bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Robotic cell culture system for stem cell assays
Authors: Schmidt Benjamin T. , Feduska Joseph M. , Witt Ashley M. , Deasy Bridget M. 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the advantages of a robotic time‐lapsed microscopic imaging system for tracking stem cells in in vitro biological assays which measure stem cell activities.Design/methodology/approachThe unique aspects of the system include robotic movement of stem cell culture flasks which enables selection of a large number of regions of interest for data collection. Numerous locations of a cell culture flask can be explored and selected for time‐lapsed analysis. The system includes an environmentally controlled chamber to maintain experimental conditions including temperature, gas levels, and humidity, such that stem cells can be tracked by visible and epifluorescence imaging over extended periods of time.FindingsThis is an extremely unique system for both individual cell tracking and cell population tracking in real‐time with high‐throughput experimental capability. In comparison to a conventional manual cell culture and assay approach, this system provides stem cell biologists with the ability to quantify numerous and unique temporal changes in stem cell populations, this drastically reduces man‐hours, consumes fewer laboratory resources and provides standardization to biological assays.Research limitations/implicationsFundamental basic biology questions can be addressed using this approach.Practical implicationsStem cells are often available only in small numbers – due both to their inherent low frequency in the post‐natal tissue as compared to somatic cells, and their slow growth rates. The unique capabilities of this robotic cell culture system allow for the study of cell populations which are few in number.Originality/valueThe robotic time‐lapsed imaging system is a novel approach to stem cell research.
Fuzzy PD+I control of a six DOF robot manipulator
Authors: Alavandar Srinivasan , Nigam M.J. 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the control of a six degrees of freedom (DOF) robot arm (PUMA robot) using fuzzy PD + I controller. Numerical simulation using the dynamic model of six DOF robot arm shows the effectiveness of the approach in trajectory tracking problems. Comparative evaluation with respect to PID and fuzzy PID controls are presented to validate the controller design. The results presented emphasize that a satisfactory tracking precision could be achieved using fuzzy PD + I controller combination than fuzzy PID controller.Design/methodology/approachControl of a six DOF robot arm (PUMA Robot) using fuzzy PD + I controller.FindingsThe performance of fuzzy PD + I controllers improves appreciably compared to their respective fuzzy PID only or conventional PID counterparts.Originality/valueComplexity of the proposed fuzzy PID controller is minimized as possible and only two design variables are used to adjust the rate of variations of the proportional gain and derivative gain.
RFID‐assisted mobile robot system for mapping and surveillance of indoor environments
Authors: Milella Annalisa , Cicirelli Grazia , Distante Arcangelo 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of passive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for environment mapping and surveillance by an autonomous mobile robot.Design/methodology/approachProposes a fuzzy inference method to localize RFID tags in the environment.FindingsDemonstrates that RFID technology can be successfully integrated in mobile robot systems to support navigation and provide the robot with mapping and surveillance capabilities.Originality/valueUse of fuzzy reasoning to learn the model of the RFID device and localize the tags, enhancing the capability of the system to recognize and monitor the environment.
Use of infrared landmark zones for mobile robot localization
Authors: Lee Sooyong 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a novel localization scheme using infrared identification (IRID) fused with encoder information.Design/methodology/approachIRID emitters are mounted on the ceiling in order to divide the floor workspace into sectors. Encoding the IRID signal then allows the mobile robot to identify which sector it is in. The sector information is fused with the dead‐reckoning results for estimation of the robot configuration based on the fact that IRID has highly deterministic characteristics.FindingsFusing the dead‐reckoning result and the IRID information bounds and in some cases reduces the size of the uncertainty. This enables one to more accurately estimate the robot's configuration.Originality/valueA new artificial landmark, IRID is developed for mobile robot localization. This paper also demonstrates a framework that fuses the IRID information (deterministic) and dead‐reckoning result (stochastic).
