Purpose: This study aims to investigate the combined application of 5 Why and E-FMEA for evaluating of gluing technology, its quality and waste management. Methodology/Approach: The research adopted a technical paper. The method of analysing the basic stages of gluing machine parts. Negative impact on the environment is described using algorithms, the Ishikawa diagram, 5 Whys, and 5W2H implemented from the area of quality management. Findings: The study revealed significant influences and analyses of errors during the manufacturing, minimising of hazardous waste from gluing. The study revealed, based on an employee survey, the impacts and analysis of errors during production, the minimisation of hazardous waste from gluing, and pointed out the effectiveness of teamwork. Research Limitation/Implication: Focusing on the production with material gluing may not fully represent the environmental impact of production on environment. Originality/Value of paper: This paper contributes to the limited literature using in the area of influence of gluing technology on the environment. Category: Technical paper
Purpose: This work aims to apply the DMAIC methodology to solve a problem of paint rework on buckets during the storage process at a heavy machinery company in the South of Rio de Janeiro. Methodology/Approach: The technical procedures adopted for the research are based on the case study approach. This methodological classification allows for an in-depth and detailed investigation of a singular case. Findings: With this solution, we were able to reduce rework and consequently cut the costs of re-painting parts, which can also be highlighted as the main applied contribution of this work, since these results can support other companies that will go through the same process. Research Limitation/Implication: It is important to note that there was not enough time to collect results after implementing the device. For future research, it is suggested that the company continue to invest in continuous improvement processes, using methodologies with different approaches. Originality/Value of paper: The need to avoid painting rework, due to the associated costs, highlights the importance of the structured approach proposed. Data analysis showed that more than 40% of the buckets produced by the company had paint scratches, generating 63 hours of rework and a cost of R$ 124,988.51. Research
Purpose: The article proposes an approach to estimating the process sigma level based on information from statistical process control or process capability analysis. Methodology/Approach: The z-score for each critical-to-quality characteristic and for the overall process is estimated from the data obtained in statistical process control or process capability analysis. Findings: The proposed procedure for estimating the sigma level offers several advantages over the traditional method. Research Limitation/Implication: We assume that each critical-to-quality characteristic is linked to only one type of defect opportunity, which can result in only one defect of that type on a single unit. We only consider continuous, normally distributed, and nominal critical-to-quality characteristics with two possible values: non-defective and defective. Originality/Value of paper: The proposed procedure enables us to use information from statistical process control and process capability analysis to estimate the process sigma level and provides additional valuable insights into the process.
Purpose: To address the growing gap between Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance expectations and the practical capacities of consulting small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Methodology/Approach: Conceptual review and comparative analysis of leading governance regimes and standards, followed by mapping to enterprise risk management models commonly used to manage organisational risks. Findings: The paper shows that consulting SMEs face compounded barriers (limited compliance capacity, data constraints, cultural resistance, algorithm aversion, and regulatory uncertainty) that make comprehensive governance unrealistic. It derives a modular governance blueprint that supports gradual implementation aligned with quality management and risk appetite. Research Limitation/Implication: The blueprint requires operationalisation into checklists, templates, and measurable indicators and should be validated across multiple SME cases and AI use scenarios. Originality/Value of paper: The key contribution is translating heterogeneous AI governance sources into a feasibility-first governance logic for SMEs, framed as a quality and trust enabler rather than a compliance-only burden.
