Search

Social network analysis proves to be a valuable instrument for comprehending and visually representing intricate relationships among diverse entities within a network. This study aims to explore the application of social network analysis within the context of hinterland port operations. In pursuit of this aim, we examined the interactions amongst various stakeholders, including port authorities, truck drivers, port agent companies, vigilant guards, import/export firms, and terminal operators. As a result, we unveiled patterns, pinpointed bottlenecks, and unearthed opportunities to amplify efficiency and collaboration within this system. This inquiry contributes to the existing body of knowledge concerning the utilization of social network analysis within the maritime industry while also providing insights to enhance port performance.

ResumoOs resultados educacionais estão ligados à carga de trabalho do estudante que, por sua vez, sofre influência de fatores individuais e do contexto institucional. Contudo, no âmbito da pós-graduação brasileira, e mais especificamente no caso da Engenharia de Produção, pouco é conhecido sobre a intensidade dessa carga de trabalho, fatores contribuintes e meios de gerenciá-la. Este estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma avaliação exploratória da carga de trabalho em estudantes de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção. A avaliação foi realizada em um curso nacional de excelência na área, por meio de: entrevistas semiestruturadas com três alunos, aplicação de um questionário (NASA-TLX adaptado) respondido por trinta e três alunos; reunião de feedback dos resultados dos questionários aos alunos. Os dados indicaram que a carga de trabalho é alta e similar entre as diferentes modalidades do curso: mestrado profissional, mestrado acadêmico e doutorado. Além disso, foi possível identificar o alto nível de frustração entre alunos do mestrado profissional, o alto nível de esforço no mestrado acadêmico, a grande demanda mental do doutorado, e a maior demanda temporal para quem exerce outras atividades profissionais além dos estudos. Dentre os fatores contribuintes nesta alta carga de trabalho, foi identificada a falta de acompanhamento do orientador, a realização de trabalhos acadêmicos não diretamente ligados ao projeto de pesquisa, a alta exigência imposta pelos estudantes a si mesmos e o medo de não finalizar o trabalho.

The organizational and technical complexity of implementing the lean principles and practices can become an extensively time consuming journey with few benefits. We argue that risk assessment can aid on the understanding and management of the major difficulties on the Lean production implementation (LPI). Thus, this paper proposes a framework for risk assessment on the LPI process. The literature review permitted to adapt the risk assessment steps to the characteristics of the LPI and develop data collection and analysis procedures for each step. The Sociotechnical systems (STS) theory was brought in to improve the understanding of the context’s characteristics on the proposed framework because it has a major influence on the LPI. The framework was has five steps: (a) defining the unit of analysis; (b) describing the context; (c) risk identification; (d) risk analysis; and (e) risk relationships modeling.

This article aims to investigate how of lean production (LP) influences to a manufacturing cell (MC) performance, based on the theoretical study about the attributes that characterize a MC. It was necessary to develop the concept of MC in a socio-technical system perspective, incorporating a technical attribute, a social attribute and the elements of time, space and information to define a "real cell". The results show that most of LM practices aim to increase time and information. The rapid problem solving process and the use of minimal amount of inventory between the activities of the cell seeks to simultaneously reduces the processing time and increase the degree of information. Although influenced to a lesser degree, the organizational attribute and space element are also positively influenced by the practical application of PE.

The main purpose of lean production (LP) is to produce more with fewer resources, for example less people, space, time and stock. The lesser quantity of resources on the production system increases the demand for greater quality and flexibility to the internal logistics. However, the amount of articles on the subject is sparse and mainly focused on the first steps of the implementation process. This article had the following objectives: to analyze the internal logistic of a plant that already uses LP practices, to propose and to implement improvements. The method used was an action research that adapts the Harris et al. (2004) guidelines to be used on a company that already use LP practices. As results, the study allowed the solution of several problems before the implementation of the new routes. As results for the company, there were several process improvements, as well as the reduction of direct logistics costs and improvement of the work balancing among routes.