Mobile parallel robot for assembly and repair of ITER vacuum vessel
Authors: Wu Huapeng , Handroos Heikki , Pessi Pekka 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to build up a parallel robot for assembling, machining and repairing of the vacuum vessel of the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER).Design/methodology/approachThe process of assembling and machining of the vacuum vessel need a special robot. By studying the structure of the vacuum vessel, a novel parallel robot is built, which has ten degrees of freedom driven by water hydraulic cylinders and electrical servo motors. Kinematic models for the redundant degree robot have been defined. A prototype has been built. Experiments for machine cutting and laser welding were carried out.FindingsThe parallel robot is capable of holding all necessary machining tools and welding end‐effectors in all positions accurately and stably inside the vacuum vessel sector. The kinematic models appeared to be complex because of the redundant structure of the robot, and an optimization algorithm ensuring the maximum stiffness during the robot motion helps to find the solution in the trajectory planning. The entire design and testing process of the robot appeared to be a very complex task due to the high specialization of the manufacturing technology needed in the ITER reactor, while the results demonstrate the applicability of the proposed solutions quite well.Originality/valueOffers not only a device but also a methodology for the assembling and repairing of ITER by means of a parallel robot.
Collecting collaboration: understanding collaboration through stories
Authors: Ellis Nick , Hibbert Paul 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this editorial is to provide an overview of content and process of development of the five papers collected in this special issue on collaboration and storying.Design/methodology/approachThis guest editorial discusses the five papers in terms of their contribution both to debates on the utility of stories as data and forms of knowledge as well as to developing understandings of the research and practice of collaboration. Findings – The special issue integrates aspects of research, issues of research and connects with implications for practice.Originality/valueReaders are provided with an overview of the utility of stories as data, different levels of conceptualization of stories and the kinds of insights that can flow from this form of research.
Telling stories and the practice of collaboration
Authors: Garcia‐Lorenzo Lucia , Nolas Sevasti‐Melissa , de Zeeuw Gerard 
Published: March 2008

PurposeStories and the telling of stories constitute a major part of our daily life, yet how this happens is not clearly understood. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the ways in which stories challenge the notions of knowledge that are common in the “classical” scientific tradition. It also aims to focus on the function of stories in the collaborative, interpersonal and inter‐organisational dynamics of the way knowledge is built up in daily life.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explores changes in the notion of knowledge (and what is considered scientific method). Firstly, it identifies various genealogies in which previous limitations on the experiences to be included as knowledge have been extended. Secondly, the paper will look at experiences that link to the telling of stories, and explore the way they challenge as well as link to previous notions and extensions of knowledge in collaborative contexts.FindingsA core characteristic of stories and their telling is an increase in people's awareness both of others as sources of intentional variation as well as of their cultural and human heritage.Originality/valueThe paper initiates a much‐needed discussion of the nature of knowledge as it relates to story telling. It links the experiences elicited by story telling to a genealogy of knowledge that identifies the difficulties of including experiences other than observations (e.g. uncertainty, intentionality). To study stories one needs to search for constraints on how individuals link to other individuals. The paper proposes how one might study stories by considering how they contribute to an extension of existing concepts of knowledge.
A democratic story: collaboration in the use of public budget
Authors: Bocatto Evandro , Perez de Toledo Eloisa 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate how the notion of “storying collaboration” can benefit democratic participation, collaboration among different social actors, and local development.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology relies initially on a hermeneutical epistemological view which also incorporates Aristotelian analysis of speech as a deconstructive tool. Initial findings suggest a further shift in approach towards the assumptions made by critical theory. The basic methodological tool is in‐depth interviews. The level of analysis is the individual who participates in collaborative processes.FindingsThe paper shows how collaboration is unlikely to be successful in situations where certain key conditions are absent. Ultimately, what may be seen as a conversion process reveals a circular sequence of ideals, acts and outcomes in which stories about the future become realities and realities become new stories.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that the creation of appropriate environments is required in order for individuals to become aware of their wishes and demands and make conscious choices. If the actors involved are aware of the rhetorical components of speech, then they can utilise them to persuade others. The storyteller must take into consideration which kind of assumptions, intentions and orientations respect individual and social notions of legitimacy and, thus, are likely to succeed.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper lies in the use of a bricolage of methodologies in order to shed light on the role of stories in the collaborative process.
