bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autonomous industrial mobile manipulation (AIMM): past, present and future
Authors: Hvilshøj Mads , Bøgh Simon , Skov Nielsen Oluf , Madsen Ole 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the interdisciplinary research field, autonomous industrial mobile manipulation (AIMM), with an emphasis on physical implementations and applications.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an introduction to AIMM, this paper investigates the missing links and gaps between the research and developments efforts and the real‐world application requirements, in order to bring the AIMM technology from laboratories to manufacturing environments. The investigation is based on 12 general application requirements for robotics: sustainability, configuration, adaptation, autonomy, positioning, manipulation and grasping, robot‐robot interaction, human‐robot interaction, process quality, dependability, and physical properties.FindingsThe concise yet comprehensive review provides both researchers (academia) and practitioners (industry) with a quick and gentle overview of AIMM. Furthermore, the paper identifies key open issues and promising research directions to realize real‐world integration and maturation of the AIMM technology.Originality/valueThis paper reviews the interdisciplinary research field, autonomous industrial mobile manipulation (AIMM).
Robustness analysis of uncalibrated eye‐in‐hand visual servo system in the presence of parametric uncertainty
Authors: Umer Khan Muhammad , Jan Ibrar , Iqbal Naeem 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the methodology to the robust stability analysis of a vision‐based control loop in an uncalibrated environment. The type of uncertainties considered is the parametric uncertainties. The approach adopted in this paper utilizes quadratic Lyapunov function to determine the composite Jacobian matrix and ensures the robust stability using linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization. The effectiveness of the proposed approach can be witnessed by applying it to two‐link robotic manipulator with the camera mounted on the end‐effector.Design/methodology/approachThe objective of this research is the analysis of uncertain nonlinear system by representing it in differential‐algebraic form. By invoking the suitable system representation and Lyapunov analysis, the stability conditions are described in terms of linear matrix inequalities.FindingsThe proposed method is proved robust in the presence of parametric uncertainties.Originality/valueThrough a differential‐algebraic equation, LMI conditions are devised that ensure the stability of the uncertain system while providing an estimate of the domain of attraction based upon quadratic Lyapunov function.
Optimum motion control of palletizing robots based on iterative learning
Authors: Luan Nan , Zhang Haiqing , Tong Shanggao 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a maximum speed algorithm for serial palletizing robots, which guarantees relatively low system modeling requirements and can be easily implemented in actual applications.Design/methodology/approachOperation speed is an important index of palletizing robots performance. In order to improve it, features of palletizing motions are analyzed, and a refined iterative learning control algorithm for maximum speed optimization is proposed. The refined algorithm learns to increase local speed when the following error does not exceed a predefined tolerance, unlike conventional applications which make actual output identical to its reference. Furthermore, experiments were developed to illustrate the new algorithm's ability to take full advantage of motor capacity, drive ability and repetitive link couplings to improve palletizing efficiency.FindingsExperiments show that motion time decreases more than 20 percent after optimization.Originality/valueThe new iterative control algorithm can be easily applied to any repetitive handling operations where manipulating efficiency matters.
Supplier collaboration and new product performance: a contingency model
Authors: Tsai Kuen‐Hung , Tsai Mu‐Lin , Wang Jiann‐Chyuan 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a contingency model to examine how technological capacity, promotion capacity, and technological substitution affect the supplier collaboration‐new product performance relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses data from a Government survey of technological innovation. A total of 201 machinery/electronics equipment manufacturing firms in Taiwan comprise the sample. A Tobit regression analysis is adopted to analyze the data.FindingsIt is found that technological capacity and promotion capacity enhance the effect of supplier collaboration on new product performance. Technological substitution mitigates the relationship between supplier collaboration and new product performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample of this study just focuses on machinery/electronics equipment manufacturing firms. The new insights of this study imply that by failing to consider the contingency roles of technological capacity, promotion capacity, and technological substitution, previous research may have assumed away the conditions external and internal to a firm and thus may have reached an oversimplified view of the link between supplier collaboration and product innovation performance.Practical implicationsFirms can improve the effect of supplier collaboration on product innovation by enhancing their technological capacity and promotion capacity.Originality/valueThe paper makes contributions to explain why some firms attain better new product performance than others under the same level of supplier collaboration.
