Survey items on each of the six KE phases
| Sub scale | Items | |
|---|---|---|
| Problem definition phase | PD1 | I ask questions in order to understand what the real problem is |
| PD2 | I ask questions to understand why a certain disparity is a problem for the organization | |
| PD3 | I ask questions to estimate what the factual consequences of a disparity could be | |
| PD4 | I ask questions to determine why a disparity is a problem at this point in time | |
| Root-cause analysis phase | RA1 | I keep asking questions to find the root cause of a problem |
| RA6 | I think it is important to analyse possible root causes thoroughly | |
| RA7 | I believe that you cannot make a decision about what should be solved, without a thorough root cause analysis | |
| RA8* | It annoys me when team members start discussing the implementation when we have not finished the root cause analysis | |
| Generate idea phase | GI9 | I have ideas about how to solve the root cause of a problem |
| GI10 | I share my problem solving ideas without being influenced by possible restrictions | |
| GI11 | I can suggest out-of-the-box solutions | |
| GI12 | I enjoy coming up with creative solutions with everyone | |
| GI13* | I can assess whether an idea will really solve a root cause | |
| GI14* | It annoys me when team members say they cannot think of more solutions, after just 1 or 2 ideas | |
| Plan implementation phase | PI15 | I ask questions about the current situation to gain a proper understanding of how the work-floor employees will react to a proposed change |
| PI16 | I think about what work-floor employees need before they can start working with a solution | |
| PI17* | I think it is important that an implementation plan is achievable | |
| PI18* | I ask questions about the preconditions that need to be fulfilled before a solution can be implemented | |
| PI19 | I ask questions about who needs to be involved in the decision making, in order to implement a solution successfully | |
| PI20 | I think it is important to discuss and decide on the end result of a change | |
| Implement phase | I21* | I like implementing a solution |
| I22 | I talk to work-floor employees to get their opinions about a change | |
| I23 | I talk to work-floor employees to see if a solution can be implemented | |
| I24 | When I receive any signals that an implementation is not going well, I discuss it and, if necessary, take action | |
| I25* | I keep an eye on the progress of a plan and make adjustments where necessary | |
| I26 | I make sure that no friction arises during the implementation of a solution | |
| Check and sustain phase | CS27 | I make sure that we stick to the scope of what we want to implement |
| CS28* | I ask questions to find out whether we have ensured that a new method will last | |
| CS29 | I check whether all the elements of an aspired end result have been achieved | |
| CS30 | I make sure that we report the end result of an implementation | |
| CS31 | I make sure that we close a project properly | |
| CS32* | After implementing the solution, I ask if the problem is solved good enough | |
| Sub scale | Items | |
|---|---|---|
| Problem definition phase | PD1 | I ask questions in order to understand what the real problem is |
| PD2 | I ask questions to understand why a certain disparity is a problem for the organization | |
| PD3 | I ask questions to estimate what the factual consequences of a disparity could be | |
| PD4 | I ask questions to determine why a disparity is a problem at this point in time | |
| Root-cause analysis phase | RA1 | I keep asking questions to find the root cause of a problem |
| RA6 | I think it is important to analyse possible root causes thoroughly | |
| RA7 | I believe that you cannot make a decision about what should be solved, without a thorough root cause analysis | |
| RA8* | It annoys me when team members start discussing the implementation when we have not finished the root cause analysis | |
| Generate idea phase | GI9 | I have ideas about how to solve the root cause of a problem |
| GI10 | I share my problem solving ideas without being influenced by possible restrictions | |
| GI11 | I can suggest out-of-the-box solutions | |
| GI12 | I enjoy coming up with creative solutions with everyone | |
| GI13* | I can assess whether an idea will really solve a root cause | |
| GI14* | It annoys me when team members say they cannot think of more solutions, after just 1 or 2 ideas | |
| Plan implementation phase | PI15 | I ask questions about the current situation to gain a proper understanding of how the work-floor employees will react to a proposed change |
| PI16 | I think about what work-floor employees need before they can start working with a solution | |
| PI17* | I think it is important that an implementation plan is achievable | |
| PI18* | I ask questions about the preconditions that need to be fulfilled before a solution can be implemented | |
| PI19 | I ask questions about who needs to be involved in the decision making, in order to implement a solution successfully | |
| PI20 | I think it is important to discuss and decide on the end result of a change | |
| Implement phase | I21* | I like implementing a solution |
| I22 | I talk to work-floor employees to get their opinions about a change | |
| I23 | I talk to work-floor employees to see if a solution can be implemented | |
| I24 | When I receive any signals that an implementation is not going well, I discuss it and, if necessary, take action | |
| I25* | I keep an eye on the progress of a plan and make adjustments where necessary | |
| I26 | I make sure that no friction arises during the implementation of a solution | |
| Check and sustain phase | CS27 | I make sure that we stick to the scope of what we want to implement |
| CS28* | I ask questions to find out whether we have ensured that a new method will last | |
| CS29 | I check whether all the elements of an aspired end result have been achieved | |
| CS30 | I make sure that we report the end result of an implementation | |
| CS31 | I make sure that we close a project properly | |
| CS32* | After implementing the solution, I ask if the problem is solved good enough | |
Note(s): The lead question of this survey was: “In general, when you are a member of a group that has to solve a problem, which statement is applicable to you?” All items were scored on a 7-point Likert scale with 1: totally disagree to 7: totally agree
*Items excluded based on exploratory factor analysis (communality to sub-scale <0.4)
Source(s): Created by authors