Purpose: To analyse, from a comparative perspective, the factors that determine the effectiveness of environmental conservation and enforcement mechanisms, as well as their application in the case of the Gal & aacute;pagos Archipelago. Methodology/Approach: A comparative approach was used based on experiences from Asia, Europe, and Latin America, considering operational metrics, governance mechanisms, and enforcement systems. Findings: Effective conservation is based on three pillars: zoning with effort limits, multilevel governance, and precautionary enforcement mechanisms with adaptive management. Social legitimacy, meaningful participation, and the use of operational metrics are key factors in closing the gap between regulations and outcomes. The Gal & aacute;pagos emerges as a robust model by integrating zoning, biosecurity, and the regulation of tourism and fisheries through transparency and public monitoring. Challenges persist related to dependence on tourism, pressure from invasive species, and asymmetries in enforcement. Research Limitation/Implication: Structural challenges persist, related to dependence on tourism, pressure from invasive species, and asymmetries in enforcement. Originality/Value of paper: The paper proposes adjustments aimed at standardising precautionary thresholds, strengthening open data and audits, diversifying funding sources, and consolidating local technical capacities. Category: Conceptual paper
Purpose: This research investigates the misalignment between educational supply and industrial demand across emerging technology sectors in five European moderate innovator countries, aiming to understand why universities and firms struggle to co-produce the hybrid talent required for the digital transition. Methodology/Approach: A mixed-methods comparative case study design was employed, combining desk research, focus groups, and semi-structured interviews across 35 country-sector cases in five countries and seven technology domains. Findings: The analysis reveals a Coordination Failure Equilibrium where widespread awareness of gaps coexists with systemic inaction, highlighting severe deficits in soft skills and a critical theory-practice divide driven by a temporal mismatch between agile technology and rigid academic cycles. Research Limitation/Implication: The findings imply that traditional degree structures are insufficient for the digital transition, necessitating a paradigm shift toward knowledge co-creation through Regional Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) and industry-validated micro-credentials. Originality/Value of paper: This paper contributes a unique comparative analysis challenging linear human capital models by applying the Quintuple Innovation Helix framework to identify structural coordination failures rather than simple quantitative shortages. Category: Research paper
Purpose: This paper presents a predictive model for strategic management of B2B customer satisfaction, designed for Quality 5.0 challenges and situations with limited data. Methodology/Approach: A two-phase methodology was used. In the first phase, the methodology identifies key quality factors using focus groups and online surveys. In the second phase, a trend model is derived from a numerical correlation matrix that describes all past and possible future states of the system. Findings: The results show two main strategies (dynamic and conservative) for transitioning from declining satisfaction to growth. It was found that this goal can be achieved by managing fully controllable factors such as website navigation, information complexity, and graphic design quality. Research Limitations/Implications: By focusing on qualitative scenarios, the model is effective in environments with insufficient data and opens up possibilities for future expansion with fuzzy logic. Originality/Value of Paper: The presented model is an innovative formal tool that complements existing quantitative methods in areas where data is lacking. Its value lies in its function as a strategic management simulator that converts qualitative descriptions of trends into structured action scenarios, thereby strengthening managerial decision-making in the context of Quality 5.0.
Purpose: This paper focuses on cultivating employees’ experience of thriving at work (TAW) within the context of hospitality organisations. Specifically, it conceptualises and empirically tests a selection of antecedents to employees' TAW, as well as its consequences. Methodology/Approach: The study gathered data from 346 employees working in the hospitality industry. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilised with SmartPLS 4 to examine and validate the proposed conceptual framework. Findings: Leadership autonomy support, working as a team, and employee engagement have positive impacts on cultivating employees' TAW. TAW has positive consequences on service quality and organisational attractiveness. Additionally, both work as a team, and employee engagement was found to mediate the relationship between leadership autonomy support and TAW. Research Limitation/Implication: The study is limited to exploring only a selection of antecedents and consequences of TAW. However, the paper contributes theoretically to the field of hospitality research by enhancing our understanding and insights into the concept of TAW, as well as having several practical implications for managers of hospitality organisations. Originality/Value of paper: The study contributes to a relatively new research domain within positive psychology, focusing on employees' TAW.
