Abstract Purpose Changing processes and an organization quickly and successfully is a challenging task. Thus, standardization of the process of making changes as well can be useful to reach the goal of increased performance. Many different aspects can be considered when investigating the critical factors that lead to a successful change. Assessing whether these critical factors can be utilized to formulate standards is, therefore, an interesting topic to delve deeper into. Thus, the purpose is “Explore how change management processes in the pulp and paper industry can be standardized, and how the change management process can be improved.” and the research questions (RQ):  RQ1. What are the critical factors of the change management processes in the pulp and paper industry?  RQ2. How can standardization of change management processes be achieved in the pulp and paper industry? Method This is a qualitative study where information has been gathered through a literature review and a multiple case study. The empirical data was primary data gathered through interviews. Theoretical information was gathered based on keywords selected through brainstorming sessions and found in articles. A data analysis model was used when analysing the empirical data.  Findings Six critical factors were found as an answer to RQ1. These six critical factors for pulp and paper industries were found within broader studies on change management factors as well. Standardization of change management processes on a general level was deemed possible. However, when investigating detailed levels of change management processes there are indications that it is possible to some degree, but it is more difficult to transfer a standardized process between different types of changes. Future Research More research can be beneficial in change management on more detailed levels and how standards can be transferred between types of change, and if this is only applicable to pulp and paper industries or to 24-hour continuous production processes. The conceptual maturity model presented in this report could be explored further and has the potential to be modified further to fit the needs of different organizations and industries. The conceptual guideline that was presented in the report needs to be tested and verified. Limitations This project has excluded international factories from its studied area. This project also scopes in toward the pulp and paper industry as its focus and did not analyse if its result is applicable to other industries or not. Additionally, this project did not verify if the implementation of the resulting guidelines yields a positive or negative outcome, further study is required.

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This study was initiated to examine whether processes of the construction company JM ABare followed and how they can be streamlined, if the targeted goals are reached, and whenand why prescribed routines are abandoned. The study was carried out through onlinequalitative interviews with supervisors at nine examined construction projects, and withofficials within the JM AB organization.The correspondence with employees emphasized the importance of communication,experience feedback, and quality- and process control. Continuous improvement is central atJM AB, and the study shows that proactive work against errors and flaws in production andwarranty assurance can be further strengthened through enhanced communication andexperience feedback.The results suggest that resource- and cost inefficiencies can be reduced through preventiveefforts, emphasis on comprehensibility in the internal quality goals, and a thoroughconsequence analysis in case of late administrative changes in the construction process.Furthermore, the results show the importance of clear communication towards the endcustomer, as well as the value in proactive declaration of expected deviations; this will leadtowards higher CSI, Customer-Service-Index The study is limited to processes and methodsused within JM AB and is primarily focused on the production phase and warrantyassurance.This study resulted in several suggestions for improvement related to customercommunication, centralized internal quality controls, and more efficient internalcommunication and experience feedback. The results also stress the importance of clearlycommunicating JM’s desired quality level to both subcontractors and during procurement. / Studien ämnade att undersöka hur JMs framtagna arbetsprocesser efterföljs och kaneffektiviseras, om uppsatta mål uppnås samt när och varför beskrivna rutiner frångås.Studien genomfördes på distans genom kvalitativa intervjuer med arbetsledare i utvaldaprojekt, samt tjänstemän inom företagets organisation. Vid intervjuer och samtal medanställda betonades vikten av kommunikation, erfarenhetsåterföring, kvalitets- ochprocesstyrning.Ständig förbättring är centralt på JM och i resultaten framgår att det proaktiva arbetet för attmotverka fel och brister i produktion och garantiskedet kan stärkas genom förbättradkommunikation och erfarenhetsåterföring. Genom preventiva insatser och stor vikt påtydlighet kring företagets interna kvalitetskrav samt konsekvensanalys vid ändringar avunderlag i tidiga byggskeden kan resurs- och kostnadskrävande moment minimeras.Resultaten påvisade vikten av god kommunikation gentemot slutkund samt värdet i attproaktivt kommunicera förväntade avvikelser för att på sikt höja NKI, Nöjd-Kund-Index.Studien är avgränsad till JMs processer och arbetsmetoder samt fokuserar främst påprocesser relaterade till produktion och garanti.Studien resulterade i ett flertal förbättringsförslag relaterade till kundkommunikation,centraliserad försyn, samt effektiviserad intern kommunikation och erfarenhetsåterföring,men främst redovisas vikten att i upphandling och till underentreprenörer tydliggöra denhöga kvalitetsnivå JM eftersträvar.

