bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intrapreneurship, local initiatives in organizational change processes
Authors: Brunåker Svante , Kurvinen Jaana 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper has its focus on local initiatives in developing the work organization. Local initiatives describe how shop floor workers and middle managers initiate organizational change by developing ideas emerging in the daily operations. The purpose of this article is to elaborate on how and why such local initiatives emerge and develop.Design/methodology/approachThe paper combines theories about entrepreneurship and organizational change as a framework to understand local initiatives. Local initiatives contribute to the understanding of organizational change processes by emphasizing not only the voice of the managerial discourse but also the voice of local actors. The empirical findings are based on interviews in a paper pulp plant.FindingsLocal initiatives are a way for shop floor workers and middle managers to translate work procedures into something that makes sense in their own context of daily operations. The intrapreneur acts not as a change agent for someone else's intentions but as a self appointed actor who initiates and drives the process of creating unequivocal interpretations of equivocal events.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on a single case study.Practical implicationsThe paper stresses the importance for managers to find ways to deal with local initiatives. Generating and collecting ideas is the easy part, the challenge is to do something with the ideas received.Originality/valueA model is suggested that describes four different approaches to organizational change.
Rethinking leadership: a way forward for teaching leadership?
Authors: Hay Amanda , Hodgkinson Myra 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThere have again been increasing calls for management educators to strengthen the development of leadership in their programmes. However, it is unclear as to how such calls can be best answered. One way forward may be to rethink our conceptualisation of leadership. This paper seeks to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachDominant theories of leadership may offer limited help to management educators. The dominant conceptualisation of leadership is questioned using empirical evidence from recent studies and interviews undertaken by the authors which examined managers' understandings of leadership.FindingsThis article suggests that mainstream leadership theories are framed by systems‐control thinking and highlights a number of issues in respect of teaching leadership. Proposes that a process‐relational framing of leadership may be a more useful way to think about leadership.Research limitations/implicationsWhilst the interview data drawn upon is exploratory and therefore cannot be taken as conclusive, we hope to stimulate a wider rethinking of leadership than is currently present.Practical implicationsTentative suggestions are presented for responding to calls to improve the teaching of leadership.Originality/valueThe paper emphasises a process‐relational understanding of leadership and may be seen to offer practical help to management educators concerned with the teaching of leadership.
A packaging robot for complex cartons
Authors: Dubey Venketesh N. , Dai Jian S. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of designing a versatile packaging machine for folding cartons of complex geometry and shapes.Design/methodology/approachThe research conducts study of cartons of different geometry and shapes classifying them in suitable types and operations that a machine can understand, conceptualizing a machine that can handle such cartons, modeling and simulation of the machine, and finally design and development of the packaging machine.FindingsIt has been shown that such a versatile machine is a possibility; it just needs miniaturization and investment on its development when such machines could be a reality.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was aimed at proving the principle, but for practical implementation considerations need to be given for a compact, portable system incorporating sensors.Originality/valueThe design is unique in existence and has been shown to fold cartons of different complexity.
An industrial solution to automatic robot calibration and workpiece pose estimation for semiconductor and gene‐chip microarray fabrication
Authors: Zhang Mingjun , Tao Weimin , Fisher William , Tarn Tzyh‐Jong 
Published: July 2006

PurposeFor semiconductor and gene‐chip microarray fabrication, robots are widely used to handle workpieces. It is critical that robots can calibrate themselves regularly and estimate workpiece pose automatically. This paper proposes an industrial method for automatic robot calibration and workpiece pose estimation.Design/methodology/approachThe methods have been implemented using an air‐pressure sensor and a laser sensor.FindingsExperimental results conducted in an industrial manufacturing environment show efficiency of the methods.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper consists of an industrial solution to automatic robot calibration and workpiece pose estimation for automatic semiconductor and gene‐chip microarray fabrication.
