Quality Innovation Prosperity

MT Method for Anomaly Detection and Classification using EM-λ Algorithm

Katsuhiko Tateishi — 2024-03-31

Purpose: In this paper, we propose a method to classify and detect normal, known anomalies, and unknown anomalies by combining the expectation–maximisation (EM-λ) algorithm and the Mahalanobis–Taguchi (MT) method.

Methodology/Approach: The proposed method learns normal data that are expected to be homogeneous and known abnormal data and performs classification and detection by parameter estimation using the EM-λ algorithm. Conventional methods perform analysis based on parameter estimation using the EM algorithm. However, the EM algorithm can degrade classification accuracy if it does not assume that the data fits the model's generative process.

Findings: We verify the performance of the proposed method using artificially generated data and real-world bean data for classification as data that do not satisfy this assumption. The validation results show up to 6% improvement over the conventional method in classification accuracy and unknown anomaly discrimination accuracy.

Research Limitation/implication: We try various patterns for the parameter of the proposed method in the verification. However, this way is computationally expensive.

Originality/Value of paper: Conventional methods perform analysis based on parameter estimation using the EM algorithm. Our proposal method seeks to improve accuracy by using the EM-λ algorithm for parameter estimation, which is expected to improve classification accuracy when the data do not conform to the generative assumptions of the EM algorithm's model.

Estimating Some Metrics in Six Sigma Through Confidence Intervals

Milan Terek — 2024-03-31

Purpose: This paper suggests a methodology for estimating some Six Sigma metrics using confidence intervals.

Methodology/Approach: This approach assumes that the process follows a normal distribution with a constant variance. The mean of the process is shifted from the target value to the right or left by 1.5 standard deviations. The estimates are based on a random sample of size n taken during a time when the process is stable.

Findings: The paper describes how to create confidence intervals for the number of defects per unit, the probability that a unit will be free of defects, and the rolled throughput yield.

Research Limitation/implication: We assume a discrete process in which n units of the product are selected during a time when the process is stable.

Originality/Value of paper: By applying the proposed estimation procedures, process performance evaluations can be improved, facilitating decision-making for Six Sigma projects.

An Exploration of Organisational Readiness for Industry 4.0: A Predictive Maintenance Perspective

Damjan Maletič — 2024-03-31

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to examine the extent to which selected Slovenian companies are prepared to integrate the complex requirements of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) into their asset management practices, using the specific example of predictive maintenance.

Methodology/Approach: A research study was conducted on a sample of Slovenian manufacturing companies. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire to investigate the extent to which companies are engaged with new technologies and their current and future focus on their use in predictive maintenance.

Findings: The analysis of the empirical data shows that companies are aware of the benefits that can be achieved with I4.0 solutions. The results also show that the companies surveyed lack a clear vision and implementation roadmap for I4.0. The results also show that the majority of companies in the sample are still at an early stage of predictive maintenance strategy maturity.

Research Limitation/implication: The sample of responding companies is limited to the Slovenian manufacturing industry, and the subjective information comes from only one representative person in each company.

Originality/Value of paper: The paper is one of the first studies to highlight digitalisation and predictive maintenance in the context of I4.0.

An Application of TRIZ Inventive Approach in Development Strategy into Fourth-party Logistics

Trang Truong Diem Le — 2024-03-31

Purpose: The study aims to affirm the application of TRIZ in logistics service and then develop innovative strategies for Vietnamese local logistics service providers (LSPs) to transform into fourth-party logistics (4PL) through TRIZ inventive methodology.

Methodology/Approach: The integration of Savransky’s methodology into TRIZ proposals enables to identify the core correlated dependencies of selected parameters. The analyses of the theoretical background and the application of the TRIZ matrix are comprehensively conducted to create innovation for three important attributes of 4PL.

Findings: The research results propose seven strategies through Savransky’s suggested steps from the analytical application of TRIZ. The established recommendations are categorised into short-term and long-term strategies and can be flexibly applied depending on the corporate growth process.

Research Limitation/implication: TRIZ approach was initially constructed for solving engineering problems. As a result, several inventive principles in the contradiction matrix were not entirely appropriate to the service area. In such cases, the authors can’t apply all suggested solutions from the contradiction matrix.

Originality/Value of paper: The study provides local LSPs in Vietnam with comprehensive strategies for improving their capabilities to meet the requirements of 4PLs’ power.

