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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 August 2023

Sumit Gupta, Deepika Joshi, Sandeep Jagtap, Hana Trollman, Yousef Haddad, Yagmur Atescan Yuksek, Konstantinos Salonitis, Rakesh Raut and Balkrishna Narkhede

The paper proposes a framework for the successful deployment of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) principles in the aerospace industry, based on identified success factors. The paper challenges…

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper proposes a framework for the successful deployment of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) principles in the aerospace industry, based on identified success factors. The paper challenges the perception of I4.0 being aligned with de-skilling and personnel reduction and instead promotes a route to successful deployment centred on upskilling and retaining personnel for future role requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology involved a literature review and industrial data collection via questionnaires to develop and validate the framework. The questionnaire was sent to a purposive sample of 50 respondents working in operations, and a response rate of 90% was achieved. Content analysis was used to identify patterns, themes, or biases, and the data were tabulated based on specific common attributes. The proposed framework consists of a series of gates and criteria that must be met before progressing to the next gate.

Findings

The proposed framework provides a feedback mechanism to review minimum standards for successful deployment, aligned with new developments in capability and technology, and ensures quality assessment at each gate. The paper highlights the potential benefits of I4.0 implementation in the aerospace industry, including reducing operational costs and improving competitiveness by eliminating variation in manufacturing processes. The identified success factors were used to define the framework, and the identified failure points were used to form mitigation actions or controls for inclusion in the framework.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework for the successful deployment of I4.0 principles in the aerospace industry, based on identified success factors. The framework challenges the perception of I4.0 as being aligned with de-skilling and personnel reduction and instead promotes a route to successful deployment centred on upskilling and retaining personnel for future role requirements. The framework can be used as a guideline for organizations to deploy I4.0 principles successfully and improve competitiveness.

Details

International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2690-6090

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 August 2024

Carla Canelas, Felix Meier zu Selhausen and Erik Stam

Female smallholder farmers in low-income countries face barriers to accessing capital and commodity markets. While agricultural cooperatives provide services that contribute to…

Abstract

Purpose

Female smallholder farmers in low-income countries face barriers to accessing capital and commodity markets. While agricultural cooperatives provide services that contribute to the income and productivity of small-scale producers, evidence of cooperatives' social and economic empowerment of female smallholders remains limited. We apply Sen's capability approach to female entrepreneurs' socioeconomic empowerment to examine whether women's participation in a coffee and microfinance cooperative from rural western Uganda benefits their social and economic position within their household. First, we study the relationship between women's cooperative participation and their household coffee sales and savings. Second, we investigate the link between women's cooperative participation and their intra-household decision-making and whether the inclusion of the husband in his wife's cooperative strengthens or lowers women's decision-making power.

Design/methodology/approach

We carry out a case study of a hybrid coffee and microfinance cooperative that promotes social innovation through the integration and empowerment of female smallholders in rural Uganda. Using a cross-sectional survey of 411 married female cooperative members from 26 randomly selected self-help groups of Bukonzo Joint Cooperative and 196 female non-members from the identical area, employing propensity score matching, this paper investigates the benefits of women's participation in a coffee and microfinance cooperative in the Rwenzori Mountains of western Uganda. We present and discuss the results of our case study within an extensive literature on the role of institutions in collective action for women's empowerment.

Findings

Our findings provide new empirical evidence on female smallholders' participation in mixed cooperatives. Our results indicate that women's participation in microfinance-producer cooperatives appears to be a conditional blessing: even though membership is linked to increased women's intra-household decision-making and raised household savings and income from coffee sales, a wife with a husband in the same cooperative self-help group is associated with diminished women's household decision-making power.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of this study is on female coffee smallholders in an agricultural cooperative in rural western Uganda. In particular, we focus on a case study of one major coffee cooperative. Our cross-sectional survey does not allow us to infer causal interpretations. Also, the survey does not include variables that allow us to measure other dimensions of women's empowerment beyond decision-making over household expenditures and women's financial performance related to savings and income from coffee cultivation.

