Teamwork is one of the most important elements for continuous improvement systems as it facilitat... more Teamwork is one of the most important elements for continuous improvement systems as it facilitates the exchange of information, problem solving and personal development. This research aims to draw conclusions about the success factors that lead to achievement for improvement teams in industrial companies in Spain’s Basque Country, which have been awarded (EFQM model awards). This research was conducted through a qualitative study based on interviews with the people in charge of the teams. In order to do this we adapted the model of teamwork effectiveness, which allows evaluation of the critical factors. The results indicate that organizations should pay attention to factors related to the team and its members, such as recognition and the training group as a whole, among others.
Este artículo presenta un modelo adaptado de la bibliografía para medir la aplicación de los fact... more Este artículo presenta un modelo adaptado de la bibliografía para medir la aplicación de los factores que promueven la efectividad del trabajo en equipo. Se quiere dar a conocer la experiencia real del desarrollo y evaluación de trabajos en equipo realizados con alumnos de 1er curso de distintos grados de Ingeniería durante el curso académico 2009-10. La planificación de los trabajos en equipo se desarrolló teniendo como premisa cómo serían evaluados. Los resultados de la evaluación han sido recogidos de manera cualitativa y cuantitativa. El artículo presenta además, las conclusiones más interesantes de esta experiencia.
Defining the circular economy (CE) as a material and energy model coincides with the definition g... more Defining the circular economy (CE) as a material and energy model coincides with the definition given by multiple authors in which Industrial Symbiosis (IS) has been deemed as a foundational strategy to support the implementation of the CE. The consumption of secondary materials is essential to achieve a successful transformation from a linear economy to a CE focused on IS practices. In this scenario, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a major role as stakeholders in developing CE systems as it is not possible to create this model with each company working in isolation. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on the role played by relevant local stakeholders such as individual firms interacting in the development of a local CE system. This study aimed to study the challenges that SMEs face in developing a CE system. A case study is selected as a research strategy using a mixed-method approach: a sequential quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured int...
En el sector sanitario, el trabajo en equipo es una parte importante de su actividad. Aunque el s... more En el sector sanitario, el trabajo en equipo es una parte importante de su actividad. Aunque el sector fomenta la investigación orientada a mejorar la calidad del trabajo en equipo, pocas veces se focaliza a la evaluación de este proceso. Por esta razón en el presente artículo se desarrolla una propuesta metodológica para evaluar la efectividad del trabajo en equipo. Para ello el modelo contempla 36 factores que son utilizados para su medición, a través de la observación de la existencia, importancia y nivel de aplicación de éstos en el trabajo de equipo. El modelo fue utilizado en la evaluación de equipos de trabajo de la red pública de hospitales en el País Vasco (España), la metodología utilizada ha sido del tipo exploratorio, y se desarrolló con los datos obtenidos a partir de entrevistas realizadas siguiendo un guión basado en la estructura del propio modelo. De la aplicación del modelo al caso práctico se puede concluir que la mayoría de los factores analizados en estos hospit...
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology that is based on the concept of env... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology that is based on the concept of environmental comfort and can serve as a tool that can help companies and employees to implement Kaizen projects. This methodology focuses on the worker’s participation in analyzing and developing improvements related to their workplace. Design/methodology/approach This research is focused on the development of a methodology that encourages worker participation in improvement activities, through the analysis of their working conditions. For this purpose, the proposed methodology was developed in accordance with the dimensions of workplace comfort proposed by Vischer. The employees start working on the analysis of problems and their solutions through the logical framework approach, as it is a tool that encourages worker participation and consensus. The developed methodology was applied in a company, with three different groups of people, which enabled the authors to test its utility. Finding...
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to depict how Kaizen and continuous improvement (CI) are repr... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to depict how Kaizen and continuous improvement (CI) are represented in scientific journals focusing on quality management (QM) from the 1980s until 2017. Additionally, the study aims to examine how Kaizen is studied and described and how the relationship between Kaizen and CI is portrayed.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies a mixed methods approach to search for tendencies and outlines concerning Kaizen and CI in four scientific journals focusing on QM and two focusing on OM. The data set contains entries from 1980 until 2017, which makes it possible to depict how Kaizen has evolved over more than 30 years.FindingsThe findings show that Kaizen and CI attained special interest in the mid-1990s, after which interest appears to have decreased. However, the findings imply that a regenerated interest for the areas spiked post 2010. In addition, the results indicate that Kaizen is on the one hand accepted by one part of the management communit...
