Browsing by Author "Thomas, Andrew"

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    An empirical analysis of lean six sigma implementation in SMEs – A migratory perspective
    (Cranfield University Press, 2013-09-19) Thomas, Andrew; Ringwald, Kath; Parfitt, Scott; Byard, Paul
    The purpose of this paper is to investigate the migratory nature of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation in manufacturing based SMEs in the UK. The companies were surveyed at two points over a five year period. These periods were before and after the 2008 recession point and were identified in order to assess the level of LSS implementation as a result of the tougher economic climate that has prevailed in the manufacturing industry since 2008. Analysis is carried out on a sample of 96 manufacturing SMEs from a range of manufacturing sectors in the UK. Data was gathered from company CEOs via a triangulated method of questionnaire, direct observation and interviews. The findings show the dynamic nature of LSS implementation in SMEs. Further work will be required to extend the LSS categorisation system to provide a wider category set that further defines the dynamical nature of LSS implementation.
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    Tidal and marine energy in the uk– identifying the future challenges for supply chain development
    (Cranfield University Press, 2013-09-19) Thomas, Andrew; Mason-Jones, Rachel; Turner, David; Davies, Paul; O’Doherty, Tim; O’Doherty, Daphne; Mason-Jones, Allan; Murphy, Lyndon
    The purpose of this paper is to investigate the current technical and operational supply chain issues surrounding the development of tidal and marine energy production in the UK. The paper outlines the market and growth potential of tidal energy production in the UK before identifying the key supply chain themes surrounding tidal energy production including an analysis of the portability and transferability of current supply chain thinking and development from other renewable energy systems such as wind turbine technology towards the development of tidal energy supply chain systems. The paper closes by identifying the major challenges that the UK supply chain must overcome in order to develop a comprehensive and robust supply chain system.