bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Redundancy-based optimization approach to optimize robotic cell behaviour: application to robotic machining
Authors: Sabourin Laurent , Subrin Kévin , Cousturier Richard , Gogu Grigoré , Mezouar Youcef 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The robot offers interesting capabilities, but suffers from a lack of stiffness. The proposed solution is to introduce redundancies for the overall improvement of different capabilities. The management of redundancy associated with the definition of a set of kinematic, mechanical and stiffness criteria enables path planning to be optimized.

Design/methodology/approach
– The resolution method is based on the projection onto the kernel of the Jacobian matrix of the gradient of an objective function constructed by aggregating kinematic, mechanical and stiffness weighted criteria. Optimized redundancy management is applied to the 11-DoF (degrees of freedom) cells to provide an efficient placement of turntable and track. The final part presents the improvement of the various criteria applied to both 9-DoF and 11-DoF robotic cells.

Findings
– The first application concerns the optimized placement of a turntable and a linear track using 11-DoF architecture. Improved criteria for two 9-DoF robotic cells, a robot with parallelogram closed loop and a Tricept are also presented. Simulation results present the contributions of redundancies and the leading role of the track.

Research limitations/implications
– The redundancy-based optimization presented and the associated simulation approach must be completed by the experimental determination of the optimization criteria to take into account each machining strategy.

Practical implications
– This work in robotics machining relates to milling operations for automotive and aerospace equipment. The study is carried out within the framework of the RobotEx Equipment of Excellence programme.

Originality/value
– The resolution method to optimized path planning is applied to 9- and 11-DoF robotic cells, including a hybrid robot with a parallelogram closed loop and a Tricept PKM.
Hexapod moving in complex terrains via a new adaptive CPG gait design
Authors: Chung Hung-Yuan , Hou Chun-Cheng , Hsu Sheng-Yen 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to use the Matsuoka’s neural oscillators as the basic units of central pattern generator (CPG), and to offer a new CPG architecture consisting of a dual neural CPG of circular three links responsible for oscillator phase adjustment, to which an external neural oscillator is added, which is responsible for oscillator amplitude adjustment, to control foot depth to balance itself when treading on an obstacle.

Design/methodology/approach
– It is equipped with a triaxial accelerometer and a triaxial gyroscope to obtain a real-time robot attitude, and to disintegrate the foot tilt in each direction as feedback signals to CPG to restore the robot’ horizontal attitude on an uneven terrain. The CPG controller is a distributed control method, with each foot controller consisting of a group of reciprocally coupling neural oscillators and sensors to generate different locomotion by different coupling patterns.

Findings
– The experiment results indicated that the gait design method succeeded in enabling a steady hexapod walking on a rugged terrain, the mode of response is such that adjustments can only be made when the tilt occurs.

Practical implications
– The overall control mechanism uses individual foot tilts as the feedback signal input to the neural oscillators to change the amplitude and compare against the reference oscillators of fixed amplitude to generate the foot height reference signals that can balance the body, and then convert the control signals, through a trajectory generator, to foot trajectories from which the actual rotation angle of servo motors can be obtained through inverse kinematics to achieve the effect of restoring the balance when traveling.

Originality/value
– The controller design based on the bionic CPG model has the ability to restore its balance when its body tilts. In addition to the model’s ability to control locomotion, from the response waveforms of this experiment, it can also be noticed that it can control the foot depth to balance itself when treading on an obstacle, and it can adapt to a changing environment. When the obstacle is removed, the robot can quickly regain its balance.
Mobile knowledge: driving a paradigm shift
Authors: West Deborah , Thompson Samantha 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to challenge higher education professors and institutions to consider their role and practice in light of the changing landscape of higher education. It draws attention to the substantial changes taking place in society due to the technological and related knowledge revolution and questions the value of the current paradigm of educational practice.

Design/methodology/approach
– This conceptual paper utilises a sociological lens to explore the future of higher education learning and teaching. It draws on a range of literature to focus on the concepts of mobile education and mobile knowledge and explores these concepts in relation to the role and function of the professor and the university and the implication for pedagogy, curriculum design and teaching practice.

Findings
– While changes in higher education are taking place, they are largely within the current paradigm. With knowledge freely available via technology, the university is no longer the primary holder of knowledge and students are less likely to engage in content delivery styles of education. It is time therefore to consider the shape of education in a new mobile knowledge paradigm.

