Despite the pervasiveness of Six Sigma program implementations, there is increasing concern about implementation failures. One reason many Six Sigma programs fail is because an implementation model on how to effectively guide the implementation of these programs is lacking. Using a successful...

While lean programmes continue to be implemented in many companies, there is a rising concern regarding the failures of these programmes. Many of them fail because we do not know how to implement them. Using the experience with a lean programme in an aircraft maintenance and repair operation,...

The article compares the traditionally balanced and just-in-time lines of production. Over the years, many companies have implemented the just-in-time (JIT) philosophy to assist them in competing on the basis of speed and agility. JIT production lines utilize capacity slack to assist in...

The article presents results of a computer simulation experiment which investigated the use of protective capacity as a means to reduce production cycle times and inventory holdings for a production line. In the 1980s, quality was the primary focus for competition in many businesses. Many...

Academic research has primarily focused on the technical factors of material handling systems, with little or no discussion of human factors. In order to improve the performance of distribution operations, we found that the implementation of material handling systems involves both human and...

Although Information Technology (IT) solutions improve the collection and validation of operational data, Operations Managers must often rely on self-reported data from workers to make decisions. The problem with this data is that they are subject to intentional manipulation, thus reducing their...

The extent to which service quality is linked to satisfaction, value and behavioural outcomes continues to be debated in the literature. This research investigated two models involving the linkages between service quality, satisfaction, perceived value, repurchase intention and willingness to...

Physical distribution services are becoming increasingly important as supply chains strive to become more efficient in the logistical flow of goods to industrial customers. Performance of these services, however, takes place during encounters that customers have with various interfacing...

The tenets of relationship marketing are useful in understanding the success of a service provider. Based on a sample of 221 firms in Singapore that use ocean freight shipping services, examines service recovery issues related to satisfaction. It was found that service recovery methods such as...