PhD, EngD and MSc by research theses (SATM)

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Open Access
A3 thinking approach to enhance a complaints handling process in the airline sector
(Cranfield University, 2019-07) Alshahrani, Bader Mohammed; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; McLaughlin, Patrick
A prescription for the business success is a matter of concern for company management, researchers and policy makers. There is an ongoing debate regarding the key tools which can increase business efficiency. For example, one stream of research argued that focusing on short-term goals is enough to boost up business performance. On the other hand, another stream argued that companies should focus on long-term performance by emphasising the importance of continuous improvement to assure the delivery of business sustainability. From this point of view, researchers proposed that problem solving is the key for achieving continuous improvement. Problem solving approaches are essential for maintaining the customer service quality as high as possible given the fact that they (problem solving approaches) focus on preventing the reoccurrence of complaints from customers. However, researcher did not reach a consensus regarding the effectiveness of the ‘traditional’ approaches of problem solving (e.g. the 5 whys). As a result, this study develops an A3 Thinking approach for problem-solving in order to enhance the complaints handling process in the airline sector. This approach is validated by using case studies of Saudi Airlines. One of the main advantages of developing such an approach is that it enables the capture of subsequent provision of useful knowledge gained from each complaint, thus enabling the prevention of the reoccurrence of problems, and supporting decision- making. This study provided a valid evidence on the importance of handling customer complaints in different touchpoints during customer journey (pre-flight, on board and post-flight phases). This study found that breaking down customer journey to touchpoints help company management prevent the reoccurrence of customer complaints by increasing the efficiency of responding to customer complaints. The research contributes to the literature by providing a detailed explanation of the journey encountered by airline customers, and it contributes towards enhanced practitioner outcomes by developing a customised A3 Thinking approach for problem-solving in the airline sector based on a learning cycle.
Open Access
A decision-making framework for purchasing product-service systems
(Cranfield University, 2016-01) Alotaibi, Sati Fehaid; Tjahjono, Benny; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
As technologies become more complex and competition becomes tougher than ever before, manufacturers in the developed world acknowledge the significance of a competitive strategy in increasing sales to their customers. These strategies not only include offering the products, but also offering service contracts and integrated bundles of products and services, where the supplier is responsible for the required engineering services, typically for a relatively long period of time. This is also known as Product-Service Systems (PSS). For many commercial and governmental organisations, purchasing PSS remains challenging. Despite the considerable work that has been conducted to investigate and improve the methodological applications of the concept of PSS from PSS providers’ perspective, purchasing PSS positions the PSS customers halfway between PSS providers’ strategies and the PSS customer traditional strategies. Little effort in the literature describing how to assist PSS customers in the selection and evaluation of the PSS offerings has been observed. Consequently, this research attempts to satisfy the gap in the body of knowledge by proposing a decision-making framework to enable PSS customer to evaluate and select from the various PSS offers. The research began by reviewing the state-of-art of PSS, followed by the identification of the most likely characteristics exhibited by PSS customers. Then, the research investigates the existing PSS frameworks and analyses it to identify its appropriateness for use by PSS customers. The basis of the PSS framework is initially structured on the findings from the literature review, then modified by the result obtained from the field study in Saudi Arabia. The PSS framework is refined through expert feedback. Then, a computerised software tool was developed for the purpose of validation. Finally, the proposed PSS framework is validated by conducting five case studies. The proposed framework can guide purchasing practitioners through a step by step process, from evaluation to selection the most suitable PSS offers, by considering the degree of fitness between the PSS offerings and customer’s characteristics. This research has satisfied the industrial need and filled the gap in the literature, and has made a significant contribution to the knowledge on PSS customers to overcome the challenge of purchasing PSS.
Open Access
Developing a framework for employee engagement in large organisations in the Arabic Gulf Region by leveraging national culture.
(2018-04) Alfaifi, Abdulrahman; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; McLaughlin, Patrick
The aim of this study is to develop and validate a framework for large organisations in the Arab Gulf Region, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to improve employee engagement and thus improve business performance. This research is completed in three phases. First, a detailed literature review summarises what is known about employee engagement and national culture in the GCC region. Second, an industrial field study then asks experienced leaders in the region to comment on the key enablers and inhibitors of employee engagement to better understand the region-specific factors affecting employee engagement, and their relationship to local culture. The results of the industrial field study suggest a number of changes are required to customise the employee engagement literature beyond the extant literature to meet the needs of employees in the GCC region, including actions such as engaging leaders developing a personal relationship with their employees. These changes are brought together to create a revised framework for employee engagement in large organisations in the GCC. In the third phase of the research, these results are tested in two validation studies. The first is a survey with a large sample of employees in the region confirming that these revised enablers of employee engagement predict feelings of employee engagement, and perceptions of performance. The second is an industrial field experiment in which a treatment group reported feeling greater levels of engagement after changes were implemented by a company. This research finds support for a framework of employee engagement that is both consistent with existing literature confirming the importance of key enablers such as providing opportunities for employees to learn and grow, but also additions to the literature with more region-specific ideas such as accommodating Islamic practicalities. This research contributes to the literature on employee engagement in documenting differences in different regions, specifically in this case the GCC region. This is also the first study to link specific aspects of national culture (e.g., power distance) to employee engagement, as well as to specify the distinctions between the enablers, behaviours, and feelings of employee engagement.
