Strategies That Logistics Leaders Use for Achieving Successful Process Improvement Henry Childs Childs Walden University
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 Strategies that Logistics Leaders use for Achieving Successful Process Improvement Henry Childs Childs Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by Henry Childs has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Robert Hockin, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Frederick Nwosu, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Richard Snyder, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2017 Abstract Strategies that Logistics Leaders use for Achieving Successful Process Improvement by Henry Childs MS, Webster University, 1994 BS, University of Georgia, 1973 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2017 Abstract The successful implementation of process improvement (PI) could reduce operating costs of the Department of Defense, which could lessen the impact of budget reductions and the mounting costs of the expanding global mission requirements. Organizations fail to achieve the return on investment for PI and expected savings because of leaders’ inabilities and experiences in integrating critical success factors into PI to improve processes. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the strategies that logistics leaders use to implement PI in the military aviation industry. Six purposively selected group and squadron civilian leaders with over 10 years of experience in successful implementation of PI, working with the Air Force in the military aviation industry in Georgia, participated in the study. The theory of constraints was the conceptual framework for the study. Data collection was through semistructured interviews using open-ended questions, review of organizational documents, and archival records. Seven themes emerged from using a modified version of Miles and Huberman’s data analysis approach, including coding of transcribed interview data and grouping significant statements into larger units to form themes. Emerging themes were leadership, continuous PI, organizational culture, climate, strategic management, performance management, and resource. These findings may contribute to social change by providing the United States and allied leaders with strategies to improve aircraft availability to increase flight operations for enhanced safety and humanitarian efforts for their citizens and allies. Strategies that Logistics Leaders use for Achieving Successful Process Improvement by Henry Childs MS, Webster University, 1994 BS, University of Georgia, 1973 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2017 Dedication I dedicate this study to my wife (Vivian) and our children. My wife provided the source of inspiration, drive, and emotional support. The expectation of my children accounted for an attitude of striving to maximize personal value. The quest for knowledge and social change are endless pursuits. The support of loved ones and the family’s motivation remained the key enablers for me to achieve the success in my life. I also dedicate this study to the military leaders for unselfish acts of dedication and commitment to this great country. Acknowledgments I thank God for divine grace and favor. I thank my wife and my children for their support and editing. I give thanks to the participants, the Walden staff, and my advisors. My sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Robert Hockin, my doctoral study chair, for providing outstanding mentorship, wisdom, and scholarly feedback. I am grateful to Dr. Frederick Nwosu, my second committee member, and Dr. Richard Snyder, URR, for their academic and scholarly advice. Their wisdom, support, and invaluable assistance made the journey a reality. Life’s great accomplishments and success requires mentors and enablers. To whom much is given, much is required. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................3 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3 Research Question .........................................................................................................5 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................5 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................6 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................7 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................8 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 8 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 8 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 8 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................9 Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 9 Implications for Social Change ............................................................................. 11 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ..............................................11 Historical Perspective of PI .........................................................................................13 TOC and Related Theories .................................................................................... 16 TOC and Application in the Manufacturing Industry ........................................... 28 i TOC Application in the Service Industry ............................................................. 30 TOC Application in Healthcare ............................................................................ 33 TOC Application in Logistics ............................................................................... 34 Points of Views of PI and Relationship to Previous Studies .......................................37 Critical Strategies for PI Success .................................................................................46 Transition .....................................................................................................................70 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................73 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................73 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................74 Participants ...................................................................................................................77 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................79 Research Method .................................................................................................. 80 Research Design.................................................................................................... 83 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................87 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................91 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................93 Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................97 Data Organization Technique ....................................................................................102 Data Analysis .............................................................................................................104 Reliability and Validity ..............................................................................................109