This book records the new research findings and development in the field of industrial engineering, and it will serve as the guidebook for the potential development in industrial engineering and smart manufacturing. It gathers the accepted papers from the 24th International conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management held at Central South University of Forestry and Technology in Changsha during May 19-20, 2018. The aim of this conference was to provide a high-level international forum for experts, scholars and entrepreneurs at home and abroad to present the recent advances, new techniques and application, to promote discussion and interaction among academics, researchers and professionals to promote the developments and applications of the related theories and technologies in universities and enterprises, and to establish business or research relations to find global partners for future collaboration in the field of Industrial Engineering. It addresses diverse themes in smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, ergonomics, simulation and modeling, quality and reliability, logistics engineering, data mining and other related fields. This timely book summarizes and promotes the latest achievements in the field of industrial engineering and related fields over the past year, proposing prospects and vision for the further development.

Typically entrenched and systemic, healthcare problems require the sort of comprehensive solutions that can only be addressed by a change in culture and a shift in thinking. Organizations around the world are using Lean to redesign care and improve processes in a way that achieves and sustains meaningful results for patients, staff, physicians, and health systems. This book demonstrates how honest appraisal, intelligent planning, and vigilant follow-up have led to dramatic improvements in a variety of healthcare settings across the world. It teaches us how innovative organizations can find sustainable solutions to seemingly intractable problems by following a path guided by Lean Thinking. Lean methods may not solve every healthcare problem, but as these cases prove, changing a culture rather than personnel results in more effective sustainable change. This multi-authored book provides expert descriptions of Lean methods and their application in healthcare, written by the people who developed and tested the methods in healthcare settings. Each chapter brings together a description of the technique or approach, with examples of application in practice from the author's own practice. Authors use an engaging approach to their narrative, with examples from their personal experience or engagement being described to illustrate the practical application of theoretic approaches. In painting a picture of the environment in which these tools and techniques have been applied, readers will understand the transferability to their own workplace environment. This will be an opportunity to tell real stories of the application of Lean in healthcare and give readers the opportunity to learn from people from across the world, on subjects on which they are acknowledged topic experts, based on day-to-day Lean practice.

Logistics refers to the processes that start with resources and their acquisition, storage, and transportation to their destination. The concept is crucial in business -- particularly for the manufacturing sector -- to understand, manage, and control how resources are handled and progress through the whole supply chain. Now, there is a strong trend to focus on sustainability and eco-friendly solutions in logistics. Processes based on both technology and management need innovations and detailed implementation steps to achieve a satisfactory level of sustainability. This book explores how and where innovations can be implemented to provide a wide approach to sustainability in logistics. It addresses the main challenges affecting modern and sustainable logistics and supply chains and is organized according to six main themes: supply chain management; information intelligent hubs (e.g. warehouse and cities); sustainable transportation; technology for logistics; reverse logistics; and city logistics. The key results presented are based on both extensive types of research and business cases. The overarching advanced logistics and supply chain concepts at the heart of this book contribute to a sustainable intelligent logistics and transport system by making it more efficient, reliable, environmentally friendly, and competitive. Essentially, this book presents the most current research related to sustainability in logistics activities and addresses the theoretical background of sustainability and its significance for logistics, the challenges in supply chains and transportation, and possible solutions for more sustainable logistics systems.

Under and post COVID-19 conditions, companies are adapting to smart ways of operating and managing logistics processes to counteract the negative implications of the pandemic. This book offers an analysis and guidance on how to manage these processes, including transport, inventory, operations and waste management, to meet the complex need of enterprises. This edited collection presents selected and key aspects of the implementation of logistics processes in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, enriched with empirical analyses and international examples. The book is a contribution to the considerations on the role and importance of logistics processes in the management of organisations in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reducing its negative socio-economic and technological effects. With contributions from global scholars, the book demonstrates the direction in which logistics processes should change so that they can take the form of "smart". Logistics, Transport and the COVID-19 Crisis will be directly relevant for researchers and academics across logistics, supply chain management, and transport management as well as risk management and related fields.

