In gainsharing, a service provider and receiver collaborate in shared operations and process development efforts to improve the value of service, reduce costs, and boost the service provider's operational efficiency. The win-win model aims for continuous development loops; however, the prerequisites that both companies need to consider for success, do have several challenges. Many studies have examined these challenges in gainsharing from different perspectives; however, their focus has remained narrow. This study collates these different views in one summary set and presents them together. This combinatory view examines trust in gainsharing. Ultimately, this study reports the importance of trust in tangible numbers to improve gainsharing models, and the elements that need trust to function, in the context of logistics outsourcing.
In the last ten years there has been an increase in research on the concept of collaboration. While collaboration and collaborative learning are able to transform our society, only a few tools and methods were developed. In this paper, we will introduce a new and innovative method for measuring team quality that we call the WeQ-test. The test consists of 42 propositions divided into six topics. The form of the propositions requires switching between your perspective and the perspective of other members of the team. An in-depth analysis of those individual factors provides data about where the particular strengths and challenges in a group can be identified. Regarding the use of the WeQ-test in NGOs and start-ups, an empirical study will be designed. With the findings gained from this research, the project attempts to clarify on a broader scale what learning means with reference to collaboration.
Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is a maintenance program that recommends maintenance decisions based on collected data through condition monitoring. The aim of this paper is to come out with a brief summary of CBM with definitions of different terms, history, recent developments, and applications of the CBM domain. This paper also presents a literature review on the reported articles on CBM. The concept of CBM includes different fields of study such as data mining, artificial intelligence, and statistics to enable any systems to be maintenance smart. Based on the review, the typical new approaches and methods were introduced; the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches were discussed.
The use of air conditioning (AC) systems is widespread in Saudi Arabia. The primary energy source in this region are electric power stations running on fossil fuels, which have harmful environmental impact. A side effects of the increasing use of ACs is the emission of hydrofluorocarbons, which contribute to ozone depletion. The remanufacturing of ACs has been reported as an environmentally friendly alternative due to waste reduction and minimal use of raw materials. This study compares the energy intensities of manufacturing and remanufacturing ACs in terms of environmental and resource economics. This comparison was carried out using an environmental life cycle assessment. Furthermore, a life cycle cost (LCC) analysis was also carried out to determine the most cost-effective option in different sectors from the user's perspective. The results were validated using an uncertainty analysis technique. These findings were used to estimate the manufacturing/remanufacturing energy across multiple use cycles.
We present a Cournot model that compares the critical threshold of collusion in Duopoly and Oligopoly Markets where the actors are private, mixed or public. We assume that the incentive critical threshold for collusion depends on the interconnection fees. The different threshold values calculated in each Market structure are then estimated, using the OLS method, with variables related to the Tunisian market structures and prices. The Econometric estimation of the different threshold values is consistent with our theoretical results. Our findings can be used by the decision makers to control collusion, by acting on the level of interconnection fees for each market structure and by implementing the suitable market liberalization policies in this sector.
Enterprise systems (ES) has intensely automated and integrated the whole business functions if adopted. The most critical of the ES adoption criteria: environmental pressure; perceived ease of use; readiness; and perceived usefulness. The mentioned criteria were studied along with 60 several kinds small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To investigate the data were collected researcher applying convergent and discriminant factor analyses using EQS 6.3 and SPSS 21. The study has concluded that all suggested criteria play the main factors of ES adoption in SMEs. Results, implications for the SMEs managers, and government role are discussed.
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to show a successful improvement in operations with the implementation of lean manufacturing strategies in a Caribbean oil and gas company. Design/Methodology: Initially, a review of literature was performed on lean manufacturing (LM) tools. Then interviews and GEMBA walkthrough was carried out in the selected case organisation followed by the problems faced were analysed using value stream map (VSM) together with root cause analysis tools. At the end, future state VSM was developed and the benefits due to implementation of LM principles were quantified. Findings: The study revealed that a traditional approach is currently being used on the shop floor thus increasing the opportunity for hidden wastes between the processes as well as increased repair time due to defective equipment. The results concluded that improved shop floor utilisation, reduction in preparation time and hidden wastes were identified on the shop floor. Originality/value: The review of literature indicated that implementation of the lean principles in the Caribbean oil and gas sector has not been explored. Further, the study results provide a road map for similar organisations to achieve operational improvement but also is valuable for academic and research community for practical implementation of lean principles.