Purpose: In process capability analysis, violation of the normality assumption is considered a non-standard situation. This paper defines and categorises causes of non-normality in manufacturing processes, which are essential for quality planning, control, and selecting appropriate analytical procedures. Based on a literature review and systematic investigation, four main categories have been identified. Each category is analysed in detail with practical implications for capability analysis. The paper provides a comprehensive framework for identifying non-normality causes and guiding further analysis steps. Methodology/Approach: Systematic literature review and expert synthesis of causes, supported by practical examples and categorisation into four key areas Findings: four categories of non-normality causes identified; each requires a specific analytical approach before capability analysis can proceed Research Limitation/Implication: Focuses on categorisation; future work should develop automated detection methods and validate solutions across diverse industries Originality/Value of paper: Provides the first comprehensive framework for identifying non-normality causes in manufacturing, bridging theory and industrial practice
Purpose: This study analyses the evaluation criteria of university research in Ecuador and in recent international literature, with the aim of identifying their degree of alignment with social needs. Methodology/Approach: A systematic literature review was conducted on publications from 2020 to 2025 in the Scopus database, following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 41 studies were examined to identify evaluation metrics, conceptual frameworks, and challenges in assessing academic research. Findings: The results confirm the predominance of quantitative indicators focused on publications, citations, and rankings, while also highlighting their limitations in addressing local issues. The literature points to the growing proposal of hybrid models that combine bibliometric indicators with criteria of social relevance, knowledge transfer, and qualitative assessments as a more balanced alternative. Research Limitation/Implication: When contrasting these findings with the Ecuadorian model, a limited incorporation of social impact indicators is evident, underscoring the need to develop more comprehensive evaluation frameworks. Originality/Value of paper: The value of this work lies in offering a comparative perspective between Ecuadorian regulations and international trends, providing evidence to support the design of evaluation models that balance scientific quality with the real contribution of research to socioeconomic development and inclusive social progress.
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to analyse the role of strategic talent management as a critical factor in enhancing and maintaining organisational competitiveness. Methodology/Approach: The methodology integrated both quantitative analyses, including descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-square test, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, as well as qualitative thematic analyses of open-ended responses. Findings: The results confirm statistically significant relationships between employees' perceptions of career growth opportunities, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence utilisation, and their evaluations of talent management effectiveness. Research Limitation/Implication: Barriers such as insufficient time and motivation were identified, emphasising the need for personalised training and flexible learning modules. Originality/Value of paper: This paper underscoring that effective talent management, supported by technological integration and inclusive organisational strategies, significantly enhances organisational adaptability and long-term competitive advantage.
Purpose: This study develops the novel inspection concept of quick switch sampling (QSS), integrating the process incapability index to determine the quality of the product based on the nonconforming fraction. Methodology/Approach: Product quality acceptance is determined through a nonlinear optimisation model that minimises the average sample number (ASN) for inspection, subject to constraints on predetermined quality levels and risks. The plan's effectiveness is evaluated based on the efficiency of ASN and the discriminatory power of its operating characteristics (OC) curve. Findings: The findings reveal that the QSS sampling strategy provides requisite quality assurance with reduced sample sizes relative to the conventional quality inspection model while maintaining discriminatory power between business partners. These findings highlight the potential of QSS systems to enhance the effectiveness of quality control while maintaining stringent quality standards. Research Limitation/Implication: The study was conducted under the assumption that quality characteristics are normally distributed. Originality/Value of paper: The development of a QSS plan integrated with the process incapability index offers adaptive inspection protocols that dynamically adjust inspection stringency in response to fluctuations in product quality and accommodate product sensitivity in terms of process accuracy and precision.
Purpose: This study addresses the development of a variant process planning tool, following the Knowledge-Based Variant Process Planning methodology, applied in a case study and presents the gains achieved. Methodology/Approach: Case study supported by six steps: (1) Feature Analysis, (2) Knowledge Retrieval, (3) Inference, (4) Plan Adaptation, (5) Knowledge Update, and (6) Plan Validation/Optimisation.. Findings: The implementation of the Knowledge-Based Variant Process Planning tool led to significant improvements: planner time reduced by 70%, analyst workload by 90%, and process plan errors to 0%. Results show this approach significantly improves process planning in customised production. Research Limitation/Implication: The limitations are associated with the specificity of the case study problem – the electric engine production systems. Originality/Value of paper: This study helps fill the gap in case studies on the Variant Process Planning approach, specifically for electric engine production systems, paving the way for similar companies to adopt Knowledge-Based Variant Process Planning.