This paper has the purpose of analyzing methods, techniques and guidelines for the design, operation and maintenance of poka-yoke systems. In parallel it intends to contribute with concepts about what poka-yoke are and their classification. Therefore a literature review was made about systems poka-yoke concepts, poka-yoke systems classification, kinds of inspections, kinds of mistakes, the relationship between stability and statistical process control with mistake proofing systems, techniques and directions to design and manage poka-yoke. An analysis was carried out with each subject relating poka-yoke with the subject. At the end the absence of a poka-yoke management system was evident, because techniques for design, operation and maintenance aren’t consistent.

Proposal: As new demands from sustainable development, environmental requirements arise as another challenge to design process management. It is already known that companies which design buildings are usually exposed to many managerial difficulties. Faced to the environmental demands, these companies require new facilities to align environmental requirements to the business goals and to include them properly in design process. This paper is based on a case study in a construction company, which was developed through interviews and document analysis. It is intended to present a procedure for the project environmental requirements elicitation, organization and analysis, which is based on the requirements engineering (ER) concepts. As results it was concluded that the ER concepts are useful for the environmental requirements integration into the design process and that strategic planning should give directions for the effective environmental requirements adherence. Moreover, a procedure for environmental requirements modeling is proposed. Key-words: Design process, Requirements management, Environmental requirements, Construction

As suposições subjacentes aos modelos causais de acidentes têm impacto na natureza das conclusões obtidas com as investigações dos mesmos. Todavia, considerando que cada modelo possui pontos fracos e fortes, torna-se relevante compreender a complementaridade e interfaces entre os mesmos. Este estudo analisou relações entre os modelos seqüencial, epidemiológico e sistêmico. A análise foi realizada a partir de um acidente ocorrido na manutenção de um hospital. Os resultados apontaram que os modelos são complementares ao invés de excludentes. Em particular, o modelo seqüencial mostrou-se útil para identificar e organizar informações, as quais foram relevantes à análise sob a perspectiva dos demais modelos. Concluiu-se ainda que a natureza das medidas preventivas diferem substancialmente entre si, ou seja, enquanto os modelos seqüencial e epidemiológico indicaram medidas relacionadas especificamente ao evento investigado, o modelo sistêmico indicou alterações de impacto mais amplo na organização.

Este artigo apresenta os resultados parciais de uma pesquisa que visa desenvolver um modelo de planejamento e controle da segurança no trabalho (PCS) de modo integrado ao processo de planejamento e controle da produção (PCP). Um estudo piloto para avaliar a viabilidade da integração foi conduzido em um canteiro de obras de uma obra de edificações. O planejamento da segurança foi introduzido no ciclo de planejamento e controle já existente. O estudo permitiu concluir que alguns conceitos e métodos de produção enxuta que têm sido usados com sucesso no PCP (tal como o método Last Planner) podem ser facilmente aplicáveis ao planejamento da segurança. Por exemplo, um indicador de desempenho denominado PPS( Percentual de Pacotes de Trabalho Seguros), similar ao PPC, é potencialmente útil para o controle da segurança. Com base na análise global do estudo de caso, são propostas algumas diretrizes para o aperfeiçoamento do modelo de PCS.

As suposições subjacentes aos modelos causais de acidentes têm impacto na natureza das conclusões obtidas com as investigações dos mesmos. Todavia, considerando que cada modelo possui pontos fracos e fortes, torna-se relevante compreender a complementaridade e interfaces entre os mesmos. Este estudo analisou relações entre os modelos seqüencial, epidemiológico e sistêmico. A análise foi realizada a partir de um acidente ocorrido na manutenção de um hospital. Os resultados apontaram que os modelos são complementares ao invés de excludentes. Em particular, o modelo seqüencial mostrou-se útil para identificar e organizar informações, as quais foram relevantes à análise sob a perspectiva dos demais modelos. Concluiu-se ainda que a natureza das medidas preventivas diferem substancialmente entre si, ou seja, enquanto os modelos seqüencial e epidemiológico indicaram medidas relacionadas especificamente ao evento investigado, o modelo sistêmico indicou alterações de impacto mais amplo na organização.

