bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of rapid tooling to manufacture customized nasal mask cushion for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices
Authors: Cheng Yih‐Lin , Chu Jin‐Chiou 
Published: January 2013

PurposeA continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is one of the main treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Most patients treated by this method complain about the comfortableness of the mask, but the commercial mask cushions are only available in fixed sizes. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to apply the rapid tooling (RT) technique to manufacture customized nasal mask cushions, to increase the performance and with price competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe patient's face was first duplicated twice by Hygrogum and plaster. The face model, on which the cushion CAD design was based, was digitized by the reverse‐engineering technology. The RT of the cushion was then designed and manufactured by two rapid prototyping techniques – Objet's PolyJet and shape deposition manufacturing (SDM). Finally, silicone was cast into the RT to obtain customized cushions. The customized cushion was compared with two other commercial cushions through fit testing and cost estimation.FindingsThe proposed approach can successfully manufacture customized cushions within a day. The SDM process has advantages in this application over Objet's system. The fit testing showed that the fit factor of the customized cushion was better and less loading was required, which should lead to great improvement in the patient's comfort. Moreover, the price‐to‐performance ratio of the customized cushion can be lower than the commercial ones if more than three cushions were made by a single rapid tool.Originality/valueThis paper has proposed a new application of RT on customized nasal mask cushions for CPAP devices. The customized cushion has lower price‐to‐performance ratio and the cost remains competitive.
Additive manufacturing of ZrO2‐Al2O3 ceramic components by selective laser melting
Authors: Wilkes Jan , Hagedorn Yves‐Christian , Meiners Wilhelm , Wissenbach Konrad 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose this paper is to develop an additive manufacturing (AM) technique for high‐strength oxide ceramics. The process development aims at directly manufacturing fully dense ceramic freeform‐components with good mechanical properties.Design/methodology/approachThe selective laser melting of the ceramic materials zirconia and alumina has been investigated experimentally. The approach followed up is to completely melt ZrO2/Al2O3 powder mixtures by a focused laser beam. In order to reduce thermally induced stresses, the ceramic is preheated to a temperature of at least 1,600°C during the build up process.FindingsIt is possible to manufacture ceramic objects with almost 100 percent density, without any sintering processes or any post‐processing. Crack‐free specimens have been manufactured that have a flexural strength of more than 500 MPa. Manufactured objects have a fine‐grained two‐phase microstructure consisting of tetragonal zirconia and alpha‐alumina.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research may focus on improving the surface quality of manufactured components, solving issues related to the cold powder deposition on the preheated ceramic, further increasing the mechanical strength and transferring the technology from laboratory scale to industrial application.Practical implicationsPotential applications of this technique include manufacturing individual all‐ceramic dental restorations, ceramic prototypes and complex‐shaped ceramic components that cannot be made by any other manufacturing technique.Originality/valueThis new manufacturing technique based on melting and solidification of high‐performance ceramic material has some significant advantages compared to laser sintering techniques or other manufacturing techniques relying on solid‐state sintering processes.
Co‐designing compliance to the Anti‐Money Laundering Act within the small and medium enterprise sector
Authors: Kelkar Ameya , Rao Asha 
Published: January 2013

PurposeMoney laundering is a financial crime that does not directly affect a business but poses a serious threat to a nation's stability and security. The Australian Anti‐money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act (AML/CTF Act – the Act) passed into law in 2006, but achieving compliance is proving a daunting task, especially within the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector. This paper aims to propose a co‐designed communication strategy, which if adopted by the Australian regulator, AUSTRAC, could improve communication and education about the Act within this sector.Design/methodology/approachA literature review is done to understand the complexities of the Act and its compliance regime, especially with regards to SME. By establishing the importance of SME to a country's economy, as well as the need for AUSTRAC to understand their limitations, this paper uses the concepts of design in communication, and the importance of involving stakeholders in designing solutions, to develop a communication strategy.FindingsIt is clear that the current compliance regime is not very successful, and a better communication strategy would achieve better education among the SME sector and could result in better compliance indices.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is based on the available literature including journals, white papers and the AUSTRAC website and did not involve in‐person communication or contact with either the stakeholders or AUSTRAC.Originality/valueThis paper is first of its kind to propose the use of “design” in order to improve the AML/CTF compliance indices.
