bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Review on Product and Services Integrated Development
Authors: De Oliveira Karla Fabrícia  , Canciglieri Junior Osiris  , Forcellini Fernando Antonio
Published: February 2025

The service sector has been gaining more space and consolidating in the market, being currently the great employer of labor in the world. This scenario intensifies the debate on the various aspects that can result from a structured management oriented to the sector: to improve the economy, productivity, competitiveness, sustainability and sector of goods and manufacture. In addition, the goods industry has been incorporating services associated with its products as a strategy of differentiation. Thus, to integrate manufactured goods and the services in a single value package for customers is strengthened. This work is to preliminarily review the development of integrated products and services, in order to obtain an overview of the subject, as well as to analyze possible implications and contributions between the themes. For this, a systematic review of the literature was carried out, in order to determine the main papers using the inductive method for reading, to identify the main elements of the articles and their contributions. Bibliometric indicators were constructed as main journals and number of articles published per year, as well as general results, in which it was possible to observe the orientations and correlated areas. Finally, the results made it possible to highlight the trend in the researched area, emphasizing the evolution of the theme over the years and its main contributions.
Maintenance in Aeronautics in an Industry 4.0 Context: The Role of AR and AM
Authors: Ceruti Alessandro  , Marzocca Pier  , Liverani Alfredo  , Bil Cees
Published: February 2025

The paper discusses how Industry 4.0 could impact practitioners performing maintenance in aviation. The attention has been on Augmented Reality and Additive Manufacturing, which can support maintenance tasks and spare parts production respectively. Advantages and open issues are widely discussed and couple of case studies dealing with realistic scenarios are presented to support what has been proposed by the authors. The intention is to demonstrate that AR and AM are viable tools in aviation maintenance, even if effort is necessary to develop an appropriate regulatory framework, required before the introduction of these technologies in the maintenance process. Once applied to real maintenance tasks by airline companies, the practitioning community can develop best practices and the necessary regulation pertaining to maintenance and repair of aerospace systems using AR and AM technologies.
Adaptable Design – Towards Smart One-of-a-Kind Product Development
Authors: Varl Mitja  , Duhovnik Jožef  , Tavčar Jože
Published: February 2025

The smart factories that are already beginning to appear employ a completely new approach to product creation. Smart products are uniquely identifiable, know their current status and alternative routes to achieving their target state. The embedded manufacturing systems are vertically networked with business processes and horizontally connected to disperse value networks that can be managed in real time. Smart factories allow individual customer requirements to be met and mean that even one-off items can be manufactured profitably. In smart industry, dynamic business and engineering processes enable last-minute changes to design and production and deliver the ability to respond flexibly to disruptions and failures on behalf of suppliers. The paper presents a case study of agility enhancement of one-of-a-kind industrial environment. It defines how changeability integrates with robust and concurrent design strategies, and how the principles of adaptability, flexibility and modularity can be applied to improve the operations of a highly individualized product development business. Successful managing of ‘never-ending’ engineering changes seems to be the most important aspect in this field. Accordingly, introducing changeability to highly individualized production environment is mostly about enhancing robustness of new product development process, which leads into minimization of rework activities, reinforced reputation on the market and overall excellence of a company. Presented work aims at delivering a generalized conceptual framework that demonstrates how companies in such specific environment can improve smartness and profitability through the utilization of changeability concepts. The presented case study offers valuable insights into how to implement this in practice.
Modeling Consumer Insight Strategy in Product Development: A Decision Framework for Product Managers
Authors: Kimawati Lenni  , Moser Bryan R.
Published: February 2025

Typically 25–45% of products fail in market despite significant investments, party due to lack of integration of consumer insight in the Product Development Process (PDP). This paper proposes a model-based design of consumer insight strategy to evaluate options more holistically. It explores the interplay between consumer insight as information and its role throughout the PDP, and identifies the gaps between theory and practice. A technique to evaluate quality of consumer research methods and a quantitative model to simulate propagative effect of consumer insight stratgies is proposed, under different rates of market change. Within the constraints of this model, consumer insight strategy should not be ad-hoc, as this decision framework allows for flexibility of options in later phases of PDP and is more effective than rework.
Alarm Management According to ISA SP 18.2 Standard Based on Process Mining and Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods
Authors: dos Santos Cleiton F.  , Netto Rolando J.K.  , Loures Eduardo de F.R.  , Santos Eduardo A.P.
Published: February 2025