Purpose Literature refers to the key factors of total quality management (TQM) based on studies c... more Purpose Literature refers to the key factors of total quality management (TQM) based on studies carried out in individual countries. However, few studies focus on studying the TQM factors in service companies based on multinational data. The purpose of this paper is to empirically identify the key TQM factors and their impact on internal and external customer performance measures across different countries. Design/methodology/approach The research questions regarding the TQM factors and their effects were examined using a sample of service organisations from three countries (131 from Greece, 70 from Mexico and 151 from Spain). TQM factors and their impact on employee and customer satisfaction were analysed separately for each country. Exploratory factor analyses, coupled with multiple linear regression analyses, were conducted. Findings The key TQM factors identified are common among the three participating countries and can be summarised as follows: quality practices of top managem...
Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal
Purpose Environmental management (EM) is becoming increasingly important in all types of organiza... more Purpose Environmental management (EM) is becoming increasingly important in all types of organizations. The food industry represents the top industrial sector of the Spanish economy; however, there is still little knowledge about how it is managed environmentally. The purpose of this paper is to present a descriptive analysis of the Spanish food sector. Design/methodology/approach This study undertook a descriptive analysis based on probabilistic sampling surveys from food companies in Spain. The survey was sent out to 900 companies obtaining 128 answers. Findings The results of this study show that companies with an EM standard tend to have a more developed system and a greater presence of EM tools and actions. Moreover, statistical differences were identified among the characteristics of companies and various factors that affect the evolution of their EM. Originality/value There are no studies that reveal a clear picture of the status of EM in the Spanish food industry. This study...
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of total quality management (TQM) fac... more Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of total quality management (TQM) factors on performance dimensions of service companies. Design/methodology/approach – A research project was designed in the Spanish services sector. Companies that had already participated in activities with regard to business excellence were randomly selected and approached through a structured questionnaire, yielding a sample of 151 responding companies. By analyzing TQM implementation and company performance through the exploratory factor analysis, specific TQM factors and performance dimensions are extracted. The TQM factors that significantly influence the performance dimensions are determined through multiple linear regression analyses. Findings – According to the findings, the factors describing TQM implementation in service companies concern quality practices of top management, employee quality management, process management, employee knowledge and education and customer focus. Sim...
Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 2016
Purpose: This research analyzes the maturity of environmental management as well as the degree of... more Purpose: This research analyzes the maturity of environmental management as well as the degree of to which the Circular Economy has been implemented in Basque SMEs.Design/methodology/approach: A total of 17 case studies were carried out in industrial SMEs companies in the Basque Country.Findings: The main results show that companies are limited to complying with the law and in many cases are worried about the image of the company, although they are not committed to environmental issues. There is still a lot to do in SMEs, as they are the companies that face the biggest challenges due to a lack of resources.Originality/value: Circular Economy aims to change a linear economy into promoting sustainability of the economy while also engaging in sustainable environmental protection. This research has focused on small and medium enterprises as they represent a 99% of companies in Europe and they are the ones that have the most difficulty reaching a stage of environmental excellence due to ...
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a readiness programme designed to increase emplo... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a readiness programme designed to increase employees’ awareness of order and cleanliness as a way of building the necessary foundation for implementing and sustaining continuous improvement processes. In this paper, the authors propose a new readiness programme based on the principles of 5S, with the aim of strengthening employees’ motivation and involvement prior to 5S being implemented. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on case study methodology, followed by a programme of four structured activities. The validity of the programme is shown through the implementation of the activities in two different organizations. Findings The readiness programme was applied before 5S was successfully implemented. The degree of awareness and motivation of the programme participants improved as a result of these activities. Moreover, the activities increased people’s motivation to participate in improvement activities. Originality/val...
