bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is inhaled ammonia neurotoxic?
Authors: Kilburn Kaye H.
Published: July 2002

Describes how a large ammonia release exposed about 150 nearby residents to this irritating gas and sent seven to hospital emergency rooms. Six weeks later the 41 most symptomatic people completed questionnaires and had physical examinations. The 12 most impaired had subsequent neurobehavioral testing to see if exogenous ammonia was toxic to the brain as is endogenous ammonia in hepatic coma. Spirometry was used to test pulmonary function. Frequencies of 35 symptoms were obtained by questionnaire, as were medical, respiratory and neuropsychiatric histories and data on previous chemical exposures. Comparisons were made with unexposed subjects after adjusting for age, sex, educational level and other determining factors. The exposed group’s mean values were significantly abnormal for simple and choice reaction, balance with eyes open, color discrimination, visual field performance in both eyes and hearing. Also abnormal were cognitive performance on Culture Fair, digit symbol, vocabulary and delayed but not immediate verbal recall. Making trails A and B was slow and fingertip number writing had excessive errors. Spirometric measurements were normal. Confounding features and biases were minimal. Exposure to ammonia, for a few minutes to several hours, was associated with neurobehavioral impairment measured after 22 months. Thus inhaled ammonia shares the toxicity of endogenous ammonia. Effects were persistent and are probably permanent.
Risk assessment of radiation‐induced thyroid cancers in Belarus
Authors: Malko Mikhail V.
Published: July 2002

The paper presents results of a qualitative assessment of the morbidity and mortality in thyroid cancers by the Belarusian population caused by the Chernobyl accident. In the period of 1986‐1998 about 3,851 radiation‐induced thyroid cancers appeared in Belarus: about 615 cancers by children and about 3,236 cancers by adolescents and adults. The number of lethal thyroid cancers in this period of time in Belarus is assessed as about 167 cases. The excessive absolute risk (EAR) of the morbidity in the thyroid cancer assessed for the period of 1986‐1998 on the basis of given data on the morbidity is about 1.7 per 104 PYGy. The excessive absolute risk of mortality is assessed as about 0.075 per 104 PYGy. These values agree quite well with analogous risk coefficients established for other groups of people in other epidemiological studies.
Multi‐criteria model for post‐earthquake land‐use planning
Authors: Pricovic Serafim
Published: July 2002

A multi‐criteria model is developed for analyzing the land‐use strategies for reducing the future social and economic costs in an area with potential natural hazard. A multi‐criteria decision‐making procedure consists of generating alternatives, establishing criteria, assessment of criteria weights and application of the compromise ranking method (VIKOR). The alternatives are the scenarios of sustainable hazard effects mitigation, generated in the form of comprehensive land‐use plans. The alternative plans should consider the redevelopment of urban areas and infrastructures, multi‐purpose land use, including restrictions on building in hazardous areas. The evaluation of alternatives is implicated with imprecision (or uncertainty) of established criteria, and the fuzzy multi‐criteria model is developed to deal with “qualitative” (unquantifiable or linguistic) or incomplete information. The planning goal is to compromise competitive land uses through choice of the best (compromise) combination of uses. An application of this model is illustrated with the post‐earthquake regional planning problem in central Taiwan.
A review of trends in health‐impact assessment and the nature of the evidence used
Authors: Birley Martin
Published: July 2002

Developments at all levels between project and policy have a potential impact on human health. Health‐impact assessment (HIA) is a discipline that seeks to assess these impacts to safeguard and enhance human health. There is a growing consensus about the scope, methodology and context for HIA but there are also many unresolved issues. This paper reviews the main trends as they vary between the healthy public policy, environmental assessment and environmental epidemiology communities; and between retrospective and prospective, developed and developing economies and urban/industrial versus rural settings. There are unresolved issues associated with the nature of evidence, the link with economic appraisal, and with the core biophysical and social health determinants. The nature of the evidence used is examined and some resolutions are proposed. The growing number of guidelines testify to a demand by development agencies for HIA, but increased consensus is required to ensure that quality assessments are delivered.
GIS‐assisted waste management in a protected area
Authors: Casimiro Caputo Antonio , Marcello Pelagagge Pacifico , Scacchia Federica
Published: July 2002

The problem of environmental management in a protected area has been examined in the paper. A methodological approach based on geographical information system (GIS) technology has been proposed in order to aid in all planning phases. The software tool has been illustrated and a case study has been presented with reference to a national park. Results show capabilities of the developed decision‐support system in identifying and comparing technical‐economical solutions compatible with protected area constraints.
A New Approach to Protecting the Environment:
Authors: Barnes Pamela
Published: July 2002