Portfolio management is becoming the 'must have' for organizations to prosper and survive in this decade and beyond. No longer can the organizational focus be one of following best and repeatable practices as resource limitations mean only those programs, projects, and operational work that add business value can and should be pursued. Executives are focusing on strategic ability and managing complexity, which only can be done through a disciplined portfolio process in ensuring the best mix of programs, projects, and operational work is under way. In turn, the portfolio is constantly in flux as difficult decisions are made if a project, for example, is no longer contributing to business value and providing benefits and should be terminated to reallocate resources to one of higher priority. Commitment to this difficult approach is necessary at all levels, and communication is required so everyone knows how their work contributes to the organization's strategic goals and objectives. Portfolio Management: Delivering on Strategy, Second Edition focuses on the benefits of portfolio management to the organization. Its goal is to provide senior executives a view on how portfolio management can deliver organizational strategy. The emphasis is on the specific aspects within the portfolio management discipline and how each aspect should be managed from a business perspective and not necessarily from a portfolio management perspective. Highlights of the book include: Agile portfolio management Delivering organizational value Portfolio management and uncertainty Portfolio governance Marketing a portfolio Portfolio management success Starting with a review of the project portfolio concept and its development, the book is a reference for executives and practitioners in the field, as well as a students and researchers studying portfolio management.

This book sheds new light on the role businesses can play in contributing to sustainability objectives, and how governance actors can better encourage their contributions. Jean-Pierre Imbrogiano introduces and empirically investigates the concept of sustainability performance in businesses, which reveals how achieving social and environmental objectives is experienced within business organizations. He focuses on supply chain management as a key part in this process and looks at how this has evolved to become a vital sector in the global business landscape. He further considers the current practices of governance actors which aim to enable sustainability performance in businesses. Labelled as a 'sustainability service industry', these actors include international, national, and industry sustainability initiatives, sustainability standard setters, business consultancies and rating agencies, as well as sustainable supply chain managers in corporations. Overall, this book calls for a conceptual reorientation in business sustainability scholarship, and points towards a challenging agenda for change in the sustainability service industry. Understanding Sustainability Performance in Business Organizations will be of great interest to students and scholars of sustainable business, business ethics, corporate social responsibility, sustainable supply chain management, and sustainability governance.

The key to effective leadership is being fit for the challenge. Leadership is a perpetual boxing match in many respects in which preparation, stamina and skill are required. Only the strongest survive. Every decision and tollgate along the career journey is laden with risk. Those leaders who harness risk to their advantage will land the knockout punch in every fight. The only question is how many leaders will be fit enough for the challenge? The purpose of this book is to provide insight on how risk impacts every aspect of leadership, including the mundane, routine and nonglamorous aspects of leadership. This is important because often the small things can easily turn into big disruptors. Moreover, the end goal is to equip leaders with a journey map and quick guide to win in high-risk environments. Change is the new normal and only constant in today's world. As change increases, so will risk and its subsequent impacts on humanity. This includes leaders, organizations and customers. No one is exempt. In this book, readers learn how to: Determine which career battles to fight and which ones to avoid Prepare to fight the unavoidable challenges along the career journey Leverage risk to choose the right leaders for the team Leverage risk to invest time wisely and avoid wasting it Leverage risk to predict, identify and resolve leadership burnout Risk assess leadership credentials so only those that produce a return are added to the portfolio Risk assess performance outcomes so the path ahead is smooth sailing instead of a rough ride Leverage risk so high performance is a reality instead of a pipe dream Leverage risk to find the right leadership sponsor

Fully updated edition of the bestselling book in healthcare operations. Practical case studies are used throughout to provide invaluable resources for training students and practitioners in healthcare. An ideal resource for students of healthcare management at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It can also be used by practitioners. The book translates complex operational models for busy practising healthcare professionals so that the methods can be easily applied to a workplace scenario.

This book provides insights into contemporary issues and challenges in multi-criteria decision models. It is a useful guide for identifying, understanding and categorising multi-criteria decision models, and ultimately implementing the analysis for effective decision-making. The use of multi-criteria decision models in software reliability engineering is a relatively new field of study, and this book collects all the latest methodologies, tools and techniques in one single volume. It covers model selection, assessment, resource allocation, release management, up-grade planning, open-source systems, bug tracking system management and defect prediction. Multi-Criteria Decision Models in Software Reliability: Methods and Applications will cater to researchers, academicians, post-graduate students, software developers, software reliability engineers and IT managers.

