Continuous Improvement Environment Research Articles

Mastering minds: Unleashing the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming in workplaces and schools

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) intricately examines the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic representation systems, traversing the transformative trajectory from superficial to profound linguistic structures. This comprehensive paradigm elucidates the sophisticated cognitive processes through which the brain interprets events, molding emotions and behaviors through filters such as values, beliefs, memories, decisions, and meta-programs. As a potent catalyst for excellence and success, NLP empowers individuals and organizations to realize their aspirational objectives, nurturing flexibility, creativity, and autonomous behaviors. In educational contexts, practitioners adeptly employ NLP techniques to navigate conflicts, enhance leadership acumen, and inspire personnel toward organizational goals. NLP assumes a crucial role as a foundational element for ongoing learning, development, and the cultivation of dynamic capabilities within professional environments. Its applications extend beyond conventional business domains, seamlessly integrating with behavior modification models employed in psychotherapeutic settings. In the realm of child psychiatry, NLP addresses neurodevelopmental disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder, with the potential to mitigate triggers in educational milieus. The Behavior Modification Model, anchored in the ABC (antecedents, behavior, and consequences) framework, meticulously shapes behaviors through positive and negative reinforcement and punishment. NLP is a versatile professional instrument applicable across personal development, therapeutic interventions, and diverse organizational landscapes. It is pivotal in elevating communication effectiveness, facilitating conflict resolution, and propelling individual and collective success to new heights. Applying NLP in schools proves invaluable by elevating teaching methodologies, cultivating effective communication, and nurturing essential skills for conflict resolution and leadership. Integrating NLP in educational settings can offer a holistic approach to learning, providing support for educators and students alike in navigating intricate situations and fostering an environment of continuous improvement. Implementing NLP should be approached with a balanced understanding of both its potential benefits and the need for empirical validation and ethical considerations.

Sejahtera Ulu al-albab with 5S at Senyum Printing Enterprise

Senyum Printing Enterprise, under the leadership of Encik Asri, exemplifies the transformative power of the 5S methodology in lean management. Over two decades, Senyum evolved from traditional offset printing to adopting a digital-focused approach, adapting to changing technologies and consumer demands. Encik Asri's leadership effectively embraced the 5S principles (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain), fostering an environment of efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement. This case study explores how Senyum balanced traditional and digital printing methods, adopted eco-friendly practices, confronted online competition, and diversified its services. Encik Asri's approach not only ensured business resilience during economic fluctuations but also instilled a culture of 'sejahtera ulu al-albab'—a state of well-being and wisdom—reflecting a holistic approach to business and personal growth.

Surface Electromyography Biofeedback as an Adjuvant to Dysphagia Management: What It Is, What It Is Not, Why You Need It, and How to Get It

Purpose: Surface electromyography (sEMG) has been used by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as a biofeedback tool to enhance the benefits of dysphagia rehabilitation since as early as 1976. Despite being noninvasive and user-friendly, sEMG biofeedback is not widely adopted by clinicians, potentially due to challenges such as insufficient knowledge about its appropriate clinical applications and the burden of acquiring this technology for a busy clinician. This article aims to support SLPs in utilizing sEMG as a simple biofeedback tool for dysphagia management by providing an overview of the physiological and technological underpinnings of sEMG as well as practical guidance on interpreting sEMG signal, optimizing signal quality, and documenting findings at the end of a session. Moreover, the article emphasizes the vital role clinicians have in promoting ongoing innovation in their field by advocating for modern solutions. It provides a framework and examples of how to request technologies in the clinic to foster an environment of continuous improvement in the service provided to patients. Conclusion: This article aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to utilize sEMG technology effectively and help their patients achieve optimal outcomes in dysphagia management.