Control and supervisory systems have become an important pillar for Automation with the advancement and development of Industry 4.0. These systems are used to reconcile field data with operator analysis, and they are responsible for supporting to the monitoring, analysis, controlling and management of the industrial process. Knowing this, the use of regulations, recommendations and indicators are needed. In this context, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems use factory floor information as an input to alarm management systems in order to control and maintain the plant under operation. The failure event is the consequence of an alarm that has been suppressed or disregarded by the operator, but since the alarm system has been designed in a recommended manner, this occurrence should be displayed and recorded in the event log. Therefore, this record of failures can be analyzed, extracting knowledge of it (quantitative knowledge) and reconciling with the tacit knowledge of the operator (qualitative knowledge) in order to make a better and more clear understanding of the process for an accurate decision making, aiming the reestablishment of the production. However, few systems have the capacity to treat quali-quanti information in parallel and, therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present a model that reconciles such knowledge with a focus on the prioritization of the alarms according to the alarm management regulation ISA SP 18.2. In this context, mining and data analysis tools, and multi-criteria decision making methods are used to elucidate this problematization.
Generative Modelling Technique Application for Unfold Surface Designs
Authors: Jałowiecki Andrzej  , Skarka Wojciech
Published: February 2025

The design process for objects which feature some unfold surfaces is a specific branch of enginnering design. An unfold surface is defined as a surface which takes many forms which are dependent on, for example, a skeleton structure, the material's property etc. As an example, the membrane of an umbrella can be used. A combination of surface modelling and parametrisation makes the unfold surface design process very complex and difficult. The need for modelling of such types of elements in their various positions presents many different problems. One such problem, surface area value continuity, is described in this paper. The varying range of problems related to the design process means that in many cases elements which feature an unfold surface are skipped during the design process or are simplified. In this paper, authors make an attempt to deal with this design problem. In the paper, authors present a novel approach which is based on a distributed model where the main part of the presented model is a generative model. The use of generative modelling techniques allows for automatation of many tasks which normally must be done manually by the designer.
Digital Manufacturing and Virtual Reality for Tractors' Human-Centred Design
Authors: Grandi Fabio  , Peruzzini Margherita  , Zanni Luca  , Campanella Claudia Elisabetta  , Pellicciari Marcello
Published: February 2025

Human-centred design is based on the satisfaction of the user needs related to performances, aesthetics, reliability, usability, accessibility and visibility issues, costs, and many other aspects. The combination of all these aspects has been called as “perceived quality”, that is definitely a transdisciplinary topic. However, the “real” perceived quality is usually faithfully assessed only at the end of the design process, while it is very difficult to predict on 3D CAD model. In this context, digital manufacturing tools and virtual simulation technologies can be validly used according to a transdisciplinary approach to create interactive digital mock-ups where the human-system interaction can be simulated and the perceived quality assessed in advance. The paper proposes a mixed reality (MR) set-up where systems and humans interacting with them are digitalized and monitored to easily evaluate the human-machine interaction. It is useful to predict the design criticalities and to improve the global system design. An industrial case study has been developed in collaboration with CNH Industrial to demonstrate how the proposed set-up can be validly used to support human-centred design.
Improving Online Visibility and Information Sharing Through the Culturalisation Process of the Product and Website
Authors: Sagot Sylvain  , Ostrosi Egon  , Fougeres Alain-Jérôme
Published: February 2025

Product manufacturers can improve their online visibility through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This process allows product manufacturers to make their products visible on search engine results pages by creating a bidirectional channel of information between the company and its customers. This gain in visibility drives traffic to the company website, allowing them to present their latest product innovations to potential future customers. Moreover, once this online contact channel is established, stakeholders can obtain the voice of their customers. Nevertheless, the SEO process is often long and uncertain because search engines are not transparent in their ranking process. Frequent algorithms updates can also make SEO actions inefficient. Furthermore, in a cross-cultural context, ranking well on search engines results pages is not enough. The website must also be properly designed according to cultural differences to prevent customers from leaving the website. Finally, processes permitting website adaptation for search engines and cultures are not sufficient if the product is not “culturally” acceptable. The company needs to share the proper informational product content to meet the needs of customers from different cultures. This paper considers the product and the website as a pair and proposes an approach that assists stakeholders and webmasters during SEO and culturalisation processes. The objective is to obtain the voice of the customers through the creation of a bidirectional information channel between a company and its customers.
Method for the Strategic Planning of the Integrated Sustainable Products Development Process (PEPDIPS)
Authors: Teixeira Grazielle Fatima Gomes  , Canciglieri Junior Osiris
Published: February 2025