Open Access
Developing a framework to facilitate a culture for continuous improvement within higher education institutions: the case of Saudi Arabia.
(Cranfield University, 2019-08) Alotaibi, Mohammed; McLaughlin, Patrick; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
Continuous Improvement in HEIs is becoming increasingly an important part of the HEIs strategic management. Major changes in the higher education sector over the last two decades have exerted pressure on the ability of HEI systems to sustain quality, meet increasing demands for accountability, and demonstrate their economic and social role. The drive for quality management and quality assurance has manifested in the increase in accreditation and quality audits required of HEIs by government bodies and external entities. Saudi Arabia higher education system is not exceptional in this regard. Therefore, this explanatory and interpretive study adopted a qualitative grounded theory approach, which, aims to establish how organisational culture can be leveraged to support continuous improvement in Saudi Arabia’s HEIs. It has used a number different data gathering instruments: including, face-to-face interviews, focus groups and survey. It also, identifies a number of themes that influence CI implementation in Saudi HEIs, and develop a framework of interventions that will help to leverage the organisation cultures of Saudi Arabia HEIs to facilitate continuous improvement. Recommendations for further study included more focused studies on the OC of Saudi based private universities and their current CI practices.
Open Access
Developing a framework to facilitate employee engagement culture: a case of Saudi Arabia Banks.
(2018-05) Alshehri, Mohammed; McLaughlin, Patrick; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
Employee engagement has attracted widespread interest over the past twenty years from the practitioner network and researchers. It is claimed that organizations that focus on growing an engagement culture will increase their employee productiveness, fulfil their organizational objectives, and enhance their employee retention rate (Kim et al. 2013; Kuntz and Roberts 2014). However, the fundamental issues revolving surrounding the meaning and key antecedents of employee engagement nevertheless demand similar research interest (Saks and Gruman 2014). The Saudi banks are an important component of Saudi Arabia’s financial system. In light of the emerging high volume of business activities, Saudi banks are keen to inspire worker participation and employee engagement. This behaviour will allow banks to achieve sustainable business development. In response to these issues, the present thesis offers the possibility to advance the knowledge of organizational culture’s influence on employee engagement. The present thesis adopts a qualitative approach, and the method used is grounded theory. The data collection process adopts an issue-focused approach. Interviews were conducted with banks managers and their subordinates (male and female). The present study is based on two stages; the first stage is the pilot study, that consists of seven interviews, while the main study involves 28 interviews. The study was conducted in Saudi Arabia, with managers and their subordinates within seven banks. The outcomes of this study aim to produce valuable information on employee engagement factors based on the views of the employees of these banks. The key findings of the present thesis indicate that the factors that made the greatest contribution to employee engagement were: diversity management, organizational behaviour and practices, job characteristics and employee competent matching, motivation, reward and recognition, fairness in the workplace, competency and skills development, and employee psychological ownership. The outcomes of the present thesis contributes to the existing theory on employee engagement by providing empirical evidence regarding the engagement meaning construct and its distinctiveness from similar, alternative, well-established attitudinal constructs. This study provided understanding of characterises personal and organizational behaviour in Saudi Arabia, as distinctive features of the society. Overall, the study undertaken here found that Saudi society’s micro-dynamics are defined through sub-categories of the population marked by diversity and variation these are typically overlooked by academics exploring organizational culture in the country. The present study employed the concept of management research ‘relevance,’ which can only be proved through the effectiveness of the breadth and scope of the research. Traditionally, a research problem is set according to the gaps within the specialized literature. In the present research, a research problem is an issue which concerns the participants and seeks to manage these concerns, and so takes into account the research participants’ views. Furthermore, the present thesis offers a framework consisting of the themes that emerged from the analysis as well as the proposed interventions for maintaining an employee engagement culture. Furthermore, a discussion of the analysis’ limitations and recommendations for future researches will be presented, and a conclusion will be drawn.