Examines the regulation establishing the European Union′s (EU)
Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) which was adopted on 10
July 1993. Discusses how the regulation affects businesses of all sizes.
Proposes that the effectiveness of the European Union′s new approach to
protecting the environment will be undermined by a “wait and see” response
from industry to this piece of legislation.
Use of artificial neural networks
Authors: Pu Hao‐Che , Hung Yung‐Tse
Published: July 2002

Artificial neural networks (ANN) are used as an alternative function approximation tool for predicting the performance of trickling filter treatment process in a municipal wastewater treatment plant, Solon, Ohio, USA, which uses a trickling filter followed by an activated sludge process. The treatment plant had an average monthly inflow flow rate of 2.92 mgd (million gallons per day). The average raw, settled, and final BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) was 449, 235 and 4.8 mg/l, respectively, while the corresponding value for TSS (total suspended solids) was 296, 131, and 6.1 mg/l. The overall removal efficiency for BOD and TSS was 98.93 per cent and 97.95 per cent respectively. The best ANN model for predicting the trickling filter effluent BOD and TSS has a prediction error of 31.45 per cent and 32.54 per cent respectively. The number of input variables, as well as number of nodes in hidden layer seemed not to have a definite effect on the prediction error for the ANN model. The prediction errors obtained with ANN models were lower than those obtained by multiple regression analysis.
Climate change and crop growth
Authors: Morison James I.L.
Published: July 2002

Describes a simple framework for examining the factors affecting crop production, and explains how this framework can be extended to more complex simulation models of crop growth. Considers the uses and current limitations of such simulation models in predicting the effect of climate change on crop growth, and suggests how the models could be used to assess the impact of climate change and set the levels of emissions for management.
137Cs and 90Sr in the human food chain in the Republic of Croatia
Authors: Lokobauer Nevenka , Franic Zdenko , Bauman Alica
Published: July 2002

The transfer of radionuclides from fallout to individual foods has been studied continuously in several areas in the Republic of Croatia, since 1959. Investigations focus on the long‐lived fission radionuclides: 137Cs and 90Sr. In order to estimate doses received by the Croatian population the Caesium and Strontium levels in their diets were calculated and analysed. According to the results obtained the risk to the population from 137Cs and 90Sr ingestion was highest over the 1960s and in the year of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, but the content of radionuclides in the foods were below the permissible levels.
Ecological landscape planning techniques for biodiversity and sustainability
Authors: Cowell Daryl W.
Published: July 2002

Approaches to land use planning have gone through considerable evolution during the past 30 years. Western nations have learned hard lessons about the consequences of not considering ecological process and structures when undertaking land use planning, development, and when harvesting resources. As a result, modern concepts of conservation biology and landscape level planning have developed and are beginning to be implemented in North America, Europe, Australia and portions of South America. An approach to ecological based landscape planning, as developed through several applications in Canada, is discussed. The approach incorporates principles of conservation biology and relies heavily on abiotic landscape components for mapping and interpretation. Landscape planning is defined and discussed according to three key components: (1) the planning framework; (2) ecological analysis; and (3) implementation of the whole. The planning framework includes the goals and objectives of the plan which is based on prevailing socio‐cultural values. The analysis attempts to determine full landscale representivity then maximize ecological integrity.
Pesticides and groundwater in the State of Washington
Authors: Morgan Laurie
Published: July 2002

Pesticides have been detected in groundwater in many areas of the State of Washington over recent years. Laws and regulations of federal and state environmental protection and argicultural agencies have developed in response to concern over the public health risk to pesticide exposure. Prevalent views about health risk from pesticide exposure tend to emphasize either the economics and food availability, while downplaying risk of pesticide exposure, or the risk to people, while downplaying economic and food availability issues. The Aquifer Vulnerability Project of the Washington State Department of Ecology is using the Environmental Agency’s PATRIOT model to screen the State of Washington for susceptibility to pesticide leaching to groundwater. PATRIOT models the pesticide loading at the top of the water table when the user selects parameters to run in the model, including the crop and the pesticide.
Nuisance caused by aircraft noise in the vicinity of Tehran International Airport
Authors: Karami Khodabakshsh , Frost Stan
Published: July 2002

Noise measurement and social questionnaire surveys in three residential areas around Mehrabad International Airport (Tehran, Iran) were based upon randomly selected dwellings in each area. A total of 193 individuals responded and many are annoyed and dissatisfied with aircraft noise and in consequence they would like to move. Aircraft noise is the strongest negative environmental factor affecting the residents in the vicinity of Mehrabad Airport and it could be a hazard for their health.
Employee involvement, pollution control and pieces to the puzzle
Authors: Denton D. Keith
Published: July 2002