Interplas Show brings cheer to UK plastics
Authors: Rooks Brian 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo review manufacturing automation products and technology on show at Interplas 2005, the UK's premier exhibition of equipment for the plastics and rubber industry.Design/methodology/approachSome of the automation products on display at the show are highlighted, particularly the take‐out or beam‐type robots favoured by several of the injection moulding machine (IMM) manufacturers who produce their own version of these robots, including Arburg and Negri Bossi. Descriptions are also given of products from some independent automation equipment manufacturers including ATM, Geiger Handling and Wittmann. Beam‐type and articulated arm robots are described as well as end‐of‐arm tooling including CaviGrip exhibited by ATM, which through cooling within the tool can achieve dramatic savings by reducing the cycle time of IMMs. The contrasting benefits of beam‐type and articulated arm robots tending IMMs are debated. Also revealed is new articulated arm robot hardware and software technology developed by ABB specifically for plastics manufacturing automation. Finally, a brief case study is presented of a robot cell at Characteristix, a UK manufacturer of injection mouldings for the entertainment industry, which has helped it compete against the Far East.FindingsThere are manufacturing automation products available to the plastics industry that can help lift it out of recession. Articulated arm robots can add significant value to injection moulded products.Originality/valuePresents a review of the manufacturing automation technology now available to the plastics manufacturing industry.
Trimming a fiberglass challenge to save money, production time and improve quality
Authors: Bloss Richard 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo relate how even a smaller manufacturing operation can benefit from the application of robotic methods to manual operations.Design/methodology/approachA maker of fibreglass automobile body kits called in a robotic systems integrator with 20 years of experience to automate his manual panel trimming operation. In about three months, the system integrator delivered a complete system to meet all application requirements.FindingsThe auto body kit maker achieved a 95 percent reduction in trimming time and improved his quality as well.Research limitations/implicationsWhile this manufacturer achieved dramatic benefits, not all trimming operations might achieve such results.Practical implicationsKey to a successful robot application can depend heavily on the skills and prior experience of the system integrator selected to address the application.Originality/valueMay provide incentive to other smaller fiberglass panel manufacturers to examine potential applications where robotic trimming systems could provide excellent pay back on the investment.
The harmonious robot
Authors: Rooks Brian 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo describe the design methodology and human‐centre functionality of the whole arm manipulator (WAM) developed originally at MIT and brought to commercial fruition by Barrett Technology.Design/methodology/approachThe WAM arm is driven by cable‐and‐cylinder transmissions, which uniquely exhibits zero backlash with low friction and low inertia, endowing the WAM with good open‐loop “backdrivability”. Two key benefits of the high backdrivability are: motion control through joint torque control, which enables the intrinsic sensing of forces over the whole arm and makes it inherently safe to humans; operation directly in the Cartesian domain without the need for inverse kinematics calculations, providing very rapid responsiveness as demonstrated in the “baseball robot” of Tokyo University. Another benefit of the WAM is its kinematic redundancy through the 4‐dof (degrees‐of‐freedom) main axes (7‐dof with the wrist). Recent major advances in the WAM include the “puck”, the world's smallest fully‐featured servo‐controller that eliminates the need for an external controller cabinet, and a safety circuit that limits, by a set amount, the power flow from the WAM to a person or object while not inhibiting the reverse from human to arm. The WAM's intrinsic force control has allowed the development of software‐defined haptic walls, which are being exploited by partners such as the CMU (Carnegie Mellon University) Robotics Institute, in patient rehabilitation, and Mako Surgical, for use in joint surgery.FindingsThe Barrett WAM's good open‐loop backdrivability has initiated the development of novel human‐centred robot applications that will expand the use of robots outside the factory and into human‐inhabited areas.Originality/valuePresents the design methodology, features and applications of the Barrett WAM human‐centred robot.
Reverse e‐auctions and supplier‐buyer relationships: an exploratory study
Authors: Tassabehji R. , Taylor W.A. , Beach R. , Wood A. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeReverse e‐auctions are increasingly being used in business‐to‐business procurement and have been reported to yield significant price reductions for buyer firms. However, the adoption of online auction formats has raised many concerns among suppliers, often being criticized for damaging supplier‐buyer relationships and for being antithetical to what is currently regarded as good supply chain management. Against this background this paper aims to examine the reverse auction phenomenon in the UK packaging sector.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from the direct experiences of one large food‐packaging supplier, using case studies of reverse e‐auctions, and from exploratory interviews with other suppliers in the sector.FindingsWhile buyers are reaping significant short‐term price reductions, the benefits to suppliers are less obvious. In fact, little reference was detected to the often‐quoted reductions in overall transaction costs for either buyers or suppliers. However, most respondents were not able to specify their transaction costs and associated risks and did not appear to have adequate costing systems to enable such quantification.Practical implicationsReports the concerns of suppliers, outlines how buyers could embed trust‐building mechanisms into the reverse e‐auction process and proposes a model for testing the findings in future research.Originality/valueExpands on the existing experience of the impact of reverse e‐auctions on supply chain relationships despite the limited, albeit growing, body of empirical evidence of this.