Open Access
Developing a framework to improve employee engagement leveraging by organisational culture in banks for developing countries: a case study from Libya (Tripoli banks)
(2017-08) Eseleni, Mohamed Mohamed; McLaughlin, Patrick; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
Many previous studies have identified factors that enable and inhibit engagement. However, (Abukhzam and Lee, 2010; Twati and Gammack 2009; Mohamed, 2013) To date, there has not been any detailed research which focuses on staff engagement despite the fact that the ‗people factor‘ is of central importance in organizational change leveraging by organizational culture. Thus far, the research that has been carried out on the Libyan banking sector focus has been limited to e-banking ,service quality and customer satisfaction (Elmayar, 2011; El-Shukri, 2007; Khafafa and Shafii, 2013). This research contributes to filling this gap by developing a validated framework for improving employee engagement in Libyan banking organisations, and identifying specific interventions to improve engagement. A pilot study preceded two fieldwork phases, all of which took place in Tripoli. The pilot study involved interviewing employees and managers from four Libyan banks to identify factors potentially relevant to organisational engagement. In the main study (phase I), a further 20 individuals, representing employees, managers and senior management, were interviewed from the same four banks, to identify enabler/inhibitors of employee engagement in Libyan banking organisations. In phase II, a focus group of seven bank staff were asked to categorise and rank enablers/inhibitors of employee engagement, discussing their answers. The results of this categorisation task formed the basis of the employee engagement framework developed by this research. Interventions to improve engagement were identified by reviewing relevant literature and case studies, and analysing interview and focus group data. Ten factors from the pilot study were identified as having an effect on employee engagement within Tripoli banks sector and from The main study interviewed a further 20 employees from the same banks in Tripoli. Further factors were identified, some of which overlapped with the findings of the pilot study The final framework consisting of 12 themes and 42 interventions was validated by a team of experts and can be used to improve engagement by targeting key organisational areas. This framework, the first of its kind in the Libyan context, provides a much-needed guide for organisations and managers working within the banking sector there. It may also be applicable to other organisational sectors, in Islamic cultures, regions and organisations.
Open Access
The development of a design and development framework between OEM and supplier
(Cranfield University, 2019-07) Ogundana, Damilola; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; McLaughlin, Patrick
Suppliers are of great importance to OEMs because of the benefits that can be gained from collaborating with them. But for the OEM to select the appropriate supplier for the specific job they want accomplish, they must first create criteria that can be used to evaluate the supplier. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a design and development framework between OEM and supplier. The framework is focused only on the design and development activities and not manufacturing. This research was able to identify the right criteria for OEMs to use to assess, select and evaluate suppliers. Moreover, it was able to clarify the difference in criteria for each of the three aforementioned activities. The construction of the framework commenced with the use of an extensive literature review which was followed by an industrial field study consisting of 5 interviews with four companies who specialise in different sectors of engineering. The outcomes were integrated to generate the contents of the supply chain framework. A case study was simulated in order to verify the framework. The design and development framework provides the necessary means by which an OEM can assess, select and evaluate suppliers during product design and development processes. As a result of this, a functionally feasible and enhanced design and is more efficient can be realised. The framework that was developed as a result of this is very comprehensive and is able to mitigate the challenges faced in the industry today, regarding a outsourcing of OEMs’ product development activities to supplier. The contributions to the knowledge are as follows: (1) The developed framework provides a clear understanding of what constitutes as assessment criteria, selection criteria and evaluation criteria in product design and development within the supply chain. (2) The framework mitigates the evolving challenges faced by OEM and suppliers when product design and development is outsourced. (3) The developed framework encompasses all the activities involved in assessing, selecting and evaluating suppliers throughout the outsourcing process.
Open Access
Development of a framework for cloud-based ERP implementation in developing countries.
(Cranfield University, 2021-11) Alharthi, Sarah Mohammed Husain; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Shehab, Essam
This research aims to provide a framework to support organizations in cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning implementation successfully based on benefits realization (BR) approach. The framework has been developed through benefits realization management with adopting the maturity concept to realize most of the expected benefits. The methodology covers four stages, namely, understanding context and current practices, data collection and analysis, framework development and validation. The interview technique has been used to collect data from industries in different sectors based on the qualitative research approach and case study strategy. The research methodology was applied on organizations (customer) and cloud service providers in developing countries during different times of cloud-based ERP post-implementation. The framework integrated maturity and benefit realization (BR) model for better realization; The benefit realization model has four phases, identifying, planning, assessing, and establishing of the benefits. BR approach required a proactive procedure that is maturity which consists of three phases: identification, evaluation, and action. The assessment tools for both models are conducted by using multi-grade fuzzy logic, that will provide indices which shows the organization where they are (maturity index) and where they are going to be (BR index). The developed framework has been validated using assessment tools with industrial experts and the result has been examined by Spearman rank correlation coefficient that shows a perfect positive correlation. The main contribution of this research focused on integrating the benefits realization approach and maturity concept of cloud-based ERP system implementation in the developing countries. The maturity helps organizations to improve the weaknesses area by assessing five enablers: (leadership, strategy, people, technology, and governance) before starting the implementation, to pave the way for realizing the benefits. While the benefit realization model assess organization to realize the expected benefits (operational, managerial, strategic, technology, and organizational) and establish potential for further benefits lead to investment objectives at the end.
