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The purpose of this research is to learn about quality measurement practices in a wood products supply chain. According to the Supply Chain Management paradigm, companies no longer compete as individual entities, but as part of complex networks of suppliers and customers, linked together by flows of materials and information. Evidence suggests that a high degree of integration between supply chain members is essential to achieve superior market and financial performance. This study investigates the potential benefits from adopting supply chain quality management practices, focusing specifically on quality measurement. A case-study was conducted to accomplish the objectives of the research. An exemplary wood products supply chain was studied in great detail. The current state was compared with best practices, as reported in the literature. Supply chain quality metrics were used to assess current performance and a simulation model was developed to estimate the impact of changes in significant factors affecting quality, such as production volume, on the supply chain's quality performance. Quality measurement practices in the supply chain of study are described in detail in this dissertation. A high degree of internal integration was observed in the focal company, attributed in great part to the leadership of management, which formulates comprehensive quality planning, specifying quality measurement practices and goals. These practices provide the company with a competitive advantage, and have undoubtedly contributed to its relatively strong market share and financial performance. Significant improvements in defect rate and on-time performance at all levels in the supply chain have been achieved in great part thanks to current initiatives. There is room for improvement, however, regarding external integration; the supply chain of study could benefit from more information sharing with its external suppliers and increasing its supplier development efforts. There is also a lack of true measures of supply chain quality performance that could facilitate tracing variances back to their origin upstream the supply chain. Supply chain metrics must reflect the contribution of each supply chain member to the overall performance, and span the entire supply chain. This is the first study that looks in depth at quality measurement practices from a supply chain perspective. It is also one of very few studies of supply chain management applied to the wood products industry. Examples are presented of how a supply chain performance measurement system can be developed. Results from this research show that it is important to adopt a supply chain perspective when designing a performance measurement system, not least to avoid sub-optimization. Poor quality at any point in the supply chain eventually translates into higher prices for the final customer, is detrimental to customer dissatisfaction, and hurts profitability; with the end result of declining competitiveness of the entire system. / Ph. D.

Yes / Competition in the manufacturing industry is growing at an accelerated rate due to globalization trend. This global competition urges manufacturing organizations to review and improve their processes in order to enhance and maintain their competitive advantage. One of those initiatives is the implementation of the Six Sigma methodology to analyze and reduce variation hence improving the processes of manufacturing organizations. This paper presents a Discrete Event Simulation methodology to support a Six Sigma approach for manufacturing organizations. Several approaches to implement Six Sigma focus on improving time management and reducing cycle time. However, these efforts may fail in their effective and practical implementation to achieve the desired results. Following the proposed methodology, a Discrete Event Simulation model was built to assist decision makers in understanding the behavior of the current manufacturing process. This approach helps to systematically define, measure and analyze the current state process to test different scenarios to improve performance. The paper is amongst the first to offer a simulation methodology to support a process improvement approach. It applies an action research strategy to develop and validate the proposed modelling methodology in a British manufacturing organization competing in global markets.