With the reduction of borders promoted by globalization, the level of consumption grew dramatically, characterizing our consumer society. However, if on the one hand this growth means progress, on the other hand, this means progress without a future, since consumption can only symbolize progress if it occurs within a form of sustainable development. Faced with this scenario, society and government have been pushing the industries to adopt more sustainable practices in their processes, especially the Product Development Process (PDP). In this new perspective, the PDP with sustainable characteristics can add a long-term competitive advantage to the company. Therefore, the present study presents the proposal of a conceptual method for the Strategic Planning of the Integrated Sustainable Products Development Process (PEPDIPS), to guide the integration of sustainability into the PDP through the qualitative evaluation of PDP requirements and phases, starting from the initial stage of designing the project to launching and distributing the product. PEPDIPS is characterized as a maturity method composed of a cyclic process with two macro phases and four micro phases. Aiming at developing a support assessment focused on the process of continuous improvement that aims at integrating sustainability into the PDP, guiding the designers the best strategic choices applied in the planning and elaboration of a new or existing product. Extending its assessment to business management, necessary to structure and ground such changes.
AI-Based Optimization of Process Parameters in Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Hong-Seok Park  , Dinh-Son Nguyen
Published: February 2025

Selective Laser Melting has been increasingly applied in industrial manufacturing due to a high density of printed products and more free design. However, a jungle of factors affects processes such as machine characteristics and materials properties. Moreover, ranges of crucial factors such as laser power, laser scanning speed, layer thickness hatch distance are wide. Therefore, it is difficult and requires much testing time and cost to select a suitable process parameter for manufacturing a desirable product. An Artificial Neural Network was applied to build an optimization system for finding out optimal process parameters. Inputs of the system are desirable properties of a product such as relative density ratio, and surface roughness while outputs are laser power, laser velocity, hatch distance and layer thickness. Applying the system not only requires less pre-manufacturing expenditure but also helps the printing users to choose approximate process parameters for printing out a desirable product.
Recent Developments in Additive Manufacturing of Gears: A Review
Authors: Gupta Kapil
Published: February 2025

Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) is an advanced technology to produce quality gears of metals and plastics. Some significant benefits such as capability to handle complex gear shapes and design, and produce near net-shaped gears; resource efficiency; and rapid product development etc. make this process a sustainable alternate to the other processes of gear manufacturing. This paper sheds light on the development of some of the important additive layer manufacturing processes such as Stereolithography, Fused Deposition Modeling, and 3D Printing to manufacture gears. The article aims to facilitate researchers and encourages them to do further research and development for improved gear quality, process productivity, and sustainability.
Innovative Approach to Variation Mapping in Craft-Based Textile Manufacturing
Authors: Onyeiwu Chimaeze  , Hird Abigail
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a simple and practical method that facilitates capture of the most significant sources of variation within a craft-based textile manufacturing operation. With the aim of reducing waste in such processes and improving the consistency of the fabric finish, this research work establishes a method that helps indicate the degree to which variation sources contribute to the variability noticed in finished woven fabric. This is achieved by a methodology that is based on the combined use of process modelling theory, specifically the integrated definition for function modelling (IDEF) and process expert knowledge.
Assessing the Employees' Performance and the Role of Leadership
Authors: Alefari Mudhafar  , Salonitis Konstantinos
Published: February 2025

Employee performance is a key asset for any organisation and its success. In small and medium enterprises, the employee performance is even more critical, and controlling it and further improving it can be a challenge. Continuous improvement initiatives can help with the employee performance as well as the senior management commitment. The focus of the present paper is the impact of the various leadership styles in sustaining and improving the employee performance in SMEs. A thorough literature review is presented focusing in reviewing the various types of leadership styles employed in SMEs in developing countries. A questionnaire is used for capturing the current state with regards the employee performance and the role of leadership in manufacturing SMEs in UAE.
The Role of In-Line Image Analysis in the Transition to Continuous Manufacturing in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Cardona Javier  , Ferreira Carla  , Svoboda Vaclav  , Ahmed Bilal  , McGinty John  , Agimelen Okfpeafoh S.  , Hamilton Andrew  , Cleary Alison  , Atkinson Robert  , Michie Craig  , Marshall Stephen  , Florence Alastair J.  , Chen Yi-Chieh  , Sefcik Jan  , Andonovic Ivan  , Tachtatzis Christos
Published: February 2025

In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry is seeing a movement towards the implementation of more efficient continuous manufacturing. This shift requires the development of in-line process analytical technologies to monitor and control the process at any given time. However, extracting reliable information from these sensors is a challenge. Among the available technologies, in-line image analysis is quickly gaining importance. This work presents an image analysis framework developed to address one of the main challenges of in-line image analysis: the presence of out-of-focus particles. Through two relevant examples such as the characterisation of a system of microparticles of mixed shapes and the monitoring of a common operation in the pharmaceutical industry such as the wet milling process, the benefits of incorporating this technique are assessed. The real-time analysis of imaging data in combination with other simultaneously-acquired quantitative data streams enables the user to make informed decisions and implement enhanced control strategies.
The Impact of a Consignment Inventory Strategy in Pharmaceutical Retail Industry
Authors: Saad Sameh M.  , Noguera Itzel  , Bahadori Ramin  , Saad Sylvana
Published: February 2025