Open Access
Development of a lean design framework for enhancing the application of product design
(Cranfield University, 2015-07) Alam, Rahman; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Shehab, Essam
Substantial benefits can be achieved through the adoption of lean type thinking earlier at the design stage to create more viable products. A complex design cannot be easily leaned out in production; therefore, the production of affordable and sustainable products requires effective lean design considerations at the conceptual level. The research presented in this thesis investigates and demonstrates the application of lean design for product enhancement. The aim of the research was to develop a novel lean design framework that would support the generation of product design with attributes such as maximise value, manufacturable, and operable with minimum waste and resources ensuring avoidable harm is eliminated. The framework consists of a systemised process which is organised in to phases and activities that provides a unique practical manner to lean out a design. The construction of the framework initiated with an extensive literature review and proceeded with an industrial field study which consisted of 34 interviews with 11 manufacturing companies in Europe. The findings were amalgamated to generate a lean design definition and principles which would form the foundations of the framework. A real-life industrial case study of an offshore oil/water separator was used to validate the framework. In conclusion, the lean design framework provides the necessary means by which a lean design can be achieved. As a result a functionally viable and enhanced design that is cheaper to manufacture through controlling waste and eliminating avoidable harm occurrence can be realised with minimal effort. The research makes the following contributions: (1) identification of essential elements in lean design, (2) generation of a lean design definition and principles, (3) Lean Design Framework development and (4) illustrative guidelines based on the framework to be used by designers in realising a lean product design.
Open Access
Development of a lean principles framework for ERP implementation process
(2018) Alturkistani, Adnan Qurban A.; Shehab, Essam; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
The aim of this research is to develop a novel framework based on lean principles and tools to be exploited in managing ERP implementation processes in order to enhance the overall success rate of the implementation project, which in turn minimises cost and time overruns. The framework consists of three stages built in a logical sequence taking into consideration the requirements of ERP projects implementations and the lean transformation principles. The first stage starts with an assessment model to measure the organisational readiness for implementing ERP system using leanness assessment approach. The second stage of the framework introduces the use of the Obeya lean tool along with a change management model to help visualize and streamlining the process of ERP implementation. In the final stage, a value stream mapping technique is used to identify potential waste occurrence and eliminate non-value adding activities from the process. As a result, a new eight stages ERP implementation process is developed and presented with descriptions on the activities encompassed in each stage. A research methodology consisting of four major phases was employed to attain the targeted objectives of the research; beginning with project initiation and contextual definition followed by data collection and field study. The data acquired from the previous two phases were used to conduct a thorough analysis from which key findings were drawn and used in the creative development of the readiness assessment model and the framework. Finally, elementary aspects of the framework were put to scrutiny through live case studies and professional expert judgement. The author made use of both qualitative and quantitative research measures. A validation for the ERP readiness assessment model is conducted initially on three case studies, and then the whole framework is validated through two other case studies and experts’ judgments. The results and overall feedback reflected a high level of acceptance of the framework structure and approach. The novel framework has the capability to improve the ERP implementation process providing it is utilised fully. It helps organisation to successfully deliver ERP systems on time, on budget, and with the required functionalities with high-level of acceptance from all stakeholders.
Open Access
The development of business case framework for introducing the set-based concurrent engineering application.
(2018-01) Mohd Maulana, Muhd Ikmal Isyraf Bin; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Shehab, Essam
Product development challenges have put such an immense pressure to the companies to become more competitive and efficient in the market. The key demand is sustaining the design through product innovation, produce a quality product, shorten the lead time and in a cost-effective manner. Lean Product Development (LeanPD) through the Set-Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) is an approach that has these capabilities, including providing a suitable knowledge environment to support decision making throughout the development process. SBCE provides an environment where the design space is explored thoroughly which leads to enhanced innovation. This is done by considering an alternative set of solutions after gaining the knowledge to narrow down the solutions until the optimal solution is reached. However, the successful measures of the SBCE applications in practice are still ambiguous. To overcome this, the author believed that having a business case is the way to demonstrate and justify the benefits comes from the application of the SBCE. This thesis presents a process of developing business case framework for introducing the application of SBCE which enable the justification of the SBCE benefits, hence improve the confidence of having the SBCE in the company. The structure of the framework presents a generic guideline of having a business case in SBCE by justifying the benefits of its application.
