http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9209 2013-05-20T18:21:38Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9221 Title: Evaluating the effectiveness of a priori information on process measures in a virtual reality inspection task Authors: Bowling, Shannon Raye Abstract: Due to the nature of the complexity of the aircraft maintenance industry, much emphasis has been placed on improving aircraft inspection performance. One proven technique for improving inspection performance is the use of training. Several strategies have been implemented for training, one of which is giving feedforward information. The use of a priori (feedforward) information is known to positively affect inspection performance (Ernst and Yovits, 1972; Long and Rourke, 1989; McKernan, 1989; Gramopadhye et al., 1997). This information can consist of knowledge about defect characteristics (types, severity/criticality, and location) and the probability of occurrence. Although several studies have been conducted that demonstrate the usefulness of feedforward as a training strategy, there are certain research issues that need to be addressed. This study evaluates the effects of feedforward information on process measures in a simulated 3-dimensional environment (aircraft cargo bay) by the use of virtual reality 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9220 Title: Improving the accuracy: volatility modeling and forecasting using high-frequency data and the variational component Authors: Kumar, Manish Abstract: In this study, we predict the daily volatility of the S&P CNX NIFTY market index of India using the basic ‘heterogeneous autoregressive’ (HAR) and its variant. In doing so, we estimated several HAR and Log form of HAR models using different regressor. The different regressors were obtained by extracting the jump and continuous component and the threshold jump and continuous component from the realized volatility. We also tried to investigate whether dividing volatility into simple and threshold jumps and continuous variation yields a substantial improvement in volatility forecasting or not. The results provide the evidence that inclusion of realized bipower variance in the HAR models helps in predicting future volatility. 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9219 Title: Heart Rate Variability (HRV) biofeedback: a new training approach for operator’s performance enhancement Authors: Sutarto, Auditya Purwandini; Wahab, Muhammad Nubli Abdul; Zin, Nora Mat Abstract: The widespread implementation of advanced and complex systems requires predominantly operators’ cognitive functions and less importance of human manual control. On the other hand, most operators perform their cognitive functions below their peak cognitive capacity level due to fatigue, stress, and boredom. Thus, there is a need to improve their cognitive functions during work. The goal of this paper is to present a psychophysiology training approach derived from cardiovascular response named heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback. Description of resonant frequency biofeedback - a specific HRV training protocol - is discussed as well as its supported researches for the performance enhancement. HRV biofeedback training works by teaching people to recognize their involuntary HRV and to control patterns of this physiological response. The training is directed to increase HRV amplitude that promotes autonomic nervous system balance. This balance is associated with improved physiological functioning as well as psychological benefits. Most individuals can learn HRV biofeedback training easily which involves slowing the breathing rate (around six breaths/min) to each individual’s resonant frequency at which the amplitude of HRV is maximized. Maximal control over HRV can be obtained in most people after approximately four sessions of training. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of HRV biofeedback to the improvement of some cognitive functions in both simulated and real industrial operators. 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9218 Title: Influence of cultural mechanisms on horizontal inter-firm collaborations Authors: Vilana Arto, José Ramón; Rodríguez-Monroy, Carlos Abstract: The evolution of organizations that work in multinational environments has considerably altered their production strategies. One of the consequences has been the appearance of Horizontal Inter-firm Collaborations (HICs), which include all kinds of enterprises and production centres and establish a new type of horizontal collaborations and relations between independent companies or even competitors who establish occasional collaborations on projects they could not take on individually. HICs are dynamically changing organizations formed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Contract Manufacturers (CMs), turn-key and component suppliers, R+D centres and distributors. The dynamic relations that exist within the HICs allow them a very permeable organization easy to connect and disconnect from one to each other as well as to choose a set of partners with specific attributes. The result is a highly flexible system characterized by low barriers to entry and exit, geographic flexibility, low costs, rapid technological diffusion, high diversification through contract manufacturers and exceptional economies of scale. This study of organizational culture at the network level includes aspects such as cultural similarity among its actors, social embeddedness, tacit knowledge transfer or the importance of trust atinter-firm collaborations. The presence, under a systemic perspective, of homogeneous cultural values and practices in which collaboration actors can be identified may strengthen the group membership or establish a social network that underlies the own HIC and facilitates interactions among its members. The feasibility of this approach would facilitate the formation of new HICsby establishing, ex ante, a cultural prescriptive model at the network level. Finally, to validate the proposed model, the case methodology have been applied to an example within the aeronautical industry that has been one of the most successful relationships within HICs, the collaboration between GE and SNECMA for the CFM 56 engine manufacturing. 