Abstract Background Although slack is an asset to resilient hospitals, it is usually explicitly discussed only in terms of the quantity and quality of beds and staff. This paper expands this view by addressing slack in four infrastructures of intensive care units (ICUs) (physical space, electricity supply, oxygen supply, and air treatment) during the COVID pandemic. Methods The study occurred in a leading private hospital in Brazil, aiming at the identification of slack in four units originally designed as ICUs and two units adapted as ICUs. Data collection was based on 12 interviews with healthcare professionals, documents, and comparison between infrastructures and regulatory requirements. Results Twenty-seven instantiations of slack were identified, with several indications that the adapted ICUs did not provide infrastructure conditions as good as the designed ones. Findings gave rise to five propositions addressing: relationships intra and inter infrastructures; the need for adapted ICUs that match as closely as possible the designed ICUs; the consideration of both clinical and engineering perspectives in design; and the need for the revision of some requirements of the Brazilian regulations. Conclusions Results are relevant to both the designers of the infrastructures and to the designers of clinical activities as these must take place in fit-for-purpose workspaces. Top management might also benefit as they are the ultimate responsible for decision-making on whether or not to invest in slack. The pandemic dramatically demonstrated the value of investing in slack resources, creating momentum for this discussion in health services.

ABSTRACTThe sustainability of food supply chains (FSCs) depends on the concurrent successful performance in the environmental, economic, and social dimensions. However, FSCs are complex socio-technical systems subjected to inevitable trade-offs and the impossibility of full control. Based on a systematic literature review, this study investigates how sustainability affects the complexity of FSCs. A total of 75 articles were analyzed. A thematic analysis revealed 16 factors associated with the three dimensions of sustainability. These factors were then associated with five complexity attributes: a large number of elements, dynamically interacting elements, diversity of elements, unexpected variability, and resilience. All factors amplify the complexity of FSCs, mostly in terms of increasing the number and diversity of elements. Findings made it possible to develop a complexity-based account of the sustainability of FSCs, raising questions and insights that might inform the design and operation of more sustainable FSCs, which effectively cope with their inherent complexity.

Abstract Lean production aims at operational improvement by the elimination of waste and variability reduction. The lean practice known as help chain, which contributes to the lean goals is an underexplored topic. Thus, the objective of this paper is to propose guidelines regarding the help chain design and operation by addressing issues related to the definition of the events that need support from the chain and selection of the members to be involved. The proposed guidelines involve seven steps: (i) delimitation and evaluation of the scenario of application; (ii) identification and classification of abnormalities; (iii) identification of the types and contents of visual devices; (iv) identification of agents involved in the help chain; (v) definition of the operating logic of the help chain; (vi) training and qualification; and (vii) application and evaluation of the results. A partial application in the printing department of a tobacco’s manufacturer plant is a basis for discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the guidelines.

During the process of lean production (LP) implementation it is common to arise barriers depending on the context in which the application occurs. This study aims to perfect a method of management the barriers to the implementation of LP developed in a previous study. The improvements were developed by applying the method in the assembly area of bumpers in a car manufacturer. Data collection involved thirteen interviews, participant observation for six months and analysis of LP-related documents. Among the main improvements over the original version of the method, it can be highlighted the addition of thirteen barriers in the list of barriers already identified in the literature, and also the identification of contextual characteristics that can facilitate or hinder the application of the method.

Abstract Objectives: To analyze the current way medications are prepared and administered in the hospital setting and to apply a method to establish priorities for problems detected. Method: This is an exploratory-descriptive case study. The data were collected through observation and focus groups with 13 participants who were part of a health team in a surgical inpatient unit of a public university hospital. The analysis was based on a lean production framework. Results: A value stream map was constructed of the current way drugs are prepared and administered, identifying the clients in the process and their requirements. Forty-five current problems were identified, based on requirements that were not met with eight being prioritized to improve planning. Conclusion: Having prioritized the problems, the planning and implementation of continuous improvements in the medication process were started in order to reduce errors and improve the quality of services.

Due to the known difficulties on managing the design process of built environments, researchers and entrepreneurs have continuously developed and implemented best practices from areas such as Project Management (PM). However, there are still gaps to be filled, such as difficulties on monitoring the stakeholder’s requirements and their dynamics. In attempt to eliminate this gap, this paper aims to analyze if requirements management (RM) can be integrated to PM and which are the main advantages and disadvantages of this integration. The research includes a literature review which presents PM and RM concepts, the last one based on software engineering approach. Moreover, a case study was performed in a construction company, using semi-structured interviews. The research showed that the use of RM is advantageous, even not solving all the projects difficulties, and that the proper structuring of the projects is a condition for the success of RM implementation. The main contribution is a generic and systematic proposal for integrating the stages of the RM to the projects.