Dynamic job shop scheduling is one of the problems that get little attention in literature as it is known as an NP-hard combinatorial optimisation problem. Few researchers handled the mathematical model and the approaches of optimising the schedule efficiency and stability. As events such as (machine breakdown, arriving new jobs or processing time variation) are hard to be formulated in a mathematical model, this research introduces a dynamic multi-objective genetic algorithm based on partial repair reactive strategy. The reactive strategy is selected to deal with the dynamic nature of job shop by applying partial repair policy for optimising the scheduling efficiency and the schedule stability simultaneously. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm provided better solutions than key problem solutions in dynamic job shop scheduling problems published in literature.
This study investigates the effect of four key process parameters in two point incremental forming (TPIF) on the profile accuracy of the manufactured parts. The experiment was applied to A1050-H14 commercial aluminium sheets under different values for tool diameter, feed rate, vertical step size, and sheet thickness. The experiments were designed using the Taguchi L8 orthogonal array. Profile accuracy was estimated by measuring four quality parameters, namely, circularity error, waviness error, depth error, and side wall angle error. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for studying the significance of each process parameter. Grey relational analysis (GRA) was then used to perform a multi-objective optimisation of the four quality parameters simultaneously. The results showed that while each quality parameter may be optimised separately, it is considerably difficult to optimise all of them together. In practice, a compromise must be made based on the profile feature necessary in a given situation.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to document experiences gained due to implementation of lean strategies in one of the Caribbean jobshop manufacturing organisations. Design/methodology/approach: The present mode of the selected Caribbean manufacturing firm's operations has revealed that there is existence of excessive motion, processing time and queue time within the manufacturing layout. To gain insights in the lean area, a comprehensive review of literature has been conducted. For in depth analysis of the company's problems, the 5-whys methodology was followed. The current value stream map (CVSM) has been developed after making several company visits and necessary computations. For improvement of the system, various lean strategies have been proposed and future value stream map (FVSM) was developed. Findings: Due to implementation of lean strategies such as parallel processing, smaller batching, deployment of new technology and computer aided job assessment the company realised benefits in terms of reduction in lead time (∼86%), reduction in processing time (∼67%) and an increased effectiveness of flow (from 4% to 57%). Lean implementation also resulted in improved flow effectiveness and quality reports. Practical implications: With the proposed lean strategies the company can now capable of quicker revenue generation, reduction in costs and an increase in productivity. Originality/value: The study experiences can be applied in similar jobshop situations to reduce costs and improve the effectiveness of their manufacturing operations.
This paper presents the current state of additive manufacturing (AM) implementation in complex supply chains, focusing especially on the globalised consumer electronics industry. A literature review sought to identify bottlenecks to technology transfer, while a qualitative study was carried out using interviews with case company personnel. Finally, an industry survey was used to quantitatively evaluate current production costs and delivery times for AM units. The results highlight the considerable barriers to transferring AM technology to engineering applications. However, there is an untapped potential for manufacturing applications in small-series and pre-series production at the product refinement stages. Furthermore, future projections of AM production throughput and cost reductions will disrupt organisational supply chains. This will lead organisations to create faster design, development and manufacturing cycles, unlocking novel applications and introducing new possibilities to change product architecture at any stage of the product development while compressing the supply chain and allowing for quick responses to changing customer demands.
3D printing is moving towards end-part production. However, the high-cost structures of 3D printing have a negative impact on technology transferability. Manufacturing time per part becomes a critical enabling factor for whether the technology can be implemented or not. The aim was to investigate the effect of build orientation and the number of parts relative to manufacturing time per part in the material extrusion, binder jetting, vat photopolymerisation, material jetting, powder bed fusion, and sheet lamination. The tested geometry was a Nokia Lumia 820 mobile phone cover. Manufacturing time per part depends heavily on the geometry, orientation, printing process, and amount of parts manufactured in a single build. Manufacturing time per part varies substantially between the tested technologies. The optimal processes in regards to the production speed were found to be powder bed fusion and binder jetting. In addition, material costs and costs related to process time per manufactured part were compared.
Universities are engine of growth and development if well managed and sustained. In Africa, however, universities are relatively less productive especially in collaboration. Therefore, the study explored the role of universities in fostering co-production with reference to Africa. For instance, what are the key features of highly co-production universities? And why is it that African universities are not innovative? Qualitative method was used, in-depth interviews were conducted with some of the stakeholders in Africa, and secondary data were used. Secondary data were sourced through newspapers, journals and text books to validate the data. Convenient sampling technique was used in the determination of the respondents. The findings reveals that lack of collaboration, poor funding, inadequate man power and lack of training constitute hindrance to innovation practice. The paper suggests, collaboration, information technology development and training should be enhanced.