Lumbal spinal stenos är ett av de vanligaste patologiska tillstånden i ryggen. Primärt mål för de flesta av interventionerna vid lumbal spinal stenos är en förbättring av gångförmågan. I det Svenska ryggregistret för uppföljning av kirurgi saknas utvärdering av objektivt uppmätt gångförmåga. Syfte: Att undersöka hur objektivt uppmätt gångförmåga påverkas efter en operation av lumbal spinal stenos samt hur den korrelerar mot subjektivt skattad gångförmåga och mot skattad rygghälsa samt livskvalitet. Metod: Etthundrasjuttiotre patienter i ålder 50-81 år utförde pre och 24 månader postoperativt ett standardiserat six minutes walk test (6 MWT) samt besvarade enkäter om självskattad gångförmåga, livskvalitet (EQ5D) och rygghälsa (ODI). Signifikans på förändring av medelvärdet av gångförmågan beräknades med ett parat t-test och 95 % konfidensintervall. Korrelation mellan uppmätt gångförmåga och självskattad gångförmåga samt mot EQ5D och ODI beräknades med Spearmans rangkorrelation. Resultat: Gångförmågan mätt med 6MWT förbättrades från 314 meter preoperativt till 396 meter 24 månader postoperativt. Korrelationen mellan uppmätt gångförmåga och självskattad gångförmåga var 0,68 postoperativt. Korrelationen mellan 6 MWT och EQ5D var 0,60 och mot ODI 0,65, 2 år postoperativt. Konklusion: Resultatet i denna studie visade på en signifikant förbättring av objektivt uppmätt gångförmåga två år efter en operation av lumbal spinal stenos. Korrelationen mellan självskattad gångförmåga och 6 MWT var moderat. Korrelationen mellan 6 MWT och EQ5D var moderat och moderat till stark mot ODI. / Lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the most common pathological conditions in the lower back. A primary goal for most of the interventions for lumbar spinal stenosis is an improvement of walking ability. In the Swedish back registry for follow-up surgery objectively measured gait is missing. Objective: To examine how objectively measured walking capacity is affected by an operation of lumbar spinal stenosis and how it correlates with subjective estimated walking capacity, back health (ODI) and quality of life (EQ5D). Method: Onehundredseventythree patients in age 50-81 years performed pre and 24 months postoperatively a standardized six minutes walk test (6 MWT) and responded to questionnaires about self-rated gait, EQ5D and ODI. Significance of the change in mean walking ability was calculated by using a paired t-test and 95% confidence intervals. Correlation between the measured gait and self-rated gait as well as against EQ5D and ODI were calculated with Spearman rank correlation. Result: Walking capacity measured by the 6MWT improved from 314 to 396 meters, 24 months postoperatively. The correlation between the measured and self-rated gait were 0,68 postoperatively. Correlation between 6MWT and EQ5D were 0,60 and against ODI 0.65, 2 years postoperatively. Conclusion: The results of this study showed a significant improvement in objectively measured walking capacity, two years after an operation of lumbar spinal stenosis. Correlation between self-rated gait and 6 MWT were moderate. Correlation between 6MWT and EQ5D were moderate and against ODI moderately strong.

Three methodologies are associated with production optimisation, namely, Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean and Six Sigma – and each boasts with a number of success stories. This dissertation addresses the possibility of implementing all three these methodologies in a specific sequence at an organisation and also sets out to determine the impact of this implementation. A literature survey was conducted on all three stand-alone methodologies as well as on the combined methodology, which is called the Theory of Constrains Lean Six Sigma (TLS). TLS literature suggests that TOC should be implemented first with a view to identify the constraint in an organisation. Lean implementation should follow in order to eliminate any waste in the organisation. Lastly, Six Sigma should be implemented to optimise the process variability. TOC literature explains that The Goal of any organisation is to make money. All other objectives are only the means of achieving The Goal. The literature further indicates that the constraint in any organisation determines the drumbeat, and that this constraint should be managed by means of the Drum-Buffer-Rope methodology. Lean literature points towards 14 Management Principles by means of which an organisation should be managed in order to become a Lean organisation, while Six Sigma literature is concerned with the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control) methodology used for improvement projects and the belt system that is used to manage these improvement projects. Jonker Sailplanes, a sailplanes manufacturer in Potchefstroom, South Africa, was used as a case study for the implementation of TLS. A description is given of the processes and procedures that were followed before and after the implementation of TLS. The TLS methodology had to be adapted in order to meet the specific needs of Jonker Sailplanes into an adapted 14-step TLS implementation plan. After implementing TOC and Lean at Jonker Sailplanes, it was found that the organisation was not ready for the transition from Lean projects to Six Sigma projects. The implementation of Six Sigma was therefore referred for future research. One of the most significant findings of the current study was the very positive impact that the implementation of TLS had on the organisation: the production tempo (throughput) of the organisation has increased while the operating expenses per aircraft have