Practical implications

Our empirical results indicate that female smallholders' cooperative membership is associated with higher incomes and coffee sales. However, husband co-participation in their wives' cooperative group diminishes wives' decision-making, which suggests that including husbands and other family members in the same cooperative group may not be perceived as an attractive route to empowerment for female smallholders. For these reasons, an intervention that encourages the cooperation of both spouses and that is sensitive to context-specific gender inequalities, may be more successful at stimulating social change toward household gender equality than interventions that focus on women's autonomous spheres only.

Originality/value

While the literature thus far has focused on microfinance's potential for women's empowerment, evidence on agricultural cooperatives' affecting women's social and economic position is limited. First, our findings provide novel empirical evidence on the empowering effects of women's participation in a self-help group-based coffee cooperative in rural Uganda. Second, our data allows us to explore the role of husbands' participation in their wives' cooperative and SGH. We embed our hypotheses and empirical results in a rich discussion of female entrepreneurship, microfinance and cooperative literature.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 31 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 July 2024

Thabo Khafiso, Clinton Aigbavboa and Samuel Adeniyi Adekunle

This study aims to examine the challenges in the implementation of energy management systems in residential buildings to lower the running cost and achieve a better…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the challenges in the implementation of energy management systems in residential buildings to lower the running cost and achieve a better energy-efficient building.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a mixed research method. Quantitative data was gathered by issuing a research questionnaire to 20 Delphi experts, while qualitative data was acquired through a Systematic Literature Review. Data received was analyzed using the descriptive analysis method.

Findings

The findings revealed that the main barriers to incorporating energy management systems (EMSs) in residential buildings consist of a lack of awareness of energy management systems, lack of management commitment to energy management, lack of knowledge about energy management systems, lack of funds for energy management systems, resistance to energy management technology by the property owners and property managers, distrust and resistance to energy management technology by the property owners, high initial cost of energy management technologies, shortage of technicians for energy management technologies, the nonexistence of local manufacturers of energy management equipment, lack of incentives for efficient energy management and high repair costs of energy management technologies.

Research limitations/implications

The specific focus on residential buildings may limit the applicability of findings to commercial or industrial sectors. Further research is warranted to accommodate other energy-consuming sectors.

Practical implications

People’s perceptions, either wrong or correct, affect their ability to make an informed decision to adopt energy management systems, denying them the opportunity to reap the associated benefits. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the residential industry stakeholders and the government to increase educational opportunities for property owners, managers and property tenants on the importance of energy management systems.

Originality/value

This research presents the potential obstacles and problematic areas that residents may encounter while using these energy management systems. Consequently, they will be able to make a well-informed choice when installing energy management systems. Moreover, the research elucidates the identification of novel perspectives and also unexamined obstacles that impede the widespread use of energy management systems in residential buildings.

Details

Facilities , vol. 42 no. 15/16
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 September 2023

Gayatri Panda, Manoj Kumar Dash, Ashutosh Samadhiya, Anil Kumar and Eyob Mulat-weldemeskel

Artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance human resource resiliency (HRR) by providing the insights and resources needed to adapt to unexpected changes and disruptions. Therefore…

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Abstract

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance human resource resiliency (HRR) by providing the insights and resources needed to adapt to unexpected changes and disruptions. Therefore, the present research attempts to develop a framework for future researchers to gain insights into the actions of AI to enable HRR.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used a systematic literature review, bibliometric analysis, and network analysis followed by content analysis. In doing so, we reviewed the literature to explore the present state of research in AI and HRR. A total of 98 articles were included, extracted from the Scopus database in the selected field of research.

Findings

The authors found that AI or AI-associated techniques help deliver various HRR-oriented outcomes, such as enhancing employee competency, performance management and risk management; enhancing leadership competencies and employee well-being measures; and developing effective compensation and reward management.

Research limitations/implications

The present research has certain implications, such as increasing the HR team's proficiency, addressing the problem of job loss and how to fix it, improving working conditions and improving decision-making in HR.

Originality/value

The present research explores the role of AI in HRR following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not been explored extensively.