Supplier selection using QFD: a consumer products case study
Authors: Tidwell Angela , Sutterfield J. Scott 
Published: March 2012

PurposeDuring the past decade the role of purchasing in global competitiveness has been steadily increasing in importance. Similarly, the role of packaging continues to increase in importance because of its dual function in advertising and shipping. The purpose of this paper is to employ the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology to analyze the common purchasing problem of supplier selection for toothpaste packaging. Thus, a technique well known in quality management is adapted for use in the entirely new context of supplier selection in purchasing.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins by stipulating the properties necessary for suitable packaging. It then examines the type(s) of packaging necessary to satisfy these properties. Finally, it moves to the selection of a supplier having the necessary properties to provide packaging. The analysis is performed with a QFD construct.FindingsThe QFD process led to a rapid identification of those suppliers most capable of providing the product characteristics that met the corporate total value goal at the time of study.Practical implicationsThe paper presents a structured management approach to deal with the common problem of supplier selection. In doing so, it provides an approach that may be generalized to solve many types of decision problems confronting operations and supply chain managers.Originality/valueThis paper presents a management approach to the very important area of supplier selection. In doing so, it employs a technique well known in the product design area, but not used in the area of supplier selection, that of Quality Function Deployment (QFD). It extends beyond the dyad in that it brings to bear a powerful technique from the Quality Management discipline to a problem in another discipline, Purchasing.
Participatory technologies, pedagogy 2.0 and information literacy
Authors: Farkas Meredith 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore the impact participatory technologies have had on education and the information environment in which students operate. It seeks to define a pedagogical approach that will capitalize on the benefits of participatory technologies in the classroom and applies this “pedagogy 2.0” to information literacy instruction.Design/methodology/approachA thorough literature review was conducted on the use of participatory technologies in education as well as theories related to collaborative learning. This review formed the basis of the proposed pedagogy 2.0 model.FindingsWeb 2.0 and the growth in use of participatory technologies has had a tremendous impact on the information environment. Instructors seeking to take advantage of participatory technologies in the classroom should also consider altering the classroom learning environment to one that embraces social constructivist and connectivist pedagogies. Changes in the information environment also require a corresponding shift in the way information literacy is conceptualized and taught.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests an approach to teaching that instructors can adopt to capitalize on participatory technologies in the classroom and improve student learning.Originality/valueThis article seeks to bridge the gap between educational research on 2.0 pedagogies and the use of participatory technologies, and the library literature about the impact of Web 2.0 on information literacy. It suggests ways to make the conceptualization and teaching of information literacy more relevant to the current information environment.
Deinternationalisation: towards a coevolutionary framework
Authors: Turner Colin 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine deinternationalisation through the lens of coevolutionary theory. The intention is to offer a fuller understanding of the processes and strategic challenges involved in this process and establish a path for future research in this area of internationalisation theory.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws links between emerging themes in organizational theory and internationalisation to aid the conceptual development and understanding of the process of deinternationalisation.FindingsThe exploration of links between organizational theory and internationalisation allows for the process of deinternationalisation to be more fully distinguished. The paper identifies processes of managed selection and retardation that will inform this process of organizational change.Research limitations/implicationsWhilst there are concerns over the applicability of concepts from natural sciences within the social sciences, the paper does offer a number of research propositions to guide future academic investigation within the field of deinternationalisation.Originality/valueBy linking research on coevolution to the study of internationalisation, the paper contributes to the understanding of the emergence of differing paths and trajectories involved in the process of international contraction and expansion. Furthermore, coevolutionary theory allows the process of deinternationalisation to be conceptualized as a means of generating and guiding future study on this under‐explored area of internationalization research.
