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Article
Publication date: 7 October 2014

Remigiusz Romuald Iwańkowicz and Wlodzimierz Rosochacki

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a risk assessment method for production processes of large-size steel ship hulls.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a risk assessment method for production processes of large-size steel ship hulls.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative-probabilistic approach with involvement of clustering technique in order to analyse the database of accidents and predict the process risk. The case-based reasoning is used in here. A set of technological hazard classes as a basis for analysing the similarities between the production processes is proposed. The method has been explained using a case study on large-size shipyard.

Findings

Statistical and clustering approach ensures effective risk managing in shipbuilding process designing. Results show that by selection of adequate number of clusters in the database, the quality of predictions can be controlled.

Research limitations/implications

The suggested k-means method using the Euclidean distance measure is initial approach. Testing the other distance measures and consideration of fuzzy clustering method is desirable in the future. The analysis in the case study is simplified. The use of the method according to prediction of risk related to loss of health or life among people exposed to the hazards is presented.

Practical implications

The risk index allows to compare the processes in terms of security, as well as provide significant information at the technology design stage of production task.

Originality/value

There are no studies on quantitative methods developed specifically for managing risks in shipbuilding processes. Proposed list of technological hazard classes allows to utilize database of past processes accidents in risk prediction. The clustering method of analysing the database is agile thanks to the number of clusters parameter. The case study basing on actual data from the real shipyard constitutes additional value of the paper.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 114 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1999

P.K. Richardson

As might be expected, steel product prices fell during the recession of the early 1990s. Between 1990 and 1992, steel prices fell by about a third. As the economies of the EC…

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Abstract

As might be expected, steel product prices fell during the recession of the early 1990s. Between 1990 and 1992, steel prices fell by about a third. As the economies of the EC recovered from the recession from early 1993, steel prices rose but by mid‐year it was clear that the increase was much below what was expected. It soon became clear that expected price rises were being mitigated by rising imports from Eastern European countries. This paper considers the process of steel price determination in the EC and the effect of cheap imports on EC prices. It shows that unregulated and relatively cheaper imports from the Former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern European countries indeed had a more depressing effect on EC prices by raising supply than would have been the case otherwise.

Details

Journal of Product & Brand Management, vol. 8 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1061-0421

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 June 2011

Markku Sippola

This research seeks to ask to what extent model transfer in employee relations (in terms of employee representation, participation and workplace bargaining) occurs between Nordic…

Abstract

Purpose

This research seeks to ask to what extent model transfer in employee relations (in terms of employee representation, participation and workplace bargaining) occurs between Nordic and Baltic countries from the principal firm to the subsidiary. It also looks into explanations as to why model transfer occurs – or does not occur – from the perspective of the Nordic industrialist's labour management strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study comprising three clothing manufacturers and three engineering shops in different Baltic States: Estonia (population 1.4 million), Latvia (2.3 million) and Lithuania (3.4 million). These production sites have headquarters in three Nordic countries: Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Semi‐structured (thematic) interviews are carried out among managers, shop stewards and employees of the subsidiaries.

Findings

There is little model transfer between the Nordic principal firm and the Baltic subsidiary, whereas the Nordic employer prefers local forms of employee relations. Modest model transfer derives from the desire for controlling the labour process, where the Nordic investor seeks to utilise differences between the regimes.

Social implications

The Nordic industrialists' search for the distinction between different regimes and the Baltic drive at liberal market economy (LME) together may prove fatal for labour conditions. Such production policy will not improve the position of the Baltic worker.

Originality/value

The findings question the very idea of model transfer: where any labour management strategy existed, there was either an unambiguous assertion of indigenous solutions or adoption of “best practices” not peculiar to the Nordic labour relations regime.

Details

Employee Relations, vol. 33 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 August 2018

Remigiusz Romuald Iwańkowicz and Michał Taraska

The purpose of the paper is to develop a method of automatic classification of the components of the assembly units. The method is crucial for developing an automatic ship…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to develop a method of automatic classification of the components of the assembly units. The method is crucial for developing an automatic ship assembly planning tools. The proposed method takes into account the assumptions specific for shipbuilding technology processes: high complexity of structures, difficult expert-based classification of components, fixed priority relations between connections resulting from geometrical constraints and demands of welding processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The set of ex post determined liaisons and assembly sequences constitutes the database of structures which have been made-up earlier. The components classification problem is solved using matrix coding of graphs. Information in such form is stored in the database. The minimization of number of cycles in the graph of classes sequence and minimization of diversity of classes within all constructions has been proposed as criteria of optimization. The genetic algorithm has been proposed as a solution method.

Findings

The proposed method solves the problem of components’ classifications. It allows setting the pattern of priorities between classes of various connections. This gives a chance to determine the relationship constraints between the connections of new structures for which assembly sequences are not established.

Research limitations/implications

Mathematical formulation of the database is quite laborious. The possibility of partial automation of this process should be considered. Owing to the complexity of the problem, a relatively simple objective function has been proposed. During a ship hull assembly, additional criteria should be taken into account, what will be the direction of further research.

Practical implications

Automatic classification of components is dedicated for implementation in shipyards and similar assembly systems. Tests performed by the authors confirm efficiency of presented method in supporting management of the database and assembly of new structures planning. Suggested activity-oriented approach allows for easy conversion of any assembly unit structure to the form of a matrix.