Discursive tensions in collaboration: stories of the marketplace
Authors: Ellis Nick 
Published: March 2008

PurposeIf stories can create promising practices, what does talk of “collaboration” mean in the context of what would appear to be market‐based inter‐firm relationships (IFRs)? How do managers trying to cope in industrial sectors make sense of supply chain relationships? This empirically driven paper attempts to shed some light on these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe stories collected here show how a subtle analysis of actors’ “network theories” revealed within the language of IFRs can facilitate the study of collaboration. Discourse analysis of interview material is used to illustrate how managers draw upon a series of interpretive repertoires in order to make sense of IFRs within three contrasting “supply chains” or “marketing channels”.FindingsManagerial accounts, often in the form of “micro‐stories”, illustrate how these participants argue persuasively for a “landscape” of next possible actions. This is a landscape that, despite being moulded in part by ideas of network partnerships and “relationship marketing”, is more strongly shaped by notions of chains and marketplaces. The paper argues that the discursively constructed network theories of managers constrain their thoughts and actions as they attempt to manage relationships in supply chain contexts. Ultimately, participants appear to forego the opportunities promised by collaborative partnerships; instead their accounts suggest that they retain a world‐view dominated by a competitive market orientation.Originality/valueStudies that reflect a better understanding of such stories of the marketplace may enable researchers to disseminate findings that help practitioners make more sense of the tensions inherent in inter‐firm collaborations.
Characters in stories of collaboration
Authors: Hibbert Paul , Beech Nic 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which narratives of collaborations tagged as successful may be constructed around common characterizations of participants, in order to provide insights to the ways in which stories may be constructed as vehicles for the adoption or adaptation of good or promising practices.Design/methodology/approachQualitative interview data from three collaborative situations are analysed through a narrative‐centred procedure with a particular focus on micro‐stories.FindingsThe paper provides a set of recurring characterizations observed within narratives of successful collaboration and their employment within the stories offered by collaborating partners. It also suggests the relationship that these characterizations might have to the stimulation or retardation of good collaborative practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is derived from interviews in the UK context and extrapolation to other contexts seems plausible but should be conducted cautiously and with reflection.Originality/valueThe particular style of narrative analysis conducted in this work has not been employed to the consideration of collaborative accounts and the characterizations derived may have utility as anchoring elements in stories of collaboration, helpful in both the elicitation and interpretation of such accounts.
A case study into operational team‐working within a UK hospital
Authors: Bamford David , Griffin Michael 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to report on research into human resource management within an operations management environment; specifically, operational team‐work amongst health care workers in a hospital.Design/methodology/approachEight operational teams within a UK National Health Service hospital took part and the research used a combination of survey and group discussions.FindingsThe results show the construct of the team had little operational definition. Key factors identified as contributing to effective team‐working include: leadership; frequency of team meetings; a climate of trust and openness. There was limited evidence of truly multi‐disciplinary teams and of organisational support for team‐working.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology applied was appropriate, generating data to facilitate discussion and draw specific conclusions therefrom. A perceived limitation is the single case approach; however, Remenyi et al. argue this can be enough to add to the body of knowledge. In terms of implications this paper demonstrates that team‐working is no panacea; as part of a bundle of good operations management practices it is associated with efficiency, effectiveness, and in this case improved patient care.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests a new input, process, output model of effective team‐working and identifies issues to be faced in adopting a strategy of developing an operational team‐based organisation.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is the conclusion that the importance of operational team‐working is as a paradigm for assessing how effectively individuals and groups work together, rather than as a specific organisational form with an optimal size.
Performance measurement in strategic buyer‐supplier relationships
Authors: Cousins Paul D. , Lawson Benn , Squire Brian 
Published: March 2008

PurposeClose links between buyers and suppliers are increasingly cited as a critical differentiator of high and low performers in global supply chains. While the application of performance measures to manage supplier relationships has been well‐identified and encouraged in the literature, comparatively little research exists on the inter‐organizational socialization mechanisms that underlie the flow of learning and information within supply chains. The authors aim to develop a model positing that socialization mechanisms play an important role in mediating the relationship between supplier performance measures and performance outcomes.Design/methodology/approachA structural equation model, using a sample of 142 manufacturing and service firms based in the UK, tests this hypothesised model.FindingsThe theoretical framework was supported, with results indicating that socialization mechanisms fully mediate the effects of supplier performance measures (communication and operational‐based) on firm performance.Practical implicationsThis study provides additional insights for purchasing managers seeking to improve the management of their strategic supplier relationships. The authors find that monitoring supplier performance is not of itself sufficient, rather, it is the process of socializing the buyer and supplier that is critical to success.Originality/valueAs far as the authors are aware, no previous supply chain research has examined how supplier performance measurement systems, socialization mechanisms, and firm performance are related. The paper makes a significant contribution to this literature embedding an established theoretical construct (socialization) into the supply chain literature.