Unique selling point: A project management book that focuses on managing projects in business Core audience: Project and business managers Place in the market: Professional book that can be used for continuing education

The problem with the way the safety industry functions is three-fold: (1) the dysfunctional relationship between business and safety leaders, (2) the practice of Results-Based Safety, and (3) the creation of a false reality. This book presents an insightful and practical approach to how you can move your safety program from Results-Based to Behavior-Based Safety. The move involves understanding what motivates behavior, utilization of consequences, practicing the seven steps of performance coaching, creating accurate safety campaigns, and defining evidence of a healthy Behavior-Based Safety program-this is the other side of safety.. The text: Defines the four major motivations, explains how they work, and how safety leaders can use the right motivation for the right person to help them practice safe behavior Explains how to maximize the impact of reinforcement consequences and minimize punitive consequences in a way that is alingned with an individual's motivation Implements the seven steps of performance coaching conversations, how safety and business leaders can model fluency and frequency to shape behavior to habit strength Provides clearly defined evidence of a healthy Behavior-Based safety program by measuring outcome like locus of control, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-actualization Highlights the distinction between Results-Based Safety (RBS) anecdotal practices from the science of Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) methodology Showcases how the distinct difference between a mechanistic and organic culture, and how the four phenomena can be utilized to drive safety culture on purpose Discusses the importance of expanding from lagging indicators to leading indicators for robust metrics and predictability Addresses how the significant negative impact of "telling people what to do" and re-focuses on coaching people on "what to think" The book provides definitions, examples, and applications that focus on how safety and business leaders can influence the behavior of people, impact their culture, and support healthy relationships. It will serve as an ideal text for students, professionals, and researchers in the fields of ergonomics, human factors, human-computer interaction, industrial-organizational psychology, and computer engineering.

To succeed, an organization must cultivate management systems that effectively align their work and behaviors with principles and direction. These systems should be simple, comprehensible, actionable, and standardized. Establishing alignment in every value stream of an organization will ultimately create value for their customers and produce the desired results. This alignment stems from an understanding of why an organization exists, where it is going, and how it will get there. Enterprise Alignment and Results guides readers to their goal of enterprise-wide alignment by providing a deeper look at the Shingo Model. This book builds upon the previous books in the Shingo Model Series by continuing to define ideal behaviors and the systems that drive them and increasing understanding of fundamental beliefs and how to use behavioral benchmarks. As readers examine the principles of "Create Constancy of Purpose," "Think Systemically," and "Create Value for the Customer," they will gain a deeper knowledge of the relationship between behaviors, systems, and principles. This knowledge will foster an understanding of how to create alignment within their organizations, thereby increasing the consistency of delivering ideal results.

Recent developments in reliability engineering has become the most challenging and demanding area of research. Modeling and Simulation, along with System Reliability Engineering has become a greater issue because of high-tech industrial processes, using more complex systems today. This book gives the latest research advances in the field of modeling and simulation, based on analysis in engineering sciences. Features Focuses on the latest research in modeling and simulation based analysis in reliability engineering. Covers performance evaluation of complex engineering systems Identifies and fills the gaps of knowledge pertaining to engineering applications Provides insights on an international and transnational scale Modeling and Simulation Based Analysis in Reliability Engineering aims at providing a reference for applications of mathematics in engineering, offering a theoretical sound background with adequate case studies, and will be of interest to researchers, practitioners, and academics.

Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is an innovative continuous improvement methodology for designing new products, processes, and services by integrating Lean and Six Sigma principles. This book will explain how the DFSS methodology is used to design robust products, processes, or services right the first time by using the voice of the customer to meet Six Sigma performance. Robust designs are insensitive to variation and provide consistent performance in the hands of the customer. DFSS is used to meet customer needs by understanding their requirements, considering current process capability, identifying and reducing gaps, and verifying predictions to develop a robust design. This book offers: Methodology on how to implement DFSS in various industries Practical examples of the use of DFSS Sustainability utilizing Lean Six Sigma techniques and Lean product development Innovative designs using DFSS with concept generation Case studies for implementing the DFSS methodology Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) enables organizations to develop innovative designs. In order to redesign an existing process or design a new process, the success is dependent on a rigorous process and methodology. DFSS ensures that there are minimal defects in the introduction of new products, processes, or services. The authors have compiled all of the tools necessary for implementation of a practical approach though innovation.

