Wyniki wyszukiwania - BazTech

1

Towards developing a decision making tool for technology and knowledge priorities

Takala J., Tilabi S.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2018

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Vol. 9, No. 3

33--40

EN

The main focus of this paper is to propose a method for prioritizing knowledge and technology factor of firms towards sustainable competitive advantage. The data has been gathered and analyzed from two high tech start-ups in which technology and knowledge play major role in company’s success. The analytical hierarchy model (AHP) is used to determine competitive priorities of the firms. Then knowledge and technology part of sense and respond questionnaire is used to calculate the variability coefficient i.e. the uncertainty caused by technology and knowledge factor. The proposed model is tested in terms of two start-ups. Based on the initial calculation of uncertainties, some improvement plan is proposed and the method is applied again to see if the uncertainty of knowledge and technology decreases. In both cases, the proposed model helped to have a clear and precise improvement plan and led in reduction of uncertainty.

2

The effects of R&D and innovation capabilities on the thai automotive industry part’s competitive advantage: a SEM approach

Chamsuk W., Fongsuwan W., Takala J.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2017

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Vol. 8, No. 1

101--112

EN

A structural equation model was used to verify both the direct and indirect influences on research and development and innovation capabilities that affect Thai automotive parts enterprises competitive advantage. Thailand’s automotive sector is a major driver of the economy with a multi-thousand network of both domestic and international companies contributing a significant amount to both domestic and Asian economic growth. After peaking in 2013 and reaching the Top 10 automotive nations, there has been a slide backwards. Competition is fierce and the pace of change ever quickening. Therefore, the researchers sought to determine how the automotive parts sector needed to improve in capability, skills and infrastructure to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage. From the structural equation model analysis of 220 regional automotive parts sector managers and use of AMOS software, it was determined that research and development combined with innovation plays key roles in the industry’s profitability and survivability. Additionally, there must be support across a wide sector of the economy, including universities, government agencies and institutions. Once championed as the ‘Detroit of Asia’, Thailand’s recognized success as a global automotive hub is a classic case of a well-executed industrial plan but that lead can potentially slip away without embracing new technologies and innovative thinking.

3

Decision making towards integration of sustainability into project management; a multilevel theory building approach

Daneshpour H., Takala J.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2017

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Vol. 8, No. 3

13--21

EN

In recent years project management has reached into a new paradigm because of integration of sustainability into the projects. The paper argues that multilevel approach is the key driver of successful sustainable project portfolio management. Hereby, this paper strives to underpin the theory and the logic behind the sustainable project management, while providing sustainable competitive advantages. Therefore, it develops an innovative multilevel framework, and analyses the current project management products and processes, and consequently presents a more holistic insight for the implementation of sustainability in project portfolio management.

4

Cluster and R&D affecting the competitive advantage of the mould and die sector in the Thai automotive industry

Fongsuwan W., Chamsuk W., Tawinunt K., Tiengtavaj S., Dansomboon S., Takala J.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2017

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Vol. 8, No. 4

3--12

EN

This study concerned clusters as well as research and development affecting the competitive advantage of the Thai automotive industry’s mould and die sector. The study of development, examination of the consistency of the structural equation model, and the direct influence of linkage and association of cluster, as well as research and development for competitive advantage of operational locations in the Thai automotive mould & die sector was carried out as well. Data was collected from 320 mould and die industry operators in Thailand with the goal of obtaining key information to align the business direction in response to market opportunities. An additional goal was to elevate the competitiveness of the Thai automotive mould and die industry toward positive growth and continual sustainability.

5

Which one to choose multi focus or trade-off among competitive priorities? Evidence from finnish SMEs

Timilsina B., Forsén N., Takala J., Malek N. A.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2016

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Vol. 7, No. 1

77--88

EN

This paper examines the relationship between business environment, competitiveness and firm performance considering a survey data from three consecutive years: 2013-2015. The comparative analysis showed that over these years business environment, competitiveness and firm performance of Finnish SMEs are slowly deteriorating. Results from correlation analysis revealed that business environment, competitiveness and firm performance are positively correlated. However, the relationships between these variables are not consistent in respect to competitive priorities indicating a dynamic nature of cost, quality, time, and flexibility dimensions. Besides these findings our analysis acknowledged that to improve firm performance, irrespective to the choice of competitive priority, SMEs should pay more attention to their competitiveness rather than blaming the business environment. The paper concludes that simultaneous use of competitive priority dimensions might be more favorable as a source of competitiveness and competitive advantage to improve firm performance. However, the managers are encouraged to compare the results, findings and concepts presented in this paper among themselves and comprehend the specific answer to the question posed in the title.

