Mindfulness is a concept that refers to the attentiveness and alertness of people to detail. When applied properly, mindfulness improves the reliability of organizational processes, an important dimension to process quality. However, no study measures the cost of implementing mindfulness, which...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test a method for improving decision‐making at a tactical level – i.e. at the shop floor level. This is done by testing the use of the binary sorting algorithm (BSA) to improve decisions concerning quality improvement efforts among machine...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically test a new theory called the balanced theory of port competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from multiple respondents in 72 of the largest container ports. The instrument was translated into English, Simplified...

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,...

Established in 1988, the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence recognises organisations in the USA, Mexico and Canada for the successful implementation of world-class practices. The Shingo Prize emphasises the improvement of operations and processes, the adoption of proven world-class...