Identifying the characteristics of small specialist international retailers
Authors: Hutchinson Karise , Quinn Barry 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the internationalisation process of small, specialist retailers with the aim of identifying the key characteristics that define this specific category of international retailer.Design/methodology/approachQualitative case studies of nine UK‐based small international retailers, coupled with interviews with government and consultancy organisations, form the empirical basis of the work.FindingsFindings highlight five characteristics of small specialist international retailers: possession of a strong company brand image/identity with luxury/middle market appeal; niche strategy; dual strategy of expansion; ownership characteristics defined either by the founder or parent company; and vertical integration from manufacturing to retailing.Practical implicationsWith the increasing internationalisation of retail operations, the specialist sector comprises a significant number of retailers operating in international markets or contemplating the move into the international marketplace. The findings of the current work highlight the key factors that characterise those small specialist firms that operate outside their domestic market.Originality/valueThe paper identifies the key characteristics that define a significant category of international retailer, hitherto unexplored in the literature.
Capability perspective on business network formation
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Truffer Bernhard , Binz Christian , Störmer Eckhard 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the intentional formation of business networks in the wastewater industry. It enriches the theory‐building of the formation of business networks by drawing on theoretical contributions to business networks and capabilities. The paper describes, assesses and predicts scenarios relevant to the formation of business networks in the wastewater industry.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology employed is based on multiple sources of data in a multi‐method design, interpreting potential scenarios of business networks.FindingsThe findings reveal that water scarcity, population growth and economic constrains jeopardize existing business networks in the wastewater industry. Two potential scenarios: re‐inventing the centralized system through on‐site systems for mass‐markets; and expanding on‐site systems into mass‐markets seem realizable. A comparison of the two scenarios suggests that the first scenario is in a superior position to utilize the business opportunities offered.Research limitations/implicationsResearch limitations arise from the qualitative nature of the research undertaken.Practical implicationsCapability alignments and barriers suggest that the re‐inventing the centralized system through on‐site systems for mass‐markets scenario, is the most suitable for implementation. The knowledge gained allows managers to outline a specific approach for developing the capabilities required, in order to take advantage of the alignments and overcome the barriers that may exist.Originality/valueThe paper highlights that building theories of business networks may benefit from combining the formation of business networks with dynamic and operational capabilities.
Dynamic crack propagation and arrest in rapid prototyping material
Authors: Ibrahim Umar , Irfan Mohammad A. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find the response of micro‐layered rapid prototyping material under impact loading.Design/methodology/approachA modified Hopkinson Bar was used to impart impact loading in velocities ranging from 2‐7 m/s. Strain gages and stress wave theory were employed to calculate the load‐point force and displacement. Hence the dynamic crack initiation and propagation energies were calculated.FindingsIt was found that the crack deflection and inter layer delamination mechanisms lead to greater absorption of crack propagation energy and hence offer better resistance to crack propagation as compared to monolithic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).Practical implicationsThe finding will lead to greater confidence for the use of rapid prototypes as direct‐use parts subjected to low velocity impact.Originality/valueAlthough the static properties of ABS material used in rapid prototyping are well documented, this paper is one of the first reported researches in measuring the impact response of the micro layered ABS.
Location and collocation advantages in international innovation
Authors: Narula Rajneesh , Santangelo Grazia D. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper examines the role of location‐specific (L) advantages in the spatial distribution of multinational enterprise (MNE) R&D activity. The meaning of L advantages is revisited. In addition to L advantages that are industry‐specific, the paper emphasises that there is an important category of L advantages, referred to as collocation advantages.Design/methodology/approachUsing the OLI framework, this paper highlights that the innovation activities of MNEs are about interaction of these variables, and the essential process of internalising L advantages to enhance and create firm‐specific advantages.FindingsCollocation advantages derive from spatial proximity to specific unaffiliated firms, which may be suppliers, competitors, or customers. It is also argued that L advantages are not always public goods, because they may not be available to all firms at a similar or marginal cost. These costs are associated with access and internalisation of L advantages, and – especially in the case of R&D – are attendant with the complexities of embeddedness.Originality/valueThe centralisation/decentralisation, spatial separation/collocation debates in R&D location have been mistakenly viewed as a paradox facing firms, instead of as a trade‐off that firms must make.