Originality/value
– This paper draws on a range of existing literature from several fields to highlight the need for a new paradigm in higher education pedagogy.
ICT in higher education: students perceive increased engagement
Authors: Zweekhorst Marjolein B.M. , Maas Jeroen 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– In general, active participation increases learning outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to explore how: information and communication technologies (ICT) can be used to improve the participation of students during lectures and the effect of ICT on the learning outcomes of students.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors tested a specific tool, Soapbox, in a compulsory course of a Masters’ program, at VU University, The Netherlands. During half of the lectures the students were invited to participate using their mobile phone or laptop, for the other half of the lectures, taught by the same lecturer, the tool was not used. The authors compared the two groups of lectures. For the evaluation the authors used observations in the classroom, a questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions with students and with the lecturer.

Findings
– The results show that the ICT tool facilitated and increased the level of communication and interaction among the students and between the students and the lecturers. Students’ scored lectures with the tool consistently higher on the item “engaging.” Most of the students appreciated the use of the ICT tool and said that they felt more involved.

Originality/value
– Despite the knowledge about the limited learning effect of lectures on larger groups, most of the teaching at universities is conducted through such lectures. The research shows that the majority of the students felt more involved in the lectures with the ICT tool, and almost half of the students feel that the learning effect of lectures with the tool is higher than the learning effect of lectures without. Although observations could not confirm the perceived enhanced involvement, about 80 percent would recommend using the tool in other classes, providing a case for the use of interactive technology in large-scale lectures.
Exploring perceptions of technology’s impact on academic misconduct
Authors: Walters Angela A. , Hunsicker-Walburn Melissa J. 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore faculty and students’ perceptions on the issue of technology-facilitated academic misconduct contemporaneously; to gain insight as to how current technologies contribute to academic misconduct, and how perceptions influence policy and practice.

Design/methodology/approach
– An interpretive qualitative approach was used to explore participants’ perceptions. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and document analysis.

Findings
– Results suggest that while faculty restrict technology in order to decrease opportunity for students to engage in academic misconduct, such technology restrictions may contribute to an increase in student rationalization. Faculty perceive that the restrictions reduce the instances of academic misconduct by reducing the opportunity technology affords. Student perceptions reflect an increase in rationalization that may result in an increase in academic misconduct that seems to be a student response to restrictive policies. Efforts to reduce academic misconduct may need to focus more on positive and proactive approaches to integrating technology rather than restricting or policing technology.

Originality/value
– Few studies have explored both faculty and student perceptions about the role of technology and its impact on academic misconduct contemporaneously, and few attempts have been made to qualitatively assess these issues. Findings may help guide the development of innovative teaching practices that embrace technology and provide incentives for faculty to adapt their instructional methods.
The role of coordination in avoiding project delays in an engineer-to-order supply chain
Authors: Mello Mario Henrique , Strandhagen Jan Ola , Alfnes Erlend 
Published: March 2015

Purpose– ETO supply chains produce high-value products on a project basis. The occurrence of delays is a major problem that impacts the performance of a company and its supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the cause of delays and to understand the role of coordination to mitigate them.Design/methodology/approach– An in-depth case study was conducted to identify problems that delay a project and to examine such problems from a systemic perspective. Based on data from interviews, group meetings, field observations and documentation, a pattern is proposed to explain the relation between coordination and lead time.Findings– Conceptually, to reduce the project lead time a higher level of concurrency is necessary. However, more concurrency increases the interdependencies between activities, something which demands more coordination effort. Since the coordination mechanisms applied are not appropriate to cope with the increasing coordination effort, a number of problems appear causing reworks and delays which increase the lead time.Research limitations/implications– The main limitation is that the authors are not able to distinguish which particular project characteristic influences the adoption of a specific coordination mechanism. Further research is required to examine the effect of various coordination mechanisms across a higher number of projects.Practical implications– Practitioners can benefit from discussions in this study to comprehend how coordination can improve the delivery performance in ETO supply chains.Originality/value– This study contributes to a better understanding of coordination in ETO supply chains by making sense of problems that delay the project. Matching the coordination mechanisms with the required coordination effort, which is based on the project characteristics, is a way to avoid delays and reduce the lead time.
Reducing turn-round variability through the application of Six Sigma in aerospace MRO facilities
Authors: Thomas Andrew J. , Mason-Jones Rachel , Davies Alan , John Elwyn G. 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to outline the application of a Six Sigma (SS) methodology as a means of reducing supply chain risk in aerospace maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) functions. In this contribution the LSS method is used to estimate the economic impact on the selection of the most appropriate maintenance strategy pertaining to aircraft display units (DUs) as well as providing a reduction in turn round time (TRT) variation of the DUs.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper develops a SS approach which includes the development of the Monte Carlo technique as a mechanism to identify the most cost effective MRO strategy whilst simultaneously reducing variability in TRT servicing of the DUs. This application enabled the authors to obtain further proof of concept and also to apply a number of focused quality improvement techniques to systematically reduce TRT variation.

