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Article
Publication date: 9 October 2018

Fuhai Zhang, Jiadi Qu, He Liu and Yili Fu

This paper aims to develop a pose/force coordination method for a redundant dual-arm robot to achieve a symmetric coordination task.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a pose/force coordination method for a redundant dual-arm robot to achieve a symmetric coordination task.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel control strategy of dual-arm coordination is proposed that associates pose coordination with force coordination. The spatial in-parallel spring and damping model is built to regulate the relative pose error of two end-effectors in real time, and force coordination factor is introduced to realize the dynamic distribution of loadings to limit the object’s internal force in real time.

Findings

The proposed method was verified on a real dual-arm robot platform. The symmetric coordination task is performed and the experiment results show that a good behavior on the regulation of the relative pose errors between two arms to achieve the object’s trajectory tracking, and the distribution of the two end-effectors’ loadings to limit the object’s internal force.

Originality/value

The benefits of the proposed method are to improve the object’s tracking performance and avoid the object damage during the symmetric coordination task.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 38 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 October 2019

Yifan Zhang, Qing Wang, Anan Zhao and Yinglin Ke

This paper aims to improve the alignment accuracy of large components in aircraft assembly and an evaluation algorithm, which is based on manufacture accuracy and coordination

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to improve the alignment accuracy of large components in aircraft assembly and an evaluation algorithm, which is based on manufacture accuracy and coordination accuracy, is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

With relative deviations of manufacturing feature points and coordinate feature points, an evaluation function of assembly error is constructed. Then the optimization model of large aircraft digital alignment is established to minimize the synthesis assembly error with tolerance requirements, which consist of three-dimensional (3D) tolerance of manufacturing feature points and relative tolerance between coordination feature points. The non-linear constrained optimization problem is solved by Lagrange multiplier method and quasi-Newton method with its initial value provided by the singular value decomposition method.

Findings

The optimized postures of large components are obtained, which makes the tolerance of both manufacturing and coordination requirements be met. Concurrently, the synthesis assembly error is minimized. Compared to the result of the singular value decomposition method, the algorithm is validated in three typical cases with practical data.

Practical implications

The proposed method has been used in several aircraft assembly projects and gained a good effect.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a method to optimize the manufacturing and coordination accuracy with tolerance constraints when the postures of several components are adjusted at the same time. The results of this paper will help to improve the quality of component assemblies.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 40 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2017

Iryna Susha, Marijn Janssen and Stefaan Verhulst

In “data collaboratives”, private and public organizations coordinate their activities to leverage data to address a societal challenge. This paper aims to focus on analyzing…

Abstract

Purpose

In “data collaboratives”, private and public organizations coordinate their activities to leverage data to address a societal challenge. This paper aims to focus on analyzing challenges and coordination mechanisms of data collaboratives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses coordination theory to identify and discuss the coordination problems and coordination mechanisms associated with data collaboratives. The authors also use a taxonomy of data collaborative forms from a previous empirical study to discuss how different forms of data collaboratives may require different coordination mechanisms.

Findings

The study analyzed data collaboratives from the perspective of organizational and task levels. At the organizational level, the authors argue that data collaboratives present an example of the bazaar form of coordination. At the task level, the authors identified five coordination problems and discussed potential coordination mechanisms to address them, such as coordination by negotiation, by third party, by standardization, to name a few.

Research limitations/implications

This study is one of the first few to systematically analyze the phenomenon of “data collaboratives”.

Practical implications

This study can help practitioners better understand the coordination challenges they may face when initiating a data collaborative and to develop successful data collaboratives by using coordination mechanisms to mitigate these challenges.

Originality/value

Data collaboratives are a novel form of data-driven initiatives which have seen rapid experimentation lately. This study draws attention to this concept in the academic literature and highlights some of the complexities of organizing data collaboratives in practice.

