bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design for quality in agile manufacturing environment through modified orthogonal array‐based experimentation
Authors: Devadasan S.R. , Goshteeswaran S. , Gokulachandran J. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo provide a modified orthogonal array‐based model for enabling the researchers and practitioners to exploit the technique, “design of experiments” in an agile manufacturing environment.Design/methodology/approachThe characteristics of Taguchi's off‐line models and agile manufacturing were studied. A theoretical model of modified orthogonal array‐based experimentation was designed. This model was subjected to implementation study in an Indian pump‐manufacturing company.FindingsThe model contributed in this paper has shown its feasibility in achieving quality in agile manufacturing environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors are residing in an Indian city where the majority of the companies have not adopted agile manufacturing criteria. Hence, it was not possible to carry out implementation study in an agile manufacturing company. Future researchers should examine the practical validity of the proposed model in agile manufacturing companies.Practical implicationsSince the manufacturing organizations are fast becoming agile, due to the customers' dynamic demands coupled with competition, the traditional quality improvement techniques are becoming obsolete. The model contributed in this paper is found to be useful in achieving continuous quality improvement in AM environment. Hence the model would be a useful technique for today's practitioners whose activities are increasingly focused towards achieving agility in manufacturing.Originality/valueThe literature survey covering articles on agile manufacturing indicates that no researcher or practitioner has contributed a model that would exploit the technique, “design of experiments” in an agile manufacturing environment. Hence the proposed model is expected to be of high value for researchers and practitioners to explore the way of achieving continuous quality improvement in agile manufacturing environment.
Reducing bottle‐necks in a manufacturing system with automatic data collection and discrete‐event simulation
Authors: Ingemansson Arne , Ylipää Torbjörn , Bolmsjö Gunnar S. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeSeeks to present a methodology for working with bottle‐neck reduction by using a combination of automatic data collection and discrete‐event simulation (DES) for a manufacturing system.Design/methodology/approachIn the DES model, the bottle‐neck was identified by studying the simulation runs based on the collected automatic data from the different machines in the manufacturing system.FindingsA case study showed an improvement of the availability in one machine from 58.5 to 60.2 percent. This single alteration with a minimum of investment resulted in a 3 percent increase of the overall output in the manufacturing system consisting of 11 numerically controlled machines and six other stations. A new simulation run was performed one year after the first study in order to see how the improvement work has progressed with the suggested method. The method resulted in an increase of 6 percent in overall output.Originality/valueIt could be assumed that machines in future manufacturing systems will provide automatic data. The data can then be used for DES models when identifying bottle‐necks in a manufacturing system.
Change and uncertainty in SME manufacturing environments using ERP
Authors: Lenny Koh S.C. , Simpson Mike 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate how enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems could create a competitive advantage for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The objectives of this study are to examine how responsive and agile the existing ERP systems are to change and uncertainty, and to identify the types of change and uncertainty in SME manufacturing environments.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodology is used in this study, which involves literature review, questionnaire survey and follow‐up, in‐depth telephone interviews. An uncertainty diagnosing business model is applied to collect data from SME manufacturers in make‐to‐stock (MTS), make‐to‐order (MTO) and mixed mode (MM) manufacturing environments in a structured manner, and to analyse the effects of the underlying causes of uncertainty on product late delivery in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments in SMEs. Some 108 enterprises responded (86 per cent response rate), of which 64 are SMEs. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is carried out in SPSS to analyse the effects of the underlying causes of uncertainty on product late delivery in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments in SMEs.FindingsANOVA results show that a different group of underlying causes of uncertainty significantly affects the product late delivery performance in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments in SMEs. This study found that ERP could improve responsiveness and agility to change, but not to uncertainty. SMEs could create a competitive advantage by being more responsive to change in the ERP system before generating purchase and work order. ERP systems could not deal with uncertainty due to its stochastic and unpredictable nature. SMEs use a range of buffering or dampening techniques under uncertainty to be competitive in delivery.Originality/valueIt can be concluded that the application of the business model in SMEs that use ERP has provided useful knowledge about the significant underlying causes of uncertainty that affect product late delivery performance in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments. Using this knowledge, similar SMEs could then prioritise the effort and devise suitable buffering or dampening techniques to manage the causes of uncertainty and hence prevent any changes to the ERP system.