La presente investigación se realizó en una empresa agroindustrial dedicada al procesamiento de granos, la cual tuvo como objetivo principal incrementar la productividad mediante la propuesta de mejora del proceso productivo (línea mecanizada y línea manual). La metodología consistió en tres etapas, se diagnosticó el proceso actual de la empresa aplicando técnicas como el estudio de tiempos y de movimientos, flujogramas y diagramas bimanuales con la finalidad de medir las variables de estudio. Seguidamente, se propuso las mejoras, donde planteo el reajuste de caudal de aire para la selectora de grano, el nuevo método de trabajo en la etapa de selección manual, el rediseño de puestos trabajos y capacitaciones. Posteriormente, se evaluaron las propuestas a través del análisis del costo – beneficio para determinar la viabilidad de la propuesta. Los resultados obtenidos fueron el aumento de la producción y productividad para las dos líneas de la empresa; en la línea mecanizada, la producción paso de 428 sacos/mes a 1775 sacos/mes y la productividad de 1,48 soles a 3,49 soles, mientras que, para la línea de selección manual la producción aumento de 281 sacos/mes a 325 sacos/ mes y la productividad paso de 1,42 soles a 1,64 soles, además se determinó que la propuesta tiene un B/C de 1.14. / The present research was carried out in an agroindustrial company dedicated to grain processing, whose main objective was to increase productivity by proposing to improve the production process (mechanized line and manual line). The methodology consisted of three stages, the current process of the company was diagnosed by applying techniques such as time and movement study, flow charts and bimanual diagrams in order to measure the study variables. Next, improvements were proposed, where I proposed the readjustment of the air flow for the grain selector, the new work method in the manual selection stage, the redesign of job positions and training. Subsequently, the proposals were evaluated through cost-benefit analysis to determine the viability of the proposal. The results obtained were an increase in production and productivity for the two lines of the company; In the mechanized line, production went from 428 bags/month to 1,775 bags/month and productivity from 1,48 soles to 3,49 soles, while, for the manual selection line, production increased from 281 bags/month to 325 bags/month and productivity went from 1,42 soles to 1,64 soles, in addition it was determined that the proposal has a B/C of 1.14.

Institutions of higher learning in South Africa should establish and sustain their own quality management systems. These systems should improve quality of the core business of higher education i.e. teaching and learning, research and community engagement. It should yield reliable information for internal planning as well as external monitoring purposes. The integration of quality management with planning and resource allocation within a framework of continuous improvement is viewed as fundamental elements for successful quality management of institutions of higher learning. A key assumption of this research is that quality management models should be underpinned by the systems theory in order to enhance the integration of quality management, planning and resource allocation on institutional strategic, tactical and operational levels. This study utilised the key elements and phases of the PDCA and ADRI models to develop a model for the integration of quality management, planning and resource allocation within a context of continuous improvement This model will be suitable for implementation by one of the institutions of higher learning in South Africa that fails, according to its latest HEQC audit to integrate quality management, planning and resource allocation. It offers also a conceptual framework for any institution of higher learning that fails to integrate quality management, planning and resource allocation. / Ph.D., Education, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010

Institutions of higher learning in South Africa should establish and sustain their own quality management systems. These systems should improve quality of the core business of higher education i.e. teaching and learning, research and community engagement. It should yield reliable information for internal planning as well as external monitoring purposes. The integration of quality management with planning and resource allocation within a framework of continuous improvement is viewed as fundamental elements for successful quality management of institutions of higher learning. A key assumption of this research is that quality management models should be underpinned by the systems theory in order to enhance the integration of quality management, planning and resource allocation on institutional strategic, tactical and operational levels. This study utilised the key elements and phases of the PDCA and ADRI models to develop a model for the integration of quality management, planning and resource allocation within a context of continuous improvement This model will be suitable for implementation by one of the institutions of higher learning in South Africa that fails, according to its latest HEQC audit to integrate quality management, planning and resource allocation. It offers also a conceptual framework for any institution of higher learning that fails to integrate quality management, planning and resource allocation. / Ph.D., Education, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010