The aim of this research paper is to analyse the impact of a Consignment Inventory (CI) strategy on patient satisfaction in the pharmaceutical retail market. The consignment inventory solution is implemented in a particular business to business (B2B) company, active in the pharmaceutical retail market in Mexico, where usually companies suffer from a low fulfilment rate which leads to unsatisfied customers and also a reduction in their profits.
A Tool Path Optimization System for Three-Axis Milling Process Based on Geometric and Physical Simulation
Authors: Ma Hengyuan  , Liu Wei  , Zhou Xionghui  , Niu Qiang  , Kong Chuipin
Published: February 2025

Higher quality requirements and lower production time are the main thrust behind the development of tool path optimization approach. In this paper, a new NC code optimization system based on virtual manufacturing technology is proposed, which includes three key modules: geometric simulation, physical simulation and NC code optimization. In the geometric simulation module, a general and extensible NC code parsing framework is built and space partitioning modeling approach with voxels is employed to extract cutting parameters in instantaneous machining. While in the physical simulation module, a database recording pre-calibrated cutting force models is established and machining mechanics are predicted. Finally, NC codes are optimized by scheduling the values of feedrate and spindle speed which targets at constant cutting forces and less machining time. Later experiments illustrate that after multi-criteria optimization, the fluctuation of cutting force is reduced and efficiency is improved, which well demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the system.
Optimizing Cycle Time and Energy Efficiency of a Robotic Cell Using an Emulation Model
Authors: Ayani Mikel  , Ng Amos H.C.  , Birtic Martin
Published: February 2025

Industrial automated systems are mostly designed and pre-adjusted to always work at their maximum production rate. This leaves room for important energy consumption reductions considering the production rate variations of factories in reality. This article presents a multi-objective optimization application targeting cycle time and energy consumption of a robotic cell. A novel approach is presented where an existing emulation model of a fictitious robotic cell was extended with low-level electrical components modeled and encapsulated as FMUs. The model, commanded by PLC and Robot Control software, was subjected to a multi-objective optimization algorithm in order to find the Pareto front between energy consumption and production rate. The result of the optimization process allows selecting the most efficient energy consumption for the robotic cell in order to achieve the required cycle.
Supply Chain Simulation for Supporting Transformation of Construction Industry
Authors: Rybicka Justyna  , Livingston Teresa  , Handscomb John  , Esparza-Felix David  , Sully Trudi
Published: February 2025

UK Construction sector is working to reduce build project delivery lead times by 50% and the cost of building projects by 33% by 2025. In order to achieve this scale of transformation the sector recognises the need to explore and implement new ways of planning, managing and delivering construction projects. Collaborative planning in addition to using strategies such as those used in manufacturing industries are amongst the key enablers in increasing efficiency in construction. Transformation on such a scale also requires different supply chain and procurement frameworks. This paper provides insight into a supply chain simulation tool which has been designed to enable the construction industry to analyse, assess and compare the key performance indicators of different supply chain configurations. The supply chain simulation tool provides construction collaboration entities with the capability to explore the alternative scenarios, understand the associated implications of risk and uncertainty and then agree a solution for a project earlier than traditional approaches.
Manufacturing Back-Shoring and Direct Brand Creation in the Footwear Industry
Authors: Fratocchi Luciano  , da Costa E Silva Susana Cristina Lima
Published: February 2025

Manufacturing offshoring decisions have been implemented for a long time in the footwear industry. However, more recently some companies are revising their initial decision by implementing the backshoring alternative. This paper is focused on backshoring decisions implemented by contract manufacturers that decided to develop their own brand. Two case studies of shoe manufacturers are analyzed and compared according to the 5W and 1H (What, Who, Why, Where, When and How) perspectives. Findings show that both the earlier implemented strategies (contract manufacturing and offshoring) allowed the investigated companies to develop competences useful for promoting their own brand and increase their performances.
The Impact of Dynamic Carbon Tax Legislation on Strategic Supply Chain Decisions
Authors: Chelly Amina  , Nouira Imen  , Hadj-Alouane Atidel B.  , Frein Yannick
Published: February 2025

