Tom McNamara | ESC RENNES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (original) (raw)

Papers by Tom McNamara

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Aug 15, 2018

Purpose To access new markets and improve sourcing practices small to medium sized manufacturing ... more Purpose To access new markets and improve sourcing practices small to medium sized manufacturing companies (SMEs) increasingly seek suppliers and customers in distant countries. Yet these new relationships with global partners often pose problems of an agency nature. The purpose of this paper is to directly address these challenges through the proposal of an information and communication technology (ICT)-based framework. Design/methodology/approach There has been very little research into how lead SMEs manage their global supply chains and the challenges they face. This paper uses a case study investigation to analyze how four French SMEs – final assemblers of machinery in the farming and agri-business sector – manage their international supply chains. Findings It was observed that the relationships and interactions between the SMEs and their immediate upstream and downstream partners were dominated by the agency problem and fell into six distinct categories (termed “barriers” to effective supply integration), namely; asymmetries, contractual design, supplier dependence, product specifications, supply chain complexity and performance monitoring. Originality/value The contribution of this paper is that a conceptual frame work was developed in which ICT solutions are offered to help address the barriers to supply chain integration, thus reducing the overall risk exposure due to externalities and problems of agency.

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, May 1, 2015

Computers & Industrial Engineering, Jul 1, 2017

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Apr 14, 2011

In this paper we study the operating behaviour and performance of reliable, unpaced and unbalance... more In this paper we study the operating behaviour and performance of reliable, unpaced and unbalanced serial production lines with either imbalanced service time means, unequal coefficients of variation, or uneven buffer capacities. The lines were simulated with various values of line length, buffer storage size, degree of imbalance, coefficient of variation, along with a number of imbalance configurations. The primary measures of efficiency were idle time and average buffer level. Output data from the discrete event simulation of such lines under their steady-state mode of operation were analyzed using a set of statistical methods. Various relationships between the independent and response variables, rankings of configurations and comparisons with balanced lines were obtained. For the mean processing times imbalance, it turned out that a bowl-shaped arrangement provides smaller idle time amounts and lower average buffer levels than those of a balanced line counterpart. As regards the variability imbalance, it was found that the best configurations are respectively, a bowl allocation and a monotone decreasing order, with the first resulting in decreased idle times and the second leading to lower average buffer levels than those of a balanced line. As far as the buffer size imbalance is concerned, it was concluded that the most advantageous patterns that generate lower idle times and average buffer levels as compared to a balanced line are to respectively distribute total available buffer capacity as evenly as possible along the buffers and to allocate more buffer capacity towards the end of the line.

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Feb 15, 2012

ABSTRACT

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2015

International Journal of Production Research, Sep 30, 2014

Unbalanced unpaced serial production lines have been the subject of continued interest over the l... more Unbalanced unpaced serial production lines have been the subject of continued interest over the last half a century. Research into these systems taking a diversity of approaches has given rise to a variety of insights which may be of increasing relevance in a context of fast-changing production and flexibility needs. By mapping the major conclusions reached in the area of unpaced asynchronous unbalanced lines over time and from diverse sources, this review identifies some possible future avenues of research that can usefully advance knowledge in this domain.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes, May 1, 2012

IFAC-PapersOnLine, Jul 1, 2017

Abstract As a common production practice in many developing economies and in reverse logistics, u... more Abstract As a common production practice in many developing economies and in reverse logistics, unbalanced merging assembly lines are a research area which is re-emerging in prominence. This paper aims to study the performance of reliable, unpaced merging assembly lines that are unbalanced in terms of their buffer storage sizes. Lines are simulated with different values of line length, mean buffer storage capacity and configuration of uneven buffer allocation. The best patterns in terms of generating higher throughput and lower average buffer level as compared to a balanced merging line are those where total available buffer capacity is allocated as evenly as possible between workstations and to concentrate more buffer capacity towards the end of the line, respectively.

Journal européen des systèmes automatisés, May 30, 2014

ABSTRACT

Journal of Manufacturing Systems, Oct 1, 2015

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Mar 8, 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of unpaced unreliable producti... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of unpaced unreliable production lines that are deliberately unbalanced in terms of their coefficients of variation (CVs).Design/methodology/approachA series of simulation experiments were carried out for five and eight station lines with mean buffer space set at one, two, four and six units. CVs were allocated in 12 different configurations for each of these lines.FindingsThe results show that the best unbalanced CV patterns in terms of throughput rates or idle times as compared to a balanced line counterpart are those where the steadiest stations are concentrated near the centre of the line. On the other hand, either concentrating the steadier operators towards the centre or close to the end of the line gives best average buffer level results.Practical implicationsThe results provide guidelines for production line managers when designing unpaced unbalanced lines depending on their performance aims.Originality/valueThe investigation of the effects of unbalancing CVs in unreliable lines has not previously been studied and can provide insights into how best to place workstations with differing variability along the line.

