Exploring the use of operational excellence methodologies in the era of COVID-19: perspectives from leading academics and practitioners

McDermott, Olivia; Antony, Jiju; Douglas, Alex

doi:10.1108/tqm-01-2021-0016

Cited by 41 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…, 2019). Quality professionals were contacted via LinkedIn to participate in this study through emails and the LinkedIn personal messaging system (McDermott et al. , 2021; Sony et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Dillman approach was utilised in this survey research, which is designed to increase survey response rates (Dillman et al, 2009) allowed for increased contact with potential participants who were quality professionals (Stokes et al, 2019). Quality professionals were contacted via LinkedIn to participate in this study through emails and the LinkedIn personal messaging system (McDermott et al, 2021;Sony et al, 2020). A pilot study was conducted during the survey development process to ensure the design and approach was appropriate.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Critical failure factors for continuous improvement methodologies in the Irish MedTech industry

McDermott

Antony

Sony

et al. 2022

TQM

Self Cite

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PurposeThe main objective of this study is to investigate what are the critical success factors that exist for continuous improvement (CI) methodology deployment in the Irish medical technology (MedTech) industry. The research will, in particular, seek to establish if the highly regulated nature of the global MedTech industry is an additional critical failure factor (CFF) for the deployment of CI methodology. The study involves the analysis of the benefits, challenges, CFFs and tools most utilised for the application to the deployment of CI methodologies in the Irish medical device (MD) industry.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey was utilised in this study. The main participants were made up of senior quality professionals working in operational excellence, quality consultants, quality directors, quality engineers, quality managers and quality supervisors working in both manufacturing and service sectors from Irish MD companies. A total of 94 participants from the Irish MedTech industry responded to the survey.FindingsThe main finding of this study is that 42% of participants perceived that a highly regulated environment was a CFF to CI, whilst 79% of respondents utilised Lean Six Sigma in their organisations, and productivity and financial factors were found to be the highest reasons for CI deployment amongst the Irish MedTech industry. The top CFFs highlighted for CI in regulated industries were fear of extra validation activity, compliance versus quality culture and a regulatory culture of being “safe”. Another relevant finding presented in this paper is that just over 48% of participants felt that CI tools are very strongly integrated into the industries quality management systems (QMSs) such as the corrective and preventative action system, non-conformance and audit systems.Research limitations/implicationsAll data collected in the survey came from professionals working for Irish indigenous and multinational MedTech companies. It is important to highlight that n = 94 is a low sample size, which is enough for a preliminary survey but reinforcing the limitation in terms of generalisation of the results. A further study on a wider European and global scale as well as a comparison with the highly regulated pharma industry would be informative.Originality/valueThe authors understand that this is the very first research focussed on the CFFs for CI in the MedTech/MD manufacturing industry with a specific focus on the highly regulated nature of the industry as a potential CFF. The results of this study represent an important first step towards a full understanding of the applicability and use of CI in the medical-device-manufacturing industries on a global scale.

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“…, 2019). Quality professionals were contacted via LinkedIn to participate in this study through emails and the LinkedIn personal messaging system (McDermott et al. , 2021; Sony et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical failure factors for continuous improvement methodologies in the Irish MedTech industry

McDermott

Antony

Sony

et al. 2022

TQM

Self Cite

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“…By integrating the idea of operational excellence into the pandemic process, it ensures to be prepared for these events. In particular, Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA) which is an LSS tool can be used to improve and evaluate the risk of Covid-19 (McDermott et al , 2021).…”

Section: Lean Six Sigma In Covid-19 For Crisis Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Models based on artificial intelligence can be created to predict the results. At least one of these methods can be successful (McDermott et al , 2021).…”

Section: Lean Six Sigma In Covid-19 For Crisis Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

An integrated spherical fuzzy AHP multi-criteria method for Covid-19 crisis management in regarding lean six sigma