* Offers a comprehensive overview of startups' actions during the covid-19 pandemic, and takes lessons for startups operating in times of crisis more generally * Each chapter contains real-life cases based on interviews with individuals from startups around the world * Online supplements include PowerPoint slides, student quizzes, mini case studies and answers to questions in the book

Many interesting and important results on stochastic scheduling problems have been developed in recent years, with the aid of probability theory. This book provides a comprehensive and unified coverage of studies in stochastic scheduling. The objective is two-fold: (i) to summarize the elementary models and results in stochastic scheduling, so as to offer an entry-level reading material for students to learn and understand the fundamentals of this area and (ii) to include in details the latest developments and research topics on stochastic scheduling, so as to provide a useful reference for researchers and practitioners in this area. Optimal Stochastic Scheduling is organized into two parts: Chapters 1-4 cover fundamental models and results, whereas Chapters 5-10 elaborate on more advanced topics. More specifically, Chapter 1 provides the relevant basic theory of probability and then introduces the basic concepts and notation of stochastic scheduling. In Chapters 2 and 3, the authors review well-established models and scheduling policies, under regular and irregular performance measures, respectively. Chapter 4 describes models with stochastic machine breakdowns. Chapters 5 and 6 introduce, respectively, the optimal stopping problems and the multi-armed bandit processes, which are necessary for studies of more advanced subjects in subsequent chapters. Chapter 7 is focused on optimal dynamic policies, which allow adjustments of policies based on up-to-date information. Chapter 8 describes stochastic scheduling with incomplete information in the sense that the probability distributions of random variables contain unknown parameters, which can however be estimated progressively according to updated information. Chapter 9 is devoted to the situation where the processing time of a job depends on the time when it is started. Lastly, in Chapter 10 the authors look at several recent models beyond those surveyed in the previous chapters.

This edited monograph brings together research papers covering the state of the art in cloud computing for logistics. The book includes general business object models for intralogistics as well as user-friendly methods for logistics business process design. It also presents a general template for logistics applications from the cloud. The target audience primarily comprises researchers and experts in the field, but the book will also be beneficial for graduate students.

Align IT projects strategically to achieve business goals and objectives Project management and leadership to seize opportunities and manage threats Build and follow a roadmap to implement strategic governance Assess and improve project management capabilities Includes templates and case studies

The fundamental reason for the existence of any manufacturing organization is to generate wealth by adding value to the products and services it offers. In this new global industrial environment, value is generated from many sources, such as rapid and flexible fulfillment of orders, developing new innovative products and services, providing rapid and responsive product and service support, delivering innovative turn-key solutions to customers, and so on. In the 21st century most manufacturing organizations will have to respond to these challenges through innovative partnerships, by creating virtual enterprises, by operating in agile networks to generate value by exploiting their existing competencies in design, manufacturing, distribution and customer service, whilst building new competencies in information systems, communications and knowledge management. Just as no man is an island, so no business can operate without being part of a network of businesses, which we call the manufacturing value chain. This book brings together the works of leading researchers to present state-of-the-art research and development on the strategic management of the manufacturing value chain' in the broadest sense. The objectives of Strategic Management of the Manufacturing Value Chain are: To provide insights into potential strategies, methods, tools and techniques which could facilitate competitiveness through innovation agility and partnership. To explore the use of enabling technologies, such as IT, in meeting the challenges of the 21st century. To provide practical case studies which demonstrate the use of new approaches to the generation and management of value in manufacturing. Strategic Managementof the Manufacturing Value Chain is suitable as a secondary text for graduate-level courses of management and manufacturing, and as a reference for researchers and practitioners in industry, commerce and government.

Lean healthcare is waste elimination in every service area with the goal of reducing inventory, cycle time of service, and cost, so that high-quality patient care can be provided in a way that is as efficient, as effective, and as responsive as possible while retaining the financial integrity of a hospital. The Lean philosophy in healthcare demands a person's attitude, in all aspects of care, understand the process which happens, observe it, and gather information in order to identify the root of an inefficiency of the process. In short, Lean and its emphasis on efficiency can be a critical tool in the management of health services in hospitals around the world. This book provides guidance and examples on how Lean principles can be implemented into the infrastructure and every day operations of a hospital from the emergency room to hospital facilities and maintenance. The book also demonstrates how Lean is the cultural commitment of organizations to implement the scientific method in designing, conducting, and improving work sustainably through teamwork, bringing in better value and satisfaction to the patient. It shortens the time between ordering and service delivery by eliminating waste from the service flow value. The author uses numerous examples of Lean thinking in various hospital departments with the overall of goal of taking that department from good to great.

