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1 – 10 of 113Marc Wouters, Susana Morales, Sven Grollmuss and Michael Scheer
The paper provides an overview of research published in the innovation and operations management (IOM) literature on 15 methods for cost management in new product development, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper provides an overview of research published in the innovation and operations management (IOM) literature on 15 methods for cost management in new product development, and it provides a comparison to an earlier review of the management accounting (MA) literature (Wouters & Morales, 2014).
Methodology/approach
This structured literature search covers papers published in 23 journals in IOM in the period 1990–2014.
Findings
The search yielded a sample of 208 unique papers with 275 results (one paper could refer to multiple cost management methods). The top 3 methods are modular design, component commonality, and product platforms, with 115 results (42%) together. In the MA literature, these three methods accounted for 29%, but target costing was the most researched cost management method by far (26%). Simulation is the most frequently used research method in the IOM literature, whereas this was averagely used in the MA literature; qualitative studies were the most frequently used research method in the MA literature, whereas this was averagely used in the IOM literature. We found a lot of papers presenting practical approaches or decision models as a further development of a particular cost management method, which is a clear difference from the MA literature.
Research limitations/implications
This review focused on the same cost management methods, and future research could also consider other cost management methods which are likely to be more important in the IOM literature compared to the MA literature. Future research could also investigate innovative cost management practices in more detail through longitudinal case studies.
Originality/value
This review of research on methods for cost management published outside the MA literature provides an overview for MA researchers. It highlights key differences between both literatures in their research of the same cost management methods.
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The purpose of this paper is to focus on developing a knowledge-based engineering (KBE) approach to recycle the knowledge accrued in an industrial organization for the mitigation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on developing a knowledge-based engineering (KBE) approach to recycle the knowledge accrued in an industrial organization for the mitigation of unwanted events due to human error. The recycling of the accrued knowledge is vital in mitigating the variance present at different levels of engineering applications, evaluations and assessments in assuring systems’ safety. The approach is illustrated in relation to subsea systems’ functional failure risk (FFR) analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
A fuzzy expert system (FES)-based approach has been proposed to facilitate FFR assessment and to make knowledge recycling possible via a rule base and membership functions (MFs). The MFs have been developed based on the experts’ knowledge, data, information, and on their insights into the selected subsea system. The rule base has been developed to fulfill requirements and guidelines specified in DNV standard DNV-RP-F116 and NORSOK standard Z-008.
Findings
It is possible to use the FES-based KBE approach to make FFR assessments of the equipment installed in a subsea system, focussing on potential functional failures and related consequences. It is possible to integrate the aforementioned approach in an engineering service provider’s existing structured information management system or in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) available in an asset owner’s industrial organization.
Research limitations/implications
The FES-based KBE approach provides a consistent way to incorporate actual circumstances at the boundary of the input ranges or at the levels of linguistic data and risk categories. It minimizes the variations present in the assessments.
Originality/value
The FES-based KBE approach has been demonstrated in relation to the requirements and guidelines specified in DNV standard DNV-RP-F116 and NORSOK standard Z-008. The suggested KBE-based FES that has been utilized for FFR assessment allows the relevant quantitative and qualitative data (or information) related to equipment installed in subsea systems to be employed in a coherent manner with less variability, while improving the quality of inspection and maintenance recommendations.
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Verónica León-Bravo, Federico F. A. Caniato, Antonella Moretto and Raffaella Cagliano
This chapter explores two business and innovation strategies to increase sustainability in a small-medium enterprise. The two strategies, one addressing the improved…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter explores two business and innovation strategies to increase sustainability in a small-medium enterprise. The two strategies, one addressing the improved sustainability of an existing product line and the other addressing the development and implementation of a new product line, employ different supply chain sustainable practices and utilize different dynamic capabilities.
Methodology/approach
The chapter describes how sustainable supply chain management practices, sustainable new product development processes, and theories of dynamic capabilities interact to support a sustainable and differentiated strategy in the Alcass organization.
Findings
The models of sustainable supply chain management and sustainable new product development are applied to “more sustainable” products and “new sustainable” products, by raising different relevant practices as well as different supporting dynamic capabilities.