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Economics and Management Engineering, Jun 26, 2014

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2015

IFAC Proceedings Volumes, May 1, 2012

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Apr 2, 2016

Journal of Manufacturing Systems, Oct 1, 2016

The performance of unpaced unreliable production lines that are unbalanced in terms of their buff... more The performance of unpaced unreliable production lines that are unbalanced in terms of their buffer storage sizes is investigated in this article. Lines are simulated at different levels of line length, total buffer capacity and mean buffer capacity, and for each of these the configuration of buffer allocation is varied. Output data on throughput, idle time and average buffer level are analysed using a range of statistical tools, and relationships between the independent and dependent variables were determined. The best patterns in terms of generating higher throughput rates (or lower idle times) and lower average buffer levels as compared to a balanced line are those where total available buffer capacity is allocated as evenly as possible between workstations and to concentrate more buffer capacity towards the end of the line, respectively.

Through a case study of a producer association of organic fruit and vegetables in the Loire Valle... more Through a case study of a producer association of organic fruit and vegetables in the Loire Valley Region of France (Loire Ocean Bio), this article proposes several approaches for understanding the potential links between organic farming and health and well-being. In the cases encountered by the authors, the classic utilitarian approach used by economists regarding health and well-being does not prove very useful in analyzing these links. Multidimensional measurements of the determinants of health and well-being, such as those proposed by Stiglitz report (Stiglitz, Sen and Fitoussi, 2009), prove to be better suited in this matter. Using their framework, this article highlights the finding that there appears to be a mutually reinforcing relationship between organic agriculture and health and well-being. That is to say, on certain points, organic agriculture helps to improve the quality of life in the region concerned, while at the same time the interests of health and well-being are ...

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Aug 15, 2018

Purpose To access new markets and improve sourcing practices small to medium sized manufacturing ... more Purpose To access new markets and improve sourcing practices small to medium sized manufacturing companies (SMEs) increasingly seek suppliers and customers in distant countries. Yet these new relationships with global partners often pose problems of an agency nature. The purpose of this paper is to directly address these challenges through the proposal of an information and communication technology (ICT)-based framework. Design/methodology/approach There has been very little research into how lead SMEs manage their global supply chains and the challenges they face. This paper uses a case study investigation to analyze how four French SMEs – final assemblers of machinery in the farming and agri-business sector – manage their international supply chains. Findings It was observed that the relationships and interactions between the SMEs and their immediate upstream and downstream partners were dominated by the agency problem and fell into six distinct categories (termed “barriers” to effective supply integration), namely; asymmetries, contractual design, supplier dependence, product specifications, supply chain complexity and performance monitoring. Originality/value The contribution of this paper is that a conceptual frame work was developed in which ICT solutions are offered to help address the barriers to supply chain integration, thus reducing the overall risk exposure due to externalities and problems of agency.

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, May 1, 2015

Computers & Industrial Engineering, Jul 1, 2017

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Apr 14, 2011

In this paper we study the operating behaviour and performance of reliable, unpaced and unbalance... more In this paper we study the operating behaviour and performance of reliable, unpaced and unbalanced serial production lines with either imbalanced service time means, unequal coefficients of variation, or uneven buffer capacities. The lines were simulated with various values of line length, buffer storage size, degree of imbalance, coefficient of variation, along with a number of imbalance configurations. The primary measures of efficiency were idle time and average buffer level. Output data from the discrete event simulation of such lines under their steady-state mode of operation were analyzed using a set of statistical methods. Various relationships between the independent and response variables, rankings of configurations and comparisons with balanced lines were obtained. For the mean processing times imbalance, it turned out that a bowl-shaped arrangement provides smaller idle time amounts and lower average buffer levels than those of a balanced line counterpart. As regards the variability imbalance, it was found that the best configurations are respectively, a bowl allocation and a monotone decreasing order, with the first resulting in decreased idle times and the second leading to lower average buffer levels than those of a balanced line. As far as the buffer size imbalance is concerned, it was concluded that the most advantageous patterns that generate lower idle times and average buffer levels as compared to a balanced line are to respectively distribute total available buffer capacity as evenly as possible along the buffers and to allocate more buffer capacity towards the end of the line.