The carbon tax legislation has been widely advocated as a cost-efficient law to push companies to reduce their carbon emission through their supply chain's (SC) activities. Based on a carbon emission reduction's target, different carbon taxation strategies have been implemented around the world. Generally, governments launch the carbon tax with a relatively low carbon price and plan to increase it incrementally over years adopting various strategies in a way to attend their emission reduction objective. The majority of developed mathematical models within green supply chain design (GSCD) under carbon tax legislation have ignored the dynamic aspect of this legislation. We believe that companies when designing their SCs have to consider not only the actual applied carbon price but also the eventual evolution of this carbon price over years. We aim to contribute to literature by studying the impact of the dynamic carbon tax legislations on the strategic decisions of a SC mainly the technology investment decision. Our objective is to illustrate that the dynamic modeling approach is more appropriate to study such strategic problems than static modeling. We develop a dynamic model of technology selection under progressive carbon tax legislation. Through a numerical example, we solve the dynamic model and we compare it with the static model. To do so, this static model has been tested under three different values of the carbon taxes mainly the launch carbon tax value, the average carbon tax value and the final target carbon tax value. We compare the efficiency of the used modeling techniques to guarantee a more visibility for the company and provide it with performant decisions that allow greening their SCs and saving its profit.
Simulator-Assisted Lean Production Training and Education
Authors: De Vin Leo J.  , Jacobsson Lasse  , Odhe Jan Erik
Published: February 2025

In Lean Production training and education, simulators are often used. These can take the form of for instance desktop games, computer simulations, or full-scale simulators. Most evidence of training transfer from the training environment to the work situation is anecdotal, and as such is assessment of training transfer a research gap. Experiences from training sessions in Karlstad Lean Factory®are presented, including a combination with computer simulation. A unified model for learning and improvement work is presented. Some suggestions for future work include investigating synergy with Smart Manufacturing and/or innovative product realization.
Facilitating a Continuous Improvement Culture: A Literature Review
Authors: Almaiman Sulaiman  , McLaughlin Patrick
Published: February 2025

Becoming a continuously improving organization demands more than debates and resources; it requires a proper organizational culture. Successful continuous improvement depends on certain cultural factors. The challenge that faces many organizations is how to facilitate continuous improvement and embed its spirit in their organizational cultures. There are specific values and behaviours associated with continuous improvement. Several recent studies have confirmed the crucial role of organizational culture in implementing operational management approaches. However, answering the question of “how” is still awaiting a clear road map. This paper provides a literature review that explores the aspects that could facilitate a continuous improvement culture, where there is a clear demand for modelling the proper climate for continuous improvement. This literature review has included the articles have been published within the last two decades. It concluded with a group of cultural aspects, which draws guidelines for leaders to facilitate continuous improvement in their organizations.
Challenges of Implementing Lean in UAE Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Almanei Mohammed  , Salonitis Konstantinos
Published: February 2025

Lean manufacturing implementation in companies pose a number of challenges to companies throughout the world. When successfully done it can bring many benefits to the companies. Although lean principles, tools and strategies for implementation are widely known and well documented, companies still struggle. This is more evident in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. In the present paper the challenges for the SMEs in their lean journey are discussed. Furthermore, the focus is within the UAE manufacturing sector. The purpose is to determine the extent to which the main principles of lean manufacturing are understood and adopted. A structured questionnaire was developed and circulated to a large number of UAE manufacturing companies. Based on the literature review and questionnaire findings, the degree of implementing lean manufacturing in UAE is assessed and discussed against literature review findings.
Application of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) in Gear Manufacturing Process: A Case Study
Authors: Zahoor Sadaf  , Case Keith  , Saeed Zeeshan  , Ijaz Hamza  , Muzaffar Shoaib  , Qayyum Khan Atif  , Aftab Rohail
Published: February 2025

Since the end of 20th century, Lean Manufacturing has been recognized as an important approach in competitive industrial environments to improving productivity by reducing process cycle time. To remain competitive in the market, organizations are compelled to find new domains for improvements in order to reduce production lead time and to smooth the flow of processes. The current research aims at designing efficient future VSM to improve productivity by reducing process cycle time and waste in a gear manufacturing process in an automotive industry. The approach was based on mapping the current state of the process to identify the non-value-added activities and also for opportunities for improvement in value added activities. Kaizen events are the main metrics for improvement in the current process by integrating it with the future value stream map. This study concluded that the designed future value stream map helps effectively in identifying the wasteful activities i.e. distance travelled and inventory at different workstations. VSM integrated with Kaizen proves itself a useful approach in achieving continuous process improvement.
Lean Manufacturing Culture: The Role of Human Perceptions of Standardized Work
Authors: Hussain Amjad  , Rehman Ata Ur  , Case Keith  , Masood Tariq  , Habib Muhammad Salman
Published: February 2025