Multi‐plant purchase co‐ordination based on multi‐agent system in an ATO environment
Authors: Oboulhas Tsahat , Xu Xiaofei , Zhan Dechen 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThis paper aims to deal with the problem of multi‐plant purchase coordination in an assemble‐to‐order (ATO) environment, when volume discount schedules are provided by each of the suppliers.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses linear programming and a multi‐agent system to coordinate multi‐plant purchasing activities in order to minimize the total purchasing cost.FindingsAn integrated linear programming model and multi‐agent approach is perfectly suited to the purchase coordination in multi‐plant organizations in order to achieve the global profit.Originality/valueThe proposed model provides an effective and efficient coordination mechanism that helps multi‐plant organization and suppliers to maintain the availability of materials in the right quantity, with the right quality and at minimum possible cost.
Factors affecting ERP system adoption
Authors: Buonanno G. , Faverio P. , Pigni F. , Ravarini A. , Sciuto D. , Tagliavini M. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeProposes providing an insight about enterprise resource planning (ERP) adoption, highlighting contact points and significant differences between the way small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies approach such a task.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a wide literature review, focused on the identification of a taxonomy of business and organizational factors influencing ERP adoption. The deriving research model was incorporated in a questionnaire that was preliminarily tested and finally provided to a sample of 366 companies of any size. Responses were collected through personal interviews made by a dedicated team to a top manager.FindingsThe analysis of the empirical data shows that business complexity, as a composed factor, is a weak predictor of ERP adoption, whereas just company size turns out to be a very good one. In other words, companies seem to be disregarding ERP systems as an answer to their business complexity. Unexpectedly, SMEs disregard financial constraints as the main cause for ERP system non‐adoption, suggesting structural and organizational reasons as major ones. This pattern is partially different from what was observed in large organizations where the first reason for not adopting an ERP system is organizational. Moreover, the decision process regarding the adoption of ERP systems within SMEs is still more affected by exogenous reasons or “opportunity of the moment” than business‐related factors, contrary to large companies that are more interested in managing process integration and data redundancy/inconsistency through ERP implementation.Research limitations/implicationsThe research model is based on the assumption that business complexity and organizational change are the most relevant variables influencing ERP adoption, and such variables are explained through a set of factors inherently limited by the results of the literature review.Practical implicationsThe results of the empirical research provide indication to SMEs willing to take into consideration the adoption of an ERP system. The same outcomes could be incorporated into the development strategies of ERP software houses.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to enhancing the understanding of the factors influencing the evolution of information systems within SMEs with respect to large companies.
Strategic technology adoption: extending ERP across the supply chain
Authors: de Búrca Seán , Fynes Brian , Marshall Donna 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThis article proposes examining how small to medium‐sized organisations (SMEs) are responding to the challenge of harnessing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and internet technologies to enhance performance and improve competitiveness and aims to identify the barriers preventing organisations from harnessing these technologies.Design/methodology/approachA case‐based research strategy was chosen. Four leading SMEs were interviewed to determine their approach to extended ERP and the barriers encountered. The primary data collection was based on structured in‐depth interviews with key respondents who were involved in the implementation of extended ERP and closely involved in day‐to‐day operations.FindingsWhile each of the SMEs had already taken some steps to extended ERP, they adopted a cautious approach to the future. In short, SMEs considering extended ERP should determine the impact on all organisations before proceeding and should also apply the lessons learned from their initial ERP implementation.Research limitations/implicationsSingle company case studies could be used to uncover some of the causal mechanisms behind the processes observed. Within‐sector case studies could be used to highlight the issues faced by particular sectors. Cross‐sector case studies could be used to validate the article's conclusions as well as to elucidate differences among sectors.Practical implicationsManagers of SMEs embarking on extended ERP should consider the following challenges: business processes, whether internal or external, must be examined and redesigned as necessary to take advantage of the new technology; an effective change management and communications programme must be run; the lessons learned from the original ERP implementation should be revisited and mistakes made in the past avoided; and a strong business case needs to be developed, with clear objectives and critical success factors.Originality/valueWhile the internet has facilitated a shift towards dynamic communication and improved integration, the complexity of integrating electronic supply chain management, e‐procurement and customer relationship management poses an enormous challenge for organisations. This research study indicates that there are multiple ways in which extended ERP can be achieved to add value to SMEs but it is not simply a matter of adding a new application.