Este artigo apresenta um levantamento do processo de implantação da Produção Enxuta (PE) em 47 empresas do Brasil e do exterior. Entre os principais resultados, o levantamento revelou que: os temas de maior interesse em ampliar conhecimentos são a cultura organizacional enxuta e o mapeamento do fluxo de valor; os principais motivos para adotar a PE são a necessidade de melhorar a competitividade e a adequação da PE ao combate de problemas críticos da produção; as principais dificuldades na implantação da PE são a resistência das pessoas e a dificuldade na adaptação de conceitos e práticas; as práticas mais utilizadas são a padronização do trabalho e o gerenciamento visual; a produção puxada é a prática prioritária no momento. Os resultados deste levantamento, aliados a observações realizadas durante visitas em algumas das empresas, permitiram a identificação de necessidades e oportunidades para pesquisas sobre a implantação da PE, as quais são sumarizadas no final do artigo.This paper presents a survey on the lean production (LP) implementation process in 47 Brazilian and foreign companies. Among the main results, the survey pointed out that the respondents are mostly interested in learning about lean organizational culture and value stream mapping. The main drivers for adopting LP are improving competitiveness and the fact that LP is adequate to solve critical production problems. People resistance to changes and difficulties to adapt concepts and practices are the main difficulties during LP implementation. The most frequently used practices are work standardization and visual management. Pull production implementation is the practice of highest priority. The results of this survey, along with the observation data collected during visits to some of the investigated companies, permitted the identification of research opportunities on LP implementation, which are summarized at the end of this article.

Embora a maturidade de um sistema de produção enxuta (PE) esteja associada principalmente à absorção dos princípios enxutos pela cultura organizacional, a avaliação de práticas operacionais associadas à PE fornece indícios acerca da implantação desse sistema. Este artigo apresenta uma avaliação qualitativa da implantação de práticas da PE em uma fábrica de máquinas agrícolas, a qual desde 2001 vem adotando a PE como filosofia de produção. A avaliação foi realizada na linha de montagem de colheitadeiras, usando quatro fontes de evidências: observação direta; entrevistas com 15 gerentes e supervisores; entrevistas com 30 operadores; análise de documentos relativos ao sistema de PE. Essas evidências permitiram o preenchimento de uma lista de verificação com 88 itens distribuídos ao longo de 12 típicas práticas da PE. Apesar das limitações da abordagem qualitativa utilizada (por exemplo, subjetividade na atribuição de níveis de desempenho a cada prática), foi possível identificar pontos fortes e fracos do sistema existente na empresa. Além disso, o estudo de caso também indicou diretrizes para o aperfeiçoamento dos métodos existentes de avaliação de implantação da PE.Even though the maturity of lean production (LP) systems is mostly associated with the integration of lean principles into the organizational culture, the assessment of shop-floor practices associated with LP provides an overview of how lean a company is. In this context, this study presents a qualitative assessment of the implementation of LP practices in a heavy machinery manufacturer that has been adopting LP as its production philosophy since 2001. The assessment was undertaken in the harvesters assembly line based on four sources of evidence: direct observation; interviews with fifteen managers and supervisors; interviews with thirty operatives; and analysis of documents related to the LP system. Those evidences were a basis for fulfilling a checklist with eighty-eight items distributed among twelve typical lean practices. Regardless of the shortcomings of the qualitative approach adopted, such as the subjectivity involved in the assignment of performance levels for each practice, it was possible to identify strengths and weaknesses of the existing lean system. Moreover, this study also pointed out guidelines to improve existing LP assessment methods.

