Staff Profiles

Modules taught

John is currently the module leader for:

U55042: Purchasing and Supply Chain Management (Level 5)

P58872: Operations Management (Level 7)

P58867: Procurement and Supply Chain Management (Level 7)

P58898: Dissertation (Level 7)

Journal articles

• Bancroft J, Saha K, Li D, Lukacs G, Pierron X, 'Lean Six-Sigma: The Means to Healing an Ailing NHS?'
  International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management 35 (9) (2018) pp.1976-1988
  ISSN: 0265-671X
  Abstract Purpose. This paper examines England’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) arm of the National Health Service (NHS). It considers the positive impact that Lean has had and Six-Sigma can have in A&E departments to improve the quality and reliability of the service offered, in an area that is facing performance challenges. Design/methodology/approach. Independent variables average monthly temperature data (degrees Celsius) obtained from the Met Office and weekly A&E data, patient volume is analysed alongside the dependent variable, the percentage of patients seen in four hours or less. Findings. The model produced a robust positive impact when Lean Six-Sigma is adopted, increasing the likelihood of A&E dependents meeting their performance objective to see and treat patients in four hours or less. Research limitations/implications. Further variables such as staffing levels, A&E admission type should be considered in future studies. Additionally, it would add further clarity to analyse hospitals and trusts individually, to gauge which are struggling. Practical implications. Should the NHS further its understanding and adoption of Lean Six-Sigma, it is believed this could have significant improvements in productivity, patient care and cost reduction. Social implications. Productivity improvements will allow the NHS to do more with an equal amount of funding, therefore improving capacity and patient care. Originality/value. Through observing A&E and its ability to treat patients in a timely fashion it is clear the NHS is struggling to meet it is performance objectives, the recommendation of Six-Sigma in A&E should improve the
  reliability and quality of care offered to patients. Website 
• Bancroft J, Saha K, 'Observing the NHS’s A&E performance objectives: is lean the cure?'
  International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management 33 (8) (2016) pp.1099-1123
  ISSN: 0265-671X
  Abstract Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to investigate England’s Accident and Emergency (A&E)
  portion of the National Health Service (NHS). This paper is based upon weekly published data from A&E trusts across England, spanning from November 2010 to December 2014.
  Design/methodology/approach – Emphasis is placed on a number of variables; month (time of
  year), performance (patients seen in less than four hours), patient volume and exploring the
  relationship between these variables. A deductive approach has been selected as the most appropriate for this paper and the format of a correlational study. Lean will be discussed as a philosophy throughout this paper, as a means to improve the NHS.
  Findings. The NHS’s success in reaching its 95 per cent performance objective has in a gradual
  downwards trend since the data started being published and the volume of patients seen in A&E is trending upwards. However, there is only a weak relationship between these variables, suggesting that peak in demand are effectively foretasted by the NHS and appropriate resources deployed to combat this. Additionally, there is a clear relationship between the time of year (month) and volume.
  Research limitations/implications. The data used are not broken down and are aggregated from
  A&E departments across the NHS in England. Therefore, outliers could be present that impact the data and results. Should outliers exist, these should be targeted for improvement or to be learnt from, depending on their ranking.
  Practical implications. Should the NHS continue with their Lean transformation, it is believed that
  efficiency will improvement throughout the organisation.
  Social implications. Through the identification of volume trends better care and efficiency can be
  provided to patients visiting the A&E departments of the NHS.
  Originality/value. This paper analyses data over the past four years which can be used to spot past trends and predict future trends, therefore smoothing the reliability and quality of the care offered to patients. This can be achieved through a Lean transformation and a flexible resourcing approach.Website 

Conference papers

• Saha K, Bancroft J, 'A mixed-method analysis of international trade in apparel: A case study of the Bangladeshi readymade garments industry.'
  (2016)
  Abstract We investigate the impacts of institutional factors in apparel trade. A mixed-method research instrument is applied in a trade economics study. This study contributes by establishing the specific institutional factors that need consideration in export policy development within the apparel industry. The originality and novelty of the work are the chosen research method in an applied trade economics study. This study also addresses the measurement issues of institutional variables.

Other publications

• Li D, Geng R, Bancroft J, Zhou Z, 'The impact of knowledge competences on business performance: Moderation effect of 3D printing implementation.'
  (2018)

Areas of expertise

John specialised in Operations Management and Supply Chain Management.

Other experience

Prior to working at Oxford Brookes John has spent 6.5 years working in higher education in other institutions. During this time he developed a passion for Operations Management and Supply Chain Management, teaching these subjects at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in the UK and at overseas institutions as a visiting lecturer.