ERIC Number: EJ1284077
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Jan
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1540-4595
EISSN: N/A
Teaching Lean Principles in Nonmanufacturing Settings Using a Computer Equipment Order Quotation Administrative Process
Terpend, Regis; Shannon, Patrick
Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, v19 n1 p63-89 Jan 2021
As organizations continue to expand their implementation of Lean practices, business schools and corporate training organizations have developed numerous games and simulations aimed at teaching Lean concepts in manufacturing settings. However, simulations have lagged behind the most recent adaptations of Lean outside of the factory in services, and more specifically, in office settings. In this article, we present a Lean simulation game, referred to as "Computer Solutions, Inc." that provides participants with hands-on experience in applying Lean principles in a nonmanufacturing setting. The simulation takes place in the order-quote department at "Computer Solutions, Inc.," a company that specializes in designing customized computer solutions for small businesses. The order-quote process is purely office-based and involves such activities as collecting information, processing information, filling out documents, and forwarding those documents to different parts of the organization. This simulation is implemented as a "pencil-and-paper" exercise that can be performed by students in the classroom. Our simulation brings some unique benefits that are often missing from current Lean manufacturing-based simulations. It involves multiple rounds of Lean improvements that can span several weeks, providing students a chance to identify wastes and to make a thoughtful application of Lean tools and techniques. Students also get to experience the challenges of group dynamics that are often present in team-based improvement efforts.
Descriptors: Office Occupations, Office Occupations Education, Educational Games, Business Administration, Simulation, Experiential Learning, Computers, Small Businesses, Group Dynamics, Delivery Systems
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A