6

Sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) analysis of furniture manufacturers in malaysia: normalized scaled critical factor index (NSCFI) approach

Tasmin R., Takala J., Abu Bakr A. A., Shylina D., Nizialek D., Che Rusuli M. S.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2016

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Vol. 7, No. 2

73--85

EN

The purpose of this paper is to investigate Malaysian furniture industry via Sustainable competitive advantages (SCA) approach. In this case study, sense and respond method and Normalized Scaled Critical Factor Index (NSCFI) are used to specify the distribution of companies’ resources for different criteria and detect the attributes which are critical based on expectation and experience of companies’ employs. Moreover, this study evaluates Malaysian furniture business strategy according to manufacturing strategy in terms of analyzer, prospector and defender. Finally, SCA risk levels are presented to show how much company’s resource allocations support their business strategy. This case study involved four furniture manufacturing companies, in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia to provide the overall view of their strategies in the perspective of knowledge & technology management, processes & work flows, organizational, and information systems. Hence, the findings of this study presented the preliminary results from these furniture companies in Malaysia, which are involved in sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) studies in terms of expectation and experience, NSCFI, operational strategy triangle of prospector (P), defender (D), and analyzer (A). The result shows that almost all furniture companies are categorized into the Analyzer type strategy and planning to remain being Analyzer in future to come.

7

Management changes in MRO business through product lifecycle

Sivusuo J., Takala J.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2016

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Vol. 7, No. 3

87--93

EN

Nowadays organizations and entire industries have faced the challenges of globalization and rapid technological development. These changes have brought new kind of competition and it has shaped and mixed organizations traditional business logic. This research is based on multiple case studies where the focus is on management changes through product lifecycle management. Emphasis is on MRO (Maintenance, repair, overhaul) providers and how they implement dynamic capabilities through product life cycle management. MRO is abbreviation for Maintenance, repair and overhaul and it is a commonly used in Aerospace industry. The study identifies several products in various stages of the life-cycle and thus identify the essential changes related to management. The stages that study identifies are Learning phase, Productisation phase and PBL phase. These phases can be used for clarifying dynamic capabilities in MRO markets.

8

A framework for assessing the social and economic impact of sustainable investments

Räikkönen M., Kunttu S., Uusitalo T., Takala J., Shakeel S. R., Tilabi S., Forss T., Koivunen J.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2016

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Vol. 7, No. 3

79--86

EN

Investments towards sustainable development are vital for the future and they must be carefully planned to deliver immediate and long-term benefits. Hence, the ability to communicate the forms of impact of sustainable investments to local societies, people, investors and other stakeholders can provide a competitive advantage. However, the assessments are often under pressure to demonstrate short-term effects rather than emphasise the long-term impact. In addition, indirect and intangible forms of impacts should not be measured solely in economic terms. This paper proposes an assessment framework to support the integrated economic and social impact assessment of sustainable investments aimed at improving physical and socio-economic wellbeing. The framework is demonstrated in two case studies: new construction and renovation investments in affordable housing and social impact investment in sustainable development. The investments in the case studies are evaluated, selected and prioritized not only in terms of money but also with regard to sustainability, social acceptability and their overall impact on society, as a whole. The results indicate that a systematic integrated assessment of monetary and non-monetary factors can be successfully combined with the sustainable development decisions.