Evaluating existing approaches to product‐service system design
Authors: Clayton Richard J. , Backhouse Chris J. , Dani Samir 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reflect on how representative the literature is in identifying industrial practice to designing product‐service systems (PSSs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses literature to report on the existing approaches used to design PSSs. A single exploratory case study approach, based on semi‐structured interviews and archival data analysis, was used to understand an existing product‐service organisation's approach to designing PSSs. A total of 12 senior managers were interviewed from a cross section of the organisation, to gain multiple perspectives on the PSS design process and ten company reports were analysed.FindingsThe research has identified that the PSS design process reported by literature is not representative, lacking inputs and outputs to some phases and feedback. In total, 18 inputs and 11 outputs have been identified from the case study that are not reported by the literature. These create five feedback loops within the PSS design process used by the case study organisation. This suggests that the PSS design process is cyclic and iterative and not sequential, as reported by existing literature.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is based on a single‐case study approach, limiting the ability to generalise findings, and does not provide a complete PSS design approach.Practical implicationsThis research compares literature against industrial practice to PSS design, presenting insight to aid practitioner's design PSSs.Originality/valueThis paper fills a gap in the servitization and PSS literatures; evaluating the approaches reported by literature against existing industrial practice.
Two‐phase methodology for customized product design and manufacturing
Authors: Kamrani Ali , Smadi Hazem , Salhieh Sa'Ed M. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the results on a model for manufacturing under the constraints and conditions of mass customization environment.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed model is based on manufacturing features and entails the concept of modular design. That is, manufacturing features are identified and analyzed in a way that enables the generation of what is called “manufacturing core”. Manufacturing cores are semi‐finished products that have certain manufacturing features. The core can be used to manufacture a range of products after conducting certain manufacturing processes. Manufacturing cores are generated through two phases of optimization. The first phase is known as product's manufacturing features analysis which includes starting features identification. The second phase is known as manufacturing cores formation that ends with generation of manufacturing cores.FindingsThe methodology is implemented on real products (flanges) as a case study. The proposed model for mass customization is compared at make‐to‐stock and make‐to‐order policies in terms of a burden which includes the time and the cost that are required to fulfil a production order. Applying the proposed model of mass customization entails the minimum total burden required.Research limitations/implicationsWhen the number of generic and variant features increases, an automated feature‐recognition module or sub‐system is required to facilitate the extraction of manufacturing features.Practical implicationsThe proposed methodology is used for design of customized product through the application of integrated design for modularity and mass customization approach for production.Originality/valueThe proposed methodology entails development of semi‐finished products based on manufacturing features that can be used for design and manufacturing of a range of products.
Talking about art(s)
Authors: Scaramanga Marinda 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework to describe possible key features in the relationship between culture and place branding. The inspiration to redact this paper was drawn from the inadequacy of literature and attempts to introduce the theoretical framework linking these two fields by asking: how do we define culture within the context of place branding? How do decision makers distinguish whether culture should be at the forefront of a place branding strategy? On one hand, the paper points out the powerful advantages while using art(s) and culture‐based activities to promote a place. On the other hand, the paper highlights the layered dilemmas for practitioners concerning the amalgamation of such a practice on a branding campaign.Design/methodology/approachThose questions' clarification is achieved by means of a literature review that examines this relationship from a wide range of disciplines: sociology, marketing, place branding, cultural management, urban studies, etc.FindingsThe paper's findings can be summarized in three points: first, culture plays a critical role on a place branding campaign, as long as the authentic cultural elements are produced by the residents. This practice helps to avoid the mass reproduction of “borrowed” cultural elements, i.e. the investment in cultural and leisure consumption industries. Second, the cultural field has already deployed practices used by local authorities in urban regeneration, such as cultural planning. Thus, converged objectives link cultural managers to place branding experts, refining multi‐dimensional policy thinking towards a more integrated image. Finally, the cultural aspect is related with the pre‐existing reputation of a place. Further, it is connected with the minds of people, fostering the contentions of common essence between culture and branding.Social implicationsThis paper intends to contribute and enhance inter‐professional thinking, by approaching the cultural sector with the appropriate sensitivity.Originality/valueThe paper provides deeper understanding of culture, bordering the gap between technocrats and cultural‐oriented professionals by contributing to the creation of a coherent communication system for the study of place branding theory. The cultural dimension of a place is very spacious and further research needs to be made, approaching the subject from new perspectives, such as people's perception of the brand while using art(s) as a branding tool.