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Article
Publication date: 7 August 2017

Sunkyung Choi and Shinya Hanaoka

The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for diagramming a base camp or space for emergency workers and a staging area to be used during sorting, storing, loading, and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for diagramming a base camp or space for emergency workers and a staging area to be used during sorting, storing, loading, and unloading of relief goods in a humanitarian logistics base airport.

Design/methodology/approach

A method is developed based on a synthesis of the relevant literature and current practices of airports. This provides a means for estimating the area required for each facility and visualizes the layout of the base through an adjacency diagram and a bubble diagram. The method is applied to the Shizuoka Airport in Japan as a case study.

Findings

The proposed method can be used to determine the approximate size and layout of a humanitarian logistics base in an airport based on the affected population and the number of emergency workers.

Research limitations/implications

Airport operation regulations and mathematical models from architectural planning need to be reflected further.

Practical implications

The method provides potential operational improvements for policies and standards for airport operations and enables government officials and humanitarian logistics organizations to identify concerns in facilitating and managing constraints in existing airports.

Originality/value

This study addresses the detailed phases in a diagramming for a humanitarian logistics base airport by integrating an architectural approach and airport disaster management. The results highlight the importance of managing the flexible use of space to improve effective humanitarian logistics.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 January 2009

Isabelina Nahmens and Michael Mullens

The purpose of this paper is to better define the relationships between product variety and lean production in enabling mass customization in industrialized homebuilding.

2703

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better define the relationships between product variety and lean production in enabling mass customization in industrialized homebuilding.

Design/methodology/approach

This study includes a case study analysis of two housing plants that instituted lean production systems. For each company, the case study documented the company's background, the product choice offered, the lean implementation approach used, the results obtained, and the effect of product choice on the lean implementation. Using these case study findings, common trends were identified and used to develop guidelines for an effective mass customization strategy for industrialized homebuilders. This paper summarizes the extensive findings for one of the two plants and provides the recommended guidelines developed from common trends identified at both plants.

Findings

Case study findings indicated that product choice does not necessarily make the implementation of lean concepts more difficult. In fact, good lean concepts (e.g. continuous flow, pull system, workload leveling, defect‐free processes, standard tasks, good visual control, and reliable technology) were also good concepts for (or easily accommodated) handling a range of product choice.

Research limitations/implications

Research findings are limited by the small number of plants involved in the study.

Originality/value

The paper makes an important contribution to the understanding of both lean production and mass customization, identifying the lean principles that facilitate mass customization for industrialized homebuilders. Findings also provide useful guidelines for builders interested in better addressing specific customer needs, while managing the operational complexities resulting from product variety.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1983

Warren Rose and Wade Ferguson

The use of standard time values is advocated as a means of measuring and improving productivity in materials handling. Although handling operations are difficult to schedule and…

Abstract

The use of standard time values is advocated as a means of measuring and improving productivity in materials handling. Although handling operations are difficult to schedule and are subject to many variations in order, size and quantity, common and repetitive activities exist which are measurable and controllable. Application of Master Standard Data methods and Method Time Measurement to materials handling operations in a public warehouse have demonstrated that accurate standards can be developed. These standards embrace both physical and cost measures. Although a heavy resource commitment is required to implement these standards and worker attitudes may be negative, adoption of these standards is advocated as a positive action pattern for dealing with typically unprofitable handling operations.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Materials Management, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0269-8218

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1999

Belarmino Adenso‐Díaz and Fernando Gascón

In spite of the wide experience already developed in the field of internal logistics using radio frequency, many companies are wary of its implantation due to the fact that the…

1414

Abstract

In spite of the wide experience already developed in the field of internal logistics using radio frequency, many companies are wary of its implantation due to the fact that the benefits of this technology are not easily quantifiable in most cases. Develops a detailed discounted payback analysis of the cash flows associated with the implementation of radio frequency, presenting a table with the needed payback periods depending on the size of the warehouse.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 29 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