Consumers make purchasing decisions every day, taking into account their needs, preferences and beliefs which may change due to various determinants; some depending on the consumers themselves and others on the organizations acting in the market. What determinants are inducing these changes in consumers` needs, perceptions, attitudes, values, and finally, purchasing behavior? This edited collection offers a comprehensive description of the consumer behavior process and the determinants that affect it in the era of digitalization. This book offers a holistic perspective of consumer behavior in the 21st century in different European cultures that are characterized by new technologies, including smartphones, AR, IoT, AI, and social media, as well as cultural changes and the Covid-19 pandemic. The first part of the book is devoted to characteristic phenomena in consumer behavior in the era of digitalization, such as changes in the consumer buying decision-making processes, e-commerce, prosumers' and consumers` attitudes towards innovations. The second part will describe the consumers, their decision-making processes, with examples from almost all geographical regions in Europe, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, Poland and Russia. Both individually and collectively, the contributors provide discussion points and practical implications resulting from the changes observed in consumer behavior in each country. European Consumers in the Digital Era provides a comprehensive overview of digital consumer behavior, offering timely insights for scholars and researchers. It will also appeal to postgraduate students of related fields, including marketing, innovation and sociology.

Trust and Digital Business: Theory and Practice brings together the theory and practice of trust and digital business. The book offers a look at the current state, including a comprehensive overview of both research and practical applications of trust in business. Readers will gain from this book in the following areas: knowledge across disciplines on trust in business, theoretical underpinnings of trust and how it sustains itself through digital dissemination, and empirically validated practice regarding trust and its related concepts. The international team of authors from seven countries (Finland, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Turkey, and the U.S.) ensures the diversity and quality of the content. The intended audiences of this book are professionals, scholars, and students.

The Toyota Production System (TPS) is regarded as a sophisticated concept that helps us understand the world of manufacturing. It evolved from the system of mass-producing cars, established by Ford, and the Japanese have since endeavored to make their own universal production system. Though much has been accomplished, TPS' progress is a continuous process. The theme of this book is how to understand and learn TPS. There is a TPS concept that seems to elude many, and that is that manufacturers should be able to make a product available at the moment a customer comes and asks for it. There are various ways and various tools that can be used to pursue the ideal state, and therefore we need to focus on the basic principles of TPS. This book tries to explain those Toyota Production System concepts that may otherwise be elusive. This book focuses on the factory to help readers understand the fundamental ideology of TPS. The main character started his career as a technical expert in the R&D division of an automotive Company and eventually becomes an Instructor of TPS. His broad career in companies is used to vividly describe the form of the Toyota Production System. To explain the growth of apprentices of various titles and positions, this story is woven with several short stories presented from the perspective of the main character, who grows from being a group leader to section leader to manager to general manager. Essentially, this book describes the Toyota Production System as based on the philosophy: "Always sketching out and pursuing the ideal state of manufacturing."

In the latter half of the 20th century, forces have conspired to make the human community, at last, global. The easing of tensions between major nations, the expansion of trade to worldwide markets, widespread travel and cultural exchange, pervasive high-speed communications and automation, the explosion of knowledge, the streamlining of business, and the adoption of flexible methods have changed the face of manufacturing itself, and of research and education in manufacturing. The acceptance of the continuous improvement process as a means for organizations to respond quickly and effectively to swings in the global market has led to the demand for individuals educated in a broad range of cultural, organizational, and technical fields and capable of absorbing and adapting required knowledge and training throughout their careers. No longer will manufacturing research and education focus on an industrial sector or follow a national trend, but rather will aim at enabling international teams of companies to cooperate in rapidly designing, prototyping, and manufacturing products. The successful enterprise of the 21st century will be characterized by an organizational structure that efficiently responds to customer demands and changing global circumstances, a corporate culture that empowers employees at all levels and encourages constant communication among related groups, and a technological infrastructure that fully supports process improvement and integration. In changing itself to keep abreast of the broader transformation in manufacturing, the enterprise must look first at its organization and culture, and thereafter at supporting technologies.