Findings
– An effective development of the SS approach is proposed and the effectiveness of the method is subsequently evaluated highlighting the benefits to the host organisation. The SS methodology demonstrates that it is possible to identify the most cost effective MRO strategy and thus suggests a suitable DU replacement policy which in turn allows engineers to develop the appropriate maintenance schedules for the company.

Practical implications
– The design, development and implementation of this SS methodology offers an approach to achieving a more cost effective MRO strategy whilst reducing TRT variability which can lead to greater predictability of operations which in turn enables the company to effectively synchronise supply with demand. The paper offers practicing maintenance managers and engineers a practical example for increasing productive efficiency and output.

Originality/value
– This SS strategy contributes to the existing knowledge base on maintenance systems and subsequently disseminates this information in order to provide impetus, guidance and support towards increasing the development companies in an attempt to move the UK manufacturing sector towards world class manufacturing performance.
Environmental practices and innovation performance of US small and medium-sized manufacturers
Authors: Theyel Gregory , Hofmann Kay H. 
Published: March 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to describe the adoption of environmental management and collaboration practices by US small and medium-sized manufacturers and explore whether there are discernible differences in product and process innovation that can be explained by differences in their adoption.Design/methodology/approach– This research uses descriptive statistics and probit regression analysis of survey data from 295 small and medium-sized US manufacturers in seven industries.Findings– There are significant industrial sector differences in the adoption of environmental management and collaboration practices, larger and older companies are more advanced in their adoption of these practices, and companies adopting these practices are outperforming their competitors in terms of product and process innovation.Originality/value– This research assesses US industry sector differences among small and medium-sized manufacturers in the adoption of environmental management and collaboration practices and differences in product and process innovation linked to this adoption.
E-commerce channels for additive manufacturing: an exploratory study
Authors: Eyers Daniel R , Potter Andrew T 
Published: March 2015

Purpose– Whilst there has been considerable research on the use of electronic communications technologies to transfer design files for Additive Manufacturing (AM) between designer and manufacturer, corresponding studies that explore the resulting implications are limited. Often it is assumed that such an electronic approach is optimal; this paper serves to explore this assumption by reviewing the technical solutions, and identifying the practical implications. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– The results of a systematic literature review are used to develop four e-commerce channel designs, which are then explored using primary and secondary case studies.Findings– It is shown that the use of e-commerce with AM has often been oversimplified, suggesting that it will bring about universal benefits through increased efficiency and cost reductions in information transfer, particularly as a result of supply chain disintermediation. Instead, this paper reinforces current e-commerce research suggesting that e-commerce channels can lead to both disintermediation but also re-intermediation of the supply chain; cost reductions and increased efficiency may not automatically follow.Practical implications– For AM suppliers, channel strategy is likely to be a critical consideration. This paper provides a framework of currently available approaches, links these to the original research, and explains the implications arising from each option.Originality/value– Whilst there are many technical studies in this area, the potential implications of their adoption are often hypothesized, but seldom explored empirically. This study makes an original contribution through the classification and analysis of the channels from a management perspective.
Low energy production impact on lean flow
Authors: Ball Peter 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– Rising energy costs and potential scarcity are driving energy reduction initiatives in manufacturing companies. The reduction in energy use is complementary to the classic lean production philosophy and the lean and green literature implies that reducing energy waste supports lean objectives. The purpose of this paper is to examine this perceived positive correlation and identify the impact level of energy reduction of lean product flow.

Design/methodology/approach
– To achieve this, published case studies and practices from interview were gathered and categorised against a waste management hierarchy.

Findings
– Energy reduction activities implicitly reduce waste which is compatible with the lean waste objective, however, when applying the waste hierarchy principle to energy efficiency practice, lean product flow is progressively constrained or compromised towards the lower levels of the hierarchy.