Details

Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6166

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 10 August 2016

Jörg Freiling, Perttu Kähäri, Rebecca Piekkari and Fabian Schmutz

This study sheds light on the uncharted phenomenon of regional management in coordinating services across borders. Based on a multiple case study of four German industrial…

Abstract

This study sheds light on the uncharted phenomenon of regional management in coordinating services across borders. Based on a multiple case study of four German industrial manufacturing firms with servitization strategies we seek to better understand what kind of organizational challenges servitization poses for the MNC and whether these challenges can be met through regional management models. This chapter initiates a conversation on the available design options for running service operations regionally.

Details

Perspectives on Headquarters-subsidiary Relationships in the Contemporary MNC
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-370-2

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2020

Henry Mutebi, Joseph Mpeera Ntayi, Moses Muhwezi and John C. Kigozi Munene

To coordinate humanitarian organisations with different mandates that flock the scenes of disasters to save lives and respond to varied needs arising from the increased number of…

Abstract

Purpose

To coordinate humanitarian organisations with different mandates that flock the scenes of disasters to save lives and respond to varied needs arising from the increased number of victims is not easy. Therefore, the level at which organisations self-organise, network and adapt to the dynamic operational environment may be related to inter-organisational coordination. The authors studied self-organisation, organisational networks and adaptability as important and often overlooked organisational factors hypothesised to be related to inter-organisational coordination in the context of humanitarian organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study’s sample consisted of 101 humanitarian organisations with 315 respondents. To decrease the problem of common method variance, the authors split the samples within each humanitarian organisation into two subsamples: one subsample was used for the measurement of self-organisation, organisational network and adaptability, while the other was for the measurement of inter-organisational coordination.

Findings

The partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis using SmartPLS 3.2.8 indicated that self-organisation is related to inter-organisational coordination. Organisational network and adaptability were found to be mediators for the relationship between self-organisation and inter-organisational coordination and all combined accounted for 57.8% variance in inter-organisational coordination.

Research limitations/implications

The study was cross sectional, hence imposing a limitation on changes in perceptions over time. Perhaps, a longitudinal study in future is desirable. Data were collected only from humanitarian organisations that had delivered relief to refugees in the stated camps by 2018. Above all, this study considered self-organisation, adaptability and organisational networks in the explanation of inter-organisational coordination, although there are other factors that could still be explored.

Practical implications

A potential implication is that humanitarian organisations which need to coordinate with others in emergency situations may need to examine their ability to self-organise, network and adapt.

Social implications

Social transformation is a function of active social entities that cannot work in isolation. Hence, for each to be able to make a contribution to meaningful social change, there is need to develop organisational networks with sister organisations so as to secure rare resources that facilitate change efforts coupled with the ability to reorganise themselves and adapt to changing environmental circumstances.

Originality/value

The paper examines (1) the extent to which self-organisation, adaptability and organisational networks influence inter-organisational coordination; (2) the mediating role of both adaptability and organisational networks between self-organisation and inter-organisational coordination in the context of humanitarian organisations against the backdrop of complex adaptive system (CAS) theory.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 10 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 October 2023

Pauline van Beusekom – Thoolen, Paul Holmes, Wendy Jansen, Bart Vos and Alie de Boer

This paper aims to explore the interdisciplinary nature of coordination challenges in the logistic response to food safety incidents while distinguishing the food supply chain…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the interdisciplinary nature of coordination challenges in the logistic response to food safety incidents while distinguishing the food supply chain positions involved.

Design/methodology/approach

This adopts an exploratory qualitative research approach over a period of 11 years. Multiple research periods generated 38 semi-structured interviews and 2 focus groups. All data is analysed by a thematic analysis.