Towards a model of organisational prerequisites for enterprise‐wide systems integration
Authors: Sammon David , Adam Frederic 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe need for an integrated enterprise‐wide approach to management information pronounced data warehousing (DW) the “hot topic” of the early‐to‐mid‐1990s. However, it became unfashionable in the late 1990s, with the widespread implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. With ERP managers were led to believe that they would derive informational as well as operational benefits from the introduction of integrated enterprise‐wide systems. However, the recent re‐emergence of DW, to address the limitations and unrealised benefits of ERP systems, provides a new, more complex integration challenge. The main objective of this paper is to present the concept of organisational prerequisites for enterprise‐wide integration projects as a means to help managers preparing for and managing their ERP/DW projects.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on existing literature on ERP and DW implementations. It puts forward a model to be further tested and validated by ERP researchers.FindingsThe proposed model has the potential to solve the problems experienced in ERP implementations and, more generally, in projects leading to large‐scale enterprise integration.Originality/valueExisting ERP research indicates that the intelligence phase of most ERP projects is ignored both in practice and in research. This paper lays the foundation for a framework that addresses this problem.
Design patterns for data integration
Authors: Schwinn Alexander , Schelp Joachim 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe application landscapes of major companies all have their own complex structure. Data have to be exchanged between or distributed to the various applications. Systemizing different data integration patterns on a conceptual level can help to avoid uncontrolled redundancy and support the design process of data integration solutions. Each pattern provides a solution for certain data integration requirements and makes the design process more effective by reusing approved solutions. Proposes identifying these patterns.Design/methodology/approachAfter a broad literature review data were obtained from interviews and documentary sources. Ten semi‐structured interviews were conducted within four different companies operating in the financial service industry. EAI‐ and IT‐architects as well as project managers and CTOs were involved in these interviews.FindingsFive different data integration patterns were identified. Solutions for upcoming data integration requirements can be designed using these patterns. Advantages and disadvantages as well as typical usage scenarios are discussed for each identified data integration pattern.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to identify data dependencies, to detect redundancies and to conduct further investigations, a consistent methodology for the description of application landscapes has to be developed. The presented design patterns are one part of this methodology only. The approach in this paper only considers data integration while in reality there are also other integration requirements like functional or process‐oriented integration.Practical implicationsThe identified design patterns help practitioners (e.g. IT‐architects) to design solutions for data integration requirements. They can map the conceptual patterns to company specific technologies or products to realize the solution physically.Originality/valueThe design patterns are indifferent from any technology or products which ensure a broad application. Business requirements (e.g. requirement for autonomous processing) are considered first when designing a data integration solution.
ERP II: a conceptual framework for next‐generation enterprise systems?
Authors: Møller Charles 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to frame next‐generation enterprise systems (ES).Design/methodology/approachThe model is based on a retrospective analysis of the evolution of enterprise systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) research and emerging business requirements.FindingsThe paper proposes a conceptual framework for extended enterprise resource planning (ERP II). The aim of this model is to compile present ES concepts into a comprehensive outline of ERP II, thus composing a generic map and taxonomy for corporate‐wide enterprise systems.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper concludes that the ERP research needs to broaden its perspective in order to accommodate itself to the new issues of next‐generation enterprise systems.Practical implicationsThe model is seen as a first step towards a tool to analyse and design complex enterprise systems architecture.Originality/valueThis paper is the first attempt to formalize and capture the ERP II concept and the next‐generation enterprise systems.
Container contamination as a possible source of a diarrhoea outbreak in Abou Shouk camp, Darfur province, Sudan
Authors: Walden Vivien Margaret , Lamond Elizabeth‐Anne , Field Sally A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractDiarrhoea is one of the five major causes of death in an emergency setting and one of the three main causes of death in children (Curtis and Cairncross, 2003). In June 2004, an outbreak of shigellosis was confirmed in Abou Shouk camp in the Northern Darfur province of Sudan. As water testing showed no contamination, it was assumed that post‐collection contamination was happening. The decision was taken to launch a programme of mass disinfection of all water containers in order to break the contamination cycle. Diarrhoea figures from the clinics showed a fall in cases following the cleaning campaign. It is extremely difficult to obtain good and statistically rigorous data in an emergency setting, the priority being to intervene rapidly to prevent further cases of diarrhoea. However, the results do appear to indicate that the disinfection programme has had an impact on the prevalence of bloody and watery diarrhoea.