Lean implementation and its sustainability are strongly coupled with organizational culture and consequently the culture defines success. Organizational culture is strongly linked with organizational dynamics. Work standardization is one of the lean tools whose role in terms of organizational performance improvement has been claimed in the literature; however, its implications in terms of employee's perceptions are still controversial. This study aims at investigating the effect of position on employee's perception about the standardized work. Four textile manufacturing companies in Pakistan were selected for the purpose of data collection, where the implementation level of the tool and organizational maturity towards lean adoption were initially measured. A questionnaire was administered to 326 employees from these organizations. The overall data sample was divided into two categories (white-collar and blue-collar). Data analysis was by F-tests (for identifying significance levels) and separate regression analyses (for identifying variables associated with negative perceptions of employees). A significant difference was found between white-collar employees, who were generally positive about the standardization of work, and the blue-collar employees that had negative perceptions. Moreover, the study concluded that positive perceptions about standardized work are directly linked with job satisfaction and inversely linked with job stress.
A Review on Solid Lubricant Based Machining of Difficult-to-Machine Materials
Authors: Maupi Molatelo  , Gupta Kapil
Published: February 2025

Nowadays, solid lubricants are being considered as sustainable alternate to the conventional cutting fluids. Solid lubricants such as graphite, molybdenum disulfide, and boric acid etc. play vital role to achieve sustainability, productivity, and surface quality in machining. This article presents an introduction to solid lubricants and lubrication technique, highlights the use of solid lubricants in the machining of difficult-to-machine materials, and reviews some previous articles focused on solid lubricant based machining. The article aims to facilitate the researchers working in the field to conduct further research and development.
ASPires: Case-Study of Regional Cooperation and Technology
Authors: Kletnikov Nikola
Published: February 2025

Regional cooperation in South East Europe (SEE) is of great importance today, yet various initiatives to stimulate it have not yet led to any significant results. This has undermined peace and stability in SEE. This paper considers various initiatives aimed at stimulating cooperation in SEE, including EU policies towards the region. It then discusses some aspects of regional cooperation, primarily economic. A multinational case study the Advanced Systems for Prevention and Early Detection of Forest Fires (ASPires) project is discussed in detail as a successful example of SEE cooperation on cross-border issues that have civilian, ecological, and defense implications.
Service Oriented Architecture for Intelligence Information System Development in South East Europe
Authors: Achkoski Jugoslav
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an idea for Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) approach to develop an Intelligence Information System (IIS). This approach offers better coordination among institutions involved in intelligence and thus increases effectiveness. It can also serve as a foundation for the establishment of an Integrated Intelligence System, which is based on services as software components. Five postulates that can serve as checklist for integration of SOA in IIS are presented.
Echo Chambers and Polarization of Opinion: When Multiple Voices Create Multiple Realities
Authors: Bârgăoanu Alina  , Durach Flavia
Published: February 2025

This chapter discusses the proliferation of online echo chambers and its implications on the polarization of opinion in the digital environment. This phenomenon must be understood in the broader context of the fake news and digital disinformation. The chapter starts by providing some conceptual clarifications, arguing against using the rather limitative term of “fake news” to describe what is actually “disinformation 2.0”. Next, we discuss the features of online echo chambers, and the digital divide they create. Lastly, we discuss the impact of echo chambers in changing the patterns of news consumption, in lowering trust in news and the traditional media, and in facilitating online disinformation.
Tracking Russia's Digital Deception
Authors: Schafer Bret
Published: February 2025

This paper examines the Kremlin's use of social media to conduct information operations in the United States. In particular, it analyzes more than a year of data from covert and overt Russian-linked accounts on Twitter in an effort to expose the methods and messages used to engage and influence American audiences online. Coupled with analysis of criminal complaints and indictments from the Department of Justice, this report makes a case that Russia's election-specific interference efforts are secondary to efforts to promote Russia's geopolitical interests, export its illiberal worldview, and weaken the United States by exacerbating existing social and political divisions. By examining Russia's information operations on Twitter from both an operational and thematic perspective, this report also highlights the tactics, techniques, and narratives used to influence Americans online. Through this analysis, this paper illuminates the ongoing challenges of protecting the free exchange of information from foreign efforts to manipulate public debates, as well as the difficulties in measuring the societal impact of Russia's ongoing malign influence efforts.
How to Cope with Our Past, Forging a Democratic Future
Authors: Coen Myrianne
Published: February 2025

