Category Archive: Forskning

  1. Paradoxical tensions during industry 4.0 integration within health care: managing tensions for quality improvement

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    Tre viktiga insikter för verksamhetsutvecklare och beslutsfattare:

    1. Sex centrala spänningsfält identifieras som måste hanteras strategiskt – exempelvis balansen mellan teknikintegration och bibehållen personlig närvaro i vårdprocesser.
    2. Paradoxteori fungerar som ett verktyg för att förstå och hantera motstridiga krav vid digital transformation inom vården.
    3. Ett nytt konceptuellt ramverk erbjuds som stöd för att strukturera införandet av Industri 4.0 med fokus på kvalitet, innovation och samverkan med olika intressenter.

    Läs hela artikeln här

    Daan Kabel, Jason Martin och Mattias Elg – Department of Management and Engineering, Linköpings universitet, Sverige
    Artikeln är publicerad inom Special Issue: Operational excellence and quality improvement in Sweden, med gästredaktörerna Peter Cronemyr och Anders Fundin.

  2. SQMA och ny forskning i fokus: Värdebaserat ledarskap för hållbar kvalitetsutveckling i Lean-produktion

    Kommentarer inaktiverade för SQMA och ny forskning i fokus: Värdebaserat ledarskap för hållbar kvalitetsutveckling i Lean-produktion

    Resultaten visar att ledare kan skapa förutsättningar för ett värdebaserat ledarskap genom att:

    • Tydliggöra och kommunicera organisationens värderingar och de beteenden som krävs för att stödja den strategiska riktningen.
    • Skapa forum och utrymme för reflektion där ledare kan förstå varför bakom beslut och utveckla sin förmåga att leda förändring.
    • Använda storytelling för att bygga en coachande kultur där värderingar och beteenden kopplas till arbetssätt och processer.

    Artikeln, med titeln ”Developing value-based leadership for sustainable quality development: a meta-analysis from a study of Lean manufacturing”, är skriven av Kristen Snyder, Pernilla Ingelsson och Ingela Bäckström vid Mittuniversitetet. Den är publicerad i International Journal of Lean Six Sigma och finns att läsa här: Läs hela artikeln

    Artikeln är en del av ett nyligen publicerat specialnummer med fokus på ’Operational Excellence and Quality Improvement in Sweden’, med Peter Cronemyr från Linköpings universitet och Anders Fundin från Mälardalens universitet och SIQ som gästredaktörer.

  3. Editorial for the Special section on Operational Excellence and Quality Improvement in Sweden

    Kommentarer inaktiverade för Editorial for the Special section on Operational Excellence and Quality Improvement in Sweden

    Quality management and operational excellence have a long tradition in Sweden, embedded in national values of democracy and pragmatism. Early pioneers of Swedish Quality practice and research were Lennart Sandholm, Bo Bergman and Bengt Klefsjö.

    Today many researchers and practitioners carry the flame. Historically, Swedish products were well-known for high quality, today the quality work has been expanded into sustainability and societal satisfaction. It has been included in many parts of the processes of businesses and public organisations to the extent that quality management has often been incorporated into the normal way of working, sometimes making it almost invisible. Still, the basic values of quality management are as important as ever: focus on customers (now expanded to the stakeholders of society), work with processes, base decisions on facts, improve continually and, last but not least in Sweden, let everybody be committed. All of these are surrounded by management commitment and systems thinking.

    Cronemyr, P., Fundin, A. (2024) “Editorial for the Special section on Operational Excellence and Quality Improvement in Sweden”, International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 15 No. 6, pp. 1157-1161.

    Issue publication date: 3 October 2024

  4. Quality management as a means for micro-level sustainability development in organizations

    Kommentarer inaktiverade för Quality management as a means for micro-level sustainability development in organizations

    Design/methodology/approach
    Five large manufacturing organizations – three from India and two from China – who reported their achievements about using QM in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were studied using multiple sources of data collection. A detailed within-case and cross-case analysis were conducted to unearth this linkage’s practical and theoretical aspects.

    Findings
    The study finds that QM methodologies effectively met the five organizations’ UNSDGs. These organizations successfully used OPEX (Operational Excellence) methodologies such as Lean, Kaizen and Six Sigma to meet UNSDGs 7, 11, 12 and 13. Moreover, UNSG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) is the most targeted goal across the case studies. A cross-case analysis revealed that the most frequently used quality tools were Design of Experiments (DoE), Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), C&E analysis and Inferential statistics, among other essential tools.

