bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A three‐factor measure of discernment
Authors: Traüffer Hazel C.V. , Bekker Corné , Bocârnea Mihai , Winston Bruce E. 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to operationalize the concept of discernment and to present an instrument to measure it.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of a mixed‐method exploratory design that relied on principal component analyses and internal consistency performed on the resultant data set from a pool of items developed from the literature, as well as from a panel of experts. The investigation employed in‐depth interviews conducted with eight purposively selected leaders about their decision‐making processes and augmented the findings with data from 240 leaders, generated via an online survey.FindingsThe result is a three‐factor self‐rating instrument that measures courage, intuition, and faith, with Cronbach alpha values of 0.85, 0.89, and 0.85, respectively. These three factors appear to operationalize the concept of discernment.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the conceptual definition of the construct has merit, its completeness is subject to debate. If the conceptualization were incomplete, the results of the study would provide only a marginal understanding of the phenomenon. Moreover, an operational definition based on an incomplete conceptualization will fail to generate theory‐oriented propositions. Additional research is needed to establish population norms.Practical implicationsThe study contributes to the ongoing task of appropriating spirituality in organizational life, demonstrates that discernment has value in contemporary leadership and organizational praxis, and provides an instrument for self‐evaluation by leaders as to how well each leader engages in discernment. The instrument offers a leadership development tool to help identify high or low discernment.Originality/valueThe study is original and makes the foundational contribution for a beginning stream of research.
AIDC feasibility within a manufacturing SME
Authors: Hodgson Simon , Nabhani Farhad , Zarei Sara 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to research and design a feasible automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) system for a manufacturing small to medium enterprise (SME) that is able to facilitate the flow of accurate and real‐time data throughout the manufacturing process.Design/methodology/approachThe processes and operations conducted at a manufacturing SME were critically analysed in order to identify areas, where the use of an AIDC system could be used to improve the efficiency and visibility of the processes throughout manufacture. The areas for improvement could then be identified and solved through specific applications and/or systems of which a cost benefit analysis could be conducted.FindingsSignificant cost savings are found through the implementation of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system based on the reduction of safety stock, the elimination of manual job tracking and the reduction of the manual input and written data throughout the process.Research limitations/implicationsThe read range of the technology outlined in this project was found to be limited due to the metal interference of the products, which should be aimed to be improved through the detection of other RFID transponders or a better adhesive medium used.Practical implicationsThe most common limitations were found to be the lack of IT infrastructure, limited knowledge on the benefits of the system and also cultural resistance to change. However, appropriate training is to be provided to overcome any problems.Originality/valueAIDC systems utilising data carrier technologies have been successfully implemented within many large multinational organisations but research into the implementation of AIDC systems within SMEs is far more limited.
Lean automated manufacturing: avoiding the pitfalls to embrace the opportunities
Authors: Chen Hongyi , Lindeke Richard R. , Wyrick David A. 
Published: April 2010

PurposeOver the last several months, the cries to become lean and low cost have echoed all the way from the halls of government to the smallest company's back room. In times of severe economic challenge, the natural reaction is to make decisions that can make an organization become as lean and focused as possible. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses the benefits and pitfalls associated with lean manufacturing management starting from the kernel idea that pleasing the customer should be at the root of all effort leading through the ravages of overzealous application of “lean to the max.” Elements of lean discussed in this paper address organizational waste, human resources, distributed design, supply chain management, customer management, and the financial system.FindingsPotential solutions and recommendations are made to help organizations become lean yet remain committed to being centered on the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction. These benefits and pitfalls may be seen as outcomes based on the degree to which lean is implemented.Originality/valueThis paper reviews the popular lean manufacturing environment and makes practical recommendations to new adopters to avoid failures due to the improper application of “lean” to their organization.