decreased. This confirms that the profit per aircraft has increased. A critical evaluation of the implementation of the TLS methodology can therefore maintain that the implementation of TLS at Jonker Sailplanes was a success since the production tempo (throughput) and the organisational profit were increased and the implementation of the methodology was done with relative ease. In terms of interpreting results it was also necessary to set out how Jonker Sailplanes proceeded from a prototyping environment to a production setup, and how specifically identifying the constraint helped to achieve this transition. Furthermore, is it argued that when Lean is implemented before TOC, this could move the organisation away from The Goal, which is to make money. The interpretation of findings suggests that the procedure followed at Jonker Sailplanes was the most appropriate one. Finally, recommendations are made for future studies in terms of how to further improve the impact of the TLS implementation at Jonker Sailplanes. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Three methodologies are associated with production optimisation, namely, Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean and Six Sigma – and each boasts with a number of success stories. This dissertation addresses the possibility of implementing all three these methodologies in a specific sequence at an organisation and also sets out to determine the impact of this implementation. A literature survey was conducted on all three stand-alone methodologies as well as on the combined methodology, which is called the Theory of Constrains Lean Six Sigma (TLS). TLS literature suggests that TOC should be implemented first with a view to identify the constraint in an organisation. Lean implementation should follow in order to eliminate any waste in the organisation. Lastly, Six Sigma should be implemented to optimise the process variability. TOC literature explains that The Goal of any organisation is to make money. All other objectives are only the means of achieving The Goal. The literature further indicates that the constraint in any organisation determines the drumbeat, and that this constraint should be managed by means of the Drum-Buffer-Rope methodology. Lean literature points towards 14 Management Principles by means of which an organisation should be managed in order to become a Lean organisation, while Six Sigma literature is concerned with the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control) methodology used for improvement projects and the belt system that is used to manage these improvement projects. Jonker Sailplanes, a sailplanes manufacturer in Potchefstroom, South Africa, was used as a case study for the implementation of TLS. A description is given of the processes and procedures that were followed before and after the implementation of TLS. The TLS methodology had to be adapted in order to meet the specific needs of Jonker Sailplanes into an adapted 14-step TLS implementation plan. After implementing TOC and Lean at Jonker Sailplanes, it was found that the organisation was not ready for the transition from Lean projects to Six Sigma projects. The implementation of Six Sigma was therefore referred for future research. One of the most significant findings of the current study was the very positive impact that the implementation of TLS had on the organisation: the production tempo (throughput) of the organisation has increased while the operating expenses per aircraft have decreased. This confirms that the profit per aircraft has increased. A critical evaluation of the implementation of the TLS methodology can therefore maintain that the implementation of TLS at Jonker Sailplanes was a success since the production tempo (throughput) and the organisational profit were increased and the implementation of the methodology was done with relative ease. In terms of interpreting results it was also necessary to set out how Jonker Sailplanes proceeded from a prototyping environment to a production setup, and how specifically identifying the constraint helped to achieve this transition. Furthermore, is it argued that when Lean is implemented before TOC, this could move the organisation away from The Goal, which is to make money. The interpretation of findings suggests that the procedure followed at Jonker Sailplanes was the most appropriate one. Finally, recommendations are made for future studies in terms of how to further improve the impact of the TLS implementation at Jonker Sailplanes. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de diagnóstico e análise da implantação de projetos Seis Sigma em empresas que operam em ambientes de negócio dinâmicos. Estas empresas desenvolvem produtos com alta complexidade tecnológica e demanda variável, o que requer constantes alterações e adaptações no ambiente produtivo. Por consequência, o Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade e seus programas também devem ser capazes de adaptarem-se a essas mudanças. Sendo assim, o objetivo principal desta dissertação é estabelecer diretrizes de melhoria no programa Seis Sigma, propondo um modelo de reavaliação para sedimentar este programa como parte da cultura de solução de problemas em uma empresa do setor de equipamentos para o agronegócio. Esta pesquisa foi desdobrada em dois artigos; no primeiro, foram estabelecidas premissas baseadas numa revisão preliminar da literatura, seguida de um diagnóstico dos principais fatores críticos de sucesso para consecução do programa Seis Sigma. Com estas informações, os resultados do diagnóstico foram compilados em categorias de problemas e