The relationship between interorganizational information systems and operations performance
Authors: da Silveira Giovani J.C. , Cagliano Raffaella 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between interorganizational information system (IOIS) adoption in supplier coordination and operations performance improvements.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on the association between dyadic and multilateral IOISs and improvements in performance priorities associated with stable and dynamic supply networks, using data on 201 manufacturers in 13 countries from the international manufacturing strategy survey (IMSS) database. Regression models were used to test relationships between IOIS adoption and operations performance improvements.FindingsAnalysis indicates that dyadic IOISs appear to be more associated with the performance priorities of stable supply chains (cost, delivery, and quality), while multilateral IOISs appear to be more associated with the performance priorities of dynamic supply chains (flexibility and quality).Research limitations/implicationsSurvey data were collected in the years 2000 and 2001. Some of the conclusions might be reassessed in light of recent developments in information technology. Data were limited to medium/large manufacturers of fabricated metal products, machinery, and equipment.Practical implicationsFindings suggest that the choice of IOISs must follow the company's product portfolio and supply chain configuration. Dynamic networks with innovative products may benefit from multilateral IOISs; stable networks with functional products may benefit from dyadic IOISs.Originality/valueThis appears to be the first study to provide empirical evidence to performance effects of IOISs in light of existing supply chain frameworks.
The linkage between supply chain integration and manufacturing improvement programmes
Authors: Cagliano Raffaella , Caniato Federico , Spina Gianluca 
Published: July 2006

PurposeWhile the attention of most OM scholars has shifted to supply chain management, there is still a need to understand how supply chain strategies are linked with internal manufacturing strategies. The literature shows some studies in this field, but a deep investigation of the linkages between these two areas is still missing. The purpose of this study is to investigate on an empirical basis the relationship between two supply chain integration dimensions – the integration of information flows and the integration of physical flows – and two manufacturing improvement programmes – lean production and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.Design/methodology/approachEvidence is drawn from a sample of 297 European companies from the third edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. Data are analysed using exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical regression.FindingsResults show that the adoption of the lean production model has a strong influence on the integration of both information and physical flows along the supply chain, while no significant influence emerged from the adoption of ERP.Research limitations/implicationsFindings open up new research questions about the missing link between ERP and information integration along the supply chain. Further developments concern the investigation of the impact of consistent adoption of internal and external practices on performance.Practical implicationsThe paper provides managers with clear evidence of the need for consistency between internal and external integration.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to research by providing empirical evidence of the link between manufacturing and supply chain integration practices.
Mechanisms and rationales for the coordination of a modular assembly system
Authors: Fredriksson Peter 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate one crucial aspect and inherent difficulty of modular assembly systems, which is how the dispersed activities, resources and organizational units are coordinated with one another and the corresponding effects.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a subset of the data collected during a four‐year case study of Volvo Car Corporation's modular assembly system. For this particular paper, 15 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with representatives from different functions related to both pre‐ and final assembly activities.FindingsThe paper concludes that the efficiency of a modular assembly system is dependent on the use of several coordination mechanisms, such as the use of plans, standardization and mutual adjustment. The efficiency‐related rationales of activity synchronization, resource sharing, and activity and resource development can then be achieved. These mechanisms should cross the boundaries of the organizational units performing pre‐ and final assembly activities. The efficiency of a modular assembly system thus relies on an integral coordination pattern.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are mainly relevant for companies which design and produce complex products involving several technologies, and which use company‐specific module interfaces.Practical implicationsThe importance of using a variety of mechanisms for coordinating activities in modular assembly systems is highlighted. The paper also shows what effects can be obtained by using several coordination mechanisms. For practitioners, the detailed case description may also provide valuable reference material.Originality/valueThe paper highlights how efficiency of a modular assembly system can be achieved through the planning and use of several mechanisms when designing and operating it.
