bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Control and programming of a multi‐robot‐based reconfigurable fixture
Authors: Zieliński Cezary , Kasprzak Włodzimierz , Kornuta Tomasz , Szynkiewicz Wojciech , Trojanek Piotr , Walęcki Michał , Winiarski Tomasz , Zielińska Teresa 
Published: June 2013

PurposeMachining fixtures must fit exactly the work piece to support it appropriately. Even slight change in the design of the work piece renders the costly fixture useless. Substitution of traditional fixtures by a programmable multi‐robot system supporting the work pieces requires a specific control system and a specific programming method enabling its quick reconfiguration. The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel approach to task planning (programming) of the reconfigurable fixture system.Design/methodology/approachThe multi‐robot control system has been designed following a formal approach based on the definition of the system structure in terms of agents and transition function definition of their behaviour. Thus, a modular system resulted, enabling software parameterisation. This facilitated the introduction of changes brought about by testing different variants of the mechanical structure of the system. A novel approach to task planning (programming) of the reconfigurable fixture system has been developed. Its solution is based on constraint satisfaction problem approach. The planner takes into account physical, geometrical, and time‐related constraints.FindingsReconfigurable fixture programming is performed by supplying CAD definition of the work piece. Out of this data the positions of the robots and the locations of the supporting heads are automatically generated. This proved to be an effective programming method. The control system on the basis of the thus obtained plan effectively controls the behaviours of the supporting robots in both drilling and milling operations.Originality/valueThe shop‐floor experiments with the system showed that the work piece is held stiffly enough for both milling and drilling operations performed by the CNC machine. If the number of diverse work piece shapes is large, the reconfigurable fixture is a cost‐effective alternative to the necessary multitude of traditional fixtures. Moreover, the proposed design approach enables the control system to handle a variable number of controlled robots and accommodates possible changes to the hardware of the work piece supporting robots.
Mechanical equilibrium model of rubberless artificial muscle and application to position control of antagonistic drive system
Authors: Saito Naoki , Sato Takanori , Ogasawara Takanori , Takahashi Ryo , Sato Toshiyuki 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a mechanical equilibrium model of a one‐end‐fixed type rubberless artificial muscle and the feasibility of this model for control of the rubberless artificial muscle. This mechanical equilibrium model expresses the relation between inner pressure, contraction force, and contraction displacement. The model validity and usability were confirmed experimentally.Design/methodology/approachPosition control of a one‐end‐fixed type rubberless artificial muscle antagonistic drive system was conducted using this mechanical equilibrium model. This model contributes to adjustment of the antagonistic force.FindingsThe derived mechanical equilibrium model shows static characteristics of the rubberless artificial muscle well. Furthermore, it experimentally confirmed the possibility of realizing position control with force adjustment of the rubberless artificial muscle antagonistic derive system. The mechanical equilibrium model is useful to control the rubberless artificial muscle.Originality/valueThis paper reports the realization of advanced control of the rubberless artificial muscle using the derived mechanical equilibrium model.
Rapid design and synthesis of robots using standard computer tools
Authors: Martínez Verdú Jaime , María Sabater Navarro José , José González Penella Vicente , Manuel García Aracil Nicolás , Miguel López Buendía Ángel 
Published: June 2013

PurposeCurrently, the majority of designed robots are not well‐matched to their applications because designers do not employ a clear and organized design process. Additionally, the high cost of robotic systems makes it difficult to financially justify the use of this technology. The purpose of this paper is to present a new design process that gathers conceptual, kinematic and dynamic design, finite elements method (FEM), functional design and virtual reality control. Furthermore, kinematic and dynamic design can be obtained by traditional theory or standard computer tools (SCT) to accelerate the design. Through SCT fitted mathematical models and non‐mathematical virtual models may be acquired.Design/methodology/approachThis paper investigates the design process of a robot. First, the entire methodology is presented (including two new techniques for solving the kinematic and dynamic questions via SCT). Second, a case study using Autodesk® Inventor™ has been analysed to assess the feasibility of the method and techniques.FindingsThe more stages of the design process are considered, the more successful solutions become. Designers can obtain a mathematical solution for an analytically unsolvable robot fitting a mathematical model by SCT. To obtain a rapid design, designers must consider using SCT and following just in need (JIN) philosophy to find a non‐mathematical virtual model.Originality/valueThis paper presents an innovative guide for robotic engineers and researchers which covers the whole design process and new techniques for obtaining mathematical and non‐mathematical solutions.