comparados com as soluções apresentadas na literatura, tornando possível o estabelecimento das diretrizes de melhoria nos projetos Seis Sigma para o caso selecionado. No segundo artigo, foi realizada uma análise da literatura a respeito da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, de projetos tradicionais e do gerenciamento ágil de projetos. Em seguida, foram identificados os principais problemas dos projetos Seis Sigma encontrados no estudo de caso. Com base nas soluções encontradas na literatura, foi possível definir um modelo de revisão da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, para a empresa em estudo, visando minimizar ou eliminar os problemas encontrados. / This paper presents a proposal of diagnostic and evaluation for an implementation analysis of Six Sigma projects in companies included in a dynamic business environment. These companies develop high technological complexity and variable demand products, which requires constant operations and production changes and adaptations. Consequently the Quality Management System and its programs should be also capable to adapt to those changes. Thus, the main objective of this dissertation is to establish improvement guidelines on Six Sigma program by proposing a reevaluation model to settle this program as part of the problem resolution culture in an agribusiness equipment company. The study is deployed in two articles. The first article establish guidelines based on a preliminary literature review, followed by a diagnostic about the main critical success factors to implement Six Sigma programs in a selected case. With this information, the diagnostic results were compiled in problems categories and compared with literature available solutions, making it possible to establish guidelines to improve Six Sigma projects for the selected case. The second article presents a literature analysis about the implementation of Six Sigma projects, traditional projects and Agile projects management. After that, the Six Sigma main problems found in the case study were identified. Based on solutions found in the literature, it was possible to define a Six Sigma project analysis and implementation model for this case, in order to minimize or eliminate the identified problems.

Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de diagnóstico e análise da implantação de projetos Seis Sigma em empresas que operam em ambientes de negócio dinâmicos. Estas empresas desenvolvem produtos com alta complexidade tecnológica e demanda variável, o que requer constantes alterações e adaptações no ambiente produtivo. Por consequência, o Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade e seus programas também devem ser capazes de adaptarem-se a essas mudanças. Sendo assim, o objetivo principal desta dissertação é estabelecer diretrizes de melhoria no programa Seis Sigma, propondo um modelo de reavaliação para sedimentar este programa como parte da cultura de solução de problemas em uma empresa do setor de equipamentos para o agronegócio. Esta pesquisa foi desdobrada em dois artigos; no primeiro, foram estabelecidas premissas baseadas numa revisão preliminar da literatura, seguida de um diagnóstico dos principais fatores críticos de sucesso para consecução do programa Seis Sigma. Com estas informações, os resultados do diagnóstico foram compilados em categorias de problemas e comparados com as soluções apresentadas na literatura, tornando possível o estabelecimento das diretrizes de melhoria nos projetos Seis Sigma para o caso selecionado. No segundo artigo, foi realizada uma análise da literatura a respeito da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, de projetos tradicionais e do gerenciamento ágil de projetos. Em seguida, foram identificados os principais problemas dos projetos Seis Sigma encontrados no estudo de caso. Com base nas soluções encontradas na literatura, foi possível definir um modelo de revisão da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, para a empresa em estudo, visando minimizar ou eliminar os problemas encontrados. / This paper presents a proposal of diagnostic and evaluation for an implementation analysis of Six Sigma projects in companies included in a dynamic business environment. These companies develop high technological complexity and variable demand products, which requires constant operations and production changes and adaptations. Consequently the Quality Management System and its programs should be also capable to adapt to those changes. Thus, the main objective of this dissertation is to establish improvement guidelines on Six Sigma program by proposing a reevaluation model to settle this program as part of the problem resolution culture in an agribusiness equipment company. The study is deployed in two articles. The first article establish guidelines based on a preliminary literature review, followed by a diagnostic about the main critical success factors to implement Six Sigma programs in a selected case. With this information, the diagnostic results were compiled in problems categories and compared with literature available solutions, making it possible to establish guidelines to improve Six Sigma projects for the selected case. The second article presents a literature analysis about the implementation of Six Sigma projects, traditional projects and Agile projects management. After that, the Six Sigma main problems found in the case study were identified. Based on solutions found in the literature, it was possible to define a Six Sigma project analysis and implementation model for this case, in order to minimize or eliminate the identified problems.