Teamwork is one of the most important elements for continuous improvement systems as it facilitat... more Teamwork is one of the most important elements for continuous improvement systems as it facilitates the exchange of information, problem solving and personal development. This research aims to draw conclusions about the success factors that lead to achievement for improvement teams in industrial companies in Spain’s Basque Country, which have been awarded (EFQM model awards). This research was conducted through a qualitative study based on interviews with the people in charge of the teams. In order to do this we adapted the model of teamwork effectiveness, which allows evaluation of the critical factors. The results indicate that organizations should pay attention to factors related to the team and its members, such as recognition and the training group as a whole, among others.
Este artículo presenta un modelo adaptado de la bibliografía para medir la aplicación de los fact... more Este artículo presenta un modelo adaptado de la bibliografía para medir la aplicación de los factores que promueven la efectividad del trabajo en equipo. Se quiere dar a conocer la experiencia real del desarrollo y evaluación de trabajos en equipo realizados con alumnos de 1er curso de distintos grados de Ingeniería durante el curso académico 2009-10. La planificación de los trabajos en equipo se desarrolló teniendo como premisa cómo serían evaluados. Los resultados de la evaluación han sido recogidos de manera cualitativa y cuantitativa. El artículo presenta además, las conclusiones más interesantes de esta experiencia.
Defining the circular economy (CE) as a material and energy model coincides with the definition g... more Defining the circular economy (CE) as a material and energy model coincides with the definition given by multiple authors in which Industrial Symbiosis (IS) has been deemed as a foundational strategy to support the implementation of the CE. The consumption of secondary materials is essential to achieve a successful transformation from a linear economy to a CE focused on IS practices. In this scenario, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a major role as stakeholders in developing CE systems as it is not possible to create this model with each company working in isolation. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on the role played by relevant local stakeholders such as individual firms interacting in the development of a local CE system. This study aimed to study the challenges that SMEs face in developing a CE system. A case study is selected as a research strategy using a mixed-method approach: a sequential quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured int...
En el sector sanitario, el trabajo en equipo es una parte importante de su actividad. Aunque el s... more En el sector sanitario, el trabajo en equipo es una parte importante de su actividad. Aunque el sector fomenta la investigación orientada a mejorar la calidad del trabajo en equipo, pocas veces se focaliza a la evaluación de este proceso. Por esta razón en el presente artículo se desarrolla una propuesta metodológica para evaluar la efectividad del trabajo en equipo. Para ello el modelo contempla 36 factores que son utilizados para su medición, a través de la observación de la existencia, importancia y nivel de aplicación de éstos en el trabajo de equipo. El modelo fue utilizado en la evaluación de equipos de trabajo de la red pública de hospitales en el País Vasco (España), la metodología utilizada ha sido del tipo exploratorio, y se desarrolló con los datos obtenidos a partir de entrevistas realizadas siguiendo un guión basado en la estructura del propio modelo. De la aplicación del modelo al caso práctico se puede concluir que la mayoría de los factores analizados en estos hospit...
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology that is based on the concept of env... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology that is based on the concept of environmental comfort and can serve as a tool that can help companies and employees to implement Kaizen projects. This methodology focuses on the worker’s participation in analyzing and developing improvements related to their workplace. Design/methodology/approach This research is focused on the development of a methodology that encourages worker participation in improvement activities, through the analysis of their working conditions. For this purpose, the proposed methodology was developed in accordance with the dimensions of workplace comfort proposed by Vischer. The employees start working on the analysis of problems and their solutions through the logical framework approach, as it is a tool that encourages worker participation and consensus. The developed methodology was applied in a company, with three different groups of people, which enabled the authors to test its utility. Finding...
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to depict how Kaizen and continuous improvement (CI) are repr... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to depict how Kaizen and continuous improvement (CI) are represented in scientific journals focusing on quality management (QM) from the 1980s until 2017. Additionally, the study aims to examine how Kaizen is studied and described and how the relationship between Kaizen and CI is portrayed.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies a mixed methods approach to search for tendencies and outlines concerning Kaizen and CI in four scientific journals focusing on QM and two focusing on OM. The data set contains entries from 1980 until 2017, which makes it possible to depict how Kaizen has evolved over more than 30 years.FindingsThe findings show that Kaizen and CI attained special interest in the mid-1990s, after which interest appears to have decreased. However, the findings imply that a regenerated interest for the areas spiked post 2010. In addition, the results indicate that Kaizen is on the one hand accepted by one part of the management communit...