Diffusion of online reverse auctions for B2B procurement: an exploratory study
Authors: Schoenherr Tobias 
Published: March 2008

PurposeTo investigate the diffusion of online reverse auctions by exploring differences between their early, late and lagging adopters. More specifically, adopter categories are compared against organizational characteristics and auction behavior as a result of learning. Organizational characteristics include number of employees and purchasing authority structure (PAS). Differences in learning are investigated by behavioral manifestations, consisting of the savings achieved, as well as the use of bundles in reverse auctions.Design/methodology/approachFour hypotheses were developed based on academic and trade literature. Data were collected with a large‐scale online survey among members of the Institute for Supply Management, receiving 363 complete and useable responses. Records were split into three adopter categories based on whether the respondent's firm adopted reverse auctions early (before April 2002) or late (after April 2002), or whether the adoption was merely planned. Differences related to the time of adoption were explored via nonparametricχ2contingency table analyses. Theχ2statistic was used to determine whether a hypothesis is supported or rejected.FindingsAdopter categories differ in regards to number of employees, the savings achieved, and their use of bundles. No differences were detected in terms of PAS. Explanations for these findings are provided.Practical implicationsThe results support the diffusion of online reverse auctions, provide encouragement for their adoption especially also by smaller firms, and suggest that late adopters are not disadvantaged when compared to their early‐adopting counterparts.Originality/valueNo published studies have investigated the diffusion of online reverse auctions for business‐to‐business procurement, or explored potential differences between early adopters, late adopters and laggards.
Exploring the six sigma phenomenon using multiple case study evidence
Authors: Nonthaleerak Preeprem , Hendry Linda 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThis research paper aims to: explore areas of weakness in six sigma implementations that may require enhancements in the methodology; to investigate implementation differences between manufacturing and services; and to investigate critical success factors.Design/methodology/approachExploratory empirical evidence is presented from nine case study companies in Thailand, including manufacturers, sales and service companies and a national airline.FindingsKey findings include: six sigma is more appropriate for high risk, complicated, large‐scale and cross functional projects; the six sigma methodology could be enhanced to ensure that projects are aligned to company goals; the evidence questions standard text book advice that a “Black Belt” (BB) should have a full time role, as a part‐time BB role can be more realistic particularly in a small company and the training materials available need to be improved to be more appropriate for service operations.Research limitations/implicationsThe main research limitation is in the number of companies studied and the restriction to companies located in Thailand. In addition, the research is exploratory and future research is needed to look at the issues raised in depth.Practical implicationsAll of the findings have practical implications. For example, the conclusion on the nature of the BB role is seen as a key issue for successful use of six sigma in small businesses.Originality/valueSix sigma has been widely used in industry, but there has been limited rigorous academic research. This paper seeks to identify a series of issues worthy of further attention from the academic community using a rigorous research approach.
Ethernet cuts fieldbus costs in industrial automation
Authors: Hunt James A. 
Published: March 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to provide an update on the status of current fieldbuses and high‐speed Ethernet technologies for industrial automation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides information on the various fieldbus technologies for industrial automation connectivity and examines high‐speed deterministic Ethernets for automated manufacturing and assembly plant.FindingsThe paper finds that the standards issue has still not been fully resolved, that Ethernets reduce manufacturing costs compared with conventional fieldbuses, that most effort has gone into making Ethernets work deterministically, rather than concentrating on IT and enterprise resource planning (ERP) integration, and that the internet will increasingly feed real‐time data to ERP levels.Originality/valueThe paper provides information on recent developments in Ethernet technologies.