Originality/value

The new approach for components classification according to its assembly features distinguishes the proposed method from others. The use of nilpotent matrix theory in an acyclicity of graphs analysis is also a unique achievement. Original crossover and mutation operators for assembly sequence were proposed in the article.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 8 April 2005

Fredrik von Corswant

This paper deals with the organizing of interactive product development. Developing products in interaction between firms may provide benefits in terms of specialization…

Abstract

This paper deals with the organizing of interactive product development. Developing products in interaction between firms may provide benefits in terms of specialization, increased innovation, and possibilities to perform development activities in parallel. However, the differentiation of product development among a number of firms also implies that various dependencies need to be dealt with across firm boundaries. How dependencies may be dealt with across firms is related to how product development is organized. The purpose of the paper is to explore dependencies and how interactive product development may be organized with regard to these dependencies.

The analytical framework is based on the industrial network approach, and deals with the development of products in terms of adaptation and combination of heterogeneous resources. There are dependencies between resources, that is, they are embedded, implying that no resource can be developed in isolation. The characteristics of and dependencies related to four main categories of resources (products, production facilities, business units and business relationships) provide a basis for analyzing the organizing of interactive product development.

Three in-depth case studies are used to explore the organizing of interactive product development with regard to dependencies. The first two cases are based on the development of the electrical system and the seats for Volvo’s large car platform (P2), performed in interaction with Delphi and Lear respectively. The third case is based on the interaction between Scania and Dayco/DFC Tech for the development of various pipes and hoses for a new truck model.

The analysis is focused on what different dependencies the firms considered and dealt with, and how product development was organized with regard to these dependencies. It is concluded that there is a complex and dynamic pattern of dependencies that reaches far beyond the developed product as well as beyond individual business units. To deal with these dependencies, development may be organized in teams where several business units are represented. This enables interaction between different business units’ resource collections, which is important for resource adaptation as well as for innovation. The delimiting and relating functions of the team boundary are elaborated upon and it is argued that also teams may be regarded as actors. It is also concluded that a modular product structure may entail a modular organization with regard to the teams, though, interaction between business units and teams is needed. A strong connection between the technical structure and the organizational structure is identified and it is concluded that policies regarding the technical structure (e.g. concerning “carry-over”) cannot be separated from the management of the organizational structure (e.g. the supplier structure). The organizing of product development is in itself a complex and dynamic task that needs to be subject to interaction between business units.

Details

Managing Product Innovation
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-311-2

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1997

Vibha Pinglé

State‐owned enterprises (SOEs), in general, have not been successful. Their indifferent performance has been at the center of the debate about the role of the state in the…

Abstract

State‐owned enterprises (SOEs), in general, have not been successful. Their indifferent performance has been at the center of the debate about the role of the state in the economy. To economists, the performance of SOEs is evidence of what is wrong with state intervention. And in recent years privatization has increasingly been regarded as the only way of improving the performance of SOEs. Yet, while unsuccessful SOEs abound, a few high‐performing SOEs such as POSCO (South Korea), Airbus Industrie (France), EMBRAER (Brazil), and MUL (India) can also be found.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 17 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1991

P. Poornachandra Rao, R. Singh and R.P. Mohanty

The objective of this paper is to present the existing state of research relating to the steel industries.

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the existing state of research relating to the steel industries.

Details

Management Research News, vol. 14 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0140-9174

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1988

Frank H. Cassell

Foreign competition has made the US steel and automobile industries effect decentralization operations to the middle south and west — to rural, low‐paid, non‐unionized labor, and…

Abstract

Foreign competition has made the US steel and automobile industries effect decentralization operations to the middle south and west — to rural, low‐paid, non‐unionized labor, and thus maximising profits and increasing management control. All this has led to a reruralization of the US workforce and by selling off operations, profit levels can be enhanced.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 September 2020

Ye Duan, Zenglin Han and Hailin Mu

There are certain differences in the production products of enterprises. What are the impacts of product differentiation on the iron and steel industry? Based on the macro…

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Abstract

Purpose

There are certain differences in the production products of enterprises. What are the impacts of product differentiation on the iron and steel industry? Based on the macro background of CO2 emission reduction, this paper aims to analyze the economic benefits and environmental changes of the iron and steel industry under the dual influence of CO2 emission reduction policy and product differentiation policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking the basic data of iron and steel industry in six regions of China as an example, this paper constructed an extended two-stage dynamic game model to analyze the impact of product differentiation and carbon tax policy on the production, economic indicators and CO2 emission levels for the overall industry and regional enterprises.

Findings

As the CO2 emission reduction target increased, the unit carbon tax and total tax increased, whereas the macro-environmental losses, social welfare, consumer surplus and outputs decrease. Emission reduction pressures and other economic indicators showed obvious regional differences. Differentiated products promoted various indicators of enterprises and industries; higher degrees of product differentiation resulted in greater promoting effects on economic indicators.

Originality/value

This paper constructed multiple emission reduction and production backgrounds, and discusses the impact of the comprehensive implementation of these policies, which has been practically absent in previous studies. The results of this study are consistent with the current industrial policy for stable production and environmental protection, and also provides a reference for the formulation of detailed policies in the future.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 12 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1983

R.G.B. Fyffe

This book is a policy proposal aimed at the democratic left. It is concerned with gradual but radical reform of the socio‐economic system. An integrated policy of industrial and…

10994

Abstract

This book is a policy proposal aimed at the democratic left. It is concerned with gradual but radical reform of the socio‐economic system. An integrated policy of industrial and economic democracy, which centres around the establishment of a new sector of employee‐controlled enterprises, is presented. The proposal would retain the mix‐ed economy, but transform it into a much better “mixture”, with increased employee‐power in all sectors. While there is much of enduring value in our liberal western way of life, gross inequalities of wealth and power persist in our society.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 3 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

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