Employee involvement is essential to improving pollution control. Organizations like Dow Chemical have been able to use employee involvement to reduce pollution. It begins by understanding, as Dow does, that “If pollution is a cost to you (my competitor) and a cost to me, I win if my costs are lower”. Controlling these costs requires people to think about it ‐ a lot. Everyone must accept ownership for pollution. All the pieces must fit together. Unfortunately, even the most advanced companies are still struggling with these issues. An anonymous survey was sent to some of the top pollution‐reducing companies in the world. Responses to the questionnaire that focused on a wide range of issues often proved surprising to disturbing. Executives in charge sometimes felt they had employee involvement but few of the operational conditions for it to exist. Dow Chemical provides a rare example of being able to connect all the pieces, through its three keys.
The atmospheric emissions in Spain: a regional analysis
Authors: Guntín‐Araujo X. , Chas‐Amil M.L. , Lorenzo‐Díaz M.C.
Published: July 2002

The gas emissions towards the atmosphere are one of the main and most actual environmental problems in the world. The effects of greenhouse gas emissions have been studied and treated recently in the Climate Change Conference in Kyoto. In the approved Kyoto Protocol, the European Union will reduce emissions by 8 per cent, the USA by 7 per cent, and Japan by 6 per cent. The data for each country are used to implement policies and make global decisions regarding the level of emissions allowed in the future. For this reason, a study more in depth about the origin and level of emissions from a regional perspective becomes necessary, due to the implications on regional development. The study provides detailed information regarding atmospheric emissions in Spanish regions. Shows that in many cases the atmospheric emissions are not directly related to the economic situations of each region. For this reason, environmental policies should pay attention to the regional differences within a country.
Ecological sustainability and personal behavior: relations demonstrated by the decision‐making process of selecting a certain transportation mean
Authors: Priewasser Reinhold
Published: July 2002

Facing the aim of ecological sustainability only little emphasis has been placed on the fact that the extent of environmental stresses is not only a consequence of certain factual or structural conditions but also essentially determined by varying human behavior patterns. Technologies and structures are not ecologically effective by themselves; their environmental relevance strongly depends on the persons’ way of acting within the prevailing systems. Recognizing the importance of that perspective, psychological and social theories about the generation of personal behavior as well as theoretical models of learning can offer useful indications concerning the intrapersonal and extrapersonal preconditions of environmentally oriented acting. With reference to the decision‐making process of selecting a certain transportation mean, the influences of rational and emotional factors and obstacles to an ecologically sustainable personal act should be exemplarily demonstrated. At the same time very effective points of departure for behavioral change can be identified.
3D adaptive unstructured meshes for air pollution modelling
Authors: Sarah Tomlin Alison , Ghorai Saktipada , Hart Gordon , Berzins Martin
Published: July 2002

High resolution models of air pollution transport and transformation are necessary in order to test possible abatement strategies based on pollution control and to forecast high pollution episodes. Models are especially relevant for secondary pollutants like ozone and nitrogen dioxide, which are formed in the atmosphere through nonlinear chemical reactions involving primary pollutant species, often far from their sources. Often we are trying to resolve the interactions between plumes from point sources such as power stations and regional pollution tides of ozone formed in other European countries. One method of tackling this problem of different scales is to use different grid sizes, using highly resolved grids in regions where the structure is very fine. Telescopic gridding is currently used in high emission areas or around sensitive receptor points. However, since meteorological conditions vary, this method cannot resolve a priori highly structured regions away from sources, e.g. along plumes. Such refinement can be achieved using adaptive methods which increase resolutions in regions of steep spatial gradients. This article describes the use of 3D adaptive gridding models for pollution transport and reactions using both a layered and a fully adaptive 3D tetrahedral approach and provides examples which show the effect of grid resolution on secondary pollutant formation.
Re‐engineering manufacturing processes through simulation modelling
Authors: Irani Zahir , Hlupic Vlatka , Baldwin Lynne P. , Love Peter E.D.
Published: July 2002

Previous research suggests that developing dynamic models of business processes prior to their radical change could increase the success of BPR projects. Identifies barriers encountered in existing business processes and presents an overview of business process modelling methods that can be used to identify ways of eliminating these barriers. A case study is used to demonstrate how simulation modelling can be used to effectively re‐engineer manufacturing processes. The developed model is then manipulated, with results being generated to discover the possibilities of increasing the through‐put of the system. The usability of simulation modelling for evaluating alternative business process strategies is then investigated. Guidelines for achieving more widespread use of business process simulation are then proposed.
Revisiting adoption factors of inter‐organisational information systems in SMEs
Authors: Morrell Michael , Ezingeard Jean‐Noël
Published: July 2002