Collaboration with Triple Helix: The Mediating Effect of Mass Media in Expanding SMEs' Information Access

Sunday Noya — 2024-03-31

Purpose: The study explores how collaboration among SMEs with the Triple Helix innovation ecosystem impacts their information access and performance. It also examines the mediating role of mass media.

Methodology/Approach: Data were collected from 545 SME managers and owners in Malang, Indonesia. SEM-PLS was used to analyse the data to examine the relationship of four latent variables: SME collaboration (COL), information access (IA), SME performance (SP), and collaboration with mass media (MM).

Findings: The study proves the pivotal role of SME collaboration with the triple helix ecosystem to improve SME information access and performance. It is also underscoring the considerable significance of mass media mediating roles.

Research Limitation/implication: The study demonstrates that SMEs can improve information acquisition through collaborations with the government, universities, and major corporations. It proposes expanding the 'triple helix' model to include mass media, thus enhancing SME development by augmenting information access capabilities alongside government, universities, and industry.

Originality/Value of paper: The study adds to the existing research on the triple helix innovation ecosystem by exploring how additional elements, beyond government, universities, and industries, collaborate to support SME development, suggesting the inclusion of mass media to create a quadruple helix ecosystem.

An Excellence Model Case Study Assessing the Gap in Managers' Views by Hierarchical Clustering

Jan Střeleček — 2024-03-31

Purpose: This paper highlights the importance of business excellence models for SMEs and compares results from different model versions and managerial perspectives.

Methodology/Approach: In an SME case study, three EFQM versions were applied (START, START PLUS (both based on EFQM 2013) and EFQM 2020) to make a comparative analysis of evaluation results. It utilises hierarchical clustering to gauge managerial agreement and examines the shift from EFQM 2013 to EFQM 2020.

Findings: The paper presents comparative results, emphasising differences in evaluations. These results underscore the robustness of EFQM model versions and the significance of assessing managerial perspectives.

Research Limitation/implication: Similar analysis can be conducted for a large number of companies in order to make a comprehensive statistical comparison. Also, it could be useful to examine the differences among different branches of industry if there are any.

Originality/Value of paper: It is believed that this study will contribute to the existing literature by presenting the case study implementation of the excellence models in an SME. A conducted case study increases originality in a value-added way by using managerial views’ evaluations.

Monitoring the Connection Between the Application of EFQM Model Principles and the Results of Organisations

Petr Briš — 2024-03-31

Purpose: The present paper evaluated the connections between the degree of fulfilment of the EFQM model's requirements and the organisation's size, key results, social responsibility, employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction.

Methodology/Approach: The dataset was acquired via an internet-based survey hosted on Google Forms. The survey targeted managerial personnel within manufacturing entities situated within the geographical boundaries of the Czech Republic.

Findings: Research on the relationship between the degree of fulfilment of the EFQM model requirements and the organisation's size, critical organisational results, social responsibility, employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction and overall organisational results demonstrated a moderately significant to strong correlation for all monitored indicators.

Research limitation/implication: The data is collected only in one specific country, but the production organisations in which the research was carried out are mainly foreign-owned.

Originality/Value of paper: The current research results offer practical and theoretical implications. Theoretically, the research expands the literature on the EFQM model and its connection with current trends, which are the higher innovative activity of organisations and correlation with Industry 4. Practically, the research results will benefit managers, directors, and leaders of companies by allowing them to maintain an optimal level of quality management and estimate future requirements for complex enterprise integration.

Sustainable Human Resource Management, Green Human Resource Management, and Environmental Human Resource Management: Analysis of New and Emerging Terms Related to the Human Resource Area

Ana C.S. Cosenza — 2024-03-31

Purpose: Sustainable Human Resource Management (S-HRM), Green Human Resource Management (GHRM), and Environmental Human Resource Management (Environmental HRM) are terms that have been increasingly used in the field of human resources. This article aims to analyse how these terms are being used in the literature to identify if there are conceptual differences between them.

Methodology/Approach: The study was based on analysing publications on the subject indexed in the Web of Science, covering 543 articles. Clustering techniques based on co-citation and co-occurrence of keywords were used to verify the existence or absence of distinct groupings that differentiated these terms.

Findings: The results indicate the existence of well-defined Clusters concerning co-citation. The analysis of the co-occurrence networks of keywords also suggests the existence of specificities regarding the use of the terms S-HRM and GHRM.

Research Limitation/Implication: The research was limited to the database analysed, and it was suggested that the sample be expanded with other databases.

