Lean Thinking

Lean Thinking

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  • Dr. Markus Stamm
    Dr. Markus Stamm    Group moderator
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    Studying 'Lean' in New Zealand?
    Hi all

    We are currently looking for a Master student for the following research project:

    "The role and impact of third parties on productivity improvement programs in the New Zealand manufacturing sector"
    Third parties are e.g. universities, governmental institutions, and consultants.

    Aims:
    To propose guidelines and a framework how third parties can contribute and support productivity improvement programs (e.g. Lean transformations) in the NZ manufacturing sector.
    Further, to evaluate accreditation methods for practitioners and consultants in the area of productivity improvement and to propose a correspondent concept.
    Research questions:
    1. What is the current structure to support and to facilitate a sustainable impact? How are third parties involved?
    2. Out of the perspective of industry, what are currently shortages of the support structure for those improvement programs?
    3. What is/should be the role and impact of third parties in productivity improvement programs?
    4. What kind of support infrastructure has been developed by other countries (e.g. Finland or Sweden, ...) which have a similar/divergent socio-economical and demographic context.
    5. What are adequate processes and methods to validate this support structure regarding their effectiveness?
    6. What are existing accreditation methods to e.g. evaluate the quality of “Lean practitioners” and “Lean consultants”? How can it be adapted to specific needs of NZ?

    Execution:
    This project will be ideally carried out by e.g. a MPhil (1 year full time research, no additional courses) or M.B.A. student (2 years, additional courses required) enrolled at AUT University, Auckland. The time frame for the project is one year. The thesis of the student will ensure a detailed summary of findings and suggestions.
    Ideally the project will start in January or February 2009.

    Resources:
    A correspondent workplace including a computer system, access to necessary literature and internet will be provided by AUT.
    http://www.autuni.ac.nz/

    We are currently working on external fundings for this project to support the student.

    Further comments:
    The ideal student would have gained some industry experience or has even led productivity improvement programs. This will ensure more valuable outcomes considering the tight time frame.

    If you are interested or you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

    Cheers
    Markus Stamm
    This post was modified on 30 Sep 2008 at 01:43 am.
    • 30 Sep 2008, 01:37 am
  • Ralf Lippold
    Ralf Lippold    Premium Member   Group moderator
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    Re: Studying 'Lean' in New Zealand?
    Hi Markus,

    Sounds great and for me it's a bit "late" as I have joined WPI for a Master in System Dynamics (http://cpe.wpi.edu/Individual/Distance/sdmasters.html). Otherwise I would have switched to that offer.

    Anybody interested, this will be a good opportunity and you will have highly motivated people around (like Markus and others) at AUT.

    Cheers,

    Ralf
    • 30 Sep 2008, 09:44 am