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9217 Title: Resources in academic discourse: An empirical investigation of management journals Authors: Seppänen, Marko; Mäkinen, Saku Abstract: Commonly shared conceptualizations of resources are scant in academic management research which strikes as somewhat peculiar since resources and their allocation thereof have long been recognised to be at the heart of the competitive advantage and performance of a firm. The research literature considering resources as basis for competitive advantages has further faced contemporary criticism for the vagueness of the fundamental definition of the resource concept. Therefore, this paper empirically studies the representation of resource concept in academic management research literature. The paper reports results on the state of conceptualisations of organisations’ resources found in two distinct sources of research literature, namely ScienceDirect’s database and ISI’s top management journals, resulting in two data sets of a total of 457 articles. The findings illustrate the two-dimensional conceptual farrago in the conceptualisations; on the definitions of the resource concept itself and on the internal structure and the level of analysis when the concept is considered. In addition, the paper sheds light on the temporal evolution of the discourse explicitly considering resources. Finally, the paper considers several remedies for these deficiencies in order both to aid future theory development in management studies and to help increase the practical impact of the research in assisting managerial decision-making 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9216 Title: Towards improving the performance of flexible manufacturing system: a case study Authors: Singholi, Ajay; Chhabra, Deepti; Ali, Mohammad Abstract: Increasing global competition has evolved a manufacturing environment which gleans vast product variety, reduced manufacturing lead times, increased quality standards and competitive costs. Simultaneously, with a rising trend toward globalization, these manufacturing environments must be designed to cater new challenges to survive and grow in the marketplace. To deal with such multifaceted problems, new technologies support increased flexibility and automation. These objectives intended for the improvement of the manufacturing environment have been the key rationales for the introduction of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). In this paper a case study of a firm is presented with a contribution to suggest some methods of performance improvement for a flexible system of manufacturing. The study is based on the mathematical models illustrated in literature to estimate possible performance parameters like maximum production rate, make span time and overall utilization. Through this study, an effort is also made to present the improved design for existing flexible manufacturing system employed in the company. Various design and performance parameters are then evaluated and compared for the existing and improved FMS. 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9215 Title: Estimation of cellular manufacturing cost components using simulation and activity-based costing Authors: Savory, Paul Abstract: It can be difficult estimating all of the cost components that are attributed to a machined part. This problem is more pronounced when a factory uses group technology manufacturing cells as opposed to a functional or process layout of a job shop. This paper describes how activity-based costing (ABC) concepts can be integrated into a discrete-event simulation model of a U-shaped manufacturing cell producing a part family with four members. The simulation model generates detailed Bills of Activity for each part type and includes specific information about the cost drivers and cost pools. The enhanced model output can be used for cost estimation and analysis, manufacturing cell design, part scheduling and other manufacturing decision processes that involve economic considerations. Although the scope of this effort is restricted to a small scale manufacturing cell, the costing concepts have general applicability to manufacturing operations at all levels. 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9214 Title: Selection of the optimal number of shifts in fuzzy environment: manufacturing company’s facility application Authors: Paul, Sanjoy Kumar; Azeem, Abdullahil Abstract: This paper addresses the selection of optimal shift numbers considering inventory information, customer requirements and machine reliability using fuzzy logic. Number of shift is one of the most important criteria for the production planners to minimize the production costs and is essential for appropriate production planning. The main task involves optimizing the shift periods considering constraints of raw material, due date, demand, finished goods inventory and machine breakdown. A model is developed for any kind of manufacturing company where shift periods affect company’s profit and cost. Fuzzy control is used to optimize the number of shifts under the constraints of raw material, due date, demand, finished goods inventory and machine breakdown. MATLAB Fuzzy Logic Tool Box is used to develop the model. 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9213 Title: Optimal manufacturing and remanufacturing capacities of systems with reverse logistics and deterministic uniform demand Authors: Benedito, Ernest; Corominas Subias, Albert Abstract: Using reverse logistics in production systems can help to reduce costs. However, it can also mean introducing a source of uncertainty in the system behavior. In this study we present a method for calculating the optimal manufacturing and remanufacturing capacities of a system with reverse logistics and steady demand taking into account the random behavior of the quantity, quality and timing of units that are collected thru the reverse logistics system. The collected units are remanufactured or disposed of. We also provide an example to illustrate the method. 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9211 Title: A case study of lean, sustainable manufacturing Authors: Miller, Geoff; Pawloski, Janice; Standridge, Charles R. Abstract: A small furniture production company has integrated lean tools and sustainability concepts with discrete event simulation modeling and analysis as well as mathematical optimization to make a positive impact on the environment, society and its own financial success. The principles of lean manufacturing that aid in the elimination of waste have helped the company meet ever increasing customer demands while preserving valuable resources for future generations. The implementation of lean and sustainable manufacturing was aided by the use of discrete event simulation and optimization to overcome deficits in lean’s traditional implementation strategies. Lean and green manufacturing can have a more significant, positive impact on multiple measures of operational performance when implemented concurrently rather than separately. These ideas are demonstrated by three applications 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2099/9210 Title: An overview of JIEM’s second year, and a prospect of its third Authors: Sallán Leyes, José María; Enache, Cristina Mihaela; Albareda Sambola, Maria; Fernández Alarcón, Vicenç; Simó Guzmán, Pep Abstract: This editorial honors the tradition established in the Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management (JIEM) since its inception, of presenting some relevant information about the evolution of JIEM during 2009, and about the future directions of the journal. We focus on issues concerning the quality of the journal (editorial board and reviewing process), prestige (progress on indexation), social responsibility and financial viability. We also provide information about the future evolution of JIEM, advancing the contents of the special issues planned for 2010 and 2011. 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z