examine its purpose in three scenarios (optimistic, pessimistic and uncertain market). The model used in this study is a fuzzy multi-criteria decision method. This research has been made for Mazandaran Province from 2005 to 2010. The results of this research involve the investment criteria and specify the priority of these sectors. The final results of this study indicate that in conductions of uncertainty and volatility of market, the current pattern of investment in the industrial sector was not optimal and needs to be adjusted in the percentages and amounts of investment.