    Research limitations/implications
    The study’s sample size was limited to large-scale manufacturing organizations in the two most populous countries in the world. This may limit the study’s generalizability to other countries, continents, or micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, the study’s conclusions would be strengthened if tested as hypotheses in a follow-up survey.

    Practical implications
    This practical paper provides case studies on how to use QM to impact SDGs. It offers both descriptive and prescriptive solutions for practitioners. The study highlights the importance of using essential QM tools in a structured and systematic manner, with effective teams, to meet the SDGs of organizations.

    Social implications
    The study shows how QM can be used to impact UNSDGs, and this is very important because the UNSDGs are a set of global objectives that aim to address a wide range of social and environmental issues. This study could motivate organizations to achieve the UNSDGs using essential QM tools and make the world a better place for the present and future generations.

    Originality/value
    This case study is the first to investigate at a micro-level how QM can impact UNSDGs using live examples. It uses data from the IAQ to demonstrate how QM can be integrated into UNSDGs to ensure sustainable manufacturing.

    Antony, J., Bhat, S., Fundin, A., Sony, M., Sorqvist, L. and Bader, M. (2024) “Quality management as a means for micro-level sustainability development in organizations”, The TQM Journal, Vol. 36 No. 8, pp. 2260-2280.

    Article publication date: 14 August 2023

  5. Leadership characteristics for implementation and sustainability of quality: an exploratory study and directions for further research

    Kommentarer inaktiverade för Leadership characteristics for implementation and sustainability of quality: an exploratory study and directions for further research

    Design/methodology/approach
    The study is based on one-to-one semi-structured virtual interviews with leaders in the quality field.

    Findings
    Four themes (Customers, Leadership, Quality Culture and Sustainability of Quality) emerged from the post-interview data analysis, illustrating the critical role of Leadership in the successful deployment and sustainment of Quality Management and identifying the leadership traits that are most conducive to successful organisational deployments.

    Originality/value
    Although some of these leadership traits are described in the wider leadership literature as belonging to one or more different leadership styles, there is no existing style of leadership that comprehends all the characteristics; thus, the need for a new leadership paradigm is this paper’s theoretical contribution to the literature.

    Laureani, A., Antony, J., Ramadan, M.A., Al Dhaheri, M.K., Fundin, A. and Sörqvist, L. (2024) “Leadership characteristics for implementation and sustainability of quality: an exploratory study and directions for further research”, The TQM Journal, Vol. 36 No. 8, pp. 2599-2617.

    Article publication date: 8 September 2023

  6. Sustainable Development through Quality Management: A Multiple-Case Study Analysis of Triumphs, Trials and Tribulations

    Kommentarer inaktiverade för Sustainable Development through Quality Management: A Multiple-Case Study Analysis of Triumphs, Trials and Tribulations

    Design/methodology/approach
    Due to the lack of substantial literature connecting QM to sustainability, the current research adopted an explanatory multiple-case study. Six cases were purposively chosen for the study. Three cases of those who have achieved the prestigious IAQ Quality Sustainability Award and remaining have been selected that have fallen short of receiving the award. A detailed within-case and cross-case examinations involving six cases that reported their QM achievements aligned with SDGs.

    Findings
    The findings demonstrate the significant role of QM adoption in achieving positive results from the perspective of SDGs, such as reduced environmental impacts, improved operational efficiency and enhanced quality of life. Effective stakeholder collaboration, proficiency in analytical tools and strategic alignment with SDGs emerged as critical success factors. Conversely, weak linkage with sustainability and unclear approaches were crucial challenges in attaining the IAQ Quality Sustainability Award.

    Research limitations/implications
    This paper outlines essential commandments for organisations actively seeking to promote sustainability. It offers valuable insights for decision-makers, facilitating a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities in pursuing sustainable performance.

    Originality/value
    The distinctive nature of this study lies in its dedicated exploration of the intricate relationship between QM deployment and its true impact on the achievement of the SDGs.

    Anthony, J., Bhat, S., Sony, M., Fundin, A., Sörqvist, L., Molteni, R. (2024) “Sustainable Development through Quality Management: A Multiple-Case Study Analysis of Triumphs, Trials and Tribulations”, The TQM Journal (January 4th, 2024).

    Article publication date: 13 February 2024

  7. Transcending compliance when managing environmental innovation – Organisational learning from six decades of change

    Kommentarer inaktiverade för Transcending compliance when managing environmental innovation – Organisational learning from six decades of change

    Over the past six decades, critical success factors are identified by applying the positive deviance theory to study cases of environmental innovation, including vision, continuous learning, communication, traceability, extended collaboration, supplier collaboration, testing and verification, systematic working methods, engaged key persons, management, and clear directives. Additionally, a five-step approach for managing environmental innovation is developed to facilitate organisations’ transitions towards sustainable development.