William Y. Arms, Naomi Dushay, Dave Fulker and Carl Lagoze

This paper describes the use of the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting in the NSF’s National Science Digital Library (NSDL). The protocol is used both as a…

1648

Abstract

This paper describes the use of the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting in the NSF’s National Science Digital Library (NSDL). The protocol is used both as a method to ingest metadata into a central Metadata Repository and also as the means by which the repository exports metadata to service providers. The NSDL Search Service is used to illustrate this architecture. An early version of the Metadata Repository was an alpha test site for version 1 of the protocol and the production repository was a beta test site for version 2. This paper describes the implementation experience and early practical tests. Despite some teething troubles and the long‐term difficulties of semantic compatibility, the overall conclusion is optimism that the Open Archive Initiative will be a successful part of the NSDL.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2004

Sameer Kumar and Ralph Harms

In manufacturing, corporate growth and profitability are more challenging than ever before. The company reviewed in this study has been and is currently suffering tremendous…

7243

Abstract

In manufacturing, corporate growth and profitability are more challenging than ever before. The company reviewed in this study has been and is currently suffering tremendous growing pains with poor record of profitability. This paper reports learning and application of a few significant techniques to improve basic business practices in a company, which manufactures large volume, high quality optical thin film coatings. Some of the tasks involved in identifying opportunities for improving operational efficiencies included analysis of current business processes, identification of non‐value‐added activities including wastes and proposing process changes. Process mapping and kaizen “blitz” activities were utilized during analysis of key business processes within this company. The study demonstrates measurable results realized through use of process mapping tools, kaizen blitz activities, formalized and documented work instructions and work measurement tools. To ultimately be successful, a company must educate their workforce and create a fulfilling work environment for each of their employees. Worker involvement is essential and critical in today's society. Gaining the worker's trust and commitment is extremely important.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 15 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1988

Suddenly speech technology looks viable for many real world applications, as Jack Hollingum explains.

Abstract

Suddenly speech technology looks viable for many real world applications, as Jack Hollingum explains.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2022

Irappa Basappa Hunagund, Madhusudanan Pillai and Kempaiah U.N.

The purpose of this article is to develop a bi-directional relaxed flexible bay structure (BRFBS) in the layout for the unequal area facility layout problems (UA-FLPs) and test…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to develop a bi-directional relaxed flexible bay structure (BRFBS) in the layout for the unequal area facility layout problems (UA-FLPs) and test the suitability of the proposed approach using literature data.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a two-stage solution approach for UA-FLPs to form BRFBS in the layout. The solution to UA-FLPs is carried out in discrete space. The proposed heuristic method optimises the layout plan for minimising the material handling cost (MHC), and also, it indirectly optimises the space utilisation by reducing the empty space in the layout. The first stage of layout design assumes that all facilities are equal in size and uses quadratic assignment problem (QAP) model. QAP is solved with a simulated annealing heuristic method. In the second stage, a heuristic method is proposed to find the optimum width for each bay and the dimension for facilities. The proposed heuristic method is tested with numerical data available in the literature. Results are compared with the results obtained by layout planning software, and with the simulated annealing algorithm for flexible bay structure (SA-FBS) heuristic procedure for continuous space UA-FLPs.

Findings

The proposed two-stage solution approach gives the BRFBS for the UA-FLPs. BRFBS helps to create proper aisle structure in the layout plan. The layout configuration and solution of the proposed method is better than the layout planning software solution and SA-FBS solution. The application of the proposed heuristic method to case data gave lesser MHC, better space utilisation and better aisle formation than the existing layout.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach has the limitation that it can be applied only to UA-FLPs solved in discrete space. When the UA-FLPs are solved in continuous space, then it is not possible to make application of this approach to form bi-directional relaxed flexible bays in the layout plan.