Open Access
The development of knowledge-shelf to enable an effective set-based concurrent engineering application.
(Cranfield University, 2019-04) Suwanda, Supriana; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Ip-Shing, Fan
This research thesis presents the development of the Knowledge-Shelf (K-Shelf), a novel knowledge environment concept to support designers throughout Set- Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) application. The K-Shelf concept introduces a baseline model to understand the dimensions of knowledge environment in SBCE application as well as its synthetisation with acclaimed SBCE process model as the contribution to knowledge. The K-Shelf concept incorporates three steps of Knowledge Life Cycle (KLC) that comprises of knowledge capture, knowledge representation and knowledge provision. The K- Shelf concept also has three capabilities that supports the set of conceptual design generation, dynamic knowledge capture of design rationale with 5 Whys approach and the comparisons among set of design solutions with Trade-Off Curve (TOC) visualisation. To demonstrate these capabilities, a web-based software is developed based on Rapid Application Development (RAD) approach. Rigorous research methodology is employed to develop the K-Shelf concept. A systematic literature review is applied to capture the current approaches of knowledge environment in SBCE application. Two industrial case studies of Surface Jet Pump (SJP) and Brake Pedal Box (BPB) are presented to validate the K-Shelf concept. Furthermore, two expert judgements were also obtained. Thus, it was established that the K-Shelf is a knowledge environment to enable an effective SBCE application.
Open Access
Digitalised solutions of organizational learning capability to enhance performances of public service organizations.
(Cranfield University, 2021-06) Alkaraeen, Mohamed K.; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; McLaughlin, Patrick
Public organizations provide training to enhance their employee’s capabilities to provide better services. Public organizations should use different learning methods to enhance their employee’s skills and service offering. Therefore, public organizations are considering using different learning programs such as classroom training, coaching, mentoring, internship, visiting fellows and other new and innovative learning programs. For the organizations to be effective in providing the learning programs to their employees, there is a need to have an approach to support these efforts. This research suggests that Organizational Learning Capability (OLC) is the right approach to do that. The OLC is defined as the facilitation of a process to ensure that the organization is learning from its operations and experiences of different projects and initiatives. This learning process is influenced by certain factors that are directly related to the performance of both employees and service provision. The research starts by performing an extensive literature review of organisational learning capability and the enabling digital technologies. Based on the findings of the literature review, a semi-structured questionnaire was developed to capture the sector perspective by interviewing employees in public service organizations within United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, France, Poland, Spain, Norway, and Finland. This research proposes an OLC model consisting of the 3 key elements that represent the definition of OLC; the learning processes, enablers, and influential factors. The OLC model helps public service organizations to improve their learning activities and bridge the gap between investments in learning initiatives and improvement in service provision in public organizations. The OLC model helps to define all other learning programs where the coaching, Gemba-Walk and design thinking learning programs are presented in this thesis as OLC sub-models. These are new and innovative learning programs whose potentials are being explored in this research, for their ability to enhance employees and service provision within public service organizations. Moreover, two digitalised software demonstrators for the coaching and design thinking learning programs are presented in this research to reflect how digital enabling technologies could facilitate the implementation of learning programs in public services organizations. Furthermore, to validate the OLC model and sub-models, two case study validations (concerning the implementation of coaching and design thinking learning programs in a public service organization), as well as two experts’ evaluations are presented in this research. The key contribution to knowledge from this research is a comprehensive OLC model that helps public service organizations introduce and implement OLC in an effective manner using enabling technologies.
Open Access
A framework for implementing lean principles in supply chain at healthcare organisations.
