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21 – 30 of over 50000Ashleigh Merritt and Daniel Maurino
This paper presents the safety case for the consideration of cross-cultural factors in aviation by focusing on cultural interfaces, those situations where members of one culture…
Abstract
This paper presents the safety case for the consideration of cross-cultural factors in aviation by focusing on cultural interfaces, those situations where members of one culture encounter people or artifacts from other cultures. Global aviation is strongly influenced by the USA and Western Europe as the largest manufacturers and largest customers; hence almost all cultural interfaces are weighted in favor of the dominant users. The challenge for safety is not to ignore or eliminate these interfaces but to manage the potential threats they pose. To move forward, there is a role for those inside and outside the dominant model.
Ming K. Lim, Weiqing Xiong and Chao Wang
In the last decade, cloud manufacturing (CMfg) has attracted considerable attention from academia and industry worldwide. It is widely accepted that the design and analysis of…
Abstract
Purpose
In the last decade, cloud manufacturing (CMfg) has attracted considerable attention from academia and industry worldwide. It is widely accepted that the design and analysis of cloud manufacturing architecture (CMfg-A) are the basis for developing and applying CMfg systems. However, in existing studies, analysis of the status, development process and internal characteristics of CMfg-A is lacking, hindering an understanding of the research hotspots and development trends of CMfg-A. Meanwhile, effective guidance is lacking on the construction of superior CMfg-As. The purpose of this paper is to review the relevant research on CMfg-A via identification of the main layers, elements, relationships, structure and functions of CMfg-A to provide valuable information to scholars and practitioners for further research on key CMfg-A technologies and the construction of CMfg systems with superior performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study systematically reviews the relevant research on CMfg-A across transformation process to internal characteristics by integrating quantitative and qualitative methods. First, the split and reorganization method is used to recognize the main layers of CMfg-A. Then, the transformation process of six main layers is analysed through retrospective analysis, and the similarities and differences in CMfg-A are obtained. Subsequently, based on systematic theory, the elements, relationships, structure and functions of CMfg-A are inductively studied. A 3D printing architecture design case is conducted to discuss the weakness of the previous architecture and demonstrate how to improve it. Finally, the primary current trends and future opportunities are presented.
Findings
By analyzing the transformation process of CMfg-A, this study finds that CMfg-A resources are developing from tangible resources into intangible resources and intelligent resources. CMfg-A technology is developing from traditional cloud computing-based technology towards advanced manufacturing technology, and CMfg-A application scope is gradually expanding from traditional manufacturing industry to emerging manufacturing industry. In addition, by analyzing the elements, relationships, structure and functions of CMfg-A, this study finds that CMfg-A is undergoing a new generation of transformation, with trends of integrated development, intelligent development, innovative development and green development. Case study shows that the analysis of the development trend and internal characteristics of the architecture facilitates the design of a more effective architecture.
Research limitations/implications
This paper predominantly focuses on journal articles and some key conference papers published in English and Chinese. The reason for considering Chinese articles is that CMfg was proposed by the Chinese and a lot of Chinese CMfg-A articles have been published in recent years. CMfg is suitable for the development of China’s manufacturing industry because of China’s intelligent manufacturing environment. It is believed that this research has reached a reliable comprehensiveness that can help scholars and practitioners establish new research directions and evaluate their work in CMfg-A.
Originality/value
Prior studies ignore the identification and analysis of development process and internal characteristics for the current development of CMfg-A, including the main layers identification of different CMfg-As and the transformation process analysis of these main layers, and in-depth analysis of the inner essence of CMfg-A (such as its elements, relationships, structure and functions). This study addresses these limitations and provides a comprehensive literature review.
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Facilities management (FM) is often seen as the management of cost‐efficiency rather than as a method of achieving the multi‐dimensional enhancement of business competitiveness…
Abstract
Facilities management (FM) is often seen as the management of cost‐efficiency rather than as a method of achieving the multi‐dimensional enhancement of business competitiveness. If the role of FM is to be recognised for the literally facilitating strategic mechanism that it represents, organisational structures must be constructed in an enabling rather than a disabling form. This paper argues that existing organisational structures tend to repress the need for the integration of the functional and strategic dimensions of FM, through the practice of physically separating responsibilities for the various aspects of supporting the business operation, and this is compounded by the general failure of management to look at property issues broadly. The paper proposes the existence of barriers to the operation of the facilities property management interface and suggests that an improvement in effectiveness is possible by the incorporation of facilities managers into strategy management through subordination to strategy as opposed to management.
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Marc H. Meyer, Eliot Jekowsky and Frederick G. Crane
The purpose of this paper is to provide the results of a case study that examined the application of platform design to improve the integration of patient care services across the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide the results of a case study that examined the application of platform design to improve the integration of patient care services across the continuum of care. This paper is designed to spark discussion and encourage further research in this area.
Design/methodology/approach
The research in the paper involved a case study of a large health care provider in a major metropolitan area. The authors of this paper worked with directors of case management departments and other managerial personnel within the enterprise to study the case management interface services between different inpatient and outpatient facilities to examine existing processes, identify deficiencies, and to recommend improvements in case management.
Findings
The paper finds that the current case management system of the provider, as structured, was not fulfilling its potential for achieving medical quality, operational cost, or patient satisfaction. A number of areas where improvements could be made were identified, and an integrated case management approach based on modular platform design was recommended as a key approach to realize such improvements.
Research limitations/implications
The paper shows that this study involves only one major provider and therefore the direct application of an integrated case management approach based on platform design to other providers would have to be further researched. However, the proposed integrated, cross‐continuum model of case management appears to be a novel way to both improve care and achieve financial cost efficiencies.