9

Evaluation and selection process of suppliers through analytical framework: an emprical evidence of evaluation tool

Imeri S., Shahzad K., Takala J., Liu Y, Sillanpää I., Ali T.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2015

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Vol. 6, No. 3

10--20

EN

The supplier selection process is very important to companies as selecting the right suppliers that fit companies strategy needs brings drastic savings. Therefore, this paper seeks to address the key area of supplies evaluation from the supplier review perspective. The purpose was to identify the most important criteria for suppliers’ evaluation and develop evaluation tool based on surveyed criteria. The research was conducted through structured questionnaire and the sample focused on small to medium sized companies (SMEs) in Greece. In total eighty companies participated in the survey answering the full questionnaire which consisted of questions whether these companies utilize some suppliers’ evaluation criteria and what criteria if any is applied. The main statistical instrument used in the study is Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Thus, the research has shown that the main criteria are: the attitude of the vendor towards the customer, supplier delivery time, product quality and price. Conclusions are made on the suitability and usefulness of suppliers’ evaluation criteria and in way they are applied in enterprises.

10

Analyzing sustainable competitive advantage: strategically managing resource allocations to achieve operational competitiveness

Malek N. A., Shahzad K., Takala J., Bojnec S., Papler D., Liu Y.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2015

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Vol. 6, No. 4

70--86

EN

In today’s dynamic business environment, a key challenge for all companies is to make adaptive adjustments to their manufacturing strategy. This study demonstrates the competitive priorities of manufacturing strategy in hydro-power case company to evaluate the level of sustainable competitive advantage and also to further analyze how business strategies are aligned with manufacturing strategies. This research is based on new holistic analytical evaluation of manufacturing strategy index, sense and respond, and sustainable competitive advantage models. These models help to describe, evaluate, and optimize resource allocation to meet the performance requirements in dynamic decision making. Furthermore, these models evaluate operational competitiveness for manufacturing strategies according to the multi-criteria priority. The results show that the adjustments of competitive priorities in manufacturing strategies by implementing the proposed holistic analytical models are helpful in strategically managing business operations. The discussion derives the most critical attributes in business operations while alignment of resource allocation with competitive priorities help to strategically focus those attributes. In conclusion, we argue that resource allocation and manufacturing strategies have become the most important capabilities in a business environment where companies focus to get a sustainable competitive advantage.

11

Validating performance based critical actions in a high tech start-up

Vuoti V. P., Takala J., Mäntylä A., Liu Y., Yang W., binti Abdul Malek N. A., Kronman P., Kreuzer A., Zafar A.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2014

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Vol. 5, No. 1

74--86

EN

The objective of this study is to analyze a Finnish manufacturing case company’s operational competitiveness. A proposed analytical model based on analyses the corresponding angles of the strategic triangles (Prospector, Analyzer, and Defender). The model compares the angle differences between the strategy and resource triangles with opinions from different management groups of informants. It was found out that Normalized Scaled Critical Factor Index (NSCFI) model is more scientific comparing to formal ones through validation. Calculations based on the MSI questionnaire resulted in medium high values for the Prospector strategy both for past- and future orientation. S&R calculations regarding the past orientation resulted in low values for all strategy types, except P-NSCFI for Analyzer. Moreover this study covers a case, in where Balanced Critical Factor Index (BCFI) was used defining company annual strategy plan.

12

Understanding the impact of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ elements of TQM in south-east European firms

Imeri S., Kekäle T., Takala J., Liu Y.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2014

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Vol. 5, No. 3

9--13

EN

The study emphasizes on the understanding of the impact of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ elements of TQM in South-Eastern European (SEE) firms in Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegr, Serbia and Romania. Thus, 350 questionnaires were collected out of 1000. From different industry sectors in order to have reliable statistical measurements of the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ side of TQM. Hence, this study adopts an exploratory rather than a confirmatory research approach. This approach seeks not only to investigate firms’ awareness and perception to TQM but also explores to what extent are firms’ familiar with TQM tools techniques, and systems as well as TQM philosophies and principles. Therefore, it can be noted TQM is this SEE firms is neither resisted nor directly accepted, rather they tend to see it from a technical aspect, being familiar and understanding only the essential of its ‘hard’ elements and less the ‘soft’ elements.