Research limitations/implications
– The hierarchical classification seeks to communicate how reported energy efficiency improvements will/will not impact on flow. The research focuses on the modification of existing discrete part production facilities towards greater energy efficiency and neglects alternative production technologies and new build. The results suggest that as manufacturers seeking to be more energy efficient move away from preventative actions to more reduce and reuse actions then production flexibility could become restricted and the design of production facilities make re-think the fast, linear and short flow of product.

Practical implications
– Examples of industrial practices are provided to show the implications of energy reduction practice on production flow.

Originality/value
– Categorises the relationship between classic lean and industrial low-energy initiatives to provide insight to how higher energy cost could impact on production.
Pre-loved luxury: identifying the meanings of second-hand luxury possessions
Authors: Turunen Linda Lisa Maria , Leipämaa-Leskinen Hanna 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this study is to shed light on the consumption of second-hand luxury brands, identifying the meanings attached to second-hand luxury possessions in the context of fashion and, specifically, in the case of luxury accessories. Prior discussions of luxury consumption and marketing have focused on brand-new luxury goods, thus largely neglecting the emergence of markets for used luxury products.

Design/methodology/approach
– The empirical data for this study were generated through interviews with ten Finnish women and through fashion blogs concerning luxury goods that are bought second-hand.

Findings
– The findings show that second-hand luxury possessions are characterized by five different meaning themes: Sustainable Choice, Real Deal, Pre-loved Treasure, Risk Investment and Unique Find. The study highlights how consumers are able to achieve luxury experiences even without exclusive service, as the informants attached meanings of luxury to second-hand luxury possessions, especially with regard to the symbolic value and authenticity of the product. However, the meaning of authenticity appears to be a double-edged sword in this context, as consumers may also consider that they are taking a financial as well as reputational risk when acquiring a previously owned luxury item.

Originality/value
– This study brings forward novel viewpoints to discussions on luxury brand marketing by connecting the issue with the topical phenomenon of second-hand and luxury consumption. The study suggests important managerial implications for luxury brand marketers.
Overcoming barriers to integrating strategy and leadership
Authors: Schoemaker Paul J.H. , Krupp Steven 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– As uncertainty increases, business strategies need more frequent adjustments which in turn requires leaders who excel at timely external and internal alignment. We describe six challenges such leaders need to master.

Design/methodology/approach
– The six leadership abilities profiled in this article are based on a conceptual model that was pre-tested with selected executives. Using factor analysis and other standard tests of validity, we refined an assessment questionnaire and identified remedies. It has been taken by some 30,000 managers from diverse companies around the world.

Findings
– Our main findings are that strategic leadership can be deconstructed into more basic elements and that leaders can learn to better practice its skills, habits and attitudes once they know where they are personally weakest. Various challenges complicate better integration of strategy and leadership in the heat of battle but successful leaders conquer these by honing six essential capabilities. These are the ability to anticipate, challenge, interpret, decide, align and learn. We illustrate each with examples and then provide practical advice for leaders wishing to increase their strategic acumen.

Practical implications
– Readers can complete a 12-item assessment online (www.decisionstrat.com).

Originality/value
– The skills that comprise strategic leadership in a world of increasing uncertainty should be viewed as a self-reinforcing system. The leadership challenge, which involves practicing six abilities while overcoming barriers to them, allows the best innovators to win the long game while making frequent tactical adjustments along the way in response to surprise and uncertainty.
Does management innovation need a new change model?
Authors: Denning Stephen 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– Believing that the goal of maximizing shareholder value as reflected in the stock price and the management methods of hierarchical bureaucracy combine to cripple the capacity of the firm to innovate, the author offers a new management model.

Design/methodology/approach
– Assuming that the goal of the change process is to foster continuous innovation of products and processes to serve customer needs, the author lays out a roadmap for leaders seeking to move beyond maximizing shareholder value and re-engineering bureaucracy.

Findings
– Any new management model should align with the concept that the best way to serve shareholders’ interests is to deliver value to customers.

Practical implications
– Practices like self-organizing teams, platforms, networks and ecosystems enhance and magnify the value of what employees themselves want to do. Instead of hierarchical management having an adversarial relationship with employees, managers can have a collaborative trusting relationship where institutional and personal goals coincide.

Originality/value
– The article offers leaders a rationale for instituting a combination of managerial, social and political approaches, with change platforms that are allied to an inspiring social and political change movement.