Quality Alchemist (品質煉金術師)

2015年10月9日星期五

HKSQ Seminar on Organization Development Study of the Impact of Cultural Factors on Six Sigma Implementation in Southern China

The seminar entitled “An Organization Development Study of the Impact of Cultural Factors on the Implementation of the Six Sigma Methodology in Southern China” was organized by Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) and co-organized with ASQ-HK on 9th Oct 2015. The seminar aimed to introduce the study which did not only examine the impact or soft factors of culture on Six Sigma implementation, but also thoroughly explore the strategic objectives of organization development by Six Sigma.
In the beginning, Mr. Peter Fung (Chairman, HKSQ) introduced HKSQ background and the guest speaker Dr. Ivan Chan. Dr. Ivan Ng was our member who studied DBA in CityU. Moreover, HKSQ supported his study through distribution of questionnaire to our members and also linked with HKQAA for their customer.

Dr. Ivan Ng (Director, Capstone Enterprises Ltd.) talk included his study introduction, literature review and research hypotheses, methodology, result and discussion.

In the beginning, Dr. Ng briefed the phenomenon that some companies completed Six Sigma, some continued with it, and some abandoned it. Another observation was some integrate with other initiatives, and some carry it as a brand name. There were several research problem such as Six Sigma performed in another culture, Six Sigma and Innovation, Critical Success Factors of Six Sigma, and Six Sigma implementation issues in Chinese enterprises.

Then Dr. Ng explained to use his methodology such as three stages of data collection and analysis included “Exploratory Interviews”, “Questionnaire Survey” (116; ~6.8% response rate) and “Post-study Interviews” (2x academics; 2x consultants; 3x practitioners). During the survey, Organization Culture Profile (OCP) and Chinese Value Survey (CVS) were employed.
Organization Culture Profile (OCP) included Supportive Culture, Performance Orientation, Emphasis on Rewards, Competitive Culture and Innovative Culture.

Chinese Value Survey (CVS) included Integration Factors, Performance Orientation and Personal Factors.

Then Dr. Ng explained some results in his study. Most of companies were manufacturing and below 100 employees. More than half of responded company’s Headquarter were in Hong Kong which were product dominant.

SME abandoned ratio was high and most foreign-owned enterprise would like to implement Six Sigma. The top three reasons for abandoning Six Sigma were:
- Six Sigma did not fit organization culture
- Resistance was seen in different levels of employment
- Training demands were not realistic to the employees

Dr. Ivan Ng’s findings told us that Chinese Value Survey dimensions did not significant on Six Sigma outcomes. Organization Culture Profile (OCP) had effect on Six Sigma Quality Culture outcomes especially on Supportive Culture (positive) and Innovation culture (negative). Result summary was shown as following table. For negative finding of Innovation culture on Six Sigma Quality Culture outcome, Dr. Ng’s explanation was below:
- An Innovation culture focuses on flexibility, experimentation, and risk taking
- A Six Sigma culture focuses on measurements, control, and procedural consistency.

At end of the seminar, Mr. Peter Fung (Chairman, HKSQ) presented a souvenir to Dr. Ivan Ng.

Finally, HKSQ exco members took a group photo with Dr. Ivan Ng.
(Left: Dr. Aaron Tong, Dr. KS Chin, Mr. Peter Fung, Dr. Ivan Ng, Mr. Karson Chui, Ms. Minda Chiang and I)

Reference:
HKSQ - www.hksq.org

2015年10月8日星期四

HKQAA Hong Kong Registration Ceremony of Recycling Services Pilot Program and Kickoff of Eco-friendly Series

HKQAA organized “Presentation Ceremony of HKQAA Hong Kong Registration – Recycling Services Pilot Program cum Kickoff Ceremony of HKQAA Hong Kong Registration – Eco-friendly Series”. HKSTP, HKSQ and CMATCL were supporting organizations. We took a photo with HKQAA management team in the beginning or the ceremony.
(Left: Mr. Bryan Peng (Assistant Director, HKQAA), Dr. Michael Lam (CEO, HKQAA), Mr. CS Ho (Deputy Chairman, HKQAA), Ms. Freda Wu (COO, HKSTP), Mr. Morris Chan (SHE Manager), and I)

(HKSTPConnect report - http://enewsletter.hkstp.org/70/en-us/news/4)

Mr. Wong Kam Sing, JP (Secretary for the Environment, The Government of the HKSAR) was our honorable guest of the ceremony. Our COO and sustainability team to take a photo with Mr. KS Wong and the Big Waster (大嘥鬼).
(Left: I, Mr. David Chin (Senior Consultant, Strategic, HKSTP), Mr. Kevin Edmunds (Senior Manager, Sustainability, HKSTP), Mr. Morris Chan (SHE Manager), Ms. Freda Wu (COO, HKSTP) and Mr. Wong Kam Sing)

Then Dr. Aaron Tong (Former Chairman, HKSQ) and I represented Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) to attend the ceremony and took a photo with Mr. Wong Kam Sing and Dr. W.K. Lo (Chairman, HKQAA).

