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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 June 2011

Hyunwoo Lim

Demand for express parcel delivery has been greatly increasing in South Korea due to the growth of B2C e-commerce activities. It is imperative that parcel carriers have good…

93

Abstract

Demand for express parcel delivery has been greatly increasing in South Korea due to the growth of B2C e-commerce activities. It is imperative that parcel carriers have good insights into the performance of their distribution networks with different levels of demand and plan ahead for the adaptations in order to be able to meet future changes in demand. This paper proposes a framework to evaluate the likelihood of parcels arriving on-time to their destinations (local service reliability) with a strong focus being placed on their spatial distribution. The resulting maps of local service reliability allow us to identify specific locales that would suffer the most from a capacity overflow in the networking system, thus pointing to areas that need immediate attention. Furthermore, this paper attempts to identify potential factors which could affect the spatial variation of local service reliability.

Details

Journal of International Logistics and Trade, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1738-2122

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 3 November 2023

Adella Grace Migisha, Joseph Mapeera Ntayi, Muyiwa S. Adaramola, Faisal Buyinza, Livingstone Senyonga and Joyce Abaliwano

An unreliable supply of grid electricity has a strong negative impact on industrial and commercial profitability as well as on household activities and government services that…

Abstract

Purpose

An unreliable supply of grid electricity has a strong negative impact on industrial and commercial profitability as well as on household activities and government services that rely on electricity supply. This unreliable grid electricity could be a result of technical and security factors affecting the grid network. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of technical and security factors on the transmission and distribution of grid electricity in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the ordinary least squares (OLS) and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models to examine the effects of technical and security factors on grid electricity reliability in Uganda. The study draws upon secondary time series monthly data sourced from the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) government utility, which transmits electricity to both distributors and grid users. Additionally, data from Umeme Limited, the largest power distribution utility in Uganda, were incorporated into the analysis.

Findings

The findings revealed that technical faults, failed grid equipment, system overload and theft and vandalism affected grid electricity reliability in the transmission and distribution subsystems of the Ugandan power grid network. The effect was computed both in terms of frequency and duration of power outages. For instance, the number of power outages was 116 and 2,307 for transmission and distribution subsystems, respectively. In terms of duration, the power outages reported on average were 1,248 h and 5,826 h, respectively, for transmission and distribution subsystems.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the effects of technical and security factors on the transmission and distribution grid electricity reliability, specifically focusing on frequency and duration of power outages, in the Ugandan context. It combines both OLS and ARDL models for analysis and adopts the systems reliability theory in the area of grid electricity reliability research.

Details

Technological Sustainability, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-1312

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 August 2019

Ahmed H. Al-Dmour, Masam Abood and Hani H. Al-Dmour

This study aims at investigating the extent of SysTrust’s framework (principles and criteria) as an internal control approach for assuring the reliability of accounting…

6338

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims at investigating the extent of SysTrust’s framework (principles and criteria) as an internal control approach for assuring the reliability of accounting information system (AIS) were being implemented in Jordanian business organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on primary data collected through a structured questionnaire from 239 out of 328 shareholdings companies. The survey units were the shareholding companies in Jordan, and the single key respondents approach was adopted. The extents of SysTrust principles were also measured. Previously validated instruments were used where required. The data were analysed using t-test and ANOVA.

Findings

The results indicated that the extent of SysTrust being implemented could be considered to be moderate at this stage. This implies that there are some variations among business organizations in terms of their level of implementing of SysTrust principles and criteria. The results also showed that the extent of SysTrust principles being implemented was varied among business organizations based on their business sector. However, there were not found varied due to their size of business and a length of time in business (experience).

Research limitations/implications

This study is only conducted in Jordan as a developing country. Although Jordan is a valid indicator of prevalent factors in the wider MENA region and developing countries, the lack of external validity of this research means that any generalization of the research findings should be made with caution. Future research can be orientated to other national and cultural settings and compared with the results of this study.

Practical implications

The study provides evidence of the need for management to recognize the importance of the implementation of SysTrust principles and criteria as an internal control for assuring the reliability of AIS within their organizations and be aware which of these principles are appropriate to their size and industry sector.

Originality/value

The findings would be valuable for academic researchers, managers and professional accounting to acquire a better undemanding of the current status of the implementation of the SysTrust principles (i.e., availability, security, integrity processing, confidentiality, and privacy) as an internal control method for assuring the reliability of AIS by testing the phenomenon in Jordan as a developing country.

Details

International Journal of Accounting & Information Management, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1834-7649

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 May 2019

Olanrewaju Ayobami Omoya, Kassandra A. Papadopoulou and Eric Lou

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of reliability engineering to oil and gas (O&G) pipeline systems with the aim of identifying means through which…

3055

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of reliability engineering to oil and gas (O&G) pipeline systems with the aim of identifying means through which reliability engineering can be used to improve pipeline integrity, specifically with regard to man-made incidents (e.g. material/weld/equipment failure, corrosion, incorrect operation and excavation damages).