Purpose Literature refers to the key factors of total quality management (TQM) based on studies c... more Purpose Literature refers to the key factors of total quality management (TQM) based on studies carried out in individual countries. However, few studies focus on studying the TQM factors in service companies based on multinational data. The purpose of this paper is to empirically identify the key TQM factors and their impact on internal and external customer performance measures across different countries. Design/methodology/approach The research questions regarding the TQM factors and their effects were examined using a sample of service organisations from three countries (131 from Greece, 70 from Mexico and 151 from Spain). TQM factors and their impact on employee and customer satisfaction were analysed separately for each country. Exploratory factor analyses, coupled with multiple linear regression analyses, were conducted. Findings The key TQM factors identified are common among the three participating countries and can be summarised as follows: quality practices of top managem...
Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal
Purpose Environmental management (EM) is becoming increasingly important in all types of organiza... more Purpose Environmental management (EM) is becoming increasingly important in all types of organizations. The food industry represents the top industrial sector of the Spanish economy; however, there is still little knowledge about how it is managed environmentally. The purpose of this paper is to present a descriptive analysis of the Spanish food sector. Design/methodology/approach This study undertook a descriptive analysis based on probabilistic sampling surveys from food companies in Spain. The survey was sent out to 900 companies obtaining 128 answers. Findings The results of this study show that companies with an EM standard tend to have a more developed system and a greater presence of EM tools and actions. Moreover, statistical differences were identified among the characteristics of companies and various factors that affect the evolution of their EM. Originality/value There are no studies that reveal a clear picture of the status of EM in the Spanish food industry. This study...
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of total quality management (TQM) fac... more Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of total quality management (TQM) factors on performance dimensions of service companies. Design/methodology/approach – A research project was designed in the Spanish services sector. Companies that had already participated in activities with regard to business excellence were randomly selected and approached through a structured questionnaire, yielding a sample of 151 responding companies. By analyzing TQM implementation and company performance through the exploratory factor analysis, specific TQM factors and performance dimensions are extracted. The TQM factors that significantly influence the performance dimensions are determined through multiple linear regression analyses. Findings – According to the findings, the factors describing TQM implementation in service companies concern quality practices of top management, employee quality management, process management, employee knowledge and education and customer focus. Sim...
Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 2016
Purpose: This research analyzes the maturity of environmental management as well as the degree of... more Purpose: This research analyzes the maturity of environmental management as well as the degree of to which the Circular Economy has been implemented in Basque SMEs.Design/methodology/approach: A total of 17 case studies were carried out in industrial SMEs companies in the Basque Country.Findings: The main results show that companies are limited to complying with the law and in many cases are worried about the image of the company, although they are not committed to environmental issues. There is still a lot to do in SMEs, as they are the companies that face the biggest challenges due to a lack of resources.Originality/value: Circular Economy aims to change a linear economy into promoting sustainability of the economy while also engaging in sustainable environmental protection. This research has focused on small and medium enterprises as they represent a 99% of companies in Europe and they are the ones that have the most difficulty reaching a stage of environmental excellence due to ...
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a readiness programme designed to increase emplo... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a readiness programme designed to increase employees’ awareness of order and cleanliness as a way of building the necessary foundation for implementing and sustaining continuous improvement processes. In this paper, the authors propose a new readiness programme based on the principles of 5S, with the aim of strengthening employees’ motivation and involvement prior to 5S being implemented. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on case study methodology, followed by a programme of four structured activities. The validity of the programme is shown through the implementation of the activities in two different organizations. Findings The readiness programme was applied before 5S was successfully implemented. The degree of awareness and motivation of the programme participants improved as a result of these activities. Moreover, the activities increased people’s motivation to participate in improvement activities. Originality/val...
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Papers by Carmen Jaca