Academic literature on the topic 'Continuous improvement process'

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.<br>The purpose of this study is to streamline the contract closeout process through the application of continuous process improvement techniques. A methodology for the identification of procedures involved in the process and problem areas in the process was developed. Available literature was reviewed and personal interviews were conducted to develop a model of the contract closeout process and to identify problems in the contract closeout process. Continuous Process Improvement procedures were applied to the contract model and the problems identified to eliminate the problems and increase the efficiency of the process. Recommendations included: increasing the priority placed on the close out of U. S. Government contracts, development of an automated system for the close out of U. S. Government contracts, development of a training program in the contract closeout process, improvement of communications between organizations involved in the contract closeout process, and application of continuous process improvement procedures to reduce the time required to close out U. S. Government contracts..

Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2015. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.<br>Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.<br>Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.<br>Includes bibliographical references (pages 70-71).<br>Statistical Process Control (SPC) has been applied to manufacturing processes for several decades as a means of ensuring product quality and has become a primary tool for the application of continuous improvement efforts. Continued Process Verification (CPV) is a Food and Drug Administration requirement that requires biopharmaceutical companies, such as Amgen, Inc., to demonstrate control of commercial manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration's guidance on CPV specifically calls for the use of SPC. This thesis suggests including the use of the Akaike information criteria (AIC), a recognized statistical model selection criterion, for objective model selection for the purpose of establishing the most representative control limits in the application of SPC. The most representative control limits are instrumental in eliminating unnecessary use of resources in the evaluation of manufacturing data. Thus, the use of AIC is one way to reduce waste in the entire process of monitoring the manufacturing process, evaluating data, and making improvements to the manufacturing process. In addition, this thesis forms several key concepts for effective use of SPC and continuous improvement efforts when working with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). Finally, this thesis will discuss the applicability of the work done related to SPC as the foundation for effectively monitoring, evaluating and improving the manufacturing process.<br>by Stephen Patrick Fuller.<br>M.B.A.<br>S.M.

This study conceptualises continuous improvement (Cl) as a multidimensional behavioural concept (CIB). In so doing it develops and validates a reliable scale to measure the concept. This study also examines the influence of contextual conditions on Cl behaviours and identifies a set of antecedent variables that are related to cm in order to develop a theory of CIB. Although references to Cl behaviours have been made in the literature, cm has not been conceptualised as a distinct concept. It has not been measured nor have any antecedents been previously reported. A multi-level theoretical framework was developed to study the contextual influence on CIB at macro level and the relationships between individual level antecedents and CIB at the micro level. The framework suggested 8 contextual conditions, 51 Cl behaviours and 7 Cl behavioural dimensions, which were articulated from the literature. Cl behaviours have a conceptual proximity to organisational citizenship behaviours (OCBs), and therefore several antecedents that have proven relationships with OCBs (commitment, organisational support, job satisfaction and procedural justice) were identified from organisational behaviour literature. Other proposed antecedents identified in this study included training, learning, need for achievement and empowerment. Sixteen hypotheses, arguing for direct, mediated and moderated relationships were presented for verification. A multiple case study was carried out in three organisations to examine contextual influence on Cl behaviours, to validate the literature-based Cl behaviours and to explore any additional employee Cl behaviours. The case study findings were used to develop a 63-item CIB scale, which was subsequently measured (along with 12 antecedents) in a survey of 561 respondents from six organisations. Several contextual factors, such as the level of involvement in team problem solving and the work environment have been found to influence Cl behaviours. Seven CIB dimensions were identified from a component factor analysis with varimax rotation procedure, which established the multidimensionality of the CIB concept. A 30-item reliable CIB scale was also validated in the procedure. Hypotheses testing for direct and indirect relationships revealed that relationships were largely direct, and a number of useful mediated relationships were also identified to further contribute to knowledge. In addition, seven hierarchical regression models were identified, which showed significant predictors of different CIB dimensions along with the amount of variance in each dimension that was explained by those predictors. Contrary to expectations, Cllss were better predicted by skills, personal traits and job characteristics than morale factors, which also challenge current OB literature.