Purpose: This paper explores how artificial intelligence (AI) supports Data Modelling and Design (DM&D) across its lifecycle and how human-in-the-loop (HITL) mechanisms can enhance model quality in enterprise governance. Methodology/Approach: A PRISMA 2020–guided systematic review (2023–2025) of Scopus, Web of Science, and ACM Digital Library identified 28 eligible studies. Evidence was synthesised along the DAMA P–D–C–O cycle, with a focus on HITL. Findings: AI supports planning, building, reviewing, and managing data models through schema generation, enrichment, validation, and optimisation. Results vary with model accuracy, data quality, and semantic gaps. Effective use relies on HITL workflows such as propose–validate, tutoring, co-editing, and feedback loops. A scorecard combining technical, performance, efficiency, and governance indicators traceable via metadata helps demonstrate impact. Research Limitation/Implication: Findings reflect studies published between 2023 and 2025; results may evolve as AI capabilities progress. Originality/Value of paper: This study presents the first lifecycle synthesis of AI-assisted DM&D. It organises evidence from 28 studies, defines key HITL patterns for quality assurance, and outlines ways to evaluate AI’s role in modelling governance. The findings provide a basis for further research and for developing frameworks that connect AI-driven modelling with enterprise data governance.
Purpose: The paper aims to determine the adoption of lean management principles in the manufacturing industry, focusing on SMEs and analysing whether there are differences between enterprises according to their size. Methodology/Approach: The research was carried out using a questionnaire survey using objective sampling among managers of 433 manufacturing enterprises in the Czech Republic. Respondents rated the application of 26 lean management principles on a qualitative scale. Findings: The results show that the principles most commonly applied are respect for employees, customer orientation, personal responsibility, and safety procedures. Adopting lean principles is significant, depending on the size of the enterprise. Large enterprises have an advantage in systematically applying complex principles, such as standardisation and visualisation. Medium and small enterprises focus more on universal principles such as respect for employees’ Research Limitation/Implication: These results point to the need for a differentiated approach in implementing lean principles depending on the size of the enterprise. For lean management in SMEs, it is necessary to overcome their barriers and deal with challenges, from financial constraints to cultural resistance. Originality/Value of paper: The paper highlights the structural barriers of small and medium-sized enterprises in implementing complex lean principles. It contributes to the ongoing debate on why lean implementation in SMEs differs and why more demanding systems or advanced automation often fail.
Purpose: This paper investigates the adoption of product eco-innovations among Slovak manufacturing firms in the context of circular economy (CE) transition and assesses their relationship with industry sectors and company size. Methodology/Approach: A quantitative survey of 101 Slovak manufacturing firms was analysed using chi-square tests, Cramér’s V, and Spearman correlations to explore links between eco-innovation adoption and firm characteristics. Findings: Firm size significantly relates to general product eco-innovation, but not to five of six specific eco-innovations (health impact, energy use, lifespan, pollution, recycling). Only easier maintenance or upgrading shows this link. No significant link exists between industry sectors and product eco-innovation, although sectoral differences are evident in specific eco-innovations. Specific eco-innovations, such as those that reduce pollution and increase product longevity, often co-occur. Research Limitation/Implication: The main limitation lies in the national scope and single-method approach. Originality/Value of paper: This paper adds to the limited empirical research on product eco-innovation in Central Europe by offering novel insights into sectoral and size-based patterns aligned with CE goals. Purpose: This paper investigates the adoption of product eco-innovations among Slovak manufacturing firms in the context of circular economy (CE) transition and assesses their relationship with industry sectors and company size. Methodology/Approach: A quantitative survey of 101 Slovak manufacturing firms was analysed using chi-square tests, Cramér’s V, and Spearman correlations to explore links between eco-innovation adoption and firm characteristics. Findings: Firm size significantly relates to general product eco-innovation, but not to five of six specific eco-innovations (health impact, energy use, lifespan, pollution, recycling). Only easier maintenance or upgrading shows this link. No significant link exists between industry sectors and product eco-innovation, although sectoral differences are evident in specific eco-innovations. Specific eco-innovations, such as those that reduce pollution and increase product longevity, often co-occur. Research Limitation/Implication: The main limitation lies in the national scope and single-method approach. Originality/Value of paper: This paper adds to the limited empirical research on product eco-innovation in Central Europe by offering novel insights into sectoral and size-based patterns aligned with CE goals.