Know your enemy. Understanding the history of criminal organizations is vital to counter “new threats”. Criminal organisations need to be followed step by step through time, in order to dismantle their structures. Lack of proper knowledge and consciousness of one harm the security of all. Therefore, some practices need to be modified. Sectorial specialisation in investigation is an excellent way to fail to grasp the sense of any criminal organisation. Competence of investigating magistrates limited to their territorial district is one of the main instruments for members of serious organised crime to escape prosecution. Widespread databases become dangerous instruments when organised crime remains out of control. Modifying such practices harming security does not damage democracy. Proper legislation and practices defend citizens without harming the democratic asset of NATO Member Countries.
France's Dilemma Facing Terrorism with an All-Volunteer Force Limited Options for Homeland Defense, and Potential Opportunities
Authors: Fortin Thierry
Published: February 2025

Facing an unprecedented series of terrorist attacks since 2015, France is placed in a difficult situation due to the homegrown origin of the terror campaign alongside an agitated national and international situation with a significant proportion of its forces deployed overseas.
Process Choreography for Designing and Automate Individualized Prevention Protocols in Occupational Medicine
Authors: Ibanez-Sanchez Gema  , Valero-Ramon Zoe  , Traver Vicente  , Fernandez-Llatas Carlos
Published: February 2025

Nowadays, the normalization culture is the usual strategy in enterprises. The formalization has demonstrated its utility for creating efficient, traceable and optimized processes in all the stages of manufacturing. This in being applied to medicine protocols in order to ensure a better quality of service to patients. This protocols can be used to deploy prevention plans on factories improving the current policies by implementing a individualized and holistic approach. Nevertheless, the deployment of these protocols in factory conditions is very complex due to the lack of easy to configure, simple, understandable and efficient systems that could be integrated on the process factory.
The Need for Practical and Reliable Risk Assessment Methods for Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Forsman Mikael  , Lind Carl
Published: February 2025

Although work-life is changing, and production is modernized, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are still frequent, inducing very large costs for companies and societies all over the world. Ergonomists and other work health consultants work to make organizations sustainable. In their work to prevent WMSDs it is important to identify risks in a reliable way, to prioritize risks, and then to perform interventions (participatory interventions have shown to more often be successful), so that the risks and the disorders may be reduced. Most interventions concerns the environment and work methods, but also individual work technique, e.g. lifting technique and habitual work postures may be in focus. Today, risks are most often assessed by observation. However, observational methods generally have low reliability, i.e. low agreement between different observers for the same job task. There is also a low inter-method reliability, i.e. when the same work is assessed with different methods different risk levels are often obtained. There are now validated technical methods that may be used by practitioners. But, user-interfaces needs to be improved, and today's inexpensive electronic devices should be utilized to a higher degree, in the development of tools, in collaboration with practitioners. New methods should be attractive, easy and time efficient to use. The results of these methods will be objective and should increase the reliability in risk assessments of work tasks and jobs.
Influence of Ethnic Extremism on Stability and Security of Balkans' Democratic Societies
Authors: Oproiu Monica
Published: February 2025

The dissolution of former Yugoslavia occurred at a time when the United States envisaged their retreat from European affairs; the European Communities were just preparing to launch an ambitious project of political and monetary union, including a common foreign and security policy, while Russia was absorbed by its own transition to a post-Soviet status and grim economical challenges. The ethnic clashes that accompanied the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia still influences today the stability and security of the Balkans' societies, as they prepare to join NATO and the European Union. Ethnic extremism can indeed have a negative influence on the stability and security of the Balkans democratic societies as long as it is allowed to take the forefront of the political scene and overshadow the real issues of the peoples in the Balkans.
Knowledge User Engagement for Digital Health Data in Suicide Prevention: Lessons Learned for a Multinational Data Governance Framework
Authors: Kundurthi Sridevi , Shen Nelson , Besa Reena , Bennett-Poynter Laura , Sikstrom Laura
Published: February 2025

Digital health data is being increasingly collected and used in the field of suicide prevention and care, but the extent to which knowledge users are engaged in these initiatives is unclear. We build on previous work by conducting a secondary analysis of rapid review data, to describe knowledge user perspectives, the level of engagement and resulting outputs.
Empowering Health Through Personalized Preventive Prescription
Authors: Zavar Abbas , Farzanegan Roya
Published: February 2025

The PAT Project aims to revolutionize preventive healthcare in Canada by shifting focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. It integrates validated assessment tools and a dynamic knowledge base that maps risk factors to diseases, enabling personalized prevention prescription. By enriching EMR systems with comprehensive data, the project empowers both patients and clinicians to take early action, reducing the burden of chronic diseases. The project’s multidisciplinary approach covers 16 key health domains, and its implementation strategy involves AI-driven solutions to streamline research into clinical practice, promoting citizen empowerment and addressing health inequities.
Improving Sustainability of Pharmacy Level Digital Health Interventions in Africa
Authors: Tahiru Seidu , Keshavjee Karim
Published: February 2025