For over a decade large companies have turned to supply‐chain management and inter‐organisational system‐development techniques to increase their efficiency and effectiveness. Smaller companies, however, have struggled to adopt and benefit from such systems, traditionally citing reasons such as a lack of financial resources and technical capability. This paper seeks to identify a framework of key variables which influence the adoption of inter‐organisational and supply‐chain systems with particular reference to smaller companies. This framework is then applied to a supply‐chain case study in the chemicals sector to consider the reality of system adoption for a small‐ to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) in the chain. The paper concludes that significant benefits are indeed attainable for the SME; however, a culturally‐rooted lack of vision and awareness are restricting adoption and the realisation of benefits associated with such systems.
IT project implementation strategies for effective changes: a critical review
Authors: Kuruppuarachchi Palitha R. , Mandal Purnendu , Smith Ross
Published: July 2002

Information technology (IT) project implementation is still a grey area. There are differences of opinion among educators and practitioners on strategic emphasis and implementation methods. Implementation of IT projects, especially large IT projects, is synonymous to management of changes in an organisation, be it for altering the work culture or gaining competitive advantages. When formulating effective change management strategies to support the introduction of IT, it may be useful to integrate and use concepts and practices drawn from disciplines such as traditional project management, organisational/product innovation, and change management theory and practices. This paper examines project management and product innovation literature to identify change management concepts and practices.
Managing IT outsourcing: a value‐driven approach to outsourcing using application service providers
Authors: Chen Lei‐da , Soliman Khalid S.
Published: July 2002

Organizations, both large and small, are increasingly outsourcing their applications to application service providers (ASPs) for a variety of reasons such as cost reduction, shortened time‐to‐market, lack of internal expertise, and risk reduction. However, the adoption of the ASP model has not been smooth sailing for many organizations, and only a few organizations have a formal approach to making ASP outsourcing decisions. Partially to fill this void, develops a value‐driven approach to outsourcing using ASP based on outsourcing theories and the industry’s best practices. The value‐driven approach is an adaptation and extension of Simon’s decision‐making process. It is designed to guide IS managers systematically through the complex process of identifying outsourcing opportunities, evaluating the viability of using the ASP model, making outsourcing decisions, managing contractual and implementation issues, and assessing the service quality of ASP vendors. Provides important implications for research and practice. For researchers, identifies ample research opportunities in this new field. For practitioners, the value‐driven approach gives them an invaluable tool to manage today’s complex information technology outsourcing.
Statistical Analysis with a Spreadsheet: A Comparison of Software
Authors: Robson Andrew
Published: July 2002

Undertakes a comparative study of the statistical capability of three
spreadsheets which are commonly used in the business sector. The
spreadsheets considered are Lotus 1‐2‐3, Microsoft Excel and Quattro
Pro. Considers five areas of statistical analysis regularly used by
business decision makers (rather than specialist personnel). In order to
obtain an objective measure of the statistical provision of each
spreadsheet, comparison has also been made with dedicated statistical
software regularly used by business decision makers, namely MINITAB. By
making this comparison, argues that the spreadsheet is not only a tool
for analysis, but also for presentation. Moreover, considers that two
spreadsheets in particular, namely Excel and Quattro Pro, offer a
user‐friendly statistical provision which should be sufficient for most
business decision makers.
Beyond MRP: the development of a modern scheduling system
Authors: Exon‐Taylor Mac
Published: July 2002

Production scheduling is being focused on increasingly as a
critical company activity. Consequently, it is becoming commonplace to
hear of finite capacity scheduling systems being linked to existing
MRP‐type systems, to provide a more detailed and flexible scheduling
mechanism. But how easy is it to accomplish? Focuses on a user′s (a
well‐known pharmaceutical company) journey to such a goal; sharing his
views at the outset, his experiences along the way and the surprises
that lay in store. The supplier of the system retaliates with his
perspective of the experience and develops some general guidelines for
selecting and installing scheduling software.
Verify at source and train staff
Authors: Marcel Brian
Published: July 2002

Describes how declining standards in printing quality are resulting
in failure of barcodes to scan, and shows how the problem can be averted
if printers use film masters to print and verifiers to check barcodes
when printed. Recommends standardization of barcode technology
throughout Europe and training of staff to ensure adherence to such
standards.
Enabling time‐based strategy through logistics ‐ using time to competitive advantage
Authors: Wilding Richard D. , Newton J. Michael
Published: July 2002