Restoring sanitation services after an earthquake: field experience in Bam, Iran
Authors: Pinera Jean‐François , Reed Robert A. , Njiru Cyrus 
Published: August 2005

AbstractA powerful earthquake hit the city of Bam in southeast Iran on 26 December 2003. In its aftermath, a number of international relief agencies, including Oxfam, assisted in providing emergency sanitation services. Oxfam's programme consisted of constructing and repairing toilets and showers in villages located outside of the city. In contrast with other organisations, Oxfam opted for brickwork structures, using local materials and human resources rather than prefabricated cubicles. The choice illustrates the dilemmas faced by agencies involved in emergency sanitation: responding to needs in a manner consistent with international standards and offering assistance in a timely fashion while involving beneficiaries. Following a preliminary survey, Oxfam concluded that the provision of showers and latrines, in addition to utilisation of local materials and human resources, was essential for ensuring well‐being, empowerment and dignity among members of the affected population, thereby maximising the benefits.
Standardising and mapping open‐source information for crisis regions: the case of post‐conflict Iraq
Authors: Mubareka Sarah , Khudhairy Delilah Al , Bonn Ferdinand , Aoun Sami 
Published: August 2005

AbstractPainting an accurate picture of the situation on the ground in countries in crisis is vital for the efficiency of humanitarian aid and reconstruction agencies. This study describes a method for standardising and mapping the plethora of open‐source information. The test site for the study is post‐conflict Iraq. Important information on aid distribution, reconstruction and security in Iraq can be derived from the reports of humanitarian aid agencies and the media, before being formatted, inserted into a database and mapped. The product is a visual, cartographic structure of otherwise random information, showing which organisations are working in the country, which thematic and geographic areas are being prioritised in the field, and which areas most frequently experience security events. This type of mapping not only highlights the overall working environment within different parts of the country, but it may also serve as a decision‐making tool for donors and humanitarian aid agencies planning to deploy personnel.
Comparing reactions to two severe tornadoes in one Oklahoma community
Authors: Comstock R. Dawn , Mallonee Sue 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe authors compared the effect of the 3 May 1999 F5 and 8 May 2003 F3 tornadoes on the community of Moore, Oklahoma, by canvassing damaged areas after both tornadoes and surveying residents. Significantly more 1999 than 2003 residents reported property damage and injuries. Television and tornado sirens were the most common warnings each year, however, more 1999 residents received and responded to television warnings. Importantly, storm shelters were used more frequently in 2003. Fifty‐one per cent of residents who experienced both tornadoes took the same amount of protective action in 2003 as they had in 1999; 22% took less; and 27% took more. Residents who took less action said that the reason for doing so was inadequate warning and shelter. Firsthand experience of tornadoes prompts people to heed warnings when adequate notification is received and to take effective protective action when adequate shelter is available.
Prolonged cognitive dysfunction in survivors of critical illness
Authors: Sukantarat K. T. , Burgess P. W. , Williamson R. C. N. , Brett S. J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA prospective study using neuropsychological testing explored cognitive performance, and specifically executive function, in survivors of critical illness during the first year of recovery. Fifty‐one patients who had survived 3 days or more in the intensive care unit were studied approximately 3 months after discharge; 45 of them were studied again 6 months later. General health was assessed using the Short‐Form 36. Cognitive and executive functions were measured using Raven's Progressive Matrices, the Hayling Sentence completion test and the Six‐Element Test. Three months after discharge from intensive care, all eight domains of Short‐Form 36 were impaired among survivors; by 9 months, four of the eight domains showed significant improvement. At 3 months, 35% of patients scored at or below a level equivalent to the lowest performing 5% of a normal population (i.e. the fifth percentile) on two or more tests of cognitive function; by 9 months only 4% of patients were impaired to this extent. Although cognitive performance improved with time, it remained below normal.
Nosocomial bacterial infections in Intensive Care Units. I: Organisms and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
Authors: Lim S.‐M. , Webb S. A. R. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryHospital‐acquired infection is an increasing problem in intensive care units, where the patients are more susceptible and the organisms often more resistant than in other environments. This review discusses the reasons for these phenomena and describes the mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance and the common intensive care unit‐acquired organisms.
Low‐skill fibreoptic intubation: use of the Aintree Catheter with the classic LMA
Authors: Higgs A. , Clark E. , Premraj K. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryWe describe a series of patients in whom anaesthetists – many of whom were trainees and had no prior experience of using the Aintree Intubation Catheter – successfully intubated the tracheas of patients in whom conventional attempts at intubation had failed. This was achieved by passing a fibrescope loaded with an Aintree Intubation Catheter through a classic Laryngeal Mask Airway (cLMA™), which had already been placed to maintain the patient's airway.