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P.M. Pelagagge, A.C. Caputo and G. Giacchetta
Investigates the application of the up‐flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor for the anaerobic treatment of sewage sludge containing high concentrations of soluble and…
Abstract
Investigates the application of the up‐flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor for the anaerobic treatment of sewage sludge containing high concentrations of soluble and insoluble sulphides. Assesses the reactor’s performance in terms of volatile organic matter (VOM) and biogas production rate. The average percentage removal of VOM, total sulphide and biogas for the reactor operation without sulphide was 67 per cent, 65mgS/L and 1 L/day, respectively. The corresponding average percentage removal of VOM, total sulphide and biogas production rate for the experiment with 800mgS/L soluble sulphide was 45 per cent, 450mgS/L and 0.7L/day. Equilibrium concentrations of soluble sulphide up to 200mgS/L exert insignificant toxic effects, but toxicity increases as the concentration of soluble sulphide increases. A concentration of soluble sulphide of 1,200mgS/L produces severe toxic effects and the complete termination of gas production. An inhibitory concentration of sulphides affects gas production first, while significant volatile acid accumulation takes place much slower, and only after gas production has been severely retarded. Insoluble sulphide has an insignificant effect on the UASB up to a concentration of at least 800mgS/L. The addition of iron as ferric chloride prevents the toxicity of soluble sulphides as indicated by the minor effect on gas production. Therefore, the use of iron to precipitate sulphide could be used on a continuous basis to reduce sulphide toxicity.
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Nicola Costantino, Mariagrazia Dotoli, Marco Falagario and Maria Pia Fanti
The paper addresses supplier selection in the public procurement sector. The motivation is providing a decision-making tool that mimics the intuitive behavior of the public tender…
Abstract
The paper addresses supplier selection in the public procurement sector. The motivation is providing a decision-making tool that mimics the intuitive behavior of the public tender committee in evaluating the bid according to predefined (quantitative and qualitative) criteria by a strict and transparent procedure, in accordance with governmental procurement regulations and requirements. To this aim, we address the supplier selection decision problem in the public procurement sector by a well-known fuzzy multiple criteria decision- making approach. Using the presented technique enables evaluation of both imprecise information and quantitative data in vendor selection, while keeping the transparency features requested in public procurement. We show the effectiveness and efficiency of the approach with a case study involving an Italian public administration.
Massimo Bertolini, M. Bevilacqua, F.E. Ciarapica and G. Giacchetta
The purpose of this paper is to carry out the business process re‐engineering (BPR) of a surgical ward in a hospital in order to improve the efficiency of the ward.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to carry out the business process re‐engineering (BPR) of a surgical ward in a hospital in order to improve the efficiency of the ward.
Design/methodology/approach
This work was developed using a case study on a surgical ward. In this type of ward, in which scheduled and unscheduled operations often have to coexist and be managed, ways to minimise patient inconvenience need to be studied. A framework based on event‐driven process chains (EPCs) methodology, the entity‐relationship model and discrete event simulation is presented to define and analyse the current state of a surgical ward and design a future system. The modelling of the processes, activities and sub‐activities, which took up a great amount of ward resources, allowed a what‐if analysis to be developed which simulates various scenarios and assesses their performance.
Findings
Using Delphi methodology, it was possible to identify a number of areas for improvement: number of operating sessions, preparation of the operating rooms for each operation, availability of specific surgical instruments. Moreover, the discrete event simulation approach led to an understanding of the most efficient management choices.
Originality/value
The decision to use Delphi methodology for the information collection stage before starting the BPR process is not found in other studies in the literature. Moreover, the use of models based on EPCs methodology allowed the panel of experts to develop models to examine and understand the resource requirements of medical assessment units and to provide a framework or develop standards that hospital developers and clinical managers can consult.
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Elaine Aparecida Regiani de Campos, Istefani Carisio de Paula, Regina Negri Pagani and Patricia Guarnieri
The aim of this paper is to develop a systematic literature review (SLR) aiming to identify reverse logistics (RL) concepts and practices applied to the end-of-life (EOL) and…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to develop a systematic literature review (SLR) aiming to identify reverse logistics (RL) concepts and practices applied to the end-of-life (EOL) and end-of-use (EOU) of pharmaceuticals and to identify and synthesize, through bibliometric indicators, research opportunities on RL, considering the analysis of publications in the periodical Supply Chain Management: An International Journal (SCMij).
Design/methodology/approach
The SLR followed two steps, namely, search for articles on the subject and content analysis of selected material and bibliometric analysis of publications using VOSviewer®.