Training and organizational effectiveness: moderating role of knowledge management process
Authors: Abd Rahman Azmawani , Imm Ng Siew , Sambasivan Murali , Wong Florence 
Published: June 2013

PurposeTraining alone is not sufficient to enhance organizational effectiveness to a greater level because not all knowledge obtained from the training is properly transferred and applied to the organization. This study aims to investigate whether efforts invested by Malaysian manufacturers in employee training and knowledge transfer affect organizational effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a quantitative research design. The questionnaire developed for this study captured the training related to individual/managerial skills, the knowledge management process in place to capture and apply the knowledge obtained through training, and the organizational effectiveness. A closed‐ended online survey was sent to 1,000 members of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) throughout Malaysia and 88 manufacturers responded. The unit of analysis was an organization.FindingsThe study found the following: training employees to acquire individual/managerial skills and process skills helps in improving organizational effectiveness; knowledge application and knowledge protection interact with individual/managerial skills training to improve organizational effectiveness; and knowledge acquisition, knowledge application and knowledge protection interact with process skills training to enhance organizational effectiveness.Practical implicationsOrganizations are urged to devise training modules depending on the needs of individual employees, create an environment that will encourage the trained employees to apply their skills (knowledge), and develop policies to retain these employees.Originality/valueThis paper addresses an important and not so well researched issue. It analyzes the interactions between the dimensions of knowledge management practices and type of training in improving the organizational effectiveness of manufacturing firms in Malaysia.
The numbers need style
Authors: Cottrell Terry 
Published: June 2013

PurposeBudgetary and activity‐based data examination and analysis are core to planning for all organizations. This paper seeks to explore aspects of budgetary financial data and activity data focusing on how each is presented separately and in tandem for more productive decision making.Design/methodology/approachCorrelations between how data are typically presented versus how they may possibly be presented serve as the basis for a discussion on advantages to a more journalistic and visual approach to looking at numerical analysis.FindingsUsing numbers to tell a story is the preferred method to inspire positive action when both presenting and beginning any and all discussions about budgetary and activity data. Library leaders wishing positive outcomes to stem from their data are advised to spend more time making data appealing in form for presentation to a variety of audiences.Originality/valueFinancial and outcomes measures data analysis is growing in popularity as a means for making data‐driven decisions. Many leaders, however, continue to show numbers in standardized tabular form to all of their stakeholders. This method of presentation attempting to encourage others to enjoy and respect data analysis is not preferred to a more dynamic and visual adoption of data styling. It is argued that attractive presentation of data makes data analysis more attractive, and therefore, more likely to occur.
Visualizing the value of library content
Authors: Steele Kirstin 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe aim of this article is to share ideas about, and examples of, visual representations of library collections.Design/methodology/approachThe article takes the form of a literature review and opinion.FindingsAlthough information visualization appears in the literature as a field of study at least as early as 1981, library catalogs and indexes remain overwhelmingly text‐based.Originality/valueSince 2010, only about 10 percent of the full‐text, scholarly articles in EBSCO databases with thesaurus term “information visualization” are published in library science journals.
The institutional library committee, part I: a tool for garnering support
Authors: Fitsimmons Gary 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis article's purpose is to explain the usefulness of the institutional library committee in supporting the library director's vision for the library.Design/methodology/approachThe article describes the function and makeup of an institutional library committee and then discusses how the director can use his/her influence on the committee to garner support for library initiatives.FindingsThe article finds that the library director has influence on such a committee regardless of his/her position on the committee.Practical implicationsThis committee provides a unique channel of influence for educating on and advancing library issues.Social implicationsThis committee can be a great source of support for the library and its staff.Originality/valueThe value of the article is in showing how to get the most out of this committee.
