Framework For Continuous Improvement Research Articles

The role of the six sigma method in controlling and improving product quality

The Six Sigma method has been proven effective in industry for reducing process variability, increasing customer satisfaction, and optimizing operational efficiency. This research aims to analyze the role of the Six Sigma method as a systematic approach in controlling and improving product quality. This research uses qualitative methods with descriptive methods. The results of this research reveal that the application of the Six Sigma Method in controlling and improving product quality has a significant positive impact. Controlling process variability, focusing on customer satisfaction, and using statistical methods in data analysis have succeeded in increasing product consistency, building customer loyalty, and providing a strong basis for fact-based decision making. Implementation of the DMAIC concept provides a structured framework for continuous improvement, while cross-functional employee involvement creates a work environment that supports collaboration and innovation.

Methodological Framework for Sustainable Transport Corridor Modeling Using Petri Nets

Current models for evaluating sustainable transport corridors often lack a comprehensive framework capturing the multifaceted performance measures vital for holistic assessment especially at the early stages of operation, when detailed information on the performance indicators of these transport corridors is not available. This gap motivates a Petri net-based modeling approach that integrates key sustainability indicators into a flexible simulation tool. This paper details a versatile methodology harnessing Petri nets, specifically Evaluation Petri nets (E-Nets), to assess corridor sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The proposed framework equips planners and policymakers to explore diverse green corridor configurations under varying conditions. Case studies showcase the model’s capabilities in analyzing real-world corridors, identifying performance bottlenecks, and comparing alternative solutions. The model provides a practical decision-support tool to strengthen strategies for efficient, socially responsible, and environmentally sound transport infrastructure. This research advances the theoretical foundations and demonstrates the practical value of Petri nets as an enabling methodology for modeling the intricate dynamics of sustainable transport corridors. This paper demonstrates how E-Nets provide a visual and quantitative representation of transport operations, enabling stakeholders to identify inefficiencies and potential improvements. This paper discusses the theoretical underpinnings of the E-Net modeling of transport corridors, the advantages and limitations of its application, and suggests avenues for future research to enhance the model’s predictive power and real-world application. The paper concludes that the E-Net approach is a scalable, adaptable tool that can significantly con-tribute to the sustainable development of international transport corridors, providing a framework for continuous improvement in alignment with global sustainability objectives.

Enterprise management, enterprise culture and production process on product quality in the food industry: Basis for product quality continuous improvement framework

Enterprise management, enterprise culture and production process on product quality in the food industry: Basis for product quality continuous improvement framework

Worker Well-Being: A Continuous Improvement Framework

Worker Well-Being: A Continuous Improvement Framework

Service quality, customer satisfaction and retention: Basis for logistic companies continuous improvement framework

Service quality, customer satisfaction and retention: Basis for logistic companies continuous improvement framework

A Roadmap for the Design, Operation and Monitoring of Renewable Energy Communities in Italy

Renewable energy communities (RECs) aim at achieving economic, environmental, and social benefits for members and for society. This paper presents a roadmap for the design, operation, and monitoring of renewable energy communities in Italy, fundamental to guide and orient any stakeholder involved in the decision-making process of a REC. The roadmap is inspired by the Deming Cycle, also known as Plan-Do-Check-Act, which provides a framework for continuous improvement and standardization of the procedures. To demonstrate the practical application of the roadmap, a real case study is presented for Italian energy communities, making full adoption of data derived from official databases and using a real urban district as a case study. The findings of phase I in the “do” stage of the roadmap indicate that the REC could lead to a decrease in carbon emissions of roughly 38% and could support 51 to 67 families through REC’s revenues, depending on the installed PV capacity. Furthermore, both physical self-consumption and virtual self-consumption schemes assist in the sustainable transition of the built environment, where consumers have a significant impact on the electrical markets. Therefore, these results validate the roadmap’s effectiveness in promoting an informed design and implementation of RECs while guiding energy, social, and political decisions.