Performers and performance
Authors: Wijngaard Jacob , de Vries Jan , Nauta Aukje 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore the question of how to investigate the contribution of the operational network (comprising sales service, logistics, planning, production, etc.) to operational performance. In doing so, the paper aims to link concepts from organisational and social psychology to production planning and control.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces the concept “operational network”, e.g. the network of people involved in customer and production order processing. Members of the operational network need some autonomy, but this autonomy may also lead to dysfunctional behaviour, due to conflicts of interest, ambiguities and individual preferences. The contribution of the operational network seems difficult to investigate. This is illustrated by an empirical study of the role of operational people in a semi‐process industry. This study shows that concepts of organisational psychology are very applicable here. However, most results relate perceived behaviour to perceived performance; it appeared to be difficult to relate actual organisation characteristics to actual performance. This paper discusses the research approach that is necessary to be able to fill the gap between “perceived” and “actual”.FindingsTo fill the gap between “perceived” and “actual” behaviour, it is necessary to formalize the behaviour of the members of the operational network by adopting an adequate planning and control framework. In most situations such a planning and control framework is not available. Therefore, a study of the role of the operational network needs to be accompanied by a participative design of the planning and control framework.Originality/valueThis paper conducts a convincing investigation into the contribution of the operational network to operational performance, a subject which hitherto has been only marginally addressed.
Integrating design and retail in the clothing value chain
Authors: Abecassis‐Moedas Céline 
Published: July 2006

PurposeNew product design is an established field in the literature. It is either analysed inside the firm; or when using a value chain perspective it is limited to the interactions between manufacturers and suppliers (in producer‐driven commodity chains). The current research adopts a downstream perspective, analysing the relationships between manufacturers and retailers in relation to the new product design process. Seeks to conduct research in the clothing industry; that has the specificity of being a buyer‐driven commodity chain where fashion makes design a key dimension for the success of a product.Design/methodology/approachThe research was empirical in nature, involving 50 semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews in France, the USA and the UK at all points along the clothing value chain.FindingsIn the clothing industry, the strategy of integrating design and retail has resulted in a more flexible design process and therefore, in an increased product performance. This strategy has been developed by both retailers and designers. The strategy of integrating design and retail has resulted in a change of boundaries in the clothing value chain.Research limitations/implicationsResults are currently limited to the clothing sectors, and they are yet to be generalised to other buyer‐driven commodity chains.Practical implicationsManagers in clothing retail firms or in clothing design firms, wanting to increase product performance, should implement the strategy of integrating design and retail.Originality/valueThe paper opens a new field of research, namely: the focus on new product design with a value chain perspective that concentrates on downstream in the chain.
Strategic alignment and middle‐level managers' motivation in a balanced scorecard setting
Authors: Decoene Valerie , Bruggeman Werner 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper sets out to develop and illustrate a model of the relationship between strategic alignment, motivation and organizational performance in a balanced scorecard (BSC) context – a comprehensive system of strategically aligned performance measures.Design/methodology/approachThe study develops theoretical arguments to show how the strategic alignment process of a BSC can help companies improve their organizational performance. The study develops a theory of the motivational mechanisms that intervene in the relationship between strategic alignment and organizational performance. The literature on operations management and management control are used to underpin the theoretical propositions. A theory illustration case study is described to provide evidence for the theoretical model.FindingsEffective strategic alignment calls for the active involvement of manufacturing executives in the BSC design and implementation process. Effective strategic alignment empowers and motivates manufacturing executives. A combination of effective strategic alignment and a BSC‐based compensation plan has a positive effect on the extrinsic motivation of manufacturing executives.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study offers an interesting setting to illustrate the theoretical predictions. However, it is not possible to generalize the results to the population of manufacturing companies. Future research could formally test the relationship between strategic alignment, motivation and organizational performance by using a survey questionnaire in companies that use BSCs.Originality/valueThis paper studies the cascading process, a systematic approach to the creation of strategic alignment using the BSC.
Virtual distributed control systems: a components‐based design method for mechatronic systems
Authors: Mahalik N. , Xie C. , Pu J. , Moore P.R. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper presents work on design and development of a software platform in terms of virtual distributed control system (DCS) for the design of machine control systems. A component‐based framework has been adopted within the design avenue, due to the fact that machines or mechatronic systems are built from components: objects as in software engineering. Since machine control systems are distributed conformant, the main focus is given on DCS‐based approach. DCS inherits local intelligence to be incorporated at the field level (sensor and actuator level), unlike its centralised counterpart. The developed platform has been validated through a case study. The virtual platform can be useful for many kinds of event driven target platforms such as assembly lines, conveyor‐based material handling systems, production cells, and so on.Design/methodology/approachComponents‐based approach virtual design and validation method computer assisted design.FindingsSpecification requirements for virtual design of mechatronic systems.Originality/valuePrototype tool/approach with a case study example.