A definition recently proposed by the Institute of Logistics states that: “Logistics is the time‐related positioning of resources”. Experience indicates that major benefits can be derived by focusing on the effective management of the key resources of the business. The key to success involves understanding what constitutes best practice in management of these resources with respect to time and how this can be applied, given the unique characteristics of a particular business. By viewing logistics as a time‐based strategy many benefits can be obtained. Presents an overview of the strategic issues based on experience with partner companies at the Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick. Discusses the tools and measures used for re‐engineering the supply chain through the use of time, and gives a brief example demonstrating the success of this approach.
Dynamic distribution planning techniques: progressive logistics optimization for manufacturers
Authors: Hooper Neil
Published: July 2002

Discusses new distribution planning techniques which take advantage of state‐of‐the‐art software packages. Compares and contrasts new planning techniques against traditional distribution requirements planning (DRP). Describes how new solutions can truly optimize operations, and provide feasible plans to run the company. Concludes that in order to compete in today’s manufacturing environment, the walls of the factory must be knocked down.
Object‐oriented software for distributors
Authors: Dunkerley Michael , Bradley Mark
Published: July 2002

Looks at the specific software needed for distribution companies in particular as opposed to that needed for manufacturing companies in general. Details the software needs of distribution companies and introduces and explains object‐oriented computing.
The supply chain balancing act ‐ stock and service at a profit
Authors: Blatherwick Andrew
Published: July 2002

Addresses the perennial issues of effective supply‐chain management ‐ balancing stock inventories, service delivery mechanisms and retaining requisite profit margins while ensuring customer loyalty ‐ against the background of increasing business competition in the 1990s. Considers the potential contributions of partnerships, inventory management, sales‐based ordering and promotion planning to the logistical quest for equilibrium at a profit.
Integrated logistics information system in Korea
Authors: Kang Kyungwoo , Kyoung Kwon Oh
Published: July 2002

The transport infrastructure will provide the necessary capacity for freight movement and handling. However, the increase in the physical infrastructure alone is not a sufficient condition for the improvement of logistics systems. The logistics information capability which facilitates the seamless flow of information is a very important element in further enhancing the efficiency of logistics activities and in potentially reducing the demand for the transport infrastructure itself. Reviews the existing logistics information practices in Korea and describes recent nation‐wide efforts to build an integrated logistics information system (ILIS). Raises some important issues for successful implementation of the system and also discusses the relationship between the Korean CVO (K.CVO) programs.
Developments in computer‐based information systems
Authors: Allert Jeffrey , Kleiner Brian H.
Published: July 2002

Suggests that although many US companies have made extensive human and financial resource investments in keeping ahead in technology, these investments are generally not justified by the return. Argues that each company must closely assess its requirements and goals for the future. Describes the benefits of computer integration for some companies that have introduced it. Identifies the steps other companies should take to achieve similar success.
Meeting the ISO 9000 requirement for assessment of supplier capability
Authors: Walker A.J.
Published: July 2002

Examines the ISO 9001/2 requirement that the capability of a supplier to supply a product or service should be assessed. In practice the development of a preferred supplier list is driven by qualitative rather than quantitative factors of supplier capability. In the field of software considerable progress has been made towards developing models which when applied yield quantitative measures of supplier capability. The emerging ISO/IEC 15504 Standard for software process assessment is examined as a framework for application in application domains other than software. Examines an automated tool, created in the Software Engineering Applications Laboratory to support ISO/IEC 15504 compliant software process assessments, for suitability for application in process assessment in areas other than software.
Measuring the maturity of TQM implementation in services
Authors: Silvestro Rhian
Published: July 2002

Few service organizations in the US and Europe have not by now attempted to implement at least some of the principles of TQM in their operations. Indeed some service organizations have made repeated attempts to re‐invigorate their quality management programmes and have experienced waves of waxing and waning enthusiasm about TQM. How should service managers determine whether TQM is realized within their organizations? Is their implementation partial or comprehensive? Should it be refocused on improvement areas hitherto neglected? Presents a model of TQM which is translated into an auditing tool to enable service managers to determine the maturity of TQM implementation in their organizations and refocus their improvement initiatives.
A conceptual model for executive support systems
Authors: Lee Sang M. , Chen Jim Q.
Published: July 2002

Suggests that most executive support systems are designed to support executives’ information and communication needs. The cognitive aspect of executive support has received relatively little attention in the field of decisions support systems. Focuses on the cognitive aspect of executive work and discusses three types of executive thinking: retrospective, introspective, and prospective. Proposes a three‐mode conceptual model for executive support systems design.
Auditing system flexibility in the context of manufacturing strategy information
Authors: Wainwright C.E.R. , Bateman N.
Published: July 2002