Findings
The SLR allowed the compilation of evidences regarding pharmaceutical RL in the groups: environmental risk, the RL evolution and regulatory and stakeholder’s educational perspective. Despite the timid specific literature on pharmaceutical RL, it was also possible to point out research gaps and opportunities. Pharmaceutical RL seems to be influenced by studies from traditional RL including mathematical modeling, managerial strategies and technologies but prescind of a systemic solution. Besides reducing environmental impact, the motivation to implement pharmaceutical RL resides in its potential for revenue. Considering integrated logistics as a trend and an emerging issue, RL for the pharmaceutical industry needs to be addressed more thorough and broadly.
Research limitations/implications
The limited number of papers returned in this SLR of pharmaceutical RL impaired the bibliometric analysis of them, leading to the inclusion of papers on general RL.
Originality/value
This study provides an overview of the evolution of RL in the pharmaceutical industry, it also clarifies concepts and EOL/EOU practices, particularly directed to the pharmaceutical industry RL.
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Gouri Shankar Beriha, Bhaswati Patnaik and Siba Shankar Mahapatra
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceptions of safety officers on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) norms extended to the workforce in Indian industries, understand…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceptions of safety officers on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) norms extended to the workforce in Indian industries, understand implementation levels and find out deficiencies existing therein.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors utilized factor analysis to develop an instrument specifically responsible for assessing OHS norms in three major industrial sectors through a broad‐based questionnaire survey. The pattern of influence of input parameters on outputs such as injury level and material damage is difficult to establish, possibly due to existence of some nonlinear relationship among them. Therefore, a neural network approach is adopted to carry out sensitivity analysis and identify important deficient items.
Findings
Exploratory factor analysis has been carried out on the responses to the designed questionnaire. In total, nine factors with 23 items have been extracted and interpreted. As neural networks are capable of mimicking human cognitive process, the perceptions mechanism of safety officers can be easily modeled via neural networks. Sector‐wise deficient items have been identified and strategies for their improvement have been proposed.
Research limitations/implications
The major limitation may be the number of industrial sectors considered in the study. Although the proposed model is quite generic, its performance needs to be tested with other categories of industries.
Practical implications
Although perceptions of safety officers on their immediate work environment help to formulate constructive safety policy and procedures, involvement of a few representatives from the workforce during the implementation level may assist to substantially reduce injury level and material damage, since the workers are more conversant with work practices, are exposed to risk environments and can sustain injuries if accidents occur.
Originality/value
The paper uses advanced statistical and intelligent techniques for assessment of OHS practices. A comparative evaluation of present practices among three major types of Indian industry has been made. Further, the paper proposes an OHS instrument for Indian industry. The paper offers new directions for researchers to devise a comprehensive methodology that aims at reducing occupational health risks.
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In industrial procurement, the concept of supplier satisfaction has gained increasing attention. Satisfied suppliers have been found to provide better prices, more innovations and…
Abstract
Purpose
In industrial procurement, the concept of supplier satisfaction has gained increasing attention. Satisfied suppliers have been found to provide better prices, more innovations and priority in bottleneck situations. This paper aims to analyses in how far the concept of supplier satisfaction can be transferred to the public procurement domain.
Design/methodology/approach
Two large quantitative data sets are compared, one from a sample of suppliers evaluating their industrial clients, the other from a public customer being evaluated by its suppliers.
Findings
The same criteria which explain supplier satisfaction with its customer, which are relevant in the private and industrial case also hold true for the public case, namely, growth opportunity, profitability, relational behaviour and operative excellence are important criteria for distinction. Only relational behaviour by the customer scored significantly higher in the public sample, indicating that this is more an influencing factor for public organisations.
Research limitations/implications
Showing the relevance of supplier satisfaction also for the public domain paves the way to further research better understanding how to measure satisfaction and how to increase suppliers’ satisfaction.
Practical implications
Buying organisations are asked to apply a form of “upstream marketing”, in which they actively try to promote their organisation with their suppliers and increase its attractiveness. This is a new way to get access to better services from suppliers.
Social implications
Analysing supplier satisfaction, on the one hand, allows to improve public purchasing acts, which generate social benefits in better using public money. On the other hand, caring for the well-being of suppliers is per se contributing to a socially more desirable world.
Originality/value
Supplier satisfaction is a new concept in the public procurement domain. This is the first paper to introduce this approach.
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