Aiming at the advantages obtained when performing lean production, different sectors of the production of goods and services have adopted its principles and practices. Due to its degree of abstraction, it is difficult to establish a level of incorporation of such concepts. On the other hand, because of the operational features of its practices, such assessment becomes possible through the quantification of the elements involved (time, cost, raw material). The use of lean production practices does not guarantee its implementation and sustainability. However, the assessment of such practices might, in an indirect way, provide hints on how widespread its principles are and to what extent they are being adopted. The present assessment took place at an metal-mechanic company which has been implementing lean production as a philosophy of production at corporate levels since 2002. The operational manager and managers responsible for quality, production, sales, purchase, maintenance, and PCP also took part in this research. Each manager answered to an interview and filled a checklist and a ranking in order to evaluate performance and importance, respectively. Just-in-time, leveling production (heijunka), and integration practices with the supply chain yielded the most unfavorable results, whereas group technology, continuous improvement, and visual management yielded the best results. With regard to the importance criterion, the practices of standardized operations, just-in-time, and quick changeover were considered the most important, whereas workforce flexibility, group technology, and development of lean product were the least important. Key-words: Lean Production; Measurement of Performance and Importance, Sector of the metal-mechanic

Abstract This article presents a selection method of existing innovations in patents that propose improvements in Temporary Edge Protection Systems (TEPS). The method was divided into three stages. In stage 1, records were collected related to TEPS from the patent filing databases of the Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (National Institute of Industrial Property, Brazil), the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the European Patent Office. In stage 2, patents were selected based on the TEPS evaluation protocol created by Peñaloza, Formoso and Saurin (2017), which examines safety, efficiency and flexibility criteria. In stage 3, four patents were selected among the 20 patents found related to guard rails and three related to protection nets. Based on the results, one invention stands out that uses hollow posts in protection barriers, which allows for modular movement with safety and flexibility. The framework proposed in this research is a useful resource for disseminating techniques included in TEPS patent databases.

Abstract Besides increasing productivity, prefabricated building systems can also contribute to the reduction of the levels of risk exposure by workers. However, there are several hazards that can be faced by workers involved in the assembly of prefabricated components, such as being struck by objects during lifting and handling of large components, and falls from height. This paper is focused on the assembly process of precast concrete building systems, widely used in Brazil. It is uses the Resilience Engineering theoretical framework, which has been pointed out as the new paradigm to manage health and safety, being concerned with the abilities of a system to adjust its functioning prior to, during, or following changes and disturbances, so that it can sustain required operations under unexpected conditions. The aim of this paper is to propose guidelines to design preventive measures, based on the identification of resilient skills used by front-line workers involved in the process of assembling precast concrete structures. Those skills were identified in a case study carried out in a construction site in Brazil, in which some critical assembly processes were analyzed at a fine level of detail.

Resumo O baixo índice de sucesso e as mudanças estruturais e organizacionais necessárias para a Implantação da Produção Enxuta (IPE) indicam a necessidade do uso da abordagem de Gestão de Riscos (GR) para gerenciar esta transformação. Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar um modelo gráfico para explicitar as relações entre os riscos na IPE por meio da utilização da Interpretative Structural Modelling em uma empresa e entender os motivos destas relações. O estudo está baseado em um caso conduzido na unidade de uma empresa global fabricante de componentes hidráulicos. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de múltiplas fontes de evidência, como entrevistas, observações, visitas à fábrica e análise de documentos. O modelo desenvolvido propiciou o esclarecimento e entendimento dos efeitos diretos e indiretos da presença dos riscos na IPE na empresa. As principais relações identificadas no modelo foram confirmadas por meio das explicações dos motivos pelos quais tais relações ocorriam no caso.

ResumoEmbora o uso de sistemas de proteções periféricas (SPP) seja importante para prevenir quedas de altura na construção civil, a literatura não apresenta de forma abrangente os requisitos de desempenho para a avaliação do desempenho dos mesmos. O objetivo deste estudo consiste em propor um conjunto de requisitos para avaliar o desempenho para estes sistemas. Foi desenvolvido um protocolo que contém critérios qualitativos e quantitativos para a avaliação de desempenho em relação a 33 requisitos de desempenho, sendo 15 referentes à segurança, 12 à eficiência e 6 à flexibilidade. Para ilustrar a aplicação deste protocolo, foi avaliado um conjunto de equipamentos disponíveis no mercado da Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre - RS, de madeira, metálicos e mistos. Os resultados das avaliações desses equipamentos foram discutidos com representantes de empresas construtoras, especialistas em segurança no trabalho, projetistas e fornecedores de SPP, com a finalidade de propor melhorias nestes equipamentos. Os pontos fortes e fracos de cada sistema são discutidos com base nessas aplicações.