Findings

The authors identified four key coordination challenges in the logistics response to food safety incidents: first, information quality (sharing information and the applied technology) appears to be seen as the biggest challenge for the response; second, more emphasis on external coordination focus is required; third, more extensive emphasis is needed on the proactive phase in the logistic response; fourth, a distinct difference exists in the position’s views on coordination in the food supply chain. Furthermore, the data supports the interdisciplinary nature as disciplines such as operations management, strategy and organisation but also food safety and risk management, have to work together to align a rapid response, depending on the incident’s specifics.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows the need for comprehensively reviewing and elaborating on the research gap in coordination decisions for the logistic response to food safety incidents while using the views of the different supply chain positions. The empirical data indicates the interdisciplinary nature of these coordination decisions, supporting the need for more attention to the interdisciplinary food research agenda. The findings also indicate the need for more attention to organisational learning, and an open and active debate on exploratory qualitative research approaches over a long period of time, as this is not widely used in supply chain management studies.

Practical implications

The results of this paper do not present a managerial blueprint but can be helpful for practitioners dealing with aspects of decision-making by the food supply chain positions. The findings help practitioners to systematically go through all phases of the decision-making process for designing an effective logistic response to food safety incidents. Furthermore, the results provide insight into the distinct differences in views of the supply chain positions on the coordination decision-making process, which is helpful for managers to better understand in what phase(s) and why other positions might make different decisions.

Social implications

The findings add value for the general public, as an effective logistic response contributes to consumer’s trust in food safety by creating more transparency in the decisions made during a food safety incident. As food sources are and will remain essential for human existence, the need to contribute to knowledge related to aspects of food safety is evident because it will be impossible to prevent all food safety incidents.

Originality/value

As the main contribution, this study provides a systematic and interdisciplinary understanding of the coordination decision-making process for the logistic response to food safety incidents while distinguishing the views of the supply chain positions.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 December 2022

Stephen K. Kim and Pushpinder Gill

This study aims to study research on franchise chain performance that has focused on franchisors’ efforts to align their interests with those of franchisees to address partner…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to study research on franchise chain performance that has focused on franchisors’ efforts to align their interests with those of franchisees to address partner uncertainty. In contrast, the question of what a franchisor should do to address another type of uncertainty and task uncertainty remains understudied. The authors suggest a franchisor’s coordination as a key means of alleviating task uncertainty and ongoing support and plural form as two mechanisms of coordination. The authors also posit that aligned interests between the franchisor and the franchisee improve, whereas one-sided interest impedes, chain performance. Furthermore, providing greater ongoing support or deploying plural form amplifies the positive effect of aligned interests on chain performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors relied on secondary data to test the hypotheses. The authors collected data for analysis from Bond’s franchisee guide and Nation’s Restaurant News restaurant database. They also tested the framework by analyzing 17-year, panel data of 71 restaurant chains operating in the USA and Canada using system generalized method of moments.

Findings

Results show that aligning interests does improve chain performance, but that the positive effect is amplified when aligned interests are matched with a chain’s provision of ongoing support or use of plural form.

Originality/value

The authors explicate why it is not enough to address the misaligned interests or lack of coordination alone; a chain manager needs to address both of these problems together. In addition, the authors explicate how two franchisee coordination mechanisms – ongoing support and plural form – help a chain augment the beneficial effect of aligning interests on chain performance. Without solving the twin problems of misaligned interests and coordination simultaneously, a chain is unlikely to achieve its full performance potential.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 38 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2024

Siming Cao, Hongfeng Wang, Yingjie Guo, Weidong Zhu and Yinglin Ke

In a dual-robot system, the relative position error is a superposition of errors from each mono-robot, resulting in deteriorated coordination accuracy. This study aims to enhance…

Abstract

Purpose

In a dual-robot system, the relative position error is a superposition of errors from each mono-robot, resulting in deteriorated coordination accuracy. This study aims to enhance relative accuracy of the dual-robot system through direct compensation of relative errors. To achieve this, a novel calibration-driven transfer learning method is proposed for relative error prediction in dual-robot systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel local product of exponential (POE) model with minimal parameters is proposed for error modeling. And a two-step method is presented to identify both geometric and nongeometric parameters for the mono-robots. Using the identified parameters, two calibrated models are established and combined as one dual-robot model, generating error data between the nominal and calibrated models’ outputs. Subsequently, the calibration-driven transfer, involving pretraining a neural network with sufficient generated error data and fine-tuning with a small measured data set, is introduced, enabling knowledge transfer and thereby obtaining a high-precision relative error predictor.