Fundamental mindset that drives improvements towards lean production
Authors: Yamamoto Yuji , Bellgran Monica 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to present a fundamental mindset that an experienced Japanese Toyota Production System (TPS) consultant has when he drives a series of improvement activities during a lean transformation.Design/methodology/approachThe main author of this paper conducted participant observations on two lean transformation cases at two medium‐sized Swedish manufacturing companies. The studied lean transformations are driven by the mentioned Japanese consultant. Before he became a consultant, he had practiced TPS more than 20 years at a supplier company of Toyota.FindingsInstead of making a detailed plan to implement lean production, the consultant focuses on creating the need for improvement. The identified fundamental mindset that drives a lean transformation can be described as “occasionally by force, create a situation where people have no choice (or little choice) but to feel the need of improvement. The situation is such that it brings different problems up to surface. Through letting people solve the problems one‐by‐one, the performance of the operation as well as the capability of individual and organizational learning are improved.” Various lean techniques are simply used based on the surfaced problems.Originality/valueThe recent research shows that a contingent nature is required in lean transformation, especially when it requires an organizational cultural change. However, a limited number of researches have shown practical ways of conducting a lean transformation with a contingent approach. The paper identifies a simple but practical way of doing it.
A CAD system for extraction of mating features in an assembly
Authors: Mathew Arun , Rao C.S.P. 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe information and knowledge about a product and its assembly are necessary to generate all feasible assembly sequences of that product. Assemblies contain a very large amount of information and complex relationships. Identifying assembled parts as well as their contact surfaces is very important in design and manufacturing since this information is essential. The problem is to not only make the information available but also use the relevant information for making decisions, especially determination of the optimum assembly sequence. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes a system for processing assembly models and extracting assembly related data using application programming interface (API) of the computer‐aided design (CAD) software. These data are used to identify the relationships between different components of an assembly thus encouraging generation of feasible assembly sequences.FindingsInstead of total human interpretation of the assembly design, a direct CAD database interface approach has been proposed to extract the relation with minimal manual involvement. The information extracted is used to generate a list describing the links between the assembled parts, the involved features and the type of link explicitly to facilitate assembly analysis and planning.Originality/valueThe methodology of using the API of the CAD modeling package SolidWorks, is a novel approach in which the assembly mate information is captured. Instead of total human interpretation of the assembly design, a direct CAD database interface approach has been proposed to extract the relation with minimal manual involvement.
A modular, reconfigurable end effector for the plastics industry
Authors: Saliba Michael A. , Vella Zarb Andrew , Borg Jonathan C. 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address a problem that is commonly faced by manufacturing companies in the plastics industry, where large and different batches of freshly produced units need to be unloaded from the injection‐moulding machines and relocated, using automation.Design/methodology/approachThe new solution is reached through a formal design approach, including a function analysis, a product design specification, a quality function deployment exercise, the generation of a number of conceptual solutions, and concept evaluation using morphological charts, failure mode and effect analysis and a decision matrix.FindingsA single modular end effector that can be easily reconfigured for a large variety of moulds has been developed. The results are also extrapolated to more general applications where an end effector is required to carry out simultaneously several different but well‐defined functions in the presence of high variety.Research limitations/implicationsThe critical decision that often needs to be made in industry, between flexibility and reconfigurability, is discussed. It is shown that when batch sizes are large, the penalty incurred in reconfiguration time is well offset by gains in simplicity, reliability and lower cost.Practical implicationsThe company involved in this case study will achieve significant savings in costs and in storage space, since it will no longer need dedicated gripping devices for its different products.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates the application of a formal design and development approach to arrive at a novel reconfigurable solution to a common parts handling problem in industry.
A solution method for the component allocation problem in printed circuit board assembly
Authors: Wu Yongzhong , Ji Ping 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose an effective and efficient solution method for the component allocation problem (CAP) in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, in order to achieve high‐throughput rates of the PCB assembly lines.Design/methodology/approachThe investigated CAP is intertwined with the machine optimization problems for each machine in the line because the latter determine the process time of each machine. In order to solve the CAP, a solution method, which integrates a meta‐heuristic (genetic algorithm) and a regression model is proposed.FindingsIt is found that the established regression model can estimate the process time of each machine accurately and efficiently. Experimental tests show that the proposed solution method can solve the CAP both effectively and efficiently.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough different regression models are required for different types of assembly machines, the proposed solution method can be adopted for solving the CAPs for assembly lines of any configuration, including a mixed‐vendor assembly line.Practical implicationsThe solution method can ensure a high‐throughput rate of a PCB assembly line, and thus improve the production capacity without further investment on the expensive PCB assembly equipment.Originality/valueThe paper proposes an innovative solution method for the CAP in PCB assembly. The solution method integrates the meta‐heuristic method and the regression method, which has not been studied in the literature.