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was carried out on the application of reliability tools to O&G pipeline systems and four case studies are presented as examples of how reliability engineering can help to improve pipeline integrity. The scope of the paper is narrowed to four stages of the pipeline life cycle; the decommissioning stage is not part of this research. A survey was also carried out using a questionnaire to check the level of application of reliability tools in the O&G industry.

Findings

Data from survey and literature show that a reliability-centred approach can be applied and will improve pipeline reliability where applied; however, there are several hindrances to the effective application of reliability tools, the current methods are time based and focus mainly on design against failure rather than design for reliability.

Research limitations/implications

The tools identified do not cover the decommissioning of the pipeline system. Research validation sample size can be broadened to include more pipeline stakeholders/professionals. Pipeline integrity management systems are proprietary information and permission is required from stakeholders to do a detailed practical study.

Originality/value

This paper proposes the minimum applied reliability tools for application during the design, operation and maintenance phases targeted at the O&G industry. Critically, this paper provides a case for an integrated approach to applying reliability and maintenance tools that are required to reduce pipeline failure incidents in the O&G industry.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 36 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 18 January 2024

Puyu Yang and Giovanni Colavizza

Wikipedia's inclusive editorial policy permits unrestricted participation, enabling individuals to contribute and disseminate their expertise while drawing upon a multitude of…

Abstract

Purpose

Wikipedia's inclusive editorial policy permits unrestricted participation, enabling individuals to contribute and disseminate their expertise while drawing upon a multitude of external sources. News media outlets constitute nearly one-third of all citations within Wikipedia. However, embracing such a radically open approach also poses the challenge of the potential introduction of biased content or viewpoints into Wikipedia. The authors conduct an investigation into the integrity of knowledge within Wikipedia, focusing on the dimensions of source political polarization and trustworthiness. Specifically, the authors delve into the conceivable presence of political polarization within the news media citations on Wikipedia, identify the factors that may influence such polarization within the Wikipedia ecosystem and scrutinize the correlation between political polarization in news media sources and the factual reliability of Wikipedia's content.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a descriptive and regression analysis, relying on Wikipedia Citations, a large-scale open dataset of nearly 30 million citations from English Wikipedia. Additionally, this dataset has been augmented with information obtained from the Media Bias Monitor (MBM) and the Media Bias Fact Check (MBFC).

Findings

The authors find a moderate yet significant liberal bias in the choice of news media sources across Wikipedia. Furthermore, the authors show that this effect persists when accounting for the factual reliability of the news media.

Originality/value

The results contribute to Wikipedia’s knowledge integrity agenda in suggesting that a systematic effort would help to better map potential biases in Wikipedia and find means to strengthen its neutral point of view policy.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 11 July 2023

Oussama Saoula, Amjad Shamim, Norazah Mohd Suki, Munawar Javed Ahmad, Muhammad Farrukh Abid, Ataul Karim Patwary and Amir Zaib Abbasi

This study aims to examine the impact of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use as an engagement motivational factors on customer e-trust and e-retention in online…

7736

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use as an engagement motivational factors on customer e-trust and e-retention in online shopping.

Design/methodology/approach

By using deductive approach, quantitative methods and purposive sampling technique, this study has collected the data from 295 young online customers to enhance an understanding of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use in an online shopping context.

Findings

The findings revealed interesting insights where reliability is the most significant predictor of customer e-trust in online shopping, followed by perceived ease of use and website design. In addition, a significant mediating effect of e-trust is found between customer e-retention, website design, reliability and perceived ease of use.

Research limitations/implications

Future research is recommended to predict the antecedents of online engagement motivational factors with value co-creation and co-creation experience in online shopping context.

Originality/value

This study offers fresh insights about driving elements and impediments of online customer retention. Customer engagement comprising of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use appear to influence the online customer retention through direct and indirect effect.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Mohammed Jawad Abed and Anis Mhalla

The paper aims to present a grid-connected multi-inverter for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to enhance reliability indices after selected the placement and level of PV solar.

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to present a grid-connected multi-inverter for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to enhance reliability indices after selected the placement and level of PV solar.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the associated probability is calculated based on the solar power generation capacity levels and outages conditions. Then, based on this probability, dependability indices like average energy not supplied (AENS), expected energy not supplied and loss of load expectations (LOLE) are computed, also, another indices have been computed such as (customer average interruption duration index (CAIDI), system average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) and system average interruption duration index (SAIDI)) addressing by affected customers with distribution networks reliability assessment, including PV. On the basis of their dependability indices and active power flow, several PV solar modules installed in several places are analyzed. A mechanism for assessing the performance of the grid's integration of renewable energy sources is also under investigation.

Findings

The findings of this study based on data extracted form a PV power plant connected to the power network system in Diyala, Iraq 132 kV, attempts to identify the system's weakest points in order to improve the system's overall dependability. In addition, enhanced reliability indices are given for measuring solar PV systems performance connected to the grid and reviewed for the benefit of the customers.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this study are two methods for determining the reliability of PV generators taking into consideration the system component failure rates and the power electronic component defect rates in a PV system which depend on the power input and the power loss using electrical transient analysis program (ETAP) program.