A Review on Introduction to Quality Assurance

Quality assurance (QA) is the management technique used to provide adequate confidence that a product, service, or result will satisfy requirements for quality and be fit for use. Each monitoring program or assessment must strive to generate data that is precise, dependable, and sufficient for the specified purpose. Data quality objectives are qualitative and quantitative standards that are used to create a system that will keep the level of uncertainty within permitted boundaries and at an acceptable level. Quality assurance will boost public and funding body confidence. Unconfirmed observations should not be used until they can be verified. Robust pharmaceutical quality assurance system ensures that products are effective and safe. Following good manufacturing practices (GMP) and enacting comprehensive inspection policies help drug manufacturers produce the highest quality products and avoid reputation-damaging incidents. Product Quality Review (PQR) is a mechanism to ensure that data captured by the Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS) is reviewed for trends. This tool can support a continuous improvement environment. PQRs are designed for the purpose of identifying and implementing recommendations for required improvements. Quality control and quality assurance jobs are all about ensuring the medication has been manufactured correctly and is safe to use, as well as having its desired effect. Without these two functions of quality management, a pharmaceutical organisation would struggle to achieve consistency in its output. Quality assurance (QA) is any systematic process of determining whether a product or service meets specified requirements. QA establishes and maintains set requirements for developing or manufacturing reliable products.

Statistical process control of manufacturing tablets for antiretroviral therapy

In this study, the manufacturing process of lamivudine (3TC) and zidovudine (AZT) tablets (150+300 mg respectively) was evaluated using statistical process control (SPC) tools. These medicines are manufactured by the Fundação para o Remédio Popular “Chopin Tavares de Lima” (FURP) laboratory, and are distributed free of charge to patients infected with HIV by the Ministry of Health DST/AIDS national program. Data of 529 batches manufactured from 2012 to 2015 were collected. The critical quality attributes of weight variation, uniformity of dosage units, and dissolution were evaluated. Process stability was assessed using control charts, and the capability indices Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk (process capability; process capability adjusted for non-centered distribution; potential or global capability of the process; and potential process capability adjusted for non-centered distribution, respectively) were evaluated. 3TC dissolution data from 2013 revealed a non-centered process and lack of consistency compared to the other years, showing Cpk and Ppk lower than 1.0 and the chance of failure of 2,483 in 1,000,000 tablets. Dissolution data from 2015 showed process improvement, revealed by Cpk and Ppk equal to 2.19 and 1.99, respectively. Overall, the control charts and capability indices showed the variability of the process and special causes. Additionally, it was possible to point out the opportunities for process changes, which are fundamental for understanding and supporting a continuous improvement environment.

Proposal for application of overall equipment effectiveness indicator in a hot sauce company

The use of indicators within companies is highly relevant to help manage their processes. Particularly for equipment and machinery, the indicator of overall equipment efficiency (OEE) is commonly used with the objective of measuring equipment inefficiency and identify losses. This helps to foster an environment of continuous improvement that leads to increased productivity. During this investigation, an adapted methodology is used, which highlights the use of lean manufacturing techniques, from which our OEE metric is derived. The purpose is to know the efficiency of the equipment in order to take actions that help reduce the waste presented in a production line of a hot sauce company. This article will contribute to the promotion of the use of new tools that lead to continuous improvement, since our intention is to simplify the way the company visualizes its problems, which will lead to finding solutions in a faster and more objective way.

DIGITAL CULTURE AS AN INNOVATIVE COMPONENT OF A TEACHER'S PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

Professional activity in the digital environment is an integral component of modern life in Industry 4.0. The success of the formation of digital competence of an individual in modern realities is largely determined by the level of digital culture of a teacher himself as a translator of the values of the digital society. In this regard, the problem of the research can be formulated as follows: what are the theoretical approaches to substantiating the category of "digital culture" in modern pedagogical discourse? The purpose of the research is to reveal the essence of the concept of "digital culture" as an actual pedagogical category. The research methods used are analysis, synthesis, differentiation, description. The results of the study are based on the analysis and synthesis of derivatives of the definition of "digital culture". Theoretical approaches to the content of the concept of "digital culture" as an innovative component of the teacher's professional activity have been presented; the concept of "digital culture" has been clarified; the basic components of a teacher's digital culture have been proposed. The key conclusions are the following: derivatives of the definition of "digital culture" are "digital literacy", "digital competence", ICT culture; The digital culture of a teacher is understood as the formation of the necessary skills for successful functioning in mixed reality, including the skills of safe and effective work with content, communication with other users in the electronic educational environment, search and consumption of information, continuous improvement, motivational and value attitude to the digital service, providing ergonomic functioning in the new digital educational space; the basic components of a teacher's digital culture are: digital literacy, ICT competencies, motivational-value attitude.

