Lean Practices in Academia. A Comprehensive Review and a New Provisional Model
- Conference
- Location
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Minneapolis, MN
- Publication Date
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August 23, 2022
- Start Date
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June 26, 2022
- End Date
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June 29, 2022
- Conference Session
- Page Count
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19
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--40624
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/40624
- Download Count
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256
Paper Authors
Simin Nasseri Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Dr. Simin Nasseri is a full professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering at Kennesaw State University (Former Southern Polytechnic State University). She obtained her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Sydney University, Australia, where she worked as a senior research associate. She has more than twenty five years of academic/industrial experience and has obtained many patents, and published many book-chapters, journal and conference papers. Her research areas include Rheology and viscoelasticity, Biomechanical engineering (orthotics, artificial organs and soft tissue Rheology), Manufacturing engineering, Polymer processing, Computational mechanics, Robotics, and Micromachinery. She has work experience related to design and manufacturing, has served as the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) faculty advisor from 2006, and has taught many courses related to engineering mechanics, design and manufacturing, programming, etc. She has won many prestigious awards, and fellowships such as university's distinguished professor award.
Mohammad Jonaidi Kennesaw State University
Dr. Jonaidi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Kennesaw State University (KSU). He has about 37 years of Industrial and Academic experience in the field of structural engineering, about 16 years of which consists of teaching and research. He has been teaching Civil Engineering courses at various universities in Tehran, Sydney and Atlanta.
He obtained his PhD degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Sydney, Australia in 1998. After graduation, he continued his research at Sydney University before joining Taylor Thomson Whitting (TTW) a Consulting Engineering firm in Sydney in 2000. He was the Chief Engineer/Technical Director in Tendon Systems/Trillium Structures, an engineering company in Suwanee, Georgia from November 2004 till July 2016.
Dr. Jonaidi has been involved in analysis and design of complex structural projects such as: Modeling and analysis of high-rise buildings, Analysis and design of steel structures, Floor vibration of slabs, and pedestrian bridges, Serviceability vibration analysis of high-rise buildings under wind effect, Earthquake Engineering, Design of post tensioned concrete structures. He also used Finite Element Analysis for: Nonlinear and Buckling analysis of silos and thin-walled members, Temperature effects on concrete slabs, Industrial concrete pavements, Analysis of long span spatial steel structures, Analysis of Glazing facade and so on. Furthermore, he has experience in: Below grade shoring walls using soil nails and ground post-tensioned anchors, retrofit of concrete structures using Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP), and the strengthening of structures to resist progressive collapse.
Navid Nasajpour Esfahani Georgia Institute of Technology
My name is Navid Nasajpour Esfahani. I received my master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Kennesaw State University. I received admission for my Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology. I have published four journal papers and four conference papers and worked as a Graduate Research Assistant during the last three years.
Ralph Schultz Kennesaw State University
Ralph “R.J.” Schultz – R.J. has a Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Texas State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Kennesaw State University. He has research experience in ablative technologies, advanced composites manufacturing techniques, and materials characterization. His current research interests are in heat transfer, pyrometry, structural design, heat treatment, metal forming & fabrication, composites manufacturing, and product design and development. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) as well as the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) and he holds a position as a Technical Specialist (Materials and Processes Engineering) at a major Georgia aerospace airframe manufacturer.
Abstract
Lean manufacturing methods have been widely used in industry for many decades. The lean concepts which have been adopted, largely have increased profit and reduced waste. Lean philosophy has been reviewed in academia by researchers, but only few major models have been developed. In these models, various factors have been discussed without finding a common ground or core.
The focus of this paper is to review the lean models in use in academia as well as to identify the most important pillars based on which a new model may be constructed. It then reviews some novel approaches which might help higher education professionals to focus on value creation, continuous improvement, as well as efficiency. The underlying lean principles in industry in various sectors are adopted to complete a list of deliverables to be used in academia. For this purpose, the three bodies of Faculty, Students and Staff are considered, as well as the three areas of Teaching, Research, and Service. Lean philosophy in each body and area is also evaluated.
The core theoretical elements of lean manufacturing are the three main goals, the two fundamentals, the five principles, and the eight wastes. The new educational model is based on four pillars which are adopted from the primary elements of the Lean World Class Manufacturing (LWCM) and lean Six Sigma framework. However, the model also incorporates the elements of the future-ready manufacturing business, and project management. The emphasis is on reducing waste in engineering departments, which is the main goal of the new model suggested.
These elements are revisited from the perspective of higher education management, to offer new methods that faculty and administration bodies can deploy for a much higher efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity in academia. These are to ensure higher rates of retention and graduation, and general student success. These new methods can be incorporated in university trainings for faculty and staff and be frequently evaluated for successful outcomes.
Nasseri, S., & Jonaidi, M., & Nasajpour Esfahani, N., & Schultz, R. (2022, August), Lean Practices in Academia. A Comprehensive Review and a New Provisional Model Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40624
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