Lean has been adapted by various industries and applied to differing processes in the world as a means of improvement and competitiveness. In the implementation of Lean, the focus is usually on eliminating the 7 + 1 wastes (Muda) through continuous improvement. In most previous cases, the result of the implemented continuous improvement has been far from successful, and further resulted in the 9th waste also named as, "Improvements in vain" or "Wasted improvements". One of the important tools for supporting implementation of Lean and continuous improvement is daily production meetings and visual management. In manufacturing companies these tools are common for facilitating the surfacing of the problems in production, identify the root causes and develop solutions for them. As other Lean tools, daily production meetings and visual management should be customised to the needs and requirements of different industries and companies to avoid the 9th waste. Small manufacturing companies with high variety and low-volume production, has their own challenges, needs and requirements. Therefore, the aim of this thesis project is to describe how visual control boards can be adapted to the needs and requirements of a small manufacturing company with low volume and high variety to facilitate the challenges of communication and coordination of daily work and continuous improvement. The project was conducted primarily in a Swedish small company named Ztift AB, which produces locks and security solutions with high range of variety of products and low production volumes (HVLV). To achieve the objective of the project, initially, the literature of the related area was reviewed, two other manufacturing companies were studied and two experts were consulted. In addition, Ztift was studied through observation and interviews. Based on the outcomes of the study, two solutions were developed and implemented to meet the requirements and needs of Ztift as well as its maturity level in Lean implementation. The solutions were visual production boards for continuous improvement and daily operations. The solutions were followed and improved continuously during four weeks after implementation. Finally, a meeting at Ztift was made to explore the outcomes of the implemented solutions. / Lean har anpassats av varierande branscher och tillämpas på skiljaktiga processer i hela världen som ett medel för förbättringar och konkurrenskraft. I genomförandet av Lean ligger fokus vanligen på att eliminera 7 + 1 slöserier (Muda) genom ständiga förbättringar. I flertalet tidigare fall har resultatet av implementerade ständiga förbättringar varit långt ifrån framgångsrika och vidare resulterat i det 9:e slöseriet som benämns som "förbättringar i onödan" eller "bortkastade förbättringar". Dagliga produktionsmöten och visuell ledning med styrtavlor som hjälpmedel är ett av de viktigaste verktygen inom Lean. I tillverkningsföretag underlättar verktygen att föra upp problem till ytan, identifiera rotorsakerna och utveckla lösningar för dem. Likt andra Lean verktyg bör dagliga produktionsmöten och visuell ledning anpassas till de behov och krav i olika branscher och företag för att undvika det 9:e slöseriet. Små tillverkningsföretag med hög variation och låg volym (HVLV) har specifika utmaningar, behov och krav. Således är syftet med detta examensarbete att beskriva hur visuella styrtavlor anpassas till ställda behov och krav i ett litet tillverkande HVLV företag för att underlätta utmaningar som kommunikation och samordning av det dagliga arbetet och ständiga förbättringar. Projektet genomfördes i Ztift AB, ett litet svenskt företag som tillverkar lås och säkerhetslösningar med HVLV. För att uppnå examensarbetets mål granskades inledningsvis litteratur inom tillhörande område, två andra tillverkande företag studerades samt två experter gav rådgivning. Därtill har Ztift kartlagts genom observationer och intervjuer. Två lösningar utvecklades för att uppfylla identifierade krav och behov hos Ztift samt deras mognadsgrad av Lean. Lösningarna bestod av två visuella styrtavlor för ständiga förbättringar och daglig styrning. Lösningarna uppföljdes och förbättrades kontinuerligt under fyra veckors tid efter implementering. Slutligen genomfördes ett återbesök hos företaget för att undersöka de implementerade lösningarna.

