Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an approach based on the thinking process of the theory of constraints (TP–TOC) to support decision-makers, managers and professionals of health to diagnose and improve healthcare systems focusing on the service quality deployed to patients. Design/methodology/approach A case study was developed in a SUS-affiliated philanthropic hospital in southern Brazil, through the analysis of its ED processes and application of the TP–TOC. The Current Reality Tree and the Evaporating Cloud tools of the TOC were used to identify the root causes (RC) and their connections with undesirable effects. Findings The analysis of this case helped to understand and identify the causes of the current problems in the analyzed processes related to internal management and external causes. The proposed approach allowed the hospital team to progress in the understanding of such causes in a sequential manner, giving conditions to apport different perceptions and to identify relevant facets and causes related to the problem. The research provided a systemic and an integrated vision of the losses in the organizational processes and indicated the steps to be prioritized in order to eliminate such losses. Originality/value The paper proposed an approach that allowed the systematic and systemic analysis of organizational processes through the application of the TP–TOC. The recognition of the existence of RC responsible for processes losses represents an excellent opportunity for improvement because it allows managers to focus their efforts on the more productive areas.

RESUMOO objetivo deste artigo é analisar os impactos da implantação do TPC (Tambor-Pulmão-Corda), descrevendo as desvantagens observadas antes desta modificação, bem como os benefícios obtidos após as mudanças. O método de pesquisa foi o estudo de caso único, efetuado em uma empresa pertencente ao polo moveleiro de Bento Gonçalves localizado no Rio Grande do Sul. Entre os resultados obtidos com a pesquisa, evidenciaram-se os processos da empresa, o espaço físico, o transporte de peças entre setores e o sequenciamento da produção, prévios a aplicação da metodologia. Constatou-se que a implantação de um sistema TPC foi essencial para que a melhoria dos processos fosse alcançada. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Indústria Moveleira, TPC, Tambor-Pulmão-Corda, Teoria das Restrições. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DRUM-BUFFER-ROPE LOGIC IN A COMPANY OF THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY ABSTRACTThe objective of this article is to analyze the impacts of implantation of DBR (Drum-Buffer-Rope), describing the disadvantages observed before the modification, as well as the benefits obtained after the changes. The research method was the single case study, accomplished in a company belonged to the Bento Gonçalves municipality (RS, Brazil) furniture center. Between the results achieved with the research, it was pointed out the company processes, the physical space, the transport of parts between departments and the sequencing of production previous to the methodology fulfillment. It was found that the implantation of a DBR system was essential to the improvement of process was achieved.

Water is an abundantly used input in industrial laundry processes. The reuse of water in effluent treatment plant reduces costs and brings environmental benefits, that is, an eco-efficiency factor. This study aims to analyze the practices of water reuse in industrial laundries on its effluent treatment plants. In this regard it was studied two medium-sized companies in the field of industrial laundries located in southern Brazil. The research method used was multiple case study. The results show the decrease in the polluting load with the water recycling process with consequent cost reduction. The application of technologies and substances used without harming the environment with the use of wet washing and dry cleaning has been observed. From the results, a vision of best practices is proposed found in water reuse benefits associated with the management of cleaner production in terms of eco-efficiency.

Resumo: O gerenciamento de Cadeias de Suprimento tem se mostrado cada vez mais importante para as indústrias, devido à necessidade de diferenciação competitiva. Um fator fortemente influenciado pelo relacionamento das empresas de uma cadeia são os níveis de estoque: estes têm um papel deveras importante nos ganhos e na competitividade de qualquer empresa, uma vez que interferem nos gastos, na capacidade de venda e na lucratividade. O objetivo deste trabalho é testar a aplicabilidade dos fundamentos da Teoria das Restrições -TOC, como alternativa para o gerenciamento dos estoques de matérias-primas. O método utilizado foi o estudo de caso aplicado em uma empresa fabricante de móveis estofados pertencente ao setor moveleiro da região da serra gaúcha. Os resultados mostram que alguns fundamentos da TOC são aplicáveis para o caso estudado nos diferentes tipos de materiais utilizados e que podem gerar retorno positivo.Palavras-chave: Gestão de estoque, teoria das restrições, rede de suprimentos.