A Comprehensive Model for Developing SME Net Zero Capability Incorporating Grey Literature

SMEs collectively account for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions and so there is a need for urgent action to be taken by SMEs in the journey to achieve net zero. In this article, we provide a comprehensive conceptual framework for SMEs to draw from in the journey towards net zero by synthesizing the academic and grey literature. By bringing together key strands of the literature, we derive a conceptual model that provides a clear pathway for SMEs to embark on their net zero journeys. The framework we invent involves understanding the position of the SME in the value chain, understanding the pressures from stakeholders, undertaking greenhouse gas accounting to measure current levels of carbon emissions, undertaking internal changes towards the net zero agenda, undertaking external facing changes towards the net zero agenda, uncoupling, community participation, and updating business activities regularly. This model acts as a progressive decision-making and continuous improvement framework that will be an asset to SMEs as they undertake net zero activities. Overall, the paper contributes to the sustainability literature by being the first to synthesize the academic and grey literature to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework for SMEs to attain net zero.

Framework for Integrating Productive, Contributory, and Noncontributory Work with Safe and Unsafe Acts and Conditions.

It is common for companies that are in the process of implementing the Last Planner System (LPS) journey to attempt an increase in productive work and a reduction in waste, such as contributory and noncontributory work. Even though the LPS has proven to have a synergy with the health and safety requirements, companies with deficient health and safety management systems tend to classify work involving substandard acts or conditions as standard, and then pretend to benchmark against other companies that are indeed performing safe work. The following work introduces a framework to simultaneously register and analyze productive, contributory, and noncontributory work, with the substandard acts and conditions in a construction site, allowing for the measurement of production and health & safety indicators simultaneously. In the absence of technology that automatically captures these indicators, it is proposed that simultaneous measurements be made through direct inspections and photo and video recording by means of a handheld camera. The proposed continuous improvement framework follows the steps indicated below: (1) defining the productive, contributory, and noncontributory work with surveys performed on the most representative stakeholders of the industry; (2) proposing a new classification of production and safety work; (3) assessing the level of application of the LPS in the company; (4) measuring the indicators; (5) improving the use of the LPS and performing new measurements; (6) statistically linking deadly, serious, and minor accidents, standard and substandard acts, standard and substandard conditions, and productive, contributory, and noncontributory work. This framework was applied to a case study of a building project in Lima and the results were improved simultaneous indicators, especially the health and safety indicators. Automated classification of productive and nonproductive work using technology still represents a challenge.

Parental involvement in postoperative pain management among children in a urology ward: A best practice implementation project.

Postoperative pain has adverse effects on children with urological problems, including sleep disturbances, incision dehiscence, bleeding and delayed recovery. Accurate parental assessment of children's behaviours and responses could help to manage postoperative pain. We aimed to implement evidence-based practice for parental involvement in a urology ward, to increase parents' participation in children's postoperative pain management. The project was conducted in a paediatric urology ward using the framework and methods of the Fudan University Evidence-Based Nursing Center's Evidence-based Continuous Quality Improvement Model. Fifteen audit criteria were used to represent best practice recommendations for parental involvement in postoperative pain management. A pre-implementation audit was conducted with 211 randomly sampled children and parents. Obstacles, promoting factors and key strategies were analysed, and evidence-based interventions implemented to improve compliance. A follow-up audit using the same audit criteria was conducted with 202 children and parents to assess the effect of targeted strategies on compliance with best practice. The SQUIRE guidelines were followed. At the baseline audit, compliance with the evidence-based criteria was 0%-71.5%; only five audit criteria achieved a compliance rate > 60%. After best practice implementation, the follow-up audit showed compliance improvements for all criteria; compliance for three criteria improved to 100%. This best practice implementation project improved parents' participation in children's postoperative pain management. The findings demonstrate how audits can promote best practice in postoperative pain management for children. Additional studies will be conducted to address children's postoperative life quality based on best practice.

Geospatial analysis of patients' social determinants of health for health systems science and disparity research.

Geospatial analysis of patients' social determinants of health for health systems science and disparity research.

Implementation of Recommendations Results Post-Accreditation of Health Centers in Sumenep Regency Towards Pall Accreditation

Health development is an integral and most important part of national development. Puskesmas is a leading service unit and can directly reach the community, carry out health services. Accreditation aims to assess the quality system and service system in Puskesmas and other First Level Health Service Facilities. Puskesmas are required to be able to guarantee quality improvement, performance improvement and the implementation of risk management that is carried out on an ongoing basis, so it is necessary to carry out an assessment through an accreditation mechanism. The Guluk Guluk Health Center in Sumenep Regency has carried out the Accreditation process 2 times, namely in 2016 with Basic Accredited status and 2019 Plenary Accredited. From this, this research was carried out with the title Implementation of Recommendations Results of Post-Accreditation of Health Centers in Sumenep Regency Towards Plenary Accreditation. The purpose of this study was to explore the implementation of the recommendations of the Post-Accreditation of Puskesmas in Sumenep Regency towards Plenary accreditation. The thematics are categorized and are Follow-up Planning, Implementation of Recommendations, Implementation Checks and Implementation Improvements. The results of the study indicate that the Guluk Guluk Health Center has tried to make recommendations from the Accreditation Commission in the framework of continuous quality improvement.

