Human related issues in manufacturing cell design,implementation, and operation: a review and survey

The application of cellular manufacturing in batch-type environments is a well-known manufacturing strategy that typically improves manufacturing efficiency by utilizing the philosophy of group technology. It is also important that for the successful implementation of cellular manufacturing, that one focuses both on technical issues (cell formation and design) and human issues. Unfortunately, human issues are typically not examined as rigorously as often as technical issues. This paper presents an overview and evaluation of the diverse range of human issues involved in cellular manufacturing based on an extensive literature review. Further, a survey to determine the importance of eight different human issues in cellular manufacturing was administered to a sample of academics, managers, and workers involved in cellular design and implementation results are presented and discussed.     

Telehealth in Context: Socio-technical Barriers to Telehealth use in Labrador,Canada

Currently telehealth is being offered as an innovative solution to austerity, staffing issues and problems accessing care in Canada’s rural communities. Despite the current enthusiasm for telehealth in provincial and federal policy documents, many of these promises have not been realized. The Labrador region is a large and sparsely populated area that was vested with a federal “Smart Community” project to increase the region’s technological capacity, making it one of the most connected locales in the country. While telehealth was a key component of the SmartLabrador plan, there has been limited uptake of newly available technologies for the purposes of mediating distance in health care. My work critically examines the factors surrounding this lack of uptake, and takes the work of Harold Innis as a starting point when analyzing the breakdown of time and space in Labrador. Focused around qualitative field research conducted in Labrador in 2003, I explore spatialization, structuration and work practice as they relate to telehealth use and non-use in the region. I review federal and provincial telehealth policy to provide a macro context for the study, which I then link to meso and micro levels of analysis in organization structures and situated work practice. I examine telehealth in the user context from the health care provider perspective. This reveals several constraints that have limited the usage of new technologies for health communication in Labrador. The user context must be considered in the design of telehealth programs and policy if the desired outcomes for telehealth are to be realized. The barriers to telehealth use are not simply technical, but relate to issues of privacy, culture and trust. I discuss these and other barriers with a focus on the needs of the Labrador community. This paper is based on research conducted in partnership with the SmartLabrador initiative, a federal Smart Community project which grew out of the grassroots Labrador Information Technology Initiative. This partnership helped me to establish contact with telehealth stakeholders in the region; paid for a portion of research travel; and provided me with an office and home base for the duration of the fieldwork. This research was conducted as part of the SSHRC funded project “From Work Practice to Public Policy: Case Studies of the Canadian Health Infostructure”.     

安全多播中的密钥分配机制

一个完整的安全多播通信涉及很多因素,但是通过分析发现,其中很多安全因素都可以归结为群组密钥的分配和更新问题.给出了一个从密钥管理和密钥分配的角度来判定安全多播的标准,根据这个标准分析讨论了目前存在的几种多播密钥分配机制.并提出了安全多播通信的研究方向.     

A disaster for everyone to see: An interpretive analysis of a failed is project

The New Zealand Education Department attempted to implement a centralized payroll system in 1989. The difficulties that the department experienced were broadcast on national radio and television and publicised on the front page of The New Zealand Herald. In the end, the centralized payroll system was scrapped by the government.This paper examines this case study using the critical hermeneutics of Gadamer and Ricoeuer. Critical hermeneutics, as an integrative theoretical framework, combines both framework, combines both interpretive and critical element, and addresses those social and organizational issues, which are key to the successful implementation of information systems. This paper suggests critical hermeneutics as a conceptual foundation for information systems implementation research.     

Neural networks for construction project success

Being able to identify key attributes for successful project performance is of paramount importance to project owners, contractors, and designers. Understanding these key factors can help in the efficient execution of a construction project. This paper identifies key project management attributes associated with achieving successful budget performance using a neural network approach. Neural network models were developed using field data comprising potential determinants of construction project success. Altogether eight key project management factors were identified: (1) number of organizational levels between the project manager and craft workers; (2) amount of detailed design completed at the start of construction; (3) number of control meetings during the construction phase; (4) number of budget updates; (5) implementation of a constructability program; (6) team turnover; (7) amount of money expended on controlling the project; (8) the project manager's technical experience. The final model, after sufficient training, can also be used as a predictive tool to forecast budget performance of a construction project. This approach allows the budget performance model to be built even though the functional interrelationships between inputs and output are not clearly defined. The model also performs reasonably well with incomplete information of the inputs.     

A framework for the ex-ante evaluation of ERP software

It has been widely reported that a large number of ERP implementations fail to meet expectations. This is indicative, firstly, of the magnitude of the problems involved in ERP systems implementation and, secondly, of the importance of the ex-ante evaluation and selection process of ERP software. This paper argues that ERP evaluation should extend its scope beyond operational improvements arising from the ERP software/product per se to the strategic impact of ERP on the competitive position of the organisation. Due to the complexity of ERP software, the intangible nature of both costs and benefits, which evolve over time, and the organisational, technological and behavioural impact of ERP, a broad perspective of the ERP systems evaluation process is needed. The evaluation has to be both quantitative and qualitative and requires an estimation of the perceived costs and benefits throughout the life-cycle of ERP systems. The paper concludes by providing a framework of the key issues involved in the selection process of ERP software and the associated costs and benefits.     

Comparison of different organisations of assembly work in the European automotive industry

The European automotive industry as a key industry of modern economies tries to be competetive with the help of chaning work organisations. One of the main issues besides just in time concepts and outsourcing is the implementation of team work and the integration of supporting functions. The production system often limits opportunities for change. Improvements of ergonomical issues and work load have to precede successful team work. The survey tries to give answers to the questions as to which activities are taken over from management levels to the shop floor, how far the process of change has proceeded and which necessary steps towards a human-oriented work organisation and product design have to be taken.Relevance to industryThe systematic evaluation approach can serve as an exemplary procedure to detect weaknesses in the manufacturing process. It can help to compare actual to target values regarding the work organisation. The gap between management targets of new working structures and the actual activities of the work force helps to identify future fields of action.     

Software localization for Internet software, issues and methods

For use by a global audience, Web sites must be adapted to many local requirements. This article examines key issues in such adaptation (termed localization), considers the costs and specific aspects of software that must be localized, and presents an approach for analyzing and documenting software localization. The article is based on a review of relevant literature, meetings with localization industry representatives, and an ongoing participant observation in a global telehealth company. Examples from the company illustrate the localization issues and their possible outcomes or solutions     

A workbook-based methodology for implementing concurrent engineering

Concurrent Engineering demands a new way of working and many organisations experience difficulty during implementation. The research described in this paper has the aim to develop a paper-based workbook style methodology that companies can use to increase the benefits generated by Concurrent Engineering, while reducing implementation costs, risk and time.

The three-stage methodology provides guidance based on knowledge accumulated from implementation experience and best practitioners. It encourages companies to learn to manage their Concurrent Engineering implementation by taking actions which expose them to new and valuable experiences. This helps to continuously improve understanding of how to maximise the benefits from Concurrent Engineering.

The methodology is particularly designed to cater for organisational and contextual uniqueness, as Concurrent Engineering implementations will vary from company to company. Using key actions which