Suggests that there is a need to develop a process to enable manufacturing managers to formulate and implement effective manufacturing strategies. Describes research aimed at identifying those characteristics of manufacturing strategy formulation performance measures which were considered by practitioners to lead to successful creation of strategies. Proposes a viable tool which can help businesses to identify current levels of flexibility, hence enabling them to improve manufacturing flexibility in accordance with strategic objectives.
Time compression in the supply chain: information management is the vital ingredient
Authors: Mason‐Jones Rachel , Towill Denis R.
Published: July 2002

Our total cycle time (TCT) compression strategy encompasses the whole system in the supply chain from consumer demand to customer satisfaction. TCT has two major components that are essential to meeting customer demand: information flow and material flow. Both are necessities and together make up the total supply chain lead‐time; the information activates the material pipeline. Therefore to optimise a time compression strategy TCT must include both the information and material flows. We show in the paper that a very effective way of achieving TCT is via access to EPoS data by all “players” in the supply chain. The tremendous benefits exhibited by TCT compression within the supply chain can be described as “squaring the dynamic response circle”. Not only are the stock dynamic responses improved via time compression, but the capacity dynamics are also radically improved. Therefore TCT compression avoids the dilemma frequently faced by companies when implementing change of having to trade off customer service level against capacity utilisation. Our results are verified using a simulation model of a common real‐world supply chain.
Research paper: distribution channel decisions in import consumer goods markets
Authors: Kim Yongkyu
Published: July 2002

Develops an additional theoretical extension on channel decisions to the basic transaction cost model (TCM) by combining insights from production economy and industrial structure analysis methods with the existing TCM approach. The data for this study were obtained from survey questionnaires of 119 importing firms in Korea. The empirical results showed that production economy and industrial structure approach with previous TCM extended explanatory power of research model on channel style decisions.
Case study: improving industrial competitiveness: a TSP approach
Authors: Pizzolato Nelio D. , Canen Alberto G.
Published: July 2002

This paper describes a case study in a chemical company in which management was concerned with low productivity and the inability to keep pace with demand. A description of the company and an assessment of its competitiveness are outlined. To improve productivity and to help management solve the firm’s production scheduling problem, a proposal was developed based on the travelling salesman problem with adjustments for earliness and lateness costs over due dates of the orders. Management involvement is discussed.
Some key things industrial engineers should know about experimental design
Authors: Antony Jiju
Published: July 2002

Experiments are fundamental to enhancing understanding of the complex industrial processes which we deal with every day. Experimental Design (ED) is a very powerful tool that assists engineers and scientist to discover a set of variables which are most important for a process and thereby provide a great insight into the way a process or system works. It is superior to traditional scientific approach or One‐Factor‐At‐A‐Time (OFAT) approach to experimentation, still often used today. This paper illustrates some fundamental and practical issues that every industrial engineer should know about ED. These issues include factor effects, interactions, response or quality characteristics, randomisation, replication, analysis of variance and contour plots. The paper also presents an example to demonstrate the above issues. The problems and gaps in ED in the state‐of‐the‐art will also be highlighted.
Does information technology improve coordination? An empirical analysis
Authors: Shin Namchul
Published: July 2002

With the use of information technology (IT), organizations radically redesign their business processes and improve their business profitability and productivity. Previous information systems (IS) research has investigated whether or not IT improves business profitability and productivity. However, most of the previous studies failed to consider any contextual or moderating factors that might affect firm performance and productivity. Because it is intangible and intermediate benefits, e.g. better coordination, quality improvement, increased variety, and innovation, complicate the justification process for IT investments, this paper empirically examines the direct relationship between IT and coordination. The results of this study clearly show that IT spending is strongly associated with a decline in coordination costs. From the results, it can be inferred that IT enhances coordination of economic activities by reducing coordination costs, and thereby can improve firm performance and productivity.
Bottleneck allocation methodology (BAM): an algorithm
Authors: Plenert Gerhard
Published: July 2002

Takes the development of a new optimization process for production scheduling and develops it into a systematic‐mathematical algorithm. Tests this algorithm against a simulated production environment and compares the generated schedules against those generated by EOQ, MRP, JIT, and OPT. The result is that bottleneck allocation methodology (BAM), with its critical resource based capacity scheduling out‐performs these other models in an intermittent demand discrete manufacturing environment.
Construction process reengineering: a case study
Authors: Chan Albert P.C. , Fan Linda C.N. , Yu Ann T.W.
Published: July 2002