Details

International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2690-6090

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 August 2024

Sean McConnell, David Tanner and Kyriakos I. Kourousis

Productivity is often cited as a key barrier to the adoption of metal laser-based powder bed fusion (ML-PBF) technology for mass production. Newer generations of this technology…

Abstract

Purpose

Productivity is often cited as a key barrier to the adoption of metal laser-based powder bed fusion (ML-PBF) technology for mass production. Newer generations of this technology work to overcome this by introducing more lasers or dramatically different processing techniques. Current generation ML-PBF machines are typically not capable of taking on additional hardware to maximise productivity due to inherent design limitations. Thus, any increases to be found in this generation of machines need to be implemented through design or adjusting how the machine currently processes the material. The purpose of this paper is to identify the most beneficial existing methodologies for the optimisation of productivity in existing ML-PBF equipment so that current users have a framework upon which they can improve their processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The review method used here is the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA). This is complemented by using an artificial intelligence-assisted literature review tool known as Elicit. Scopus, WEEE, Web of Science and Semantic Scholar databases were searched for articles using specific keywords and Boolean operators.

Findings

The PRIMSA and Elicit processes resulted in 51 papers that met the criteria. Of these, 24 indicated that by using a design of experiment approach, processing parameters could be created that would increase productivity. The other themes identified include scan strategy (11), surface alteration (11), changing of layer heights (17), artificial neural networks (3) and altering of the material (5). Due to the nature of the studies, quantifying the effect of these themes on productivity was not always possible. However, studies citing altering layer heights and processing parameters indicated the greatest quantifiable increase in productivity with values between 10% and 252% cited. The literature, though not always explicit, depicts several avenues for the improvement of productivity for current-generation ML-PBF machines.

Originality/value

This systematic literature review provides trends and themes that aim to influence and support future research directions for maximising the productivity of the ML-PBF machines.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 30 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 October 2023

Kevin Östergård, Suvi Kuha and Outi Kanste

The purpose of this study is to identify and synthesise the best evidence on health-care leaders’ and professionals’ experiences and perceptions of compassionate leadership.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify and synthesise the best evidence on health-care leaders’ and professionals’ experiences and perceptions of compassionate leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed-methods systematic reviews using a convergent integrated approach. A systematic search was done in January 2023 in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Medic and MedNar databases. The results were reported based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Ten studies were included in the review (five qualitative and five quantitative). The thematic analysis identified seven analytical themes as follows: treating professionals as individuals with an empathetic and understanding approach; building a culture for open and safe communication; being there for professionals; giving all-encompassing support; showing the way as a leader and as a strong professional; building circumstances for efficient work and better well-being; and growing into a compassionate leader.

Practical implications

Compassionate leadership can possibly address human resource-related challenges, such as health-care professionals’ burnout, turnover and the lack of patient safety. It should be taken into consideration by health-care leaders, their education and health-care organisations when developing their effectiveness.

Originality/value

This review synthesised the knowledge of compassionate leadership in health care and its benefits by providing seven core elements of health-care leaders’ and professionals’ experiences and perceptions of compassionate leadership.

Details

Leadership in Health Services, vol. 37 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1879

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 February 2024

Sandra Flores-Ureba, Clara Simon de Blas, Joaquín Ignacio Sánchez Toledano and Miguel Ángel Sánchez de Lara

This paper aims to define the efficiency achieved by urban transport companies in Spain concerning the resources they use, considering the type of management used for…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to define the efficiency achieved by urban transport companies in Spain concerning the resources they use, considering the type of management used for implementation, public-private, and size.

Design/methodology/approach

This study consisted of an analysis of the efficiency of 229 public-private urban transport operators during the period 2012–2021 using Data Envelopment Analysis, the Malmquist Index and inference estimators to determine productivity, efficiency change into Pure Technical Efficiency Change (PTECH), and scale efficiency change.

Findings

Based on the efficiency analysis, the authors concluded that of the 229 companies studied, more than 35 were inefficient in all analysed periods. Considering the sample used, direct management is considered significantly more efficient. It cannot be concluded that the size of these companies influences their efficiency, as the data show unequal development behaviours in the studied years.

Originality/value

This study provides arguments on whether there is a significant difference between the two types of management in the urban transport sector. It also includes firm size as a study variable, which has not been previously considered in other studies related to urban transport efficiency. Efficiency should be a crucial factor in determining funding allocation in this sector, as it encourages operators to optimize and improve their services.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 27 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

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