A Study To Prioritize Emerging Areas Of Concern In Patient Safety- A Systematic Review

Background: Patient safety is a global concern despite advancements in healthcare systems, as adverse events continue to impact mortality and morbidity rates. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to prioritize emerging areas of concern in patient safety, aiming to identify and understand the evolving challenges that healthcare systems face. Methods: A search strategy was developed using 117 databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Keywords included “Patient Safety”, “Patient harm”, “Adverse event”, “Challenges in Patient Safety”, and “Ad-vancement in Patient Safety”. Results: The paper concludes by advocating for “High-Quality health sys-tems” in developing nations, stressing the importance of a comprehensive approach to healthcare. It calls for standardized tools to capture patient harm, a learning health framework for continuous improvement, and urges policymakers to facilitate information sharing through a public coor-dination center. Conclusions: Targeted surveillance and interventions are essential for rec-ognizing progress and avoiding reliability issues. High-quality health sys-tems are needed to improve health outcomes in developing nations, emphasizing thorough assessment, accurate diagnosis, timely treatment, and access to necessary facilities.

Organisational learning and sustainability of service-based firms: a canonical correlation analysis

Organizations commit to internal practices such as organizational learning (OL) to achieve competitive advantage. Due to the frail knowledge processes in service-based organizations and the dearth of empirical research specifying the role of OL in institutional sustainability (IS), this study examined OL and IS settings in quantity surveying consultancy (QSC) firms and investigated the latent association between OL and IS. Data from a questionnaire survey of 226 registered quantity surveyors in QSC firms in Nigeria were analyzed using multivariate approaches. The findings show that the effective models of OL in QSCs are information technology-enabled practice, literature guidance, mentoring and competitive benchmarking. Practice internalization, promoting career/welfare advancement, expanding services and having rational commissions are likewise, priority indicators of IS in QSC. A cluster of OL practices was strongly correlated positively with IS, IS performance also altered directly with OL, while variations in OL are projected to govern IS. Planned OL practices, therefore, fortify the firms’ capability to internationalized practice, expand services and secure a rational commission as the hallmarks of business continuity in the professional service-based sector. Sustainable QSCs must embed and maintain a structured learning framework for continuous improvement of human capital to be able to innovate towards IS.

A Framework for Continuous Improvement in Supply Chain Management Education

As the industry of supply chain recovers from surging demand, educational elements that prepare graduates to successfully enter and sustain positions in management are more valuable than ever. The evolution of the supply chain continues to introduce new ways to improve purchasing, logistics, and production, which are all essential aspects in Integrated Supply Management and the education associated to prepare graduates. Promoting live experimentation using the universally accepted framework for continuous improvement, known as the A3 process, allows leaders in education to emphasize the importance on the contributing qualities to supply management. Student reports and presentations translate the grasp on fundamental concepts from the classroom and practices application with projects designed within successful organizations. It is shown from the research at Western Michigan University that graduates are more prepared to meet the success standard that employers are looking for by gaining real-world experience in one of the required management courses within the carefully designed curriculum. This paper reflects on how qualities associated with continuous improvement education sync to the current business needs of the industry and describes the hands-on experimentation process that all Western Michigan University Integrated Supply Management majors must complete to gain the industry experience that is required to be job ready upon graduation.

A framework for continuous improvement of the IT acquisition process at Brazilian federal public organisations: an action-research study

A framework for continuous improvement of the IT acquisition process at Brazilian federal public organisations: an action-research study

Quality Cost Account as a Framework of Continuous Improvement at Operational and Strategic Level

Quality Cost Account as a Framework of Continuous Improvement at Operational and Strategic Level

Gamification in the Learning of Mathematics in University Students

In the framework of continuous improvement of university education, the corresponding bodies are attentive to the good practices detached by the agents that comprise them. In this study, gamification in the mathematics learning process is described from the perspective of 286 students identified by non-probabilistic intentional sampling. Under these arguments, the methodology of the study is non-experimental, descriptive ex-post-facto level; the data for the analysis were collected in two stages: first moment in an instantaneous way to be able to perceive directly the gamification in the learning of mathematics through the Mentimenter tool; in second moment, the questionnaire was applied with 33 items composed of three dimensions: dynamics, mechanics and component from the contributions of Kevin Werbach. The results attributed to the study show that gamification, from the student's perspective, is a dynamic tool for the learning of previous concepts of Basic Mathematics and Mathematical Complements in the first academic semesters; in addition, the teacher plays the role of facilitator and the student responsibly manages his space and learning environment.

