Prioritizing tactical quality improvement: An action research study

Author: Hales Douglas N.   Siha Samia M.   Sridharan V.   McKnew Judith I.  

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd

ISSN: 0144-3577

Source: International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol.26, Iss.8, 2006-08, pp. : 866-881

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Abstract

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 operators in a plastics manufacturer. Design/methodology/approach ‐ The method used was the "action-research" approach since the researchers were actively involved in the training, implementation, and use of the BSA. Findings ‐ It was found that using the BSA to prioritize quality improvement efforts by machine operators reduced the "scrap-from-line" rate in a plastics manufacturer. Research limitations/implications ‐ The study should be replicated in different companies and industries using multiple methods because action-research is limited in its generalizability. Also, since the researchers are actively involved in the process, our observations could not be considered objective. Originality/value ‐ To the authors' knowledge, this is the first application of the BSA to improve decision-making at a tactical shop-floor level in a manufacturing company.