An integrated approach to mixed‐model assembly line balancing and sequencing
Authors: Kamal Uddin Mohammad , Cavia Soto Marian , Martinez Lastra Jose L. 
Published: April 2010

PurposeDesign, balancing, and sequencing are the key issues associated with assembly lines (ALs). The purpose of this paper is to identify AL design issues and to develop an integrated methodology for mixed‐model assembly line balancing (MMALB) and sequencing. Primarily, mixed‐model lines are utilized for high‐variety, low‐volume job shop or batch production. Variation of a generic product is important for the manufacturers as the demand is mostly customer driven in the present global market.Design/methodology/approachDifferent AL design norms, performance indexes, and AL workstation indexes have been identified in the initial stage of this work. As the paper progresses, it has focused towards an integrated approach for MMALB and sequencing addressed for small‐ and medium‐scale assembly plants. A small‐scale practical problem has been justified with this integrated methodology implemented by MATLAB.FindingsALs execution in the production floor require many important factors to be considered. Different line orientations, production approaches, line characteristics, performance and workstation indexes, problem definitions, balancing and product sequencing in accordance with the objective functions are needed to be taken into account by the line designer.Originality/valueThis paper has highlighted the important AL design characteristics and also provided an integrated approach for balancing mixed‐model assembly lines (MMALs) combined with sequencing heuristic. The findings of this paper can be helpful for the designers while designing an AL. The integrated approach for balancing and sequencing of MMALs can be used as a functional tool for assembly‐based contemporary industries.
Automatic generation of robot and manual assembly plans using octrees
Authors: Medellin Hugo , Corney Jonathan , Ritchie James , Lim Theodore 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate automatic assembly planning for robot and manual assembly.Design/methodology/approachThe octree decomposition technique is applied to approximate a computer‐aided design model with an octree representation which is then used to generate robot and manual assembly plans. An assembly planning system able to generate assembly plans was developed to build these prototype models.FindingsOctree decomposition is an effective assembly planning tool. Assembly plans can automatically be generated for robot and manual assembly using octree models.Research limitations/implicationsOne disadvantage of the octree decomposition technique is that it approximates a part model with cubes instead of using the actual model. This limits its use and applications when complex assemblies must be planned, but in the context of prototyping can allow a rough component to be formed which can later be finished by hand.Practical implicationsAssembly plans can be generated using octree decomposition, however, new algorithms must be developed to overcome its limitations.Originality/valueThis paper has proved that the octree decomposition technique is an effective assembly planning tool. As a result, an assembly planning system has been developed. Assembly plans for automatic and manual assembly can be generated automatically by the proposed system, which is a novelty since there are no fully automatic assembly planning systems for manual assembly reported in the literature.
The role of industry perceptions in competitive responses
Authors: Fouskas Konstantinos G. , Drossos Dimitris A. 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of managerial perceptions of the competitive environment on shaping the way firms respond to their rivals in terms of speed, intensity, innovativeness and breadth of competitive responses.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops a research model based on current literature of competitive dynamics and then test this model in 174 firms selected from 22 manufacturing, trade and service sectors in Greece.FindingsThe results indicate that managerial perceptions regarding the competitive environment affect the competitive response behaviour of companies in terms of specific characteristics and thus can be used as predictors of responses to competitive actions. This is in line with recent research in competitive dynamics, arguing that managers decode cues of their competitive environment in terms of threats and opportunities and respond to them accordingly.Research limitations/implicationsThis study could benefit from a larger sample and replication in more countries. Moreover, more perceptional influences on competitive response characteristics should be examined in depth in future research with a view to enhancing awareness of competitive interactions.Practical implicationsManagers will develop a better understanding of factors influencing competitive response characteristics and will be able to better predict rivals' retaliation schemes when initiating competitive actions and foresee forthcoming industry changes.Originality/valuePrevious research in competitive dynamics is associated with measuring the impact of various measurable situational and environmental characteristics, such as industry growth and organizational age, in competitive response characteristics. It instead focus on the role of managerial interpretations of the competitive environment and how they affect the way they respond to a firm's competitors.