Lean six sigma in the healthcare sector: A systematic literature review

Healthcare is a very important sector as our lives depend on it. During the novel corona virus pandemic, it was evident that our healthcare organizations still lack in terms of efficiency and productivity. Especially in the developing nations, the problems were much bigger. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a methodology which when implemented in an organization, helps to increase the process capability and the efficiency, by reducing the defects and wastes. The present study systematically reviews the research studies conducted on LSS in the healthcare sector. It was found that comparatively less studies are focused on improving the medical processes, most of the studies targeted the management processes. Moreover, lesser number of studies were being conducted for developing nations, but now it seems that the focus of research scholars has shifted towards the developing nations also. But it was observed that the studies in these nations were majorly empirical in nature, very few studies were conceptual or exploratory. There is a need for guiding healthcare professionals on creating a continuous improvement environment, which sustains the improvements achieved after LSS implementation.

Preparing historically underrepresented trainees for biomedical cancer research careers at Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah Health

ABSTRACT Given the well-documented inequities in health care outcomes by race, ethnicity, and gender, many health career pipeline programs have focused on supporting the development of a diverse and inclusive workforce. The State of Utah, is vast, but sparsely populated outside the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. More than 96% of our nearly 85,000 square miles is designated rural (<100 people/square mile) or frontier (<7 people/square mile). The Salt Lake City area is home to the Hunsman Cancer Institute, the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region, also noted the limited diversity in the biomedical cancer research workforce. Our primary objective was to increase the number of underrepresented trainees who pursue higher education with the goal of a career in cancer research. PathMaker is a regional, competitive pipeline program that nurtures high school or undergraduate trainees from historically underrepresented backgrounds towards a career in cancer research. Our faculty and staff team collaboratively developed a cohort model curriculum that increased student awareness of research career options; provided academic and professional development, cultural and social support, evolutionary success strategies, active mentorship, and leadership skill development; and fostered an environment of continuous evaluation and improvement. Since pilot program initiation in May 2016, the PathMaker Research Program (PathMaker) has engaged a total of 44 underrepresented trainees in cancer research labs at Huntsman Cancer Institute, the majority still in college. Eleven trainees graduated college: five employed in STEM, one pursuing a PhD in STEM; two in medical school, and three are lost to follow-up. Alumni report high levels of satisfaction with PathMaker and will be followed and supported for academic success. PathMaker is a replicable model to increase diversity and inclusion in the biomedical cancer research workforce.

Software Development and CSCW

Identifying which agile methods and processes are most effective depends on the goals and aims of an organisation. Agile development promotes an environment of continuous improvement and trust within self-organising teams. Therefore, it is important to allow teams to have the flexibility to customize and tailor their chosen methods. However, in a large-scale agile deployment, there needs to be a degree of process standardization across the organisation; otherwise, different teams will not be able to effectively share knowledge and best practices. This paper addresses the classic CSCW issue of the tensions that arise between process standardization and flexibility in a large-scale agile development through a case study at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Twenty Years Later: Creating a Continuous Improvement Environment for Electrical Safety

This paper discusses demonstrated results from the electrical safety improvement strategy documented in the paper, Creating a Continuous Improvement Environment for Electrical Safety, presented at the 1992 IEEE Industry Applications Society Petroleum and Chemical Industry Conference. Two of the original authors present this follow-up paper with a critique of the continuous improvement strategy outlined in the original paper and discussion of lessons learned from its implementation. The paper shows how this strategy is aligned with leading edge developments in advanced safety management of hazards with high potential for fatality and includes a discussion on applying this strategy to these other hazards.