In the beginning, Dr. W.K. Lo (Chairman, HKQAA) gave a welcome speech. He introduced green directions of HKQAA through Hong Kong Registration for environmental best practice especially in recycling services and eco-friendly series.

Then our honorable guest Mr. Wong Kam Sing (Secretary for the Environment, HKSAR) gave welcome remarks. He appreciated HKQAA to launch different schemes for environmental protection such as Cooking Oil registration and Recycling Services registration. Moreover, Mr. Wong told us the icon of the Big Waster (大嘥鬼) was very success (even though it is a negative icon). It enhanced public awareness.

The kickoff ceremony of HKQAA Hong Kong Registration – Eco-friendly Series and Recycling Services were performed.

Ms. Freda Wu (COO, HKSTP) gave an opening remark. Firstly, she introduced HKSTP vision to “create a vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem that delivers social and economic benefits to Hong Kong and the region.” Then she introduced our Automatic Refuse Collection system, or “ARCS” which handled almost 47 tonnes of waste paper for recycling in last year. Moreover, we launched our “FoodWise” ＜識食＞ programme, working closely with participating F&B outlets to promote sustainable consumption of food in last year. Finally, Ms. Freda Wu congratulated HKQAA in this important initiative and concluded “Only by working together can we make a greener Hong Kong.”

Then HKQAA presented the certificate to Waste Collector, Waste Recycler and Companion. The first Companion was from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

HKSTP was also one of Companions in the scheme.

Supporting organizations took a photo

Group photo was taken

Sharing Session by Organization and Associations
The first speaker was Mr. Wilson Fung (Executive Director, Corporate Development, HKIA) and his topic named “Waste Management – Hong Kong International Airport”. Mr. Fung briefed the traffic data from 1998 to 2014 where passenger increased 121%, Cargo Traffic increased 168% and Air Traffic Movement increased 140%.

Then Mr. Fung shared their performance on waste management included recyclable waste and non-recyclable waste per passenger (2007/08 – 2014/15).

Mr. Fung shared AAHK’s Waste Management System which separated by Landside and Airside. For Airside, aircraft cabin waste collected by cleaner and disposed to Airside waste station either for landfill or recycle. For Landside, food waste recycling was performed in airport terminal buildings such as waste cooking oil to biodiesel.

The second speaker was representative from Kai Shing Management Service Limited and its topic entitled “Tallest Green Building – Sustainable Community”. The sessions included Green Leadership, Building Introduction, etc.

International Commerce Centre (ICC) had implemented different recycling programmes including waste paper, florescent lamp, unwanted shopping bag, red pocket … up to 26 items to be recyclable.

Mr. Morris Chan (SHE Manager, HKSTP) was the third speaker and his topic was “Waste Management in HKSTP”. He briefed waste management approach from Avoid, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to Dispose. Our target is to cut the quantity of waste sent from our facilities for disposal at landfill by 35% from 2013 to 2021.

Then Mr. Chan introduced HKSTP Automated Refuse Collection System (ARCS) which were connected to underground transfer pipes, one for paper (which is sent for recycling) and the other for general waste.

Another programme named “Foodwise @ Science Park” which used incentive for saving food waste and lunch box. Finally, Mr. Chan used 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) to be a Chinese Poem “減量再用科學化，回收再造新金蛋。”.

The last speaker was Ms. Katherine Lau (General Manager, Corporate Quality & Sustainability, Fuji Xerox) and her topic was “Fuji Xerox Integrate Recycling System”. She pointed out Hong Kong Environmental Problems in four dimensions including Air, Noise, Water and Waste. Her talk would focus on Waste.

Ms. Lau briefed her company vision in which Environment/Future Generations are one of six good company concepts. She said 360 degree of sustainability was employed (indicating that a sustainable solution at every step of the value chain).

Then she explained how Fuji Xerox achieved “Zero” Carbon Operations through their Eco-Solution. Moreover, she played a video about the operation of Fuji Xerox (Hong Kong) Drop-in Service and Recycling Centre located at Tsuen Wan.

Forum discussion session was led by Ms. Meico Cheong (Business Manager, HKQAA).

Finally, Dr. Michael Lam (CEO, HKQAA) gave a closing remark and he appreciated all companies participated the registration, supporting organization and all guests.

Dr. Michael Lam (CEO, HKQAA) and Dr. W.K. Lo (Chairman, HKQAA) took a photo with Big Waster (大嘥鬼) for memory at the end of ceremony.

Reference:
HKQAA Hong Kong Registration - Recycling Services – www.hkqaa.org/recycling
HKSTP - http://www.hkstp.org/en-US/Homepage.aspx
HKQAA - http://www.hkqaa.org/en_index.php
HKSQ - http://www.hksq.org/

HKAS Seminar on Accreditation Service (AS) System

Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) organized a briefing session entitled “HKAS Accreditation Service (AS) System” on 8th Oct 2015. Dr. M.K. Kwok (Senior Accreditation Officer, HKAS) was the speaker and his topics included the background of HKAS, Existing Approach and Limitations of AS system, HKAS Information Management System, HKAS Information Processing (IP) System and HKAS Accreditation Service (AS) System.