Value fusion
Authors: Larivière Bart , Joosten Herm , Malthouse Edward C. , van Birgelen Marcel , Aksoy Pelin , Kunz Werner H. , Huang Ming‐Hui 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of Value Fusion to describe how value can emerge from the use of mobile, networked technology by consumers, firms, and entities such as non‐consumers, a firm's competitors, and others simultaneously.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the combination of characteristics of mobile devices that enable Value Fusion and discusses specific value and benefits to consumers and firms of being mobile and networked. Value Fusion is introduced and defined and set apart from related, other conceptualizations of value. Examples are provided of Value Fusion and the necessary conditions for Value Fusion to occur are discussed. Also discussed are the conditions under which the use of mobile, networked technology by consumers and firms may lead to Value Confusion instead of Value Fusion. Several research questions are proposed to further enhance the understanding and management of Value Fusion.FindingsThe combination of portable, personal, networked, textual/visual and converged characteristics of mobile devices enables firms and consumers to interact and communicate, produce and consume benefits, and create value in new ways that have not been captured by popular conceptualizations of value. These traditional conceptualizations include customer value, experiential value, customer lifetime value, and customer engagement value. Value Fusion is defined as value that can be achieved for the entire network of consumers and firms simultaneously, just by being on the mobile network. Value Fusion results from producers and consumers: individually or collectively; actively and passively; concurrently; interactively or in aggregation contributing to a mobile network; in real time; and just‐in‐time.Originality/valueThis paper synthesizes insights from the extant value literature that by and large has focused on either the customer's or the firm's perspective, but rarely blended the two.
Beyond traditional word‐of‐mouth
Authors: Blazevic Vera , Hammedi Wafa , Garnefeld Ina , Rust Roland T. , Keiningham Timothy , Andreassen Tor W. , Donthu Naveen , Carl Walter 
Published: June 2013

PurposeBusiness and academia alike have become aware of the crucial role of customer‐to‐customer interactions. Facilitated by the increasing customer connectedness through online media possibilities, companies need to understand how customers influence each other and how to manage these customer interactions. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize an expanded model of customer‐driven influence (CDI) that presents an overview of the influence process and its determinants. The model covers important issues, such as deliberate versus unintentional sender actions, verbal and non‐verbal communication, and reflective and impulsive receiver reactions.Design/methodology/approachThis article is the result of the first Thought Leadership Conference on Service Marketing, held in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, June 2012.FindingsThe model shows the importance of considering goal theory in studying customer‐driven influence. Both sender and receiver can act and react in deliberate and unintentional ways. The mechanisms for customer‐driven influence are then contingent upon which particular goal (combination) is activated. Message reception is either verbal or non‐verbal. Furthermore, the receiver can react either by reflective processing or by impulsive processing leading to liking a particular product or wanting the product (respectively). Accordingly, the receiver builds behavioral intentions of purchasing and further talking about the particular product.Originality/valueThis paper synthesizes insights from the extant literature on word‐of‐mouth, social influence, and dual processing of information to develop a comprehensive model customer‐driven influence. The authors' framework is embedded in goal system theory, as it addresses fundamental self‐regulatory issues, such as the impact of implicit goal activation and essential contextual factors on preference formation and choice.
Diversifying higher education: facilitating different ways of learning
Authors: Virtanen Pasi , Myllärniemi Jussi , Wallander Heini 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate how higher education in Finland can benefit from using methods such as Web 2.0 technologies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes how different types of learners (auditory, visual, kinaesthetic) benefit from being exposed to new methods and tools in the tuition process (traditional teaching settings). The strengths and weaknesses of these alternative teaching methods and tools are assessed. The paper is based on a case study – a pilot project – where the Prezi presentation tool and Twitter were tested and used in a university teaching setting. Findings – The results of the study show that both students and faculty found the utilization of Prezi and Twitter in teaching improved the learning and teaching experience.Originality/valueIn Finland, the use of Prezi and Twitter in the classroom is not common. The results of this study should help encourage other teachers in Finland to implement new methods and tools in the tuition process.
Exploring motivations to stop injecting in English prisons: qualitative research with former male prisoners
Authors: Tompkins Charlotte N.E. 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the cessation of injecting amongst male drug users when in prison in England and uncovers what influenced this behaviour and why.Design/methodology/approachQualitative interviews were conducted with 30 male drug users on release from prison to explore what happened to their injecting drug use in prison. The research was conducted from a pragmatic harm reduction approach using grounded theory.FindingsNot injecting in prison was identified as a pertinent finding and nine overarching themes accounted for this decline. The themes often overlapped with one another, highlighting how the decision not to inject when last in prison was multi‐factorial. Running throughout the themes were participants' concerns regarding the health and social risks attributed to injecting in prison, alongside an appreciation of some of the rehabilitative measures and opportunities offered to injecting drug users when in prison.Originality/valueThis qualitative research offers an updated perspective on illicit drug injecting in prison in England from the view of drug users since health and prison policy changes in prescribing and practice. It contributes to evidence suggesting that prisons can be used as a time of reprieve and recovery from injecting drug use.