(Cranfield University, 2019-07) Almutairi, Abdulaziz Marzouq; Salonitis, Konstantinos; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
The aim of this research is to develop a framework to implement lean thinking in healthcare supply chain management (HSCM). The framework comprises four implementation phases namely; preparation state, assessment of the current state in terms of lean, developing the desired future state in terms of lean and steady (sustainable) state of new actions taken. The developed framework covers the lean enablers, factors and the barriers that may hinder the lean implementation. The final edition of the framework was validated by three hospitals in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the developed framework includes model to assess leanness maturity of the HSCM. The HSCM leanness assessment model was developed by using multi-grade fuzzy approach. This approach consists of three levels; enablers, criteria and attributes. By using such approach, the HSCM leanness index was calculated and practices for further improvement were identified. Five enablers that are important for implementing lean principles in HSCM were identified. The enablers are medical management responsibility, healthcare supply chain processes management, medical human resource, consumer relationship and supplier relationship. Nine lean barriers that are obstacle lean implementation include: existence of physicians’ preferences, unpredictable patient demand, Inadequate knowledge and lack of understanding lean concept , identify type of waste through HSCM processes (delivering value to the patient), hospital culture and resistance to change, lack of hospital support, commitment and disbelief in lean , scarcity of qualified human resources and lack of training , assessment of the required level of leanness and lack of effective communication and information sharing. Prioritization and proposed solutions to overcome these barriers were provided. HSCM leanness assessment model was developed based on three levels: enablers, criteria, and attributes. Mixed methods has been used as research methodology. The research has started with extensive literature review related to supply chain management and lean with focus on healthcare context. Next, the qualitative method was used during field study by using semi-structured and structured interview to capture the knowledge from experts (data collection). The proposed framework enables decision-makers at healthcare providers to implement lean principles in supply chain management through a step by step process. Implementation of the framework will contribute significantly to improving the supply chain's overall performance, quality of work, reducing cost and eliminating wastes and on-time delivery.
Open Access
Framework to assess the maturity level of learning analytics in higher education and drive learning services improvement
(Cranfield University, 2020-05) Alenezi, Abdullah; Emmanouilidis, Christos; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
This research was aimed at developing a framework that could be utilised to assess the maturity level of learning analytics (LA) in virtual learning environment (VLE) in higher education institutions (HEI). The assessment of the maturity level of LA in VLE in HEI contributes to enhancing the educational learning programmes and academic services offering to the learners. The successful implementation of LA in an HEI could help improve teaching and learning processes, thereby improving students’ learning experiences (Larrabee Sønderlund et al., 2019; Sclater et al., 2016; Waheed et al., 2020). However, most HEIs often do not know where to start from in implementing programmes for using VLE and LA; thus, the contribution of this study to offer guidance for HEIs. In order to develop the LA maturity assessment framework, a multi-phases methodological approach was adopted which involved 6 key phases (understanding the literature, a field study to gain a high-level perspective of VLE and LA, development of LA maturity model, development of a performance measurement tool, formulation of road map recommendations, and case study validation and expert judgment). The developed LA maturity model comprises of five levels: basic (level 1), developing (level 2), functional (level 3), advanced (level 4) and optimised (level 5). In determining these LA maturity level, the performance measurement tool has to be applied. This performance measurement tool assesses an HEI’s performance in four key components of LA: process, infrastructure, data and human resources and skills. The LA maturity model and performance measurement tool facilitate the road map recommendations. Based on an HEI’s assessed LA maturity level, recommendations are suggested on how progress can be made in LA implementation. The developed LA assessment framework was validated through case studies (PAAET and Cranfield University) and expert judgement that proved its validity and application to different educational contexts. The case study validation showed the differences in performance scores and maturity levels of the two HEIs with specific recommendations relevant to each context being made. Expert judgements highlighted the contribution of the framework to LA which is a relatively new area of research.
Open Access
Improving the sustainability of manufacturing systems through green lean manufacturing.
(Cranfield University, 2019-08) Abualfaraa, Wadha Amed; Salonitis, Konstantinos; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
In the current worldwide scenario, manufacturers are urged to improve their sustainability performance, in terms of keeping the balance among economic, environmental and social performances. Nevertheless, top managers and company leaders tend to complain that it is not possible to become greener without large investments. In particular, they argue that green practices require expensive technology, the environmental regulations are strict and the compliance cost is high. In recent years, the well-known lean manufacturing approach, mainly focused in waste reduction, has become to be viewed with a renewed interest towards improving not only economic but also environmental and social aspects. Although promising results have been published in the literature showing that lean practices can lead to some environmental and social improvements, most of the researchers in the field agree that lean manufacturing has not obtained the maturity level required to ensure sustainability yet. In this context, the idea of combining both lean and green manufacturing has arised. Unfortunately, while there is no doubt that lean manufacturing increases productivity, efficiency, quality and costumers’ satisfaction by reducing wastes, there is a lack of research about the benefits of lean practices in relation to green ones. On one hand, there are researchers that argue that