Purpose: This study aims to quantify clause-level compliance and profile the types of organisations that drive this disparity. Methodology/Approach: A structured questionnaire validated by certified auditors (Cronbach’s α = 0.83) was administered to 291 commercial, industrial, and service SMEs in Ecuador. The instrument covers all twelve ISO 9001 clause families. An HJ-Biplot analysis retained 70.1% of the total variance, and a k-means clustering approach, optimised using the Calinski–Harabasz index, segmented firms based on quality-management maturity level. Findings: Three organisational strata emerged. High adherence was observed in Document Control, Product/Service Requirements, and Continuous Improvement, while Resource Procurement showed high uncertainty. Sector, legal structure, and foreign ownership were significant predictors of cluster membership. Research Limitation/Implication: This study employed a cross-sectional design, which may not capture temporal improvements. Originality/Value of paper: Beyond certification status, the findings highlight the importance of internalising leadership and planning clauses to achieve substantive quality gains. This study identifies key policy levers—training subsidies, soft credit lines, and best-practice diffusion—that can strengthen SME competitiveness in emerging markets.
Purpose: This paper addresses the challenge of selecting a suitable modern data architecture in the context of growing data complexity, increased demand for real-time analytics, and evolving business needs. Methodology/Approach: The study follows the DSR process. The paper presents a structured evaluation framework based on clearly defined criteria across technical, organisational, and economic dimensions. The framework supports decision-makers in comparing data architectures, including Data Warehouse, Data Lake, and Data Lakehouse, through a weighted scoring system. Findings: The outcome highlights the advantages of the Data Lakehouse paradigm for the evaluating organisation, which sought to combine flexibility, scalability, and advanced analytics capabilities. This paper contributes a practical and adaptable methodology that aligns enterprise and data architecture decisions. Research Limitation/Implications: Since each question may hold varying importance for the evaluator, it is recommended that each individual question be weighted. The evaluator must possess the necessary knowledge to assign weights. Originality/Value of paper: The methodology provides a foundation for further research on data architectures and their evaluation. It can serve as a starting point for the development of analytical tools and the implementation of case studies.
Purpose: The study compares the quality performance of craft SMEs in Peru based on their adoption of environmental sustainability practices, using Total Quality Management (TQM) dimensions. Methodology/Approach: A comparative analysis was conducted using 262 responses from craft SMEs, evaluating six TQM dimensions. Findings: SMEs oriented towards environmental sustainability practices outperformed others in all quality dimensions, except for Process Control and Improvement. Research Limitation/Implication: The study is limited to craft SMEs in Peru. Originality/Value of paper: This study highlights the positive link between environmental sustainability and quality performance in the craft sector. It not only advances the current knowledge but also provides policy recommendations to promote quality and sustainability in SMEs.
Purpose: This paper proposes using confidence intervals for the mean to select a suitable time-dependent distribution model for a process with non-normal instantaneous distributions. Methodology/Approach: The approach examines a studied characteristic by analysing its distribution, location, dispersion, and shape, all of which are time functions. The values of the characteristic are determined by sampling from the process flow. A time-dependent distribution model represents the process. Findings: The paper explains how to utilise confidence intervals for the mean when selecting an appropriate time-dependent distribution model for processes with non-normal instantaneous distributions. Research Limitation/Implication: The methods described in this document pertain exclusively to continuous quality characteristics and can be applied to analyse processes across various industrial and economic sectors. The presented procedures are appropriate for use when the instantaneous distributions are non-normal. Originality/Value of paper: Confidence intervals for the mean can improve decision-making when selecting a suitable time-dependent distribution model.