A reengineering philosophy for the construction industry has emerged, harvesting components of a production philosophy. The objective of construction process reengineering is to progressively develop an integrated project delivery process focusing on optimising process predictability and enhancing the value of the final product. This philosophy requires a holistic approach to reengineering, integrating the concepts of concurrent engineering, lean production and process redesign into the construction process. The objective of this paper provides an overview of construction process reengineering (CPR) through the examination of its origin, definition, concepts and application. A hospital project was used as a pilot case study to examine the application of the CPR concepts.
The assessment of work organization in lean production: the relevance of the worker’s perspective
Authors: Biazzo Stefano , Panizzolo Roberto
Published: July 2002

Argues that the way work organization in lean production environments is assessed depends heavily on the choice of the variables that are adopted to ascertain the degree of innovation in the workplace. Many studies evaluate the change in work organization observing only those elements which are functional for the just‐in‐time production principles while excluding crucial dimensions that characterize the working situation from the worker’s perspective. Moreover, besides the choice of the variables employed to ascertain the degree of innovation in work organization, the method adopted for measuring these variables would seem to be critical if one wishes to bring to light what is hidden behind the popular terms like team, empowerment, problem‐solving groups, quality circles, etc. Suggests that only a research approach which is able to give “thick descriptions” of workplaces can reveal the “reality of working” within lean production systems.
An agent system for collaborative version control in engineering
Authors: Florida‐James Barry , Rossiter Nick , Chao Kuo‐Ming
Published: July 2002

In this paper we present a system of distributed co‐operating agents whose goal is to manage change and organise version sets in an engineering environment. The agents are designed for full lifecycle support and inter‐operation across heterogeneous networks. The agent communication is based on common object request broker architecture (CORBA) but an extra messaging layer is developed which utilises a language built in Vienna development method‐specification language (VDM‐SL). Problems encountered in the use of engineering database management systems are investigated and solutions are proposed in the context of agents. A version model is presented in two ways; informally based on our assumptions on a general design process and formally in VDM‐SL. An industrial case study is presented and preliminary results shown.
Sequence placement planning for high‐speed PCB assembly machine
Authors: Ong N.‐S. , Tan W.‐C.
Published: July 2002

In order to handle high and rapid production demands, printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers have employed high‐speed surface mount machines into their assembly lines. These machines have abilities of fast component placements, but provide challenges for process engineers to optimise the component placement sequences and feeder arrangements via effective planning. A computer program was developed based on operating concepts using genetic algorithm, to solve for various component placement sequencing planning of the high‐speed chipshooter. Genetic algorithms are a class of general purpose search methods based on the concepts of genetic evolution and survival of the fittest. The program provides information on component placement sequences and feeder arrangements for optimal assembly times. Initial tests have shown that the size of the parent space affects the convergence of the solutions during iterations. Finally, comparisons of results have shown improvement over those previously obtained by other researchers.
Innovation decision making in British manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Mosey Simon , Clare Jeremy N. , Woodcock David J.
Published: July 2002

Reports the product innovation activities of 30 British manufacturing SMEs, all with aggressive growth ambitions. Shows that ten of these companies meet their aims by repeatedly introducing innovative new products that open up new market niches, which they successfully exploit. This is seen to contrast with the remaining, larger group that performs less well by introducing incremental improvement products into their current markets only. A longitudinal study identifies managerial approaches typical to the more successful group. These include a multi‐functional approach to decision making and the use of market and competitor analysis in strategic product planning. This is supported by effective cross company communication of decisions and plans. Concludes that this combination of approaches offers ambitious small firms a potentially powerful competitive advantage over their larger rivals.
Constraint‐based accounting and its impact on organizational performance: a simulation of four common business strategies
Authors: Draman Rexford H. , Lockamy Archie , Cox James F.
Published: July 2002

Since its inception, cost accounting has provided data to managers for the development of internal organizational performance measures. In the mid 1980s, Dr Eli Goldratt introduced a new management philosophy called the theory of constraints (TOC). This philosophy contained a new set of performance measures which linked together the strategic objectives and operational capabilities of the organization. This linkage allows for the maximization of profits. Since its introduction, there has been a growing amount of evidence documenting TOC’s ability to more tightly link local decisions to organizational performance than those of traditional cost accounting. This research used a simple Gedunken experiment to evaluate the difference between strategy driven product‐mix decisions based on TOC accounting and traditional cost accounting. In all cases, the constraint‐based approach to costing outperformed the traditional approach based on cost accounting.
Assessment of organisational involvement in implementing empowerment
Authors: Jawahar Nesan L. , Holt Gary D.
Published: July 2002