the lean continuous improvement culture favours the development of green strategies. On the other hand, there are the ones that argue that green objectives are in conflict with lean ones, since lean practices are mainly focus on adding value resources, whereas green practices can limit production, design and services for the sake of taking care of environmental issues. In this conflicting context, there is a lack of lean-green strategies in the literature as well as little to no evidence of successful implementation cases. In this thesis, the gap between applying lean and green practices is studied, evaluating the actual possibility of combining them towards providing strategical solutions for the sake of sustainability, in terms of economic, environmental and social performances. Results obtained from three extensive literature reviews regarding the current trends in lean, green and lean-green manufacturing show that although lean and green practices do differ in their main objectives, they can efficiently be implemented together since they have the same structure and they are synergetic, in the sense that they can enhance each others’ strengths and mitigate each others’ weaknesses. Based on the literature reviews’ findings a novel theoretical manufacturing framework capable of combining the lean and green approaches within a synergetic environment is developed in this thesis. In order to test the proposed framework within the real manufacturing scenario, a survey is conducted in different Saudi manufacturing companies. The results of this survey show that Saudi employees are becoming aware of the several business opportunities that lean and green practices can lead. In particular, the quantitative results have shown that Saudi employees expect lean and green practices to improve the operational and environmental performances of the companies. Moreover, they also show that Saudi employees agree that the combination of lean and green practices can lead to further improvements in the sustainability performance. Nevertheless, the qualitative results show that, in order to achieve these benefits, Saudi companies are urged to develop effective systems at individual, institutional and community levels capable of creating a suitable framework for implementing the required cultural and structural changes. On one hand, institutional change involves changing rules and norms in the organisations, while individual change involves employee training and motivation. On the other hand, both employees and institutions should be the main actors influencing the broader social change, regulating the impact on the communities’ sustainability and how this impact can return in terms of social investment works towards increasing the companies’ profit. In this context, Saudi employees suggest that companies should reduce the number (and complexity) of the currently used manufacturing processes; simplify the productive and administrative procedures making them more efficient; promote educational programs for employees, in terms of preparing them for the change and training them towards adopting innovative manufacturing techniques; and improve employees’ working conditions, in terms of safety, health and salary, so that they can be more engaged and willing to learn new strategies and implement them. Finally, Saudi employees highlight that none of this can be actually be achieved without a stronger leadership, a higher top management and stakeholder involvement, and a more supportive government.
Open Access
Knowledge creation and visualisation by using trade-off curves to enable set-based concurrent engineering applications
(2017-03) Araci, Zehra Canan; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
Inefficiencies that could be avoided during the product development process account for a large percentage of the manufacturing cost. To introduce innovative, high-quality products in a time- and cost-efficient manner, companies need to improve the performance of their product development processes. Set-based concurrent engineering (SBCE) has the capability of addressing this issue if the right knowledge-environment is provided. Trade-off curves (ToCs) are effective tools to provide this environment through knowledge creation and visualisation. However, there are several challenges that designers face during their product development activities such as rework, inaccurate decisions, and failure in design performance, which eventually cause waste. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to eliminate waste by developing a systematic approach for generating and using ToCs. These then serve as a guide for designers to support their decision-making and achieve an efficient product development performance in an SBCE environment. To achieve this aim, qualitative research methods were employed. Following an extensive literature review, industrial field study and industrial applications, three processes were developed to generate ToCs and validated with five industrial case studies. The process for generating knowledge-based ToCs describes how to create and visualise knowledge that is obtained from historical data and/or experience. This process facilitates the reuse of knowledge about existing products, in order to reduce the requirement for resources (e.g. product development time). The process for generating physics-based ToCs describes an approach to creating knowledge that is obtained from understanding the physics and functionality of the product under development. Thus, the practitioners gain sufficient confidence for identifying a compromise between conflicting design parameters. Finally, the process for using ToCs within the SBCE process model presents a technique to use generated knowledge-based and physics-based ToCs in order to enable key SBCE activities. These activities are (1) Identifying the feasible design area, (2) Developing a design-set, (3) Comparing possible design solutions, (4) Narrowing down the design-set and (5) Achieving the final optimal design solution. For validation, the developed processes were applied in five industrial case studies, and two expert judgements were obtained. Findings showed that ToCs are essential tools in several aspects of new product development, specifically by reducing the lead time through enabling more confident and accurate decisions. Additionally, it was found that through ToCs, the conflicting relationships between the characteristics of the product can be understood and communicated effectively among the designers. This facilitated the decision-making on an optimal design solution in a remarkably short period of time. The design performance of this optimal design increased by nearly 60% in a case study of a surface jet pump. Furthermore, it was found that ToCs have the capability of storing useful data for knowledge creation and reusing the created knowledge for the future projects.