In the beginning, Dr. Kwok briefed the typical assessment process from application review to assessment that included the whole application process life cycle. Some key activities included:
- Records assessment related information (e.g. due date, visit date, assessment teams, review, approval record, etc.)
- Maintenance of CAB’s information and scope of accreditation
- Maintenance of technical assessors, technical experts and external lead assessors
- Maintenance of members and statues of Accreditation Advisory Broad (AAB), working parties and task forces.

Then Dr. Kwok mentioned their existing approach using Microsoft ACCESS (since 1997) for paper records and computer records. Major functions are including Captures data from events (e.g. Application for Assessments, Assessment team formations, Visit schedule dates, Appointment of external assessors and CAB information) and Generate reminder for those activities. Moreover, it also assisted for statistics reports for management review and standard letter / emails generation.

However, several problems and limitations were shown as follows:
- Manual process to manage assessment cases
- Time is critical for issuing amended assessment report after assessment
- It often requires several iterations for acceptance of remedial actions
- Limitation of email attachment size
- Only support HKAS internal process, etc.

Therefore, a feasibility study conducted by the third party consultancy firm completed in July 2012. It proposed to implement a custom-built system with integration of appropriate software products named HKAS Information Processing (IP) System and HKAS Accreditation Service (AS) System. The objectives were to facilitate provision of better accreditation services (see following diagram).

The system architecture – conceptual overview was briefed (included Hardware and Software).

The Key Features of IP system included Application Review, Preliminary Visit, Prepare for Assessment, Post Assessment, Accreditation Decision & Granting and Monitoring (Reminder), Reporting, etc.

The Key Features of AS system included CABs, Assessment Team and HKAS online platform for information exchanging.

The schedule of AS System would be started in the middle of September 2015 and to be launch in end of 2017 (~30 month). Questionnaires would be sent to all stakeholders for collection feedback for AS System design proposes.

Reference:
HKAS - http://www.itc.gov.hk/en/quality/hkas/about.htm

2015年10月7日星期三

HKSTP TecONE Seminar on Risk Management

The TecONE seminar named “Risk Management for Business Expansion” was organized by Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) on 7th Oct 2015. TecONE, a one-stop service centre which starts operation in July 2014 sets to provide technology SMEs comprehensive advisory services in relation to public funding schemes, industry support programs, HKSTP support services, bank finance and angel investment.

The guest speaker was Mr. Ricardo Lee (Solicitor, Ricardo Lee & Associates Law Office) and his company located in Science Park for 4 years. His presentation topics included “Embracing Investors”, “Organic Business Expansion”, “Managing IP Rights” and “Employment & Insurance”.

In the beginning, Mr. Lee briefed the Enterprise Risk Management definition that “The management capability to manage all business risks in pursuit of acceptable returns” (Risk Management Association (RMA) in US). Then he introduced different type of risks in the business including “Strategic”, “Operational”, “Financial”, “Compliance”, “Legal”, “Reputational”, “Environmental”, “IT” and “Political”. He mentioned that we should consider interrelated nature of risks and setting the company’s risk tolerance.

One of his first topics which I am very interested is “Due Diligence” (DD). DD would be performed during investor input or M&A. He suggested us to prepare first (before discussing terms with investor). Mr. Lee also briefed the Term Sheet and asked us to make sure a particular clause such as “Legally Binding” and concerned “Confidentiality” and “Exclusivity”.

Then Mr. Lee stated some points which could cause risk such as Shareholders Agreement, Rights/Restrictions to Existing Shareholders and Voting Rights of Minority Shareholders. The following table described the stamping time requirement and penalty if improper of share transfer.

For Organic Business Expansion, it could be considered Joint Venture (JV) but the structure of the JV should be taken care. Local Law, Intellectual Property and Regulatory Matters were also considered.

The next topic was IP Protection. He said one common problem was to display the inventions in exhibitions before patent application. On the other hand, it should be asked potential partner to sign NDA before show your invention. He also reminded us to make sure the trademark was in use to prevent potential revocation of registration.

The last topic Mr. Lee discussed was risks associated with employment. He advised us to prepare Employment Contract and Employee Handbook to protect company rights. Finally, Mr. Lee concluded that capture risks could be hidden from the minds of senior, but very real to people elsewhere in the enterprise.

Reference:
HKSTP - http://www.hkstp.org
TecONE - http://tecone.hkstp.org/t1_web/

2015年10月2日星期五

Chairman of Shenzhen Association for Quality (SZAQ) visit to Chinese Society for Quality (CSQ)

Knowing that Dr. Mickey Li (Chairman of SZAQ) to visit Taipei on 2 to 3 Oct 2015, I contacted Prof. Ching-Chow Yang to arrange a visit to CSQ office on 2nd Oct 2015. It could be great to connect Shenzhen Association for Quality (SZAQ) and Chinese Society for Quality (CSQ) for future collaboration especially on the Chinese Quality Forum (華人品質論壇).