Originality/Value of paper: this study can contribute to advancing discussions on the subject, which is relevant for standardising concepts among researchers and practitioners who work in the area.

Enhancing Employability Excellence: Perceptions of the Importance of Skills by Employers and Alumni

Natasa Urbancikova — 2024-03-31

Purpose: This study explores the alignment of higher education with labour market demands in Uzbekistan, focusing on the gap between skills offered by public Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and those required by employers.

Methodology/Approach: The methodology employed in this research includes a survey assessing employers' and alumni's perceptions of skill importance and performance, utilising Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and hierarchical cluster analysis to categorise skills and identify perception gaps.

Findings: The findings reveal a pronounced misalignment in the perceived importance and actual performance of skills, especially in the areas of digital literacy and entrepreneurship. This misalignment is further accentuated by cultural factors, generational differences, and the evolving Uzbek economy.

Research Limitation/implication: Amidst a backdrop of educational reforms and increasing competition from private and foreign universities, this research employs a survey-based importance-performance analysis and cluster analysis to gauge employer and alumni perceptions of 65 skills.

Originality/Value of paper: This misalignment is further accentuated by cultural factors, generational differences, and the evolving Uzbek economy.

Entrepreneurial Orientation and Transformational Leadership for the Development of Innovation Capabilities

Mauricio Antonio Bedoya — 2024-03-31

Purpose: This paper aims to analyse the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) through the relationship of transformational leadership (TL) for the development of dynamic capabilities (DC) for organisational innovation.

Methodology/Approach: Under a qualitative method, and a single case study strategy, data were obtained from interviews with 15 senior managers and leaders of innovation activities; the document review and data triangulation method was used to analyse causality relations proposed in the theoretical framework.

Findings: The empirical results confirm that the EO and TL have a positive relationship with the development of innovation capabilities. Findings indicate that risk-taking, proactiveness, assimilation, and exploitation of internal and external knowledge remain the main difficulties in improving innovation capabilities and adaptability in the technological environment.

Research Limitation/implication: The present paper gathered data from a specific organisation in the field of EO. The research allowed us to better understand the incidence of EO, TL, and DC regarding the relationship between variables, and it should be considered a potential source for enhancing innovation management capabilities.

Originality/Value of paper: This work is the first that integrates the concepts of EO with other related disciplines into a single case strategy, within a specific entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem context in a large automotive industry.

Drivers for Entrepreneurship Education: Harnessing Innovation for Quality Youth Employment and Income Generation

Fernanda de Oliveira Silva — 2024-03-31

Purpose: This study proposes directions for developing Entrepreneurship Education (EE) based on innovation by identifying and grouping its driving elements. It intends to build entrepreneurial skills and capacities, enabling individuals to create and manage their businesses successfully.

Methodology/Approach: This work used the scientific method of Content Analysis to identify and analyse the EE-boosting elements in the literature.

Findings: Among this work's theoretical contributions, the theoretical articulation of EE with the Triple Helix sectors—universities, industry, and Government—stands out. These contributions support the advancement of the state of the art and the development of new research.

Research Limitation/Implication: Discuss deeper insights into EE elements and their applicability in various educational contexts.

Originality/Value of paper: The main contribution of this work was a more efficient interaction between public and private educational institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations, public agencies, and private companies, favouring innovation in the teaching-learning process and the insertion of young people into productive activities.

Optimisation of the Partial Runner Set-up Process in Plastic Injection Moulds Using Eight Steps in the Motorcycle Industry

Indra Setiawan — 2024-03-31

Purpose: This study aims to analyse the causes of partial set-up work that is not optimal and provide solutions to the sub-optimal set-up work on family-type moulds in type A.

Methodology/Approach: This study uses an 8-Step improvement approach combined with several methods, including Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Quality Cost Delivery Safety Moral (QCDSM), and Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Timebase (SMART) method.

Findings: This study found the cause of the partial set-up work being less than optimal due to problems with the Man, Method, and Machine factors. The results of this study show that the set-up time decreased from 240 minutes to 73.4 minutes or 68%. Meanwhile, the process cost for the partial set-up itself decreased from $75 to $3 or decreased by 97%.

Research Limitation/implication: This research has limitations in the partial set-up process, which is less than optimal in plastic injection family-type moulds in the Motorcycle Industry.

Originality/Value of paper: This research has value in optimising the production of plastic injection family-type moulds by reducing set-up time and operational costs for making spare parts in the Motorcycle Industry