Knowledge transfer to the subsidiaries operating in overseas
Authors: Martins José , António Nelson 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide information for the companies that pretend to transfer knowledge to their subsidiaries situated in an least developed country (LDC), because of the local operative specificity which is influenced by three analytical dimensions: first, the multinational enterprise's (MNE) ability to transfer knowledge; second, the climate of cooperation between the MNE and its subsidiary; and third, the subsidiary's absorptive capacity.Design/methodology/approachThe present case study deals with three companies with subsidiaries in Mozambique which develop activities in the industrial sector, where the procedures of the analysis of contents are applied in order to answer the research questions.FindingsThe results show that the transferred knowledge must be directed at the operational needs felt locally. It must be avoided that the receiver believes the transferred knowledge is imposed by the transmitter, in order for it to be used as an asset in the production of new products, but without reproducing the MNE headquarters' business model because of the specific local context.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study method does not allow the results to be generalized, but it permits the investigation of a combination of problems of the phenomenon thus contributing to its better understanding.Originality/valueThe results obtained contribute to a better understanding and greater efficiency of the process of knowledge transfer to the subsidiaries situated in an LDC, taking into consideration the particular characteristics of the local market and the local absorptive capacity.
The impact of organizational intervention on system usage extent
Authors: Chang Kuo‐Chung , Lie Ting , Fan Ming‐Liang 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance our understanding of the concept of system usage and identify determinants at the organizational level that are attributable to the extent of system usage in the post‐adoptive and compulsory milieu.Design/methodology/approachThe paper intends to examine the organizational intervention on system usage extent. Unlike previous studies, this research adopts a feature‐centered approach to examine the construct of system usage extent, and proposes that organizational supports such as management support and technical support impact the individual system usage extent.FindingsResults show that technical support from the organization, specifically technical assistance and technical consulting channels, have a positive impact on system usage extent; however, management support does not show a significant effect. A post hoc analysis is conducted in an attempt to explicate the relationships between organization interventions and the feature usage of particular systems.Originality/valueThe paper has the following implications. First, this study discusses system usage extent from a feature‐centered perspective and develops a method to assess the degree of system usage. Second, the scheme for evaluating system usage extent developed in our study can be used to measure the actual system usage. Lastly, an ad hoc correlation analysis was performed to provide a detailed understanding of the relationship between organizational initiatives.
Information technology‐enabled intrapreneurship culture and firm performance
Authors: Benitez‐Amado Jose , Llorens‐Montes Francisco Javier , Nieves Perez‐Arostegui Maria 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationships among two types of information technology (IT) resources (technological IT and managerial IT resources), the intrapreneurship culture and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is consistent with the perspective on IT‐enabled organizational capabilities. A proposed research model and hypotheses are tested using cross‐sectional survey data from a sample of 203 leading Spanish firms.FindingsData analysis shows that intrapreneurship culture is a valuable key capability that predicts firm market performance; both technological IT and managerial IT resources have a positive effect on the development of an intrapreneurship culture in the firm, and investment in both technological IT and managerial IT resources influences firm performance positively by means of the capability of intrapreneurship culture.Research limitations/implicationsAmong other limitations, the paper uses data provided by only one key informant per firm, and the results can be generalized to only 25 business sectors among Spanish firms.Practical implicationsThe research findings have important implications for practising managers. First, our results suggest that the deployment of technological IT and managerial IT resources increases firms' ability to develop an innovation‐supportive culture. Second, intrapreneurship culture is an important intermediate organizational capability through which the benefits of both technological IT and managerial IT resources are converted into performance effects at the corporate level.Originality/valueFirst, this paper reveals how firms can develop an intrapreneurship culture. Specifically, the findings of the paper show the key role of IT‐based resources in the development of this type of organizational culture. Second, this paper shows theoretically and empirically how firms can generate business value from IT‐enabled intrapreneurship culture, a topic that has received little attention to date.