    Sannö, A., Fundin, A., Deleryd, M. (2024) “Transcending compliance when managing environmental innovation – Organisational learning from six decades of change”,

    Environmental Technology & Innovation, Volume 36, November 2024, 103892.

  8. Change-driven process management: exploring a new process paradigm adaptable to societal changes

    Kommentarer inaktiverade för Change-driven process management: exploring a new process paradigm adaptable to societal changes

    Design/methodology/approach
    The research is conducted using holistic multiple case studies of eight Swedish organisations (with employees from Sweden, France and Germany), representing the automotive, energy, medical technology, healthcare, telecom and social services sectors.

    Findings
    A process management model with four change-driven phases is presented. The model fulfils demands for both speed and quality in process changes, providing specific guidance on working methods for (1) control and stability, (2) creativity and stability, (3) creativity and change and (4) control and change.

    Research limitations/implications
    This research is limited to eight organisations in Sweden, France, and Germany that participate in the automotive, energy, medical technology, healthcare, telecom and social services sectors. Future research should explore broader international contexts.

    Practical implications
    The proposed model helps decision-makers adapt process management to evolving business and operational needs; thus, leaders can make grounded decisions on when and how to change operations based on changing internal and external requirements.

    Originality/value
    This study challenges the current process management paradigm with new knowledge of how process management can be adapted to new business opportunities.

    Cronemyr, P., Fundin, A. and Wemme, L. (2024), “Change-driven process management: exploring a new process paradigm adaptable to societal changes”, Business Process Management Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.

    Article publication date: 31 December 2024

  9. Sveriges kvalitetsresa – lärdomar och möjligheter för framtiden

    Kommentarer inaktiverade för Sveriges kvalitetsresa – lärdomar och möjligheter för framtiden

    En ny artikel, publicerad som en del av specialutgåvan Operational Excellence in Sweden i den internationella tidskriften International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, belyser utvecklingen av kvalitetsrörelsen i Sverige sedan mitten av 1900-talet.

    Den unika artikeln är skriven av Bo Bergman, Bengt Klefsjö och Lars Sörqvist och ingår i en samling forskningsbidrag med Peter Cronemyr och Anders Fundin som gästredaktörer.

    Studien visar hur kvalitetsrörelsen har format både näringsliv och utbildning i Sverige, där företagsledare har varit särskilt framgångsrika i att lära, anpassa och vidareutveckla kvalitetsarbete – ofta i samarbete med akademin.

    En viktig framgångsfaktor är hur kvalitetsprinciperna har anpassats till den svenska kulturen, där innovation och samarbete står i fokus.

    Artikeln ”Swedish Quality: a historical perspective and reflections for the future” finns tillgänglig via länken nedan.

    Trevlig läsning!

  10. Att navigera i en föränderlig värld

    Kommentarer inaktiverade för Att navigera i en föränderlig värld

    Artikeln “Change-driven process management: exploring a new process paradigm adaptable to societal changes” publicerades nyligen och finns tillgänglig open access: https://lnkd.in/dnaHbcVj

    Denna forskning, publicerad i Business Process Management Journal, bygger på en studie genomförd i nära samverkan med SIQ’s medlemmar inom näringsliv och offentlig sektor. Studien inkluderade även deltagare från Sverige, Frankrike och Tyskland och representerade branscher som fordonsindustrin, energisektorn, medicinteknik, hälso- och sjukvård, telekom och socialtjänst

    Det är tack vare värdefull samverkan som gjort denna studie möjlig och det är samtidigt glädjande att se att nya insikter redan kommer till användning i flera verksamheter. Resultatet ger ett beslutsstöd i utvecklingen av en mer tillitsbaserad processledning där både innovations- och förändringsdriven processledning ger ytterligare kraft i det arbetet.

    “Tillsammans med mina medförfattare – Peter Cronemyr vid Linköpings universitet och Lars Wemme, tidigare projektledare vid SIQ – är vi tacksamma för den värdefulla samverkan som gjort denna studie möjlig och det är samtidigt glädjande att se att nya insikter redan kommer till användning i flera verksamheter”, säger Anders Fundin, Forskningsledare vid SIQ.  

    Resultatet ger ett beslutsstöd i utvecklingen av en mer förändringsdriven processledning där både tillitsbaserad och innovationsdriven processledning ger ytterligare kraft i det arbetet.