Practical implications

Most of the modern industries are automated, and they use material handling equipment (MHE) like automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Design of layout plans that help to create proper aisle structure for AGV’s in the layout plan is a challenging to the researchers. The BRFBS configuration is more suitable in the flexible manufacturing system where AGVs are used for material transportation.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel two-stage heuristic method for solving the UA-FLPs in discrete space. The proposed approach generates a BRFBS in the layout plan. The BRFBS helps to create a proper aisle structure suitable for better material handling operations. Hence, this type of layout helps in easy interaction of the MHE (e.g. AGVs) with the boundaries of the facilities touching the aisle.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management , vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 August 2023

Qingqing Li, Ziming Zeng, Shouqiang Sun, Chen Cheng and Yingqi Zeng

The paper aims to construct a spatiotemporal situational awareness framework to sense the evolutionary situation of public opinion in social media, thus assisting relevant…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to construct a spatiotemporal situational awareness framework to sense the evolutionary situation of public opinion in social media, thus assisting relevant departments in formulating public opinion control measures for specific time and space contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The spatiotemporal situational awareness framework comprises situational element extraction, situational understanding and situational projection. In situational element extraction, the data on the COVID-19 vaccine, including spatiotemporal tags and text contents, is extracted. In situational understanding, the bidirectional encoder representation from transformers – latent dirichlet allocation (BERT-LDA) and bidirectional encoder representation from transformers – bidirectional long short-term memory (BERT-BiLSTM) are used to discover the topics and emotional labels hidden in opinion texts. In situational projection, the situational evolution characteristics and patterns of online public opinion are uncovered from the perspective of time and space through multiple visualisation techniques.

Findings

From the temporal perspective, the evolution of online public opinion is closely related to the developmental dynamics of offline events. In comparison, public views and attitudes are more complex and diversified during the outbreak and diffusion periods. From the spatial perspective, the netizens in hotspot areas with higher discussion volume are more rational and prefer to track the whole process of event development, while the ones in coldspot areas with less discussion volume pay more attention to the expression of personal emotions. From the perspective of intertwined spatiotemporal, there are differences in the focus of attention and emotional state of netizens in different regions and time stages, caused by the specific situations they are in.

Originality/value

The situational awareness framework can shed light on the dynamic evolution of online public opinion from a multidimensional perspective, including temporal, spatial and spatiotemporal perspectives. It enables decision-makers to grasp the psychology and behavioural patterns of the public in different regions and time stages and provide targeted public opinion guidance measures and offline event governance strategies.

Details

The Electronic Library , vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 April 2019

Mario Chong, Juan G. Lazo Lazo, Maria Cristina Pereda and Juan Manuel Machuca De Pina

The purpose of this paper is to improve disaster management models, have an optimal distribution of assets, reduce human suffering in a crisis and find a good solution for…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve disaster management models, have an optimal distribution of assets, reduce human suffering in a crisis and find a good solution for warehouse locations, distribution points, inventory levels and costs, considering the uncertainty of a wide range of variables, to serve as a support model for decision making in real situations.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is developed based on the recent models. It includes structured and non-structured data (historical knowledge) from a humanitarian perspective. This model considers the uncertainty in a landslide and flood area and it is applied in a representative Peruvian city.

Findings

The proposed model can be used to determine humanitarian aid supply and its distribution with uncertainty, regarding the affected population and its resilience. This model presents a different point of view from the efficiency of the logistics perspective, to identify the level of trust between all the stakeholders (public, private and academic). The finding provides a new insight in disaster management to cover the gap between applied research and human behavior in crisis.

Research limitations/implications

In this study the access of reliable information is limited.

Practical implications

This paper provides an operation model with uncertainty in a humanitarian crisis and a decision-making tool with some recommendation for further public policies.

Originality/value

This study presents a model for decision makers in a low-income zone and highlights the importance of preparedness in the humanitarian system. This paper expands the discussion of how the mathematical models and human behaviors interact with different perspectives in a humanitarian crisis.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

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