Supporting evidence-informed policy making in rehabilitation: A logic framework for continuous improvement of rehabilitation programs

Because of important health and population trends, rehabilitation is a key health strategy of the 21st century, and efforts are being made towards a broader integration of rehabilitation into health systems worldwide. In the scope of the call for action Rehabilitation 2030, WHO recommends a logic model approach for monitoring and evaluating national efforts at the systems level. In this paper we argue that as strengthening rehabilitation in health systems will require countries to implement a range of new programs, sound logic models designed to monitor and evaluate rehabilitation programs at service level are needed as well. We therefore propose in this paper an overarching logic model for monitoring and evaluating rehabilitation programs, including feasible indicators, options for their operationalization and considerations about data analyses. Our overarching logic model for monitoring and evaluation at service level is suitable to structure national clinical quality management for continuous improvement, to inform policy making and programming at the national level, and to serve as a reference framework for research. The model will serve as a starting point for developing other logic models that fit specific features of rehabilitation programs in diverse settings and countries.

Useful paths for identifying Lean Six Sigma improvement opportunities

PurposeThe goal of this work is to clarify seven useful DMAIC Analyze phase options for developing process improvement opportunities required for successful projects.Design/methodology/approachUsing a scientific method problem solving structure, IO possibilities are shown to be predicted by rejecting a conceptual testable hypothesis.FindingsSeven analysis paths are identified that enable learners to develop multiple IO discovery strategies and to narrow tool selection options. Four benefit areas for identifying analysis paths are given: improved training, continuous improvement foundation, leadership support and framework clarification.Research limitations/implicationsAny starting list of analysis paths for developing IOs would be incomplete. The diversity of application experiences and tools will add to the current list.Practical implicationsLearners participating in LSS activities are aware of management's expectation that they will develop IOs to justify the LSS investment. Tool-focused training may leave some learners unclear about the multiple possible sources for IOs. Identifying useful analysis paths with associated tools for IO discovery will address any learner's Analyze phase uncertainty and facilitate expanded opportunities.Originality/valueAny successful LSS project must discover IOs to develop improvement actions. Clarifying IO discovery alternatives will encourage team brainstorming on Analyze phase investigative options. This framework identifying LSS improvement paths will assist practitioners in training and communicating with leadership and learners the range of approaches for developing improvement actions.

A Conceptual Continuous Improvement Framework to Examine the "Problems of Understanding" Applied Research

Objectives: Improving performance to meet strategic priorities, such as teaching balanced with increased applied research activities, has developed into a central, though contentious, discourse for faculty in Ontario colleges. The aim of this article is to analyze and better understand why faculty are not engaged in applied research practices. Method: This article draws from social cognition theory and a social constructivist perspective. The literature review examines the evolution of colleges in Ontario, including the political factors and symbolic artifacts that shape values and organizational practices. This study sought to explore how a conceptual continuous improvement (CI) framework might advance our understanding of the policy shifts between applied research discourses within Ontario colleges in Canada and barriers that faculty face to enact applied research practices. Results: Underpinned by a set of simple principles, including improving through communication, learning through collaboration, and changing through coordination, the conceptual CI processes and systematic method provide opportunities to bridge the different contexts and unveil the varied on-the-ground realities of faculty teaching and research tasks. Conclusions: The findings reveal developmental needs and adaptive institutional challenges related to applied research practice changes have been influenced by political, cultural, and socio-cognition contexts and tasks. Implication for Practice: The inventive conceptual CI framework provides a viable means to analyze the fragmented state of applied research practices across Ontario colleges, which may ignite conversations and inform decision-making as well as suggest approaches to change at other global postsecondary education institutions. The innovative conceptual CI framework analysis tool will be of interest to faculty, institutional leaders, faculty unions, and policymakers.