Practical implications
The case study in this paper demonstrates how innovative thinking and the use of techniques typically associated with “Platform architectures” can have direct application in the health care sector.
Originality/value
The paper shows that as health care providers are continuously working to improve the quality of care within specific areas of clinical care, improvement in the interfaces between these specific areas may also improve the quality and cost of care. This case study applies modular services design to show how the planning and delivering patient services across the entire “Continuum of care”, which includes the transfer of patients, care coordination, and medical information management can achieve that desired result.
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Raufdeen Rameezdeen, Jian Zuo and Jack Stevens
This paper aims to investigate the practices, drivers and barriers which influence the implementation of green leases in South Australia. Despite some efforts on legal aspects of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the practices, drivers and barriers which influence the implementation of green leases in South Australia. Despite some efforts on legal aspects of green leases, only a few studies have examined these aspects from an operational perspective. In addition, very little empirical evidence was presented in previous studies to show how green leases work in real-life settings.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with landlord and tenant representatives who have considerable experience in green leases. These interviewees were selected via a purposive sampling technique that identified buildings which use green leases in South Australia. The concept of interface management (IM) was used to operationalize this research.
Findings
The green leases were found to be mainly initiated by tenants while government involvement, economic and environmental benefits are the main drivers in South Australia. Drivers such as staff retention, well-being and corporate social responsibility are found to be more relevant to tenants. Lack of awareness and transaction costs are the main barriers to the implementation of green leases.
Research limitations/implications
This study focuses on the South Australian context and mainly covers dark green leases. There are implications for the government’s continued involvement and the promotion of lighter shades of green leases to overcome operational issues and barriers identified in this study.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the subject of green lease implementation from an operational perspective. In addition, the study introduces a conceptual framework via IM that could be used in future research endeavours.
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Braj Kishor Mahato and Stephen O. Ogunlana
The purpose of this paper is to present a model for a comprehensive and integrated approach to managing interface conflict from the early stages of a dam construction project.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a model for a comprehensive and integrated approach to managing interface conflict from the early stages of a dam construction project.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study methodology is adopted. Following comprehensive literature review, qualitative data were gathered from case studies through interviews conducted on the Middle Marsyangdi Hydroelectric Project (MMHEP) dam project in Nepal. Causal loop diagrams on the typical evolution of key indicators of interface conflict were then developed and a simulate‐able model of interface conflict was derived using system dynamic modeling technique. The model was then simulated to derive viable policies for future management of dam construction projects in developing countries.
Findings
The study reveals that interface conflicts at the construction stage of projects are caused mainly by lack of effective Environmental Impact Assessment, public participation and mutual consultation, on timely basis and accurate information from the early stages of projects. The system dynamic model is able to replicate general behavior of evolution of interface conflict in a dam construction project. Furthermore, the study explored three viable policies to avoid and minimize interface conflict in the construction stage of a dam project. The policies were tested and demonstrated to be useful in improving the value of projects to stakeholders. It is demonstrated that a combination of policies is better than adopting a single policy to stakeholder management.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates the utility of system dynamics as a modeling tool for understanding the dynamics of conflicts on dam construction projects. The model should be helpful to policy makers on large projects, especially those likely to be subject to social and environmental conflict. Policies derived from the model have the potential of being used to assess and take proactive measures to manage conflicts effectively and efficiently from early in a project's life.
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Alma McCarthy, Thomas Garavan and Thomas O’Toole
This paper argues that human resource development (HRD) can make an important contribution in facilitating the effective management of boundaries and interfaces in organisations…
Abstract
This paper argues that human resource development (HRD) can make an important contribution in facilitating the effective management of boundaries and interfaces in organisations. Organisations are increasingly required to network and collaborate both internally and externally in order to achieve key strategic objectives. HRD can facilitate and contribute to this process at four levels of intervention.
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The purpose of this paper is to present a component framework for building visual interfaces for pervasive computing systems.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a component framework for building visual interfaces for pervasive computing systems.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed framework enables end‐users to build visual interfaces for their systems by using document‐editing manner.
Findings
The building and operating visual interfaces are useful for managing pervasive computing systems.
Research limitations/implications
The framework is designed based on Java but programming language‐independent version is needed.
Practical implications
A component framework was implemented for building visual interfaces for pervasive computing.
Originality/value
A framework for visual interfaces for pervasive computing is unique.
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Aims to provide a clearer understanding of the perceived role of property and facilities management of higher education institutions. Shows that the provision in this area needs…
Abstract
Aims to provide a clearer understanding of the perceived role of property and facilities management of higher education institutions. Shows that the provision in this area needs to be matched to the organization’s strategic direction. Outlines the position of estates management in HE institutions; the property manager’s understanding of the HE business; the role of property in HE institutions; and current strategic estates management practice.
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The literature contains an ongoing debate concerning virtual or boundaryless organisations. This article suggests that virtual/boundaryless organisations are a logical…
Abstract
The literature contains an ongoing debate concerning virtual or boundaryless organisations. This article suggests that virtual/boundaryless organisations are a logical continuation of the development of industrial organisation. We can see three important recurrent management characteristics demonstrating continuity throughout the period reaching from the Industrial Revolution through to the virtual organisation. These are knowledge management, technology management and relationship management. Furthermore, there can also be seen an important issue for management concerning market competitiveness; this is the necessity of identifying and managing the interfaces between these management areas. The article reviews the development of industrial organisation and proposes a model, which offers a basis for evaluating the design of virtual organisations, and attempts to answer the question: is the virtual organisation a “new lamp”?
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