scholarly journals Prácticas de mejora continua, con enfoque Kaizen, en empresas del distrito metropolitano de Quito: Un estudio exploratorio

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla Alvarado Ramírez ◽  
Víctor Pumisacho Álvaro

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the practice of continuous improvement in medium and large manufacturing companies and services of the Metropolitan District of Quito (DMQ); examine the benefits and difficulties in sustaining continuous improvement; and, to study the participation of the different hierarchical organizational levels in the practice of continuous improvement.Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory study was conducted. They were selected, medium and large companies, both manufacturing and services of the DMQ. Qualitative methods used to obtain the data were: direct observation, document analysis and interviews with semi-structured depth.Findings: The results show a preference for the use of simpler techniques to identify and solve problems such as the seven basic quality tools. Within this article describes in detail the enhancers and barriers that are presented in the maintenance of continuous improvement.Research limitations/implications: This article uses a qualitative methodology, so their results cannot be generalized, can only be referenced using the specific context of the companies studied.Practical implications: The study aims to have an analytical contribution. The results show economic benefits and for the human resource, considering mainly the minimization of unnecessary processes and the opportunity of professional development that is offered to the personnel, important data for those people involved in projects of continuous improvement in DMQ companies.Social implications: The conclusions have important implications for research. Continuous improvement should take into account not only economic benefits but also human factors, same that can influence the quality of life of workers.Originality/value: The paper presents empirical contributions for the literature by exposing of the implementation of the Kaizen concept in the Latin American context, Quito - Ecuador.

Author(s):  
Zinab AALAOUI

Currently, higher education institutions need to produce skills with new skills that will enable young graduates to enter an increasingly complex world. Globalization, the objective of massification and diversification can be incubators towards lowering the quality of training. In a process of continuous improvement, science and technology education will have to conquer these different contextual variables. However, the traditional pedagogical model separating the functions of the two main actors of the class, teacher, information transmitter and passive receiver student, no longer satisfies the requirements of the development path. This inevitably leads to a rethinking of the school in depth and the implementation of other pedagogical approaches oriented towards know-how rather than towards the accumulation of knowledge. Given the complexity of analyzing and standardizing teaching practices as well as the teacher's strategic role in steering the learning process, we have adopted a normative methodology based on the concept of the process approach, the application of which will serve the orientation of science and technical training towards the acquisition of transversal skills which will allow the learner to better adapt to the needs of the job market. However, we will adopt a technical approach based on the use of quality tools to design, with the objective mentioned above, an innovative, efficient and effective model. We propose in our study to identify to what extent the quality principles of continuous improvement constitute mobilizing elements of the process of training in science and techniques.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1525-1543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula M. Hernandez-Diaz ◽  
Jorge-Andrés Polanco ◽  
Sandra Milena Castaño

Purpose This paper aims to know how university’s strategic managers, from botacademic and administrative systems, perceive the relationship between sustainability and accreditation as sustainability incorporation and the quality of their processes are amongst the actual challenges of universities. Design/methodology/approach This paper opted for an inductive, exploratory study using the case study approach, including 19 in-depth interviews to administrative and academic managers in a private, high-quality certified university in Colombia. The data were assessed using the content analysis methodology. The Colombian accreditation guidelines were the base to analyse the data as accreditation is part of the quality assurance system. Findings This paper provides empirical insights into how the implementation of sustainability in universities relates to the Colombian accreditation factors. The main links found were in the areas of the university’s social impact and organisational responsibility, which are highly relevant to graduates, external stakeholders and sustainability skills. Sustainable campus operation was associated with environmental management and improvement of the quality of the physical plant, with social and economic benefits in the long-term. Additionally, this research found a need for administrative and academic managers to understand and increase their commitment to sustainability. Research limitations/implications Because it was a case study, results are not generalisable. Consequently, further research on similar lines is required to universalise the mentioned observation and results. Practical implications The accreditation factors related to sustainability, inductively defined and exposed in this paper, provide an idea of how sustainability implementation could contribute to higher education quality assurance. Originality/value This paper contributes to filling the knowledge gap about embedding sustainability in Latin-American universities. This paper postulates a starting point considering accreditation standards and the link of the strategic manager’s perceptions of sustainability.


2012 ◽  
Vol 706-709 ◽  
pp. 2146-2151
Author(s):  
Edyta Kardas

The quality of pig iron from the point of view of the customer, that is steel plant, is one of main factors affecting the quality and cost of steel production. Chemical composition and temperature of pig iron is among the parameters taking into consideration. The constancy of these parameters can result in steelmaking process on optimal level. The paper presents quantitative and quantitative analysis of pig iron produced in one of Polish steelworks. Analysis of the basic quality parameters of pig iron: the content of basic elements will be made. In the analysis statistical methods and quality tools will be applied.