Access to primary healthcare remains a critical challenge in Africa, particularly in underserved areas. This paper evaluates the mutti+ digital health (MDH) solution—a pharmacy-first model providing outpatient services through community pharmacies for 14 prevalent diseases. Using system dynamics modeling, we analyzed three policy options to ensure sustainability, focusing on leadership and policy alignment. Our model identified critical factors affecting sustainability, such as patient adoption, operational costs, NPS, and service utilization rates.
Advancing Patient-Centered Care in Ghana’s Community Pharmacies: A Digital Health Approach
Authors: Ehoneah Obed , Keshavjee Karim
Published: February 2025

Community pharmacies in Ghana are essential healthcare access points but often focus only on dispensing medications, neglecting broader patient-centered care. This study identifies 21 key drivers of patient satisfaction through stakeholder engagement and proposes a three-part strategy to transform these pharmacies into healthcare hubs. The strategy integrates a digital health platform, a pharmacy performance assessment tool, and a cleaning and hygiene checklist to enhance service quality, accessibility, product availability, and patient engagement. By addressing challenges like digital literacy, infrastructure limitations, and staff training, this work provides insights for sustainable improvement and scalability in low-resource settings.
Bridging the Evidence-to-Practice Gap at Scale: Evolving Evidence2Practice Ontario by Using the Pan-Canadian HALO Framework
Authors: Ataman Rebecca , Thamotharem Daniel , Reis Alex , Co Paul , Baser Karine , Fawal Moe , Kaplan David , Chung Kevin
Published: February 2025

Clinical decision support tools such as Evidence2Practice Ontario (E2P) can be an effective way to reduce the 17-year gap between clinical innovation and its use in practice. To enhance the interoperability and scalability of E2P we propose leveraging the pan-Canadian Health Application Lightweight Protocol (HALO) framework. Public and private developers could be informed by E2P as the initial use case to test the capability of HALO to support clinical decision support tools.
Playing to Win in Healthcare: Framework for Developing Digital Health Strategy
Authors: Sheraly Zahra , Keshavjee Karim , Guergachi Aziz
Published: February 2025

Health information technology implementations frequently fail despite extensive research on success factors over the past three decades. This paper introduces the Playing-to-Win Digital Health Strategy Canvas, an adaptation of Martin and Lafley’s framework, tailored for healthcare. The canvas integrates business strategy principles with evidence-based insights to address unique challenges in digital health implementation. Key elements include prioritizing high-risk populations, co-designing solutions with stakeholders, and aligning with the Quintuple Aim to ensure sustainable, impactful outcomes. Developed through systematic reviews and stakeholder consultations, the framework serves as a practical tool for early-career planners and implementers. While promising, further research is needed to optimize its application to scalability and sustainability in complex healthcare systems.
Dualisme Kewenangan dalam Pengawasan Lembaga Keuangan Mikro Syariah di Indonesia
Authors: Fata Ikmal , Diana Isna , Pratama Aditya Ilham , Hasibuan Taufiq Hidayat , Alfariki Sofyan Wegi
Published: February 2025

The dualism of authority in supervising Sharia Microfinance Institutions (LKMS) in Indonesia creates legal uncertainty and weak oversight. Kemenkop UKM and OJK have different perceptions regarding the regulation of LKMS, leading to overlapping authority. This situation has the potential to hinder the development of LKMS and reduce public trust in the Sharia financial system. LKMS, such as Baitul Maal wat Tamwil (BMT), play a strategic role in empowering the community’s economy and promoting Sharia financial inclusion. However, the regulation and supervision of these institutions often overlap due to differing perceptions of authority. Kemenkop UKM considers BMT to be part of a cooperative under its supervision, while OJK views BMT as a financial entity requiring more technical oversight related to financial services. This study employs a legal-normative method with a descriptive analysis approach, examining documents such as books, legislation, and other relevant materials. The findings indicate that this overlap in authority results in legal uncertainty, weak supervision, and potential risks for customers. The impacts include unclear legal protection for consumers, risks of authority misuse, and low compliance with Sharia financial regulations. Furthermore, this condition may hinder the growth of LKMS, reduce public confidence, and slow down efforts to enhance Sharia financial inclusion. Harmonizing regulations and establishing coordination mechanisms between Kemenkop UKM and OJK are essential to strengthening supervision and ensuring the sustainability of LKMS. Regulatory harmonization is crucial in promoting better governance and increasing public trust in Indonesia’s Sharia microfinance system.