Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present a continuous improvement methodology developed in an aerospace company that is successfully being used by other companies in various industries. Design/methodology/approach -A case study was undertaken at a medium-sized aerospace company for over a span of one year. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, attendance at formal and informal meetings, observation, and company documentation. Findings -The paper provides an overview of a continuous improvement methodology known as Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACEe), which aims to achieve world-class quality in products and processes. The paper describes in detail the tools and techniques needed to implement and maintain the methodology. It was found that the company is very successful in addressing a wide range of aspects in the organization, always with the viewpoint that the customer is number one. This methodology is successful to the point that it is being used by other companies in various industries. Practical implications -The approach of the ACEe methodology can be applied to a variety of companies. Originality/value -This paper presents for the first time the comprehensive Continuous Improvement methodology ACEe. The paper should be of value to practitioners of continuous improvement programs who are interested in a comprehensive approach to achieving excellence.
Family therapy shaped by the twin contributions of radical humanism (after Freire) and dialogism together create a binocular vision for practice. This vision encompasses the intricacies of moment to moment responses that are seen to occur within a politically informed and socially structured relational context. The breadth of practice possibilities shows no allegiance to any particular 'school' of family therapy but rather advocates for an orientation that humanises the relationship between therapist and family. This humanising orientation counters 'technologies' of practice that reduce the social or relational complexity of human existence creating categories of deficiency or pathology that individualise distress. Practical applications of aspects of dialogism are described and illustrated with a focus on multi-actor participation and attention to embodied responsiveness by the therapist. An attitude that encourages joint experimentation, serious playfulness and the 'performative' are offered as examples of the scope of a dialogically informed humanising practice. In addition practice challenges are considered, in particular where contexts of power 'over' the other are a necessary part of one's professional context.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), its existence and treatment, is a contentious matter. The dominant view in medicine considers that ADHD is a psychiatric disorder. My position is to challenge this from a social relational orientation. I explore here a critique of the psychiatric disease model of causation and treatment, particularly the use of medication. A series of prejudices based on a political and social constructionist orientation are offered to address the ethics, politics and practice implications of the practitioner critical of the biomedical model of diagnosis and treatment especially the use of medication. This device is employed in order to invite critical reflection and further debate in a field dominated by the medical and genetic arguments in support of ADHD as a psychiatric disease. The implications of more open debate are explored, together with directions for more politically and ethically informed practice with children and their families.
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