Investigating the convergent validity of organizational trust
Authors: Agarwal Vinita 
Published: January 2013

PurposeOrganizational trust is an important construct for organizational and public relations scholars and practitioners for its influence on key organizational outcomes, yet the convergent validity of organizational trust instruments has not been investigated by any study. The purpose of this paper is to address an important gap in the literature by reporting the results of a systematic investigation of the convergent validity of three organizational trust measures, taking an interpersonal, public relations, and organizational approach to trust in organizations respectively.Design/methodology/approachIRB approval was obtained for a cross‐sectional study design gathering self‐reports from participants through an online data gathering system of a large Midwestern university in the USA. Correlational matrices, along with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses adapting the multitrait‐multimethod matrix, were employed for data analysis.FindingsThe three trust measures demonstrate mixed evidence of convergent validity with each other and with a theoretically correlated construct, organizational identification, demonstrating that while the three measures share the same conceptual ground, there is a need to clarify their underlying theoretical specification, especially with respect to organizational identification.Research limitations/implicationsFuture large‐scale studies can extend the findings based on a student population by employing multiple and diverse data sets, as well as investigate method variance.Practical implicationsRecommendations to improve convergent validity include: increasing item parsimony to decrease redundancy; revise item construction; and improved theoretical specification investigating the conceptual boundaries organizational identification with trust.Originality/valueThe study provides empirical evidence of the need for greater conceptual and operational clarification of the theoretical bases of trust. It is the first to advance research on trust in organizations by providing empirical support for the convergent validity of organizational trust measures assessed from organizational, interpersonal, and public relations perspectives.
Relationship stresses: new ground for relationship management research
Authors: Derville Gallicano Tiffany 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance knowledge about organization‐public relationships by establishing a theoretical category for understanding them and by contributing to a foundation of knowledge in that category. Relationship stresses are presented as the factors that constrain organization‐public relationships. This study identifies stresses on the relationship between a grassroots advocacy organization and its former members, as well as stresses between the organization and members who have decreased their participation in it.Design/methodology/approachIn‐person interviews were conducted with 24 people, phone interviews were conducted with 44 people, and e‐mail interviews were conducted with 13 people. Interviewees included staff members, former volunteers, and volunteers who had decreased their participation in the organization.FindingsSeveral relationship stresses were identified: the silver curtain, the emotion tax, relationship speeding, invisible isms, weak leadership, disagreement with decisions, the revolving door, overworking volunteers, underworking volunteers, age, and health.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes a new category for relationship management scholarship, which can be productive for theory building. It also illuminates Dozier and Lauzen's questioning about the unique conditions of social movement organizations.Practical implicationsEstablished cultivation strategies can actually aggravate publics when a relationship has significantly deteriorated and the root problem is not addressed.Originality/valueRecognizing problems in the relationship between an advocacy organization and members results in a deep understanding of a unique context for public relations practice. In addition, this study illuminates a context for cultivation strategies by codifying a foundation of relationship stresses. Identifying stresses to relationships can help scholars and practitioners ascertain problems and treat those problems at the root level.
Developing a comprehensive methodology for BPR projects by employing IT tools
Authors: Eftekhari Nazanin , Akhavan Peyman 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive IT tools based methodology (CITM) for BPR projects in order to facilitate implementing BPR project by considering relevant IT tools in each phase of the methodology, both approaches (clean slate and analysis of existing processes on details), and failure analysis for diminishing the risk of the BPR project.Design/methodology/approachIn today's world, corporations need to adjust with the environment changes in order to stay stable in facing market changes. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology in which by considering different aspects for implementing BPR project including IT tools, both BPR approaches, and failure analysis can facilitate BPR project. The proposed methodology's validation was tested by getting the 50 experts' ideas in each phase of the methodology and in a case study at organization and planning department in an IT company.FindingsThe structured methodology developed in this paper contain the two debatable approaches of BPR (clean slate approach as well as analysis of existing processes on details approach). This methodology enables the organization to derive a proper way to implement BPR project in order to its situation. In every phase of this methodology, based on their applications in each specific phase, required softwares and IT tools are proposed. The applicability of methodology was analyzed and confirmed thoroughly by the 50 BPR experts and in a case study at an IT company.Originality/valueThis study provides a comprehensive methodology to consider the gap of the BPR methodologies in their comprehensiveness, use IT tools and softwares and lower the risk of the BPR implementation. In developing the CITM the challenging approaches are considered, the related softwares and IT tools are proposed and failure analysis is done and considered in each phase of the CITM in order to decrease the risk of its implementation.