In recent times, open innovation has become fashionable as a way to make up for limited internal efforts around innovation. In the present paper, we review the state of cooperative innovation among small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) by categorising their modus operandi regarding innovation in general and towards cooperative innovation in particular. To that end, we create a framework for analysis that is rooted in the dichotomy between doing-using-interacting (DUI) and science-technology-investigation (STI). The inventory obtained serves as a basis for identifying implications for managers with regard to enhancing the propensity for cooperative innovation among SMEs and increasing the benefits that can follow from it. We find that SMEs should devote particularly care to creating a position for an internal innovation promoter to act as a boundary spanner between the firm and external partners. Additional recommendations for thought and action are to look beyond the regional home base for innovation partners and consider implementing more formal governance arrangements for cooperative innovation.
Although the performance of the CUSUM chart in detecting small process shift is better than Shewhart chart, there exists cases in reality that require very quick response of detecting small process shift. This paper studies the influential factors that affect the CUSUM control chart design and its in-control and out-of-control average run length (ARL) values. The controllable factors studied are the slack value k; the decision interval h; and the Headstart or Fast Initial Response. These factors are varied at different values for the process expected shift (in standard deviation units) δ. Following this, a non-linear regression model is deduced to compute the ARL of the control chart at any combination of process and control chart variables. Optimisation model is utilised to achieve a specific value for the ARL through fixing the controllable factors. A computer program coded in Matlab workspace (Matlab and Statistics Toolbox Release, 2015) is used for the computation of the ARLs values.
Six Sigma has been used by large organisations to improve the performance of their manufacturing processes. The objective of this paper is to analyse the problem of increasing demand of flour in wafer biscuit production in Y Company. This problem leads to decrease profit and external customer satisfaction. In this study, define, measure, analyse, improve and control (DMAIC) methodology of Six Sigma is used to develop the solutions for the problem. Root causes are determined by using cause-and-effect analysis. Pareto chart helped to focus attention on the major important root causes. Moreover, a brainstorming concept was conducted with experts from the production, maintenance and quality control departments, which helped in formulating the solutions. The study presents the applicability, feasibility and impact of DMAIC methodology on the company, which carried out the reduction in deviation rate of flour material usage from approximately 27.55-10.45% on the production line.
Emulsion polymerisation of vinyl acetate (VAc) and vinyl ester of versatic acid (VEOVA 10) was carried out using different feed composition ratios.The copolymer emulsion was characterised by measuring the morphological properties (average particle diameter, D) by using the transmission electron microscope (TEM); minimum film forming temperature (MFFT) and filtration residue (ppm).The results of the study indicate that the average particle diameter of emulsion (D) decreases with the increase of the amount of VEOVA 10 content (and subsequently decreases the amount of VAc), also the ppm and the MFFT is decreased.These results were illustrated using response surface methodology and contour plots.In this paper, the economic production of VAc and VEOVA 10 emulsion polymer was studied to ensure the best performance of all properties at minimum cost utilising multiobjective optimisation methodology.
Data mining (DM) algorithms arose as a promising and flourishing discipline at manufacturing and industrial engineering.This paper proposes an efficient decision support approach for manufacturing engineering.The proposed approach tackles clustering challenges for engineering materials properties.It adopts the hierarchal clustering for mining engineering materials properties.Extensive experiments and comparisons are conducted on three different real-world datasets for engineering materials properties.In addition, a study of different similarity measures is carried out to choose the best fit
The construction of public works in Greece usually faces in practice significant deviations from its time scheduling.The aim of this paper is to study and evaluate the possibilities of managing these uncertainties by applying a probabilistic approach mainly based on the method of Monte Carlo simulation.State-of-the-art software was used allowing a better integration of different sources of uncertainty into the time scheduling.The software was applied in an already constructed work and the results were compared with real recorded data.The application demonstrated the strong performance of the Monte Carlo Method and its ability to deal efficiently with uncertainty.The divergence between the results of the Monte Carlo Method and the real data disclosed some structural weaknesses of the ruling framework of public works in Greece that extent the uncertainties.Finally, suggestions are discussed for institutional changes that will assist in a more efficient and accurate time scheduling of the Greek public works.
In this work, new approaches for online 100% visual inspection are introduced.Unlike the traditional visual inspection approaches that testing the complete similarity of the inspected unit with a master one, the developed approaches test whether each quality characteristic in the product falls within its specified tolerance band.In the first approach, some statistical indices were used, e.g., correlation, to decide whether the dimensions of the inspected product are within specs.This approach is then modified, and each key dimension is treated alone to know which one (if any) falls beyond its tolerance zone.A third approach is introduced in which a feature of each quality characteristic is developed, and a NN model is used to determine whether this quality characteristic comply with its specs.The decision is released in the real time such that an out of control situation can be treated immediately.