Details

Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-9899

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 4 March 2021

Lijuan Shi and Jian Wang

This paper aims to study the reliability of the high-speed train operation control system in the Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3) operating mode.

1756

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the reliability of the high-speed train operation control system in the Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3) operating mode.

Design/methodology/approach

Dynamic fault tree and Bayesian network method are adopted to analyze the reliability and weakness of the CTCS-3 system.

Findings

First, a physical architecture and data flow diagram of the CTCS-3 system are established according to the typical structure and functions of the CTCS-3 system. Second, the dynamic fault tree of the CTCS-3 system is constructed. Considering the prior probability of the bottom event and the existence of dynamic redundancy, the dynamic fault tree is transformed into a Bayesian net. The reliability of the CTCS-3 system is carried out based on the prior probability and the weakness that affects the reliability of the system based on the posterior probability is also analyzed by the Bayesian network. Finally, it is disclosed that the impact of the on-board subsystem on the reliability of the CTCS-3 system is generally greater than that of the ground subsystem. The two weakest modules in the onboard subsystem are the driver-machine interface (DMI) and balise transmission module (BTM) and the weakest one in the ground subsystem is Balise. The analysis results are generally consistent with the malfunctions in the field operation of China’s high-speed railway.

Originality/value

(1) By reasoning, the reliability of the train operation control system in the CTCS-3 operating mode meets the standard requirements.

(2) Through backward reasoning, it is found that the failure of the onboard subsystem leads to a greater probability of failure of the train control system.

(3) The DMI, BTM and automatic train protection computer unit modules are weak components in the onboard subsystem. Vital digit input&output, train interface unit and train security gateway are rarely involved in previous research, the result in this paper shows that these three modules are also weak components in the subsystem, which requires attention.

Details

Smart and Resilient Transportation, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2632-0487

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 May 2022

Priyam Ghosh, Mothilal Lakavath, Karthikeyan Somaskandan and Satyanarayana Parayitam

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between general attitude toward advertising and consumers' purchase intention. The relationship between cognitive attitude…

1400

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between general attitude toward advertising and consumers' purchase intention. The relationship between cognitive attitude, intrusiveness attitude, evaluative judgments, affective response and general attitude toward ad was examined. Furthermore, reliability as a moderator in the relationship between cognitive attitude, intrusiveness attitude, evaluative judgments, and affective response and the general attitude toward ad were studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from women consumers who subscribe to fashion magazines in India were collected and analyzed using a structured survey instrument. Women were selected because the products were related to women, including facial and body-care products, women sportswear, shampoos, lipstick, handbags, etc. Unit of analysis in this research is “observations,” and in all, 400 data points were analyzed, and to test hypothesized relationships, hierarchical regression and logistic regression were employed.

Findings

A conceptual model is developed and tested where (1) cognitive attitude toward ad, intrusiveness, evaluative judgments and affective responses are related to general attitude toward ad, and (2) general attitude toward ad is related to purchase intention. The hierarchical regression results show that (1) reliability moderates the relationship between cognitive attitude, intrusiveness, affective responses and general attitude toward ad. The logistic regression results support the positive relationship between general attitude toward ad and purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

Since the present research is based on self-report measures, the limitations of social desirability bias and common method bias are inherent. Second, this research focuses only on women consumers and products purchased by women. The research has implications for literature on advertising, especially women-related products.

Practical implications

This study contributes to practicing managers who are interested in promoting the women-related products. This study highlights the importance of general attitude toward ad as a precursor for consumers purchase intention. The study provides justification for enormous amounts of money invested in fashion advertising because of their effects on consumer behavior.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights about the effects reliability on general attitude toward ad and consumers' purchase intention. The conceptual model developed in this study adds novelty by considering reliability as a moderator, in addition to the direct relationships which have been studied by earlier researchers.

Details

South Asian Journal of Marketing, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2719-2377

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 7 August 2019

Jinbao Zhang, Yongqiang Zhao, Ming Liu and Lingxian Kong

A generalized distribution with wide range of skewness and elongation will be suitable for the data mining and compatible for the misspecification of the distribution. Hence, the…

2265

Abstract

Purpose

A generalized distribution with wide range of skewness and elongation will be suitable for the data mining and compatible for the misspecification of the distribution. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to present a distribution-based approach for estimating degradation reliability considering these conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Tukey’s g-and-h distribution with the quantile expression is introduced to fit the degradation paths of the population over time. The Newton–Raphson algorithm is used to approximately evaluate the reliability. Simulation verification for parameter estimation with particle swarm optimization (PSO) is carried out. The effectiveness and validity of the proposed approach for degradation reliability is verified by the two-stage verification and the comparison with others’ work.

Findings

Simulation studies have proved the effectiveness of PSO in the parameter estimation. Two degradation datasets of GaAs laser devices and crack growth are performed by the proposed approach. The results show that it can well match the initial failure time and be more compatible than the normal distribution and the Weibull distribution.

Originality/value

Tukey’s g-and-h distribution is first proposed to investigate the influence of the tail and the skewness on the degradation reliability. In addition, the parameters of the Tukey’s g-and-h distribution is estimated by PSO with root-mean-square error as the object function.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 36 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

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