Wireless devices enabled information system design poka-yokes: A case study with a manufacturing logistics process

Abstract

The extensive use of Poka-Yoke (Mistake-proofing) devices enables Jidoka (machines with human intelligence) as one of the two pillars of Toyota Production System (TPS). Despite the worldwide adoption of Lean/TPS and the key contribution of Poka-Yoke to the Japanese quality miracle, Poka-Yoke has been largely ignored in academia. This paper narrows the research gap by introducing Information System Design (ISD) as a new way of design for Poka- Yoke and illustrating how wireless communication technologies increase the capacity of ISD Poka-Yoke. A case study is conducted in the paper to explain how wireless devices enabled ISD eliminate three types of human errors in a manufacturing logistics process. In general, ISD Poks-Yoke overcomes the limitation of traditional Engineering Design (ED) Poka-Yoke, by extending the applicability of Poka-Yoke concept to non-production processes. With the integration of wireless devices, ISD can even be used to mistake-proof logistics processes which are often mobile in nature. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.