13

How to apply sustainable competitive advantage for regional developments (Case: Ostrobothnia region of Finland)

Takala J., Shylina D., Tilabi S.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2014

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Vol. 5, No. 2

66--77

EN

Nowadays companies concern more about how to survive and extend their own business in future in their current marketplace. However, developing and prospering a region of the country is becoming more crucial question. Successful cooperation and partnership between different sectors of economy (for instance, between companies, public and academic sectors) leads to the flourishing and prosperity of the region and consequently of a country. European Commission established smart specialization platform, which is a strategic approach to economic development of a region. By defining and developing of vision, competitive advantages and strategic preferences, region will determine knowledge-based potential. The purpose of this paper is to assign and define the collaboration/relations existed, how strong these relations are and what the expectations are between 3 sectors of economy: public, academic and business. Area of carrying out this research is Ostrobothnia region, however, connections in other regions of Finland and internationally is also presented. There have been chosen 3 industrial peaks from Ostrobothnia region: Energy, Fur and Boat industrial peaks. Analysis is conducted by implementing two core methods: Sense & Respond (S&R) and Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA). The goal of this research is also to use S&R method so as to allocate efficiently resources, and to define competitive priorities in cooperation. The main results show that the most tight collaboration and partnership is observed between companies and companies in all around Finland and internationally. While concerning other relationships, companies expect to have tighter cooperation especially in Ostrobothnia and other regions of Finland.

14

Effect of company size on manager’s perception

Timilsina B., Haapalainen P., Takala J.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2014

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Vol. 5, No. 1

65--73

EN

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of a company’s size on its manager’s perception towards changes in market needs and manufacturing flexibility. To serve the purpose, a questionnaire was designed by considering different types of manufacturing flexibility and changes occurring in market needs. The collected data were then analyzed to verify the proposed hypotheses. The results showed that a company’s size significantly influence manager’s perception towards manufacturing flexibility and market requirements. For instance, reliability is given higher priority by managers of micro and small enterprises in comparison with managers of medium and large enterprises. Similarly, routine flexibility is found to be significantly more important to managers of micro and small enterprises, while production facility flexibility is considered more important by managers of medium and large enterprises. Furthermore, the results showed that there is a positive relationship between changes in market requirements and manufacturing flexibility, showing that manufacturing flexibility is governed by changes in market requirements. This research was conducted with managers at various companies in the energy sector; so the results may not be applicable to other industries.

15

A qualitative approach for assessing resiliency in supply chains

Nikookar H., Takala J., Sahebi D., Kantola J

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2014

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Vol. 5, No. 4

36--45

EN

The ultimate goal of this study is to develop a comprehensive and competitive management system to enhance resilience capability of supply chains. In addition, the study aims to identify and eliminate barriers affecting resilience by identifying the factors may cause trouble in the near future. The theoretical framework was established to summarize the significant finding in the area of resilient supply chain and as a guideline for the empirical part. A qualitative approach based on multi criteria decision making process has been adopted in order to gather data through in-depth interviews. The developed method to evaluate resilience capability through supply chains piloted in a sample of five companies involved in an automotive supply chain.

16

Validating knowledge and technology effects to operative sustainable competitive advantage

Takala J., Koskinen J., Liu Y., Tas M. S., Muhos M.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2013

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Vol. 4, No. 3

45--54

EN

Purpose: This paper aims to present a fresh idea on how to model and examine the level of sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) with and without knowledge and /technology (K/T) effects in a case company’s operation by taking the manufacturing strategy’s development directions and the efficiency of resource allocation among its attributes into consideration. Design/Methodology/approach: In this paper, questionnaires are filled by two different managerial groups, company’s management team (G1) and company’s global directors (G2). The analyses based on G1, G2 and G1-G2 (mixed results) are performed and examined as well as the effect of knowledge and /technology rankings to observe the differences on how they effect on company’s operations strategy and what kind of strategy type that decision makers might follow. Besides, the effects of knowledge/technology rankings on SCA risk levels are examined on different case companies to perceive the similarities and differences with our case company. In this case study, the objectives are achieved based on several methodologies: manufacturing strategy index (MSI) [1] and sense and respond (S&R) methodology [2]. Findings: The achieved results through the model are found to be promising corresponding to the feedback from the respondents. Research limitations/implications: The model is applied only in a big sized B2B global company that produces power electronics products. Therefore, further tests need to be applied to the model in case of multiple companies from different sizes and areas to figure out the best formula in case of validation of strategic direction (MAPE, RSME or MAD). Practical implications: As a result of its wide applicability and its ease in arrangement the model has an enormous potential for strategic decision-making process and strategic analysis. Originality/Value:The model can provide a more dependable possibility of sustainable improvement to the corporate operational excellence and strategy.