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Feb 15, 2012

ABSTRACT

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2015

International Journal of Production Research, Sep 30, 2014

Unbalanced unpaced serial production lines have been the subject of continued interest over the l... more Unbalanced unpaced serial production lines have been the subject of continued interest over the last half a century. Research into these systems taking a diversity of approaches has given rise to a variety of insights which may be of increasing relevance in a context of fast-changing production and flexibility needs. By mapping the major conclusions reached in the area of unpaced asynchronous unbalanced lines over time and from diverse sources, this review identifies some possible future avenues of research that can usefully advance knowledge in this domain.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes, May 1, 2012

IFAC-PapersOnLine, Jul 1, 2017

Abstract As a common production practice in many developing economies and in reverse logistics, u... more Abstract As a common production practice in many developing economies and in reverse logistics, unbalanced merging assembly lines are a research area which is re-emerging in prominence. This paper aims to study the performance of reliable, unpaced merging assembly lines that are unbalanced in terms of their buffer storage sizes. Lines are simulated with different values of line length, mean buffer storage capacity and configuration of uneven buffer allocation. The best patterns in terms of generating higher throughput and lower average buffer level as compared to a balanced merging line are those where total available buffer capacity is allocated as evenly as possible between workstations and to concentrate more buffer capacity towards the end of the line, respectively.

Journal européen des systèmes automatisés, May 30, 2014

ABSTRACT

Journal of Manufacturing Systems, Oct 1, 2015

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Mar 8, 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of unpaced unreliable producti... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of unpaced unreliable production lines that are deliberately unbalanced in terms of their coefficients of variation (CVs).Design/methodology/approachA series of simulation experiments were carried out for five and eight station lines with mean buffer space set at one, two, four and six units. CVs were allocated in 12 different configurations for each of these lines.FindingsThe results show that the best unbalanced CV patterns in terms of throughput rates or idle times as compared to a balanced line counterpart are those where the steadiest stations are concentrated near the centre of the line. On the other hand, either concentrating the steadier operators towards the centre or close to the end of the line gives best average buffer level results.Practical implicationsThe results provide guidelines for production line managers when designing unpaced unbalanced lines depending on their performance aims.Originality/valueThe investigation of the effects of unbalancing CVs in unreliable lines has not previously been studied and can provide insights into how best to place workstations with differing variability along the line.

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Economics and Management Engineering, Jun 26, 2014

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2015

IFAC Proceedings Volumes, May 1, 2012

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Apr 2, 2016

Journal of Manufacturing Systems, Oct 1, 2016

The performance of unpaced unreliable production lines that are unbalanced in terms of their buff... more The performance of unpaced unreliable production lines that are unbalanced in terms of their buffer storage sizes is investigated in this article. Lines are simulated at different levels of line length, total buffer capacity and mean buffer capacity, and for each of these the configuration of buffer allocation is varied. Output data on throughput, idle time and average buffer level are analysed using a range of statistical tools, and relationships between the independent and dependent variables were determined. The best patterns in terms of generating higher throughput rates (or lower idle times) and lower average buffer levels as compared to a balanced line are those where total available buffer capacity is allocated as evenly as possible between workstations and to concentrate more buffer capacity towards the end of the line, respectively.

Through a case study of a producer association of organic fruit and vegetables in the Loire Valle... more Through a case study of a producer association of organic fruit and vegetables in the Loire Valley Region of France (Loire Ocean Bio), this article proposes several approaches for understanding the potential links between organic farming and health and well-being. In the cases encountered by the authors, the classic utilitarian approach used by economists regarding health and well-being does not prove very useful in analyzing these links. Multidimensional measurements of the determinants of health and well-being, such as those proposed by Stiglitz report (Stiglitz, Sen and Fitoussi, 2009), prove to be better suited in this matter. Using their framework, this article highlights the finding that there appears to be a mutually reinforcing relationship between organic agriculture and health and well-being. That is to say, on certain points, organic agriculture helps to improve the quality of life in the region concerned, while at the same time the interests of health and well-being are ...

This brief working paper looks at the pros and cons associated with the private prison industry i... more This brief working paper looks at the pros and cons associated with the private prison industry in the United States.

This technical paper provides a brief review of the literature on assembly line balancing, more s... more This technical paper provides a brief review of the literature on assembly line balancing, more specifically, as it relates to the apparel industry. The fashion industry, including the production, shipping, sales and marketing of clothing, is one of the largest on the planet. It is also extremely labour intensive. With regard to the fabrication of garments, ideally, if each item is processed in an assembly line in a predetermined order, with no two operators working on the same piece at the same time, no problems due to imbalance should occur. But this is rarely the case. It is believed that there is a great deal of lost productivity and decreased efficiency as a result of assembly lines being unbalanced (i.e. a misallocation or suboptimal use of resources exists).

The social, political and economic importance of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT... more The social, political and economic importance of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community is increasingly being recognized by what is normally referred to as mainstream society. But relatively little is still known about LGBT perceptions towards marketing and advertising campaigns that are specifically targeted at them. This paper provides a brief overview of the history of targeted marketing efforts towards the LGBT community and a limited discussion of the implications for advertisers.

This presentation is a brief investigation into the socio-economic changes that the United States... more This presentation is a brief investigation into the socio-economic changes that the United States has undergone since the last vestiges of the Gold Standard were removed on August 15, 1971. This date is considered, by some, as heralding the start of Globalization as it is understood in the modern sense of the word.