Cellular manufacturing has become an integral part of lean manufacturing systems; more and more attentions have been paid to cellular manufacturing. Although the quality and productivity of cell production systems depends largely on operators ’skill and other human factors, it is still insufficient to investigate how human factors affect manufacturing cells. Here, we apply structural equation modeling to analyze the impact of human factors on productivity of cellular manufacturing. We design a laboratory experiment of cellular manufacturing to measure the efficiency of the operators in manufacturing cells and meanwhile, conduct a questionnaire to grasp the operators ’aptitude. A covariance structure model is constructed based on the experiment data and the questionnaire ’s answers, the potential causal dependencies between the productivity and human factors can be showed graphically and quantitatively through the pass diagram. Our results have showed that operators ’aptitude has significant e ffects on cell ’s efficiency and the impact of operators ’aptitude is largely stronger than the learning effect.

View full abstract

The aim of this study was to quantitatively capture changes in the hierarchical structure of head and branch office location from the viewpoint of the national urban system in Japan from 2000 to 2010. The data was extracted from the“Handbook of Organization Charts and Offices (2001 and 2011 editions) ”published by Diamond Inc. Large businesses tend to have multi-locational organizations and to locate their head and branch offices in many cities with preferable locational conditions such as cities that offer large market size, ease of information collection, and face-toface contact, especially with government agencies. The“Administrative Structure Charts ”published by Institute of Administrative Management were also utilized to understand the distribution of government agencies because of the importance of the location of government organizations on the location of private sector offices. This paper analyzes the data extracted on the locations of head and branch offices of listed companies and administrative agencies, and on the basis of this analysis throws light on the urban system of Japan.

View full abstract

Despite the remarkable recent economic growth, so many problems are still piling up in the domain of logistics and supply chain management (SCM) in China. Moreover, economic discrepancy and regional differences have been increasingly expanded and it could be considered that such disparities might constrict further development of Chinese economy. Thus, this research is intended not only to investigate the SCM operational performance of Chinese enterprises in different firm size, di fferent ownership status and different regions by utilizing the data of SCM logistics scorecard

View full abstract

In the recent years, market environment has been changed quickly. The major changes are defined as globalization, fast trend changes, and repeated technological improvements. Under the emerging condition, organizations need to define the stable method of business management. Currently, organizations are managed by the concept of marketing,then develop the new product which is market oriented. Developing the new product with high quality and multiple functions is not enough to satisfy current customer needs. In the current movements of market conditions, in order to obtain competitive advantage, organizations need to consider new approach of offering the value. In this research, the new concept of market offerings is demonstrated. The value of market offerings is focused in this paper. In this concept,product and service are provided by the new methods. In this concept, the factors of creating value, and the components of market offerings are slightly different from current concept. The factors of creating value are knowledge, skill,information, and action. The methods of providing value are service provider, physical goods, network, and facilities.

View full abstract

This report summarizes the results of a survey study of charged household waste disposal which is said to promote the reduction of the disposal amount. In particular, the actual condition of charged collection due to charging for household waste was carried out from 2008 to 2011, and its management system is reported. Although previous studies and discussions have reported on the various creative methods of the charged collection by local government bodies, the actual condition has not been clearly identified systematically. In this report, management systems are classified and material which is useful for designing an information system of charged collection management is prepared. Especially,in the collection management system using authorized bags which are commonly introduced in recent years, is targeted.

View full abstract