Depuis plusieurs années, dans le secteur industriel, l’amélioration continue constitue un aspect important de la famille de normes ISO 9000 maintenue par l’organisation ISO (International Organization for Standardization). Elle se concentre sur l’amélioration de la satisfaction du client en passant par des améliorations continues et incrémentales des produits, des services et des processus. Afin de répondre à ces exigences, un point clé consiste à optimiser le processus de résolution de problèmes qui vise à analyser et résoudre les problèmes courants pour éviter de nouvelles occurrences. Différents processus de résolution de problèmes ont été définis et sont implantés dans les entreprises. L’un des plus connu est sans doute la méthode PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT (PDCA), également connue sous le nom de « Roue de Deming ». D’autres méthodes sont également utilisées comme : 8 Disciplines (8D) également appelée TOPS (Team-Oriented Problem Solving), Six sigma ou DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control), 7 step, etc. Les activités principales dans ces processus sont : la formation d’une équipe de résolution de problème, la description et l’évaluation de la criticité des événements, l’analyse des événements afin d’en rechercher les causes racine et valider cette analyse, la proposition d’une solution au problème et son application (solution curative), la suggestion d’actions pour éviter une nouvelle occurrence du problème (solution préventive, leçons apprises, etc.). Dans cette logique d’amélioration continue, un processus de Retour d’Expérience (Rex) est une représentation générique focalisé sur l'acquisition des connaissances des experts en phase de résolution de problème et sur la réutilisation de ces connaissances pour résoudre ou éviter de nouveaux problèmes. Une base de connaissances de retour d'expérience va servir de pivot entre la phase d'acquisition et la phase d'exploitation. Les points abordés dans le travail de thèse seront les suivants : Représenter les différentes composantes d'une expérience en utilisant les processus de résolution de problème comme support de capitalisation. Instrumenter les processus de capitalisation et d’exploitation Formaliser des mécanismes de recherche d’expérience, Formaliser des mécanismes de réutilisation d’analyses expertes - Développer un outil support de retour d’expérience sur une architecture Web. / Continuous improvement of industrial processes is increasingly a key element of competitiveness for industrial systems. Management of experience feedback takes place in this framework to build, analyze and facilitate the reuse of immaterial potential of an organization in order to make it better in achieving its processes and / or products. For several years, the need for continuous improvement of products and processes has led many companies to set up standardized problem solving processes. For this purpose, different Problem Solving Processes are commonly used in the industrial field such as: 8D, PDCA (Plan Do Check Act), DMAICS (Define Measure Analyze Improve Control Standardize) or, more recently, the 9S process (9Steps). The main activities in the problem solving process are: The composition of the problem solving team, the description and assessment of the problem highlighted by events, the analysis of events to identify their root causes and their validation, the formulation of the problem solutions and their application checking (corrective actions), the action suggestions to prevent from a new occurrence of the problem (preventive actions, lessons learned, etc.). During the Problem Solving Processes, the intellectual investment of experts is often considerable. We propose to define mechanisms to reuse previously performed analysis (already solved issues) to guide the resolution of a new problem. The main contributions of this research work are : The structuring of a cognitive experience feedback framework allowing a flexible exploitation of expert knowledge: we propose a formal representation of an experience (according to the problem solving processes). - The definition of two mechanisms to exploit the context and analysis in these experiences. The specification and development of Experience Feedback Support Framework ProWhy offering methodological and software support for knowledge management (KM), and in particular for capitalization and exploitation phases of experience feedback processes.

The Malcolm Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence outline effective practices and core values that have assisted businesses, health agencies, government institutions, and several school systems in the United States to improve performance within their organizations. Recent studies of school districts from across the nation have indicated some degree of success with implementation of the Malcolm Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence. This phenomenological study of principals' experiences with implementation of Quality in Education (based on the Baldrige Education Criteria) within the Calcasieu Parish School System answers the question: What are principals' experiences with the implementation of Quality in Education? Data were collected through individual interviews and questionnaires. Participants included ten principals who had been engaged in this district implementation effort for at least three years, as well as their administrative directors. Transcription, coding, and analysis resulted in emerging themes and key findings, which were organized as benefits and barriers to implementation of this school reform initiative. Benefits were identified as data-based decision-making and use of student data binders, a narrow focus and working smarter, not harder, and increased student responsibility for learning, parent communication and faculty input. This was accomplished through district support with professional development and the work of Quality mentors. Barriers were identified as teacher turnover and continual training of new staff, implementation of other programs, lack of faculty buy-in, and time. This study informs the literature of implementation issues with school reform initiatives.