The opportunity and strategy for quality and health-system improvement now and in the future.

Since 2004, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) has played a leadership role in linking funding to quality of care, and in using evidence and administrative and clinical data to drive performance and quality improvement. This article describes how CCO has used its cancer and renal health system strategies to establish an environment of continuous health system improvement. The article also describes how CCO's Corporate Strategy is driving organizational improvement: evolving CCO's capacity and capability to drive quality and value across healthcare settings, and its ability to advance broader health system transformation in support of cancer and renal patients.

Experimental evidence for the effects of a continuous improvement environment versus a mechanical environment on routines based on conscientiousness

This research states that a continuous improvement environment (CIE), unlike a mechanical one, may help workers to voluntarily incorporate new routines based on conscientiousness. Moreover, these routines could help humans to improve themselves in some key character traits related to worker performance. A laboratory experiment in a simulated pen factory was carried out. Participants were categorised into two treatments: a CIE and a mechanical work environment. The results show that new routines based on conscientiousness were incorporated by all participants, both with low and high conscientiousness levels. Therefore, important implications about the effect of a CIE in the improvement of personality traits could be deduced. The result is relevant for explaining a cross-interaction between a CIE and personal habits based on conscientiousness. Therefore, firms have to think about job designs with conscientiousness requirements, namely competence, order, dutifulness, achievement-striving, self-discipline and deliberation using CIE as a means.

Evaluating performance of engineering departments in an Indian University using DEMATEL and compromise ranking methods

Performance efficiency of educational institutions should be constantly scrutinized and improved to make sure that competent manpower and researchers are produced proficiently in meeting the institutional standard of intellectuals. With a systematic performance evaluation system, resources can be directed satisfactorily and tasks may be completed effectively. Performance evaluation and ranking of engineering departments of technical institutions have received very limited attention due to complexity and difficulty in measuring the outputs. However, in today’s global education system, performance evaluation of engineering departments is required to assess whether they meet the set objectives and foster an environment of continuous improvement. So, the objective of this paper is set to develop a multi-criteria decision-making framework for performance evaluation and ranking of 16 engineering departments in an Indian university which addresses the inter-relationships between the selection criteria with the aid of decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method while building a relationship structure. Entropy method is used to determine the relative criteria weights, and finally, a compromise ranking method is applied to prioritize and rank those departments. It is observed that Electrical Engineering department emerges out as the best performer and Information Technology department lags behind in its performance. Based on analytical results, faculty/student ratio, infrastructural development, student results and international research publications are identified to play major roles in evaluating the performance of those departments. This integrated model can help practitioners to improve their decision-making process, especially when criteria are numerous and interrelated. Its relevance and implementation issues in context of Indian engineering education scenario are also discussed.

Evaluating the Quality of Tourism and Hotels Academic Departments (Case Study on Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, University of Sadat City)

Measuring the quality of academic departments received little attention due to their complex nature, lack of clear-cut quality standards and difficulty to measure their outputs. However, identifying the Standards for Program Accreditation can help measuring the performance of academic departments and assess whether they meet their set objectives and foster an environment of continuous improvement. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the quality of tourism and hotels academic departments utilizing the Standards for Program Accreditation launched by NQAAE. An instrument for measuring the quality of programs in tourism and hotels was developed from these standards and used to assess the quality of tourism and hotels academic departments in the faculty of Tourism and Hotels, University of Sadat City as a case study. Results revealed that both programs need more efforts to be put to fill the gaps in two dimensions of quality standards; the program management and the educational effectiveness.