2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ritchie

Assesses the role of the NHS’s new quality initiative “clinical governance” in introducing change and monitoring clinical and trust performance to improve the quality of service. An examination is made into continuous improvement methodology and quality tools, as a means to improving service delivery through this newly developed framework. The paper comments on the effectiveness of clinical governance as an approach to managing quality in the NHS in view of the increased public demand for clinical accountability and efficient service delivery as stated in The NHS Plan.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Šehić - Kršlak

As a modern way of thinking lean methodology uses tools that are directed towards the continuous improvement of the functioning of the system with continuous perfection. Lean production (LP) means less work in the workplace, less manufacturing space, less investment, less time and fewer tools and supplies. The methodology is designed so that it is planned and managed in stages, necessary for the realization of the objectives defined production system. Lean companies are primarily focused on growth, increase profitability and customer value, but also increase productivity, improve the quality of products and processes, as well as the delivery systems are also important elements for improving business efficiency. This paper will present the methodology of implementation of lean concepts for improving productivity in manufacturing companies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-146
Author(s):  
Triana Meinarsih ◽  
Abdul Yusuf ◽  
Muhammad Zilal Hamzah

Audit delay and timeliness are important factors that influence the quality of accounting information in term of relevance. This study provides empirical evidence to answer the question of how bankruptcy possibility impacts on audit delay and timeliness.  This research studies manufacturing firms listed in Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) in the period of 2012-2016. Data are taken from official website of IDX. This study is a quantitative research that seek to find out relationship between independent variable and dependent variable. External secondary data used are annual reports accessed from IDX website. Measurement used is Z-Score Altman model prediction, while simple linear regression is employed as technical analysis. This study finds that bankruptcy possibility which is measured by ZScore is negatively influence audit delay and timeliness. Any decrease of Z-Score shows the possibility of a company experience bankruptcy and therefore causes audit delay and timeliness.


Author(s):  
Gustavo Rafael Escobar Delgado ◽  
Anicia Katherine Tarazona Meza ◽  
Andy Einstein García García

The research analyzes the relationship between factors of resilience and academic performance in disabled students studying at the Technical University of Manabí. It is a correlational descriptive study conducted with a population of 88 disabled students, of which two groups were selected, one with high academic performance and the other with low performance. A questionnaire was designed and applied to determine the level of quality of life and risk factors of adolescents. Resilience was measured with the SV-RES scale created for the Latin American population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e001047
Author(s):  
Asam Latif ◽  
Nargis Gulzar ◽  
Fiona Lowe ◽  
Theo Ansong ◽  
Sejal Gohil

BackgroundQuality improvement (QI) involves the use of systematic tools and methods to improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients. However, awareness and application of QI among healthcare professionals is poor and new strategies are needed to engage them in this area.ObjectivesThis study describes an innovative collaboration between one Higher Educational Institute (HEI) and Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs) to develop a postgraduate QI module aimed to upskill community pharmacists in QI methods. The study explores pharmacist engagement with the learning and investigates the impact on their practice.MethodsDetails of the HEI–LPCs collaboration and communication with pharmacist were recorded. Focus groups were held with community pharmacists who enrolled onto the module to explore their motivation for undertaking the learning, how their knowledge of QI had changed and how they applied this learning in practice. A constructivist qualitative methodology was used to analyse the data.ResultsThe study found that a HEI–LPC partnership was feasible in developing and delivering the QI module. Fifteen pharmacists enrolled and following its completion, eight took part in one of two focus groups. Pharmacists reported a desire to extend and acquire new skills. The HEI–LPC partnership signalled a vote of confidence that gave pharmacists reassurance to sign up for the training. Some found returning to academia challenging and reported a lack of time and organisational support. Despite this, pharmacists demonstrated an enhanced understanding of QI, were more analytical in their day-to-day problem-solving and viewed the learning as having a positive impact on their team’s organisational culture with potential to improve service quality for patients.ConclusionsWith the increased adoption of new pharmacist’s roles and recent changes to governance associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, a HEI–LPC collaborative approach could upskill pharmacists and help them acquire skills to accommodate new working practices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 275-276
Author(s):  
Jose Aravena ◽  
Jean Gajardo ◽  
Laura Gitlin

Abstract In a scenario of increasing longevity and social inequalities, Latin-America is an important contributor to the worldwide dementia burden. Caregivers’ health is fundamental to maintain the person with dementia quality of life. However, caregiving is a culturally sensible role that requires tailored solutions. The aim is to synthesize the evidence about non-pharmacologic interventions targeted to caregivers of people with dementia in Latin-American contexts. A comprehensive review of interventions in caregivers and persons with dementia in Latin-American countries was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus with studies published until January 27th, 2020. Randomized clinical trials of non-pharmacologic interventions targeted to caregivers of people with dementia or dyads where included. Qualitative synthesis of the evidence was presented and analyzed. Overall, 9 pilot RCT were included for the final analysis (6 Brazil, 1 Colombia, 1 Mexico, 1 Perú). The biggest study recruited 69 caregivers and the smallest 13 dyads, with follow-up range of 3-6 months. 5 control groups received at least some other non-standard care type of intervention. 8 were targeted exclusively to caregivers (4 group intervention, 3 individual, and 1 combined) and 1 multicomponent intervention. Most frequent measured outcomes were caregiver’s burden, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and quality of life, and person with dementia neuropsychiatric symptoms. Individual interventions report better results in caregiver parameters such as burden and depressive symptoms and person with dementia neuropsychiatric symptoms. Group interventions presented mixed results. Nevertheless, the quality of evidence was low. There is a critical need to study interventions for caregivers in Latin-American contexts.


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