Effects of price and alcohol content on purchase behaviour: an analysis of Australian and New Zealand youth drinking
Authors: Parsons Andrew G. , Stephenson Nicola 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe excessive consumption of alcohol by young people is a current and controversial issue in New Zealand (NZ) and Australia. The literature suggests that such consumption is an accepted social norm, and that young people deliberately drink to reach a level of intoxication. Current public policies to reduce consumption, beyond education through media campaigns, include taxation to raise the price and movements to limit the allowable alcohol content in some beverages popular with youth. This paper aims to determine whether price or alcohol content changes will have any effect on youth drinking.Design/methodology/approachAn experiment was conducted in both Australia and NZ to examine the effects of price changes and alcohol content changes on behavioural intention. A third implied hypothesis was also examined ‐ do Australian students differ from NZ students in their behaviour? Students were assigned to one of eight treatment groups, and their purchase intent was measured for ready‐to‐drink (RTD) products. Chi‐squared analysis was undertaken to test the hypotheses.FindingsResults suggest that social norms are stronger than price effects in both countries, and that alcohol content has a significant effect in NZ. These findings contradict government emphases on fiscal and regulatory approaches to modify purchase behaviour.Originality/valueThis study is the first to specifically look at price and alcohol content manipulations and their potential effects on young consumers. As such it sheds light on a current marketing/social issue that has a potentially significant impact on young consumers worldwide.
Parental financial role modelling and fiscal behaviour of young home leavers
Authors: McNeill Lisa S. , Turner Lucy 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis paper aims not only to provide an insight into the nature of the relationship between parental financial role modelling and consumption behaviour of young people, but also to explore the consumer socialization process that children undergo in the parent‐child dyad.Design/methodology/approachQualitative research in the form of personal in‐depth interviews was conducted in order to extract new knowledge and reach a greater understanding regarding the impact that this relationship may have on future consumption behaviours within the youth market.FindingsIt is clear that parents are able to exert a huge amount of influence over the financial behaviour of their children (although this obviously differs between families) and are able to do so through the informal teaching of financial lessons, by allowing children to observe their own financial patterns and by guiding their children through significant financial decisions by offering advice and approval (or disapproval) when asked. Key financial attitudes and behaviours of young home‐leavers are almost directly related to the parental financial education they received whilst growing up and still living at home and in many cases parental influence is still present even once the child has moved away from home and is responsible for making their own financial decisions.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough there are limitations, the present study does have implications for the impact parents can have on the spending behaviour of their children; it may be that the most important thing parents can do is teach their children about financial responsibility and successful consumer decisions at a young age so that they grow up with these life skills.Practical implicationsIn terms of practical implications, by identifying the specific areas where financial knowledge and awareness may be lacking, the research may help educational and financial institutions to design financial management courses in order to help young people achieve greater financial freedom.Social implicationsThe paper reveals the characteristics of the consumption relationship children enjoy with their parents, describing the role of financial education within families and conceptualising the various forms of consumption relationships that exist between young consumers and their parents.Originality/valueThe relationship between parental influence and youth consumption behaviour has already been identified using quantitative research methods but very little is known about the actual extent of this relationship, which is addressed by this paper.
Branded product placement and pre‐teenaged consumers: influence on brand preference and choice
Authors: Toomey Deborah A. , Francis Alisha L. 
Published: June 2013

PurposeIn an industry where billions of dollars are spent to place branded products within entertainment media, it is critical to understand if this form of promotional communication actually results in the preference of the branded product. The purpose of the current research is to contribute to this understanding relative to pre‐teenaged consumers.Design/methodology/approachThree research questions related to brand preference and choice were investigated using a two‐group experimental design with a convenience sample. The impact of product placement on choice was assessed within minutes of the exposure. Preference and choice were also assessed two weeks later.FindingsThe findings suggest that branded product placement may not affect attitudes or behavior of pre‐teenaged consumers.Originality/valueAlthough empirical findings suggest the practices may not lead to the intended attitudes and behaviors in adults, the theory of mere exposure and research related to social learning theory provide support for the effectiveness of the practice in reaching pre‐teens.