Demir

Turan²

2021

IJLSS

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Purpose The Covid-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in many businesses. A difficult process has been experienced for businesses caught unprepared for this situation. The purpose of the study, the difficulties experienced in the business have been mapped in terms of crisis management. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, crisis management strategies have been discussed in terms of lean six sigma (LSS) strategies. Afterward, LSS strategies have been weighted with the spherical fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method, which has been recently introduced to the literature (Gündogdu and Kahraman, 2020). While weighting has been done with the spherical fuzzy AHP method, three experts in the field of LSS at the master blackbelt level have been studied. Findings The Covid-19 process has caused the usual processes of businesses to change. Businesses do not have enough time to adapt their business processes in the Covid-19 process. To eliminate waste and time in the Covid-19 process, the lean methodology was used. At the same time, quality deficiencies have been tried to be eliminated with the six sigma methodology. Therefore, the six sigma methodology and lean techniques should be considered together. With LSS, the adaptation of this process has been wanted to be accelerated. In this context, the criteria in the Covid-19 process were prioritized and losses were reduced in accordance with the LSS methodology. In this study, the most important criterion during the covid-19 pandemic has been determined as “responding to the changing needs of customers” and the least important criterion has been determined as “communication with stakeholders in enterprises.” Research limitations/implications This study has been applied the Covid-19 pandemics. So, it has been evaluated related to these specific criteria. Practical implications Covid-19 crisis management was examined for the first time within the scope of the LSS methodology. The criteria in the Covid-19 process were determined by six sigma expert master black belts. For the first time, spherical fuzzy AHP, one of the multi-criteria decision methods, has been applied to the Covid-19 process. Originality/value This study has been aimed to create a roadmap to apply LSS steps in businesses against a possible second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this context, it is thought that the study will fill the following gaps in the literature: Covid-19 crisis management was examined for the first time within the scope of LSS methodology. The criteria in the Covid-19 process were determined by six sigma expert master black belts. For the first time, spherical fuzzy AHP, one of the multi-criteria decision methods, has been applied to the Covid-19 process.

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“…With our proposition and model we identify research opportunities which include the exploration of physical and information systems, the evaluation of risks, and the coordination of efforts between the industry and the government [42], [43]. In this case, lean principles coud be used to show how the flow of inventory and information can be improved by coordinating teams [44]. We also highlight the imperative of close involvement of government, health sector, private industry, and the military in making the systems resilient.…”

Section: Lessonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supply Chain Management and Resilience During Disruption. Evaluation of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Supply of Personal Protective Equipment

Cuvero

Pilkington

Barnes

2021

2021 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM)

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Covid-19 stressed supply for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) [1]. Lean practices have traditionally been proven to support stability in most operations [2], however, the pandemic highlighted concerns regarding lean system resilience in healthcare [2], [5], [6].In this paper we evaluate supply chain resilience in the provision of PPE for medical staff in the United Kingdom through a content analysis of online government documents and press releases using a three-phase model: proactive, concurrent, and reactive.We propose a framework for future work on risk management approaches seeking to mitigate the effects of pandemic style disruption resulting from our emerging themes which include the identification and appreciation of critical suppliers, the location of warehouses and distribution centers and the impact of rapid restructuring of healthcare systems.A key recurrent theme is the need to integrate information and collaboration between government and the private sector and our data suggests that contrary to many beliefs, lean approaches are a valid tool.

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Exploring the use of operational excellence methodologies in the era of COVID-19: perspectives from leading academics and practitioners

Cited by 41 publications

References 36 publications

Critical failure factors for continuous improvement methodologies in the Irish MedTech industry

Critical failure factors for continuous improvement methodologies in the Irish MedTech industry

An integrated spherical fuzzy AHP multi-criteria method for Covid-19 crisis management in regarding lean six sigma

Supply Chain Management and Resilience During Disruption. Evaluation of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Supply of Personal Protective Equipment

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