17

Using sustainable competitive advantages to measure technological opportunities

Takala J., Muhos M., Tilabi S., Tas M. S., Yan B.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2013

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Vol. 4, No. 3

55--64

EN

The goal of this paper is to help small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) to find operative competitive advantage. This paper introduces a new method which applies critical factor analysis, risk and opportunities analysis to measure and propose resource allocation for companies in couple of next years. this research shows Knowledge/Technology (K/T) Calculation effect on (Balanced) Critical Factor Index (CFIs) depending on the proportions allocated among the different technological levels (Basic, Core or Spearhead) for each attribute separately. Moreover it helps firms to take balance in resource allocation for each attribute in changing environments on the basis of different level of technology. This paper presents the ’first in the world’ case study on operative sustainable competitive advantage and corresponding risk levels by taking into account technology and knowledge effects for 7 SME companies.

18

The implementation of the Balanced Critical Factor Index methodology in the strategy redevelopment process

Rymaszewska A., Koskinen J., Takala J., Zhao S., Chen Y.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2013

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Vol. 4, No. 1

50-56

EN

Strategic planning and development is a critical yet often overlooked issue in company's operations. The planning of development as well as addressing the distribution of available resources should be done systematically rather than instinctively however, many companies still do not have any reliable method that would facilitate the decision making processes at their disposal. This article aims at presenting the innovative analytical method- Balanced Critical Factor Index (BCFI) for addressing the need for change in company's operational strategy according to changes in available technology and knowledge. By examining a wide array of indexes, the presented method is expected to suggest the directions of development. The presented method also addresses the challenges of the complex process of decision-making. Moreover, the empirical evidence gathered in the studied case company serves as a source of important feedback regarding the further improvement of the BCFI method.

19

Study on resource allocations for sustainable competitive advantage

Takala J., Shylina D., Forss T., Malmi J.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2013

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Vol. 4, No. 3

65--75

EN

Today’s concern and problem for most of the companies is the way of surviving and prospering in current and future periods of time in the marketplace. Sustainable competitive ability can be one of the ways of adaptation to the global business and rapid environment requirements. Operational competitiveness is not easy to be sustainably improved because of unpredictable environment situations, such as continuous increasing customer needs, global competitive environment, rapid and unpredictable changes in government policy, company crisis during significant changes etc. However, it is possible to make adaptive adjustments on operations strategy level in dynamic business environment and to become competitive enough compared to the competitors. The purpose of this paper is to define and assess sustainable competitive advantage and the direction of development in housing business. It can be analysed by two core factors, i.e. Sense and Respond (S&R) methodology, Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) as well as Sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) method. This study also focuses on applying S&R method in order to optimize operational competitiveness as well as defining the competitive priorities of the case company. The analysis results show the critical areas in different departments of the case company, which can help the managers to make quick decisions. In addition, they reveal that during the crisis the resource allocation is continuously changing and therefore the operation strategy of the case company is not well defined as well as competitive advantages are not enough sustainable.

20

SMEs' performance evaluation and optimization based on DEA and CFI

Shi Z., Takala J., Muhos M., Poikkimaki J., Chen Y.

Management and Production Engineering Review

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2013

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Vol. 4, No. 1

57-64

EN

It is a core content of enterprise performance research evaluating and comparing enterprise performance in dynamic environment. In allusion to this problem, a variety of enterprise performance assessment methods and indexes systems are proposed. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a kind of effective mathematical model which is used for comparing the performance among enterprises or different units inside an enterprise, based on the real-world data. Through comparing the performance, DEA can evaluate the enterprise performance from scale effectiveness and technological effectiveness, and then get the performance optimization goals. Critical Factor Index (CFI) is a new enterprise performance assessment method proposed in recent years. This method, based on the performance perception of business leaders or staffs, evaluates the enterprise performance in different dimensions, and then gets the optimization strategy of enterprise resource allocation to improve integrated enterprise performance. This paper has structured a new evaluation and optimization system for performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which combine properly the DEA and CFI method to evaluate and optimize the SMEs' performance comprehensively, and has confirm this system with data of 5 Finnish SMEs.