This paper presents initial findings of ongoing research that is developing a best practice framework for the implementation of empowerment within construction organisations. Data obtained from 53 construction and manufacturing organisations are analysed. Findings confirm 62 empowerment activities, specifically, their respective influence at four organisational levels (strategic, general, operational, and direct work), and the roles of operatives and management, in effectively performing them. It is shown that almost all levels of an organisation have a significant contribution to play in efficiently performing empowerment activities, whilst senior management (at strategic, general, and operational levels) has greatest influence. The investigation also demonstrates that necessary resources and a suitable environment are crucial for successful empowerment implementation.
Managing the design/manufacturing interface across firms
Authors: Twigg David
Published: July 2002

The integration of design and manufacturing operations within the firm has been much discussed, particularly with respect to the development of a concurrent engineering approach to product development. Where product development activities occur between firms, the issue of design and manufacturing integration is less well developed. The notion of networked firms and partnership development requires consideration of how product development activities will be managed in the future. The outsourcing of design and manufacturing is becoming prevalent. Firms are involving their suppliers in both design and manufacturing. The need for cross‐functional inputs necessitates consideration of how coordination and integration can be sustained across this inter‐firm relationship. This article proposes a typology of inter‐firm mechanisms, which firms are using to integrate design and manufacturing operations in product development. It is based on a review of literature on design‐manufacturing integration at the inter‐firm level.
An application of fuzzy sets to process performance evaluation
Authors: Chan Donald C.K. , Yung K.L. , Ip Andrew W.H.
Published: July 2002

The successfulness of total quality management is dependent on the initiative of employees to apply their problem solving techniques continuously. However, the performance evaluation is quite subjective since it relies on the individual judgements of supervisors who have different perceptions of the process performance. This paper presents a performance measurement system to determine the priority in execution of quality improvement according to the performances of processes. Using a model containing a set of strategy‐related performance measures, misdirection of implementation of improvement projects due to subjective evaluation of process performance can be reduced. A fuzzy set of quality measures is introduced to calculate numerical quality rating for processes. The model is simulated and experimented on with a conventional improvement implementation practice. It is expected that the proposed model is superior in the major competitive capabilities including quality, cost flexibility, delivery reliability and speed.
Integrated and assembly oriented product design
Authors: Rampersad Hubert K.
Published: July 2002

During recent years numerous design for assembly methods have been developed to optimize product design for robotic assembly and hence reduce assembly costs. Various bottlenecks in product design are, however, still encountered with the widespread application of robotic assembly systems. These are mainly due to a lack of integral insight into the product design variables. Discusses these variables from an integral point of view, by means of a developed assembly model.
Design and evaluation of automated cellular manufacturing systems with simulation modelling and AHP approach: a case study
Authors: Chan Felix T.S. , Abhary K.
Published: July 2002

Suggests that many quantitative methods have been developed in an attempt to acknowledge uncertainty in decision making and to manage the inherent risk during economic planning for new technology implementation. Outlines a relatively simple and practical risk analysis, accompanied by the implementation of advanced manufacturing technology. Employs the proven analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach, coupled with confidence intervals from data gathered through simulation techniques or through observations and empirical sampling. Describes a case study in which simulation models were developed using a software package SIMFACTORY II.5, which is based on the concept of visual interactive simulation. A number of simulation experiments were performed in order to investigate the influence of various flexible manufacturing system and cellular manufacturing system configurations. An AHP multi‐attribute analysis is performed by using AUTOMAN, a decision support software package. This package evaluates and combines the qualitative and quantitative factors for different configuration designs.
Intelligent simulation‐based scheduling of workcells: an approach
Authors: Hock Soon Tan , de Souza School Robert
Published: July 2002

In recent years, many firms have rediscovered the importance of scheduling on the shopfloor. Within the manufacturing functions, scheduling remains among the most important and challenging tasks that must be performed routinely. Developing a schedule involves designating the resources needed to execute each operation of the process routeing plan and assigning the times at which each operation in the routeing will start and finish execution. The trend of current scheduling technology is towards a combination of the three common approaches; OR‐based, simulation‐based and AI‐based. Presents a hybrid approach using simulation‐based scheduling and a neural network to solve the detailed scheduling problem. Develops the neural network to analyse the complex information as well as orders coming on the shopfloor, and suggests candidate scheduling rules to the simulation model. The simulation model then uses the rules to schedule the orders on hand. The work is set against a backdrop of a currently operating flexible manufacturing cell.