Need for sustainable global business model in software outsourcing
Authors: Mathur Jain Daisy , Khurana Reema 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study sustainability of the global business model of software outsourcing with perspective of Indian vendors.Design/methodology/approachIn order to obtain results as per the stated purpose, the authors have done an extensive literature review search in the e‐journals databases: ABI/INFORM Complete, EBSCO Business Source Complete, Emerald Management Xtra and Science Direct. Over and above these databases and journals, NASSCOM reports, survey and some books were also referred for literature review. Finally 59 references listed at the end of the paper were used for the stated purpose.FindingsThe paper studies trends in software industry and outsourcing models, which Indian vendors are offering to their global clients. Each model is evaluated analytically for its advantages and shortcomings subsequently the paper concludes by stating the need for a sustainable global business model in software outsourcing from Indian perspective.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper studies business of software at a global level and subsequently narrows its focus on the models being provided by the Indian vendors. It identifies need for a sustainable model to be used by the Indian vendors; the limitation of the paper is it concludes with the need identification and is from an Indian vendor perspective. The needs identified can be further used as a basis for hypothesis formulation, questionnaire design, data survey and analysis so that blue print of the proposed model can finally emerge, also the study can be expanded to include global vendors.Practical implicationsThe following paper analytically studies current trends in global business of software sourcing, and identifies pros and cons of the models adopted by Indian vendors. It identifies the need for a sustainable global business model for software outsourcing; in case the need is fulfilled it will definitely add value to India as a software sourcing destination and lead to more revenue generation which will eventually culminate into a large‐scale and long term economic and social impact. The study also has several research and public policy formulation implications.Originality/valueThe paper is completely original work of the authors where the value addition is clearly seen by studying the advantages and shortcomings of the existing models of software outsourcing adopted by Indian vendors and identifying the need for sustainability therein.
Handoff processes, information quality and patient safety
Authors: Gogan Janis L. , Baxter Ryan J. , Boss Scott R. , Chircu Alina M. 
Published: January 2013

PurposeKey findings from recent and relevant studies on patient safety and clinical handoffs are summarized and analyzed. After briefly reviewing process management and accounting control theory, the aim of this paper is to discuss how these latter two disciplines can be combined to further improve patient safety in handoffs.Design/methodology/approachA literature review on studies of patient safety, clinical processes and clinical handoffs was conducted in leading medical, quality, and information systems journals.FindingsThis paper issues a call for research using a trans‐disciplinary methodology to shed new light on information quality issues in clinical handoff processes, which in turn should improve patient safety.Research limitations/implicationsThe literature review employed systematic, heuristic, iterative and practical criteria for identifying and selecting papers, trading off completeness for multi‐disciplinarity. No prior empirical patient safety studies combined process management and accounting control theory.Practical implicationsThe above‐noted trans‐disciplinary analytic approach may help medical professionals develop more effective handoff processes, checklists, standard operating procedures (SOPs), clinical pathways, and supporting software, and audit and continuously monitor their implementation.Originality/valueThis paper responds to recent calls for trans‐disciplinary research on healthcare quality improvement. The literature review is valuable for understanding clinical handoff problems and solutions from multiple perspectives. The proposed combination of two theories – accounting control theory and business process management – is novel and useful for describing, improving and monitoring handoff processes in the broader context of clinical processes, using a common terminology for information quality traits.