Open Access
Knowledge driven strategy formulation process to sustain large family-based businesses
(2017-12) Binladen, Hania Saleh; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; McLaughlin, Patrick
This thesis aims to develop a knowledge-driven strategy formulation framework for large family-based businesses in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, to help them remain sustainable and able to deal with future external changes. Its objectives were 1) to capture best practice in the literature on developing strategies for ensuring long-term competitive advantage by promptly addressing external changes; 2) to identify the prominent factors of enterprise strategy using a literature review and industry-based case study; 3) on this basis, to develop a platform; 4) to define the knowledge-driven processes that support strategy formulation for the target businesses. Thus, the literature informs the framework and its elements, based on best practices. In parallel, 15 GCC case studies provided data on the activities, tools and influential factors affecting the strategic decisions of the strategy formulation team. In each case, CEOs and strategic managers were interviewed and corporate websites and other secondary data were analysed. The research deliverables were validated through case study methodology and evaluated by 8 experts in strategy formulation. The key contributions to knowledge are 1) development of a strategy formulation process based on best practices; 2) creation of an instance of modelling the strategy formulation process, using IDEF0, to show the interactions and interrelationships between decision making and decision support activities; 3) construction of an influential factor model to show which influential factors are written in which reports and how they influence different decisions; 4) development of a strategy formulation team model to understand the different roles and functions of the strategy formulation team members; 5) creation of a new taxonomy of the strategic tools proposed to strategy formulation teams for enhancing the process of collecting, analysing and reporting the knowledge of influential factors. The implications of this research are that 1) strategy formulation processes are not linear but systematic and iterative and thus can enhance the flow of information and decisions; 2) the existence of different members in the strategy formulation process enriches the decision making and decision support activities, since each has a specific role and function; 3) different report based influential factors are required in different decisions. However, the implicit preferences in understanding these influential factors are critical for decision-making.
Open Access
Knowledge-driven business model canvas for business development of SMEs in the food sector in the gulf cooperation council.
(Cranfield University, 2021-02) Alharbi, Bandar Fahad Mohammad; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Fan, Ip-Shing
Small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) are the core engine of most economies around the world. Empowering SMEs with the right tools, especially those utilised to formulate business models, would help them thrive more successfully. This study aims to provide such business development support tools to the food sectors SMEs of the GCC. This research focuses on the SMEs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) processed food sector. First, an extensive literature review was conducted on business development and business development tools, the business models. It was found that the Business Model Canvas is the most advanced tool in the market, yet the model is not fully exploited in terms of business development and growth. A field study involving 36 companies within the GCC region's food industry was conducted. The findings indicated three main problems faced by SME’s: product-market-fit, business planning and finance. Hereafter, Lean start-up was applied in a case study on a frozen yogurt producer from the region. The findings from the case study showed that the lean start-up approach minimises the product-market-fit problem and, hence, provides a more explicit structure for business planning and finance. Furthermore, the case study findings were presented to six industry practitioners to evaluate the lean start-up method. Based on their evaluation; the model was modified to incorporate market regulations as an additional block. A set of measurement (KPI’s) was added to the model to develop a revised model named the Knowledge-Driven Business Model Canvas (KD-BMC). Finally, the KD-BMC was validated through a case study on two companies in the food industry in Saudi Arabia and further evaluation was gained from six experts in the field. Results of validation were discussed and concluded in the final chapter of this research.
Open Access
Lean manufacturing strategy for the implementation in manufacturing enterprises in developing countries.
(2016-02) Zargun, Shibani; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
Manufacturing organisations all over the world are constantly seeking continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance and meet customer requirements. In this regard, many manufacturing initiatives have been introduced, one of the most successful and famous process improvement initiatives is Lean Manufacturing based on Toyota Production System (TPS). Lean manufacturing has internationally been proven as an effective approach for reducing many types of waste and creating value for customers. Although many organisations have realised the benefits of lean, many attempts have not been successful to adopt it effectively. Lean manufacturing can lead to improve an organisation's performance, yet implementation’s challenges do exist. Implementing lean in a systematic way is not a simple job and becomes difficult to sustain. While some organisations stumble through with trial and error to achieve a level of leanness, others reply on repeated Kaizen (continuous improvement). The aim of this study was to develop a customised strategy to introduce lean to manufacturing enterprises in developing countries. The developed lean manufacturing transformation strategy (LMTS) encompasses all lean human and technical-related critical success factors. Several research methods have been employed in this research. It included structured questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and plant observations conducted within three companies in the automotive sector in Libya. The Libyan automotive industry has been used in this research as a representation of the situation in the manufacturing enterprises in similar developing countries. The findings of this study indicated that the managerial and operational practices within Libyan companies are not supportive toward adopting lean manufacturing successfully. Libyan companies lack the infrastructure for lean and their readiness level is comparatively low. The proposed LMTS is aimed to assist organisations in developing countries view lean strategically as a management philosophy rather than as a set of tools and thus guides those organisations toward the initiative's successful adoption. The LMTS will work as a guide for manufacturing organisations in Libya and other relevant developing countries as they proceed toward high impact adoption of lean manufacturing practices.