Findings

Experimental validation is conducted, and the results demonstrate that the proposed method has reduced the maximum and average relative errors by 45.1% and 30.6% compared with the calibrated model, yielding the values of 0.594 mm and 0.255 mm, respectively.

Originality/value

First, the proposed calibration-driven transfer method innovatively adopts the calibrated model as a data generator to address the issue of real data scarcity. It achieves high-accuracy relative error prediction with only a small measured data set, significantly enhancing error compensation efficiency. Second, the proposed local POE model achieves model minimality without the need for complex redundant parameter partitioning operations, ensuring stability and robustness in parameter identification.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 51 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 January 2020

Ilias Vlachos and Selvie Carolin Dyra

Supply chains are becoming more complex and uncertain, yet existing theories are predominately based on empirical research of dyads overlooking triadic settings. This study aims…

1030

Abstract

Purpose

Supply chains are becoming more complex and uncertain, yet existing theories are predominately based on empirical research of dyads overlooking triadic settings. This study aims to bridge the gap between supply chain theories and praxis, this study examined multi-sourcing triads in terms of coordination, collaboration and integration.

Design/methodology/approach

Transaction cost economics, resource-based view in conjunction with social capital theory and agency theory were used to develop a research framework. Abductive, comparative research examined four triads. The triads comprised four retailers (EU, USA, Japan and one with a global presence), one third-party logistics provider (3PL) and 103 suppliers in textiles and the clothing industry.

Findings

All multi-sourcing triads achieved efficient coordination via network configuration showing varying degrees of collaboration and integration. Three research propositions were developed as follows: transaction complexity and dynamics necessitate triad coordination and control by the 3PL; relational and structural embeddedness emerge when actors invest in triad-specific resources and capabilities; information, relational and structural asymmetries may trigger bridge transfer and affect triad integration and performance.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical research on multi-sourcing triads complements existing research on logistics and service, transitive triads to uncover how triad coordination, embeddedness and power asymmetries affect supply chain performance. Future studies should examine the interrelationships between triad embeddedness, asymmetries and relational capital.

Practical implications

Compared to logistics or service triads, B3B triads excel in relational and structural embeddedness and offer unique production-distribution solutions that create value to end-consumers and triad actors.

Originality/value

B3B triads are a unique conceptualization in supply chain management that extends the concepts of logistics triads and service triads.

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2016

Xiangyu Liu, Ping Zhang and Guanglong Du

The purpose of this paper is to provide a hybrid adaptive impedance-leader-follower control algorithm for multi-arm coordination manipulators, which is significant for dealing…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a hybrid adaptive impedance-leader-follower control algorithm for multi-arm coordination manipulators, which is significant for dealing with the problems of kinematics inconsistency and error accumulation of interactive force in multi-arm system.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilized a motion mapping theory in Cartesian space to establish a centralized dynamic leader-follower control algorithm which helped to reduce the possibility of kinematics inconsistency for multiple manipulators. A virtual linear spring model (VLSM) was presented based on a recognition approach of characteristic marker. This paper accomplished an adaptive impedance control algorithm based on the VLSM, which took into account the non-rigid contact characteristic. Experimentally demonstrated results showed the proposed algorithm guarantees that the motion and interactive forces asymptotically converge to the prescribed values.

Findings

The hybrid control method improves the accuracy and reliability of multi-arm coordination system, which presents a new control framework for multiple manipulators.

Practical implications

This algorithm has significant commercial applications, as a means of controlling multi-arm coordination manipulators that could serve to handle large objects and assemble complicated objects in industrial and hazardous environment.

Originality/value

This work presented a new control framework for multiple coordination manipulators, which can ensure consistent kinematics and reduce the influence of error accumulation, and thus can improve the accuracy and reliability of multi-arm coordination system.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 43 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

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