A methodology for effective implementation of lean strategies and its performance evaluation in manufacturing organizations
Authors: Karim Azharul , Arif‐Uz‐Zaman Kazi 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an effective methodology for implementing lean manufacturing strategies and a leanness evaluation metric using continuous performance measurement (CPM).Design/methodology/approachBased on five lean principles, a systematic lean implementation methodology for manufacturing organizations has been proposed. A simplified leanness evaluation metric consisting of both efficiency and effectiveness attributes of manufacturing performance has been developed for continuous evaluation of lean implementation. A case study to validate the proposed methodology has been conducted and proposed CPM metric has been used to assess the manufacturing leanness.FindingsProposed methodology is able to systematically identify manufacturing wastes, select appropriate lean tools, identify relevant performance indicators, achieve significant performance improvement and establish lean culture in the organization. Continuous performance measurement matrices in terms of efficiency and effectiveness are proved to be appropriate methods for continuous evaluation of lean performance.Research limitations/implicationsEffectiveness of the method developed has been demonstrated by applying it in a real life assembly process. However, more tests/applications will be necessary to generalize the findings.Practical implicationsResults show that applying the methods developed, managers can successfully identify and remove manufacturing wastes from their production processes. By improving process efficiency, they can optimize their resource allocations. Manufacturers now have a validated step by step methodology for successfully implementing lean strategies.Originality/valueAccording to the authors' best knowledge, this is the first known study that proposed a systematic lean implementation methodology based on lean principles and continuous improvement techniques. Evaluation of performance improvement by lean strategies is a critical issue. This study develops a simplified leanness evaluation metric considering both efficiency and effectiveness attributes and integrates it with the lean implementation methodology.
Output‐based specifications for PPP projects: lessons for facilities management from Australia
Authors: Javed Arshad Ali , Lam Patrick T.I. , Zou Patrick X.W. 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the challenges faced by the public and private sectors in developing output specifications for Australian public private partnership (PPP) projects. In particular, this study aims to examine how the stakeholders (including facilities managers) should cater for future changes in output specifications and make them flexible enough to meet the evolving project objectives.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on 19 semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors in three States of Australia where PPP procurement has been used, including New South Wales (NSW), Queensland and Victoria. The results are triangulated with relevant literature for supports and contrasts.FindingsFor PPP projects, a good set of output specifications is conducive to the achievement of value for money, innovation, risk transfer, whole life asset performance through a clear abatement regime and an effective linkage of performance criteria to the payment mechanism. For existing specifications, it was found that too many and complex KPIs were specified, which were difficult to monitor, measure and implement by the client. Very prescriptive specifications hindered innovations and did not allow appropriate risk allocation. Further, the research study suggests that after the global financial crises, the private sector had less appetite to take the patronage risks in road and rail PPP projects. To mitigate these pitfalls, it is imperative that output specifications need to be aligned with the type of PPP projects they represent; in particular foreseeable changes should be addressed by some pre‐agreed framework to facilitate negotiation.Originality/valueThe significant contribution of this research is the identification of the common issues faced in drafting output specifications for Australian PPP projects. Stakeholders of future PPP projects should find the lessons useful for achieving value for money and appropriate risk transfer, stating the user requirements through clear and concise output specifications rather than input or prescriptive specifications in procuring social and economical PPP projects. Their relationships with facilities management are highlighted.
Earned value‐based performance monitoring of facility construction projects
Authors: De Marco Alberto , Narbaev Timur 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the diffusion of earned value management (EVM) as a practicable methodology to monitor facility construction and renovation projects in the context of the European industry.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a review of the literature reveals how EVM evolved as a tool for facility construction project monitoring together with specific concerns for its application. Then, a review of EVM practice and trends in Europe is provided and finally, applicability and viability of the method is proved through a case demonstration.FindingsEVM practice in the European construction industry is found to be lagging behind other experienced countries and industries, despite EVM having been found to be applicable, adaptable, and predictive of integrated final cost and schedule of facility construction projects. In particular, cost estimate at completion is forecasted by a simple cost performance index (CPI), while for the time estimate at completion, the earned schedule concept is revealed as an accurate predictor.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper urges the need for research of a European standard as a primary factor for successful diffusion of EVM usage in architecture, engineering and construction projects.Practical implicationsThis paper helps practitioners to understand the adaptability of EVM practice in the European construction industry and to apply EV tools for effective monitoring of the performance of their projects.Originality/valueCurrent trends of EVM practice in the European construction context are presented and suggestions for sustaining the diffusion of EVM are given.