TQM journey of an Indian milk‐producing cooperative

PurposeThis paper seeks to focus on the TQM journey of MilkFed, a major milk‐producing cooperative in the state of Punjab in Northern India. It aims to demonstrate how TQM principles have been used to create an organisation‐wide environment of continuous improvement in a cooperative sector organisation that spread into tradition and ways of doing business in spite of facing numerous challenges.Design/methodology/approachMilkFed hired Punjab Technical University's School of TQM and Entrepreneurship (PGSTE) to create an organisation‐wide system of continuous improvement. PGSTE consultants prepared a road‐map for TQM implementation. In the first phase, 14 teams comprising 76 senior/middle level executives (one team from each of Milkfed's 14 plants/units) were trained in the structured application of TQM principles and the project‐by‐project improvement through a series of workshops. Each team implemented an improvement project, which was facilitated by the consultants.FindingsMilkFed has saved USD 0.89 million per annum which amounted to more than 25 per cent of its net profit. There is a tremendous scope for multiplying the gains through horizontal deployment of learning across various plants and units. Intangible benefits included transformation in attitude of employees, creation of team culture, breakdown of departmental silos and tremendous improvement in labour‐management relations.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates that the project‐by‐project approach used in conjunction with the basic 7 QC tools is an excellent approach for building a culture of continuous improvement. It has many important lessons for organisations, which are starting their quality improvement journey.

Facilitating reflective supervision in an early child development center.

Reflective supervision (RS) has not been a tradition in most early child development settings. The infant mental health consultant, in successfully implementing RS, helps to articulate and affirm some basic values necessary for a community of reflective practice. These emphasize (a) participating in an environment of continuous learning and improvement and (b) engaging in an ongoing commitment to professionalism. Sets of dimensions of RS, therefore, include sharing and learning, emotional support and dealing with vulnerability, and systems sensitivity. Issues for RS training involve using yourself as a tool and learning about the science of being with others.

Maintenance audit by means of value analysis technique and decision rules

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that the increase in competitiveness in relation to requirements regarding quality, availability, safety and service has contributed to demonstrating the need to change the concept of maintenance from a tactical issue to a strategic subject in companies. In order to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the maintenance area, it is essential to carry out an audit that detects and diagnoses the problems that could develop, provides solutions to these dysfunctions and adapts the function of maintenance to the specifications of the standard ISO 9001.Design/methodology/approachA maintenance audit is applied to a service company. The methodology applied to design the audit is based on the integration of the weighting technique Simple Multiple Attribute Rating Technique (SMART), the value analysis technique (applied generally to new product design) and an expert system based on rules. The SMART technique provides the weighting between the functions related to sections of the bank entity and through value analysis the limit values for states of functions for each section and the current value for functions of the bank entity can be obtained. By means of decision rules the previous values are interconnected using different first and second level variables to establish the state of the maintenance activities by sections.FindingsThe expert system simulates the behaviour of a human expert specializing in the area, by means of numerous rules and relations between different variables associated with the specific maintenance functions, in order to obtain the maintenance state by sections and the general maintenance state of the bank.Originality/valueThe development of a maintenance audit in a service company, where the number of contributions is very limited, in comparison with manufacturing companies, is presented. Also presented is the integration of decision‐making tools such as the weighting technique SMART with the value analysis technique and rule‐based expert system to create a maintenance audit. The maintenance audit developed can be applied in the context of a continuous improvement environment.

Using an applied learning centre as a vehicle for culture change

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a learning centre can be designed as a transformational vehicle to align the culture with the organization's mission and vision to achieve competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachIn the setting of international clinical development in a major pharmaceutical company, this paper first describes the change strategy and tactics used in designing a learning centre. Then, the overall framework for integrating learning into day‐to‐day work is described as well as the specific methods used for bringing about this integration.FindingsThe patient‐centered approach and continuous learning and improvement environment result in exploring, managing, and mitigating risks and optimizing benefits to the patient. Clearly, this change strategy is pivotal to achieving the company mission, and it enables international clinical development to exceed industry standards.Originality/valueThe paper shows how to design and implement a learning centre as a vehicle for culture change.

Business values in the health sector

As a nurse studying for an MBA, I disagree with Stephen Wright (letters November 24) that business approaches have no place in the NHS. Business is about more than just profit. An example of where the health sector can and has adapted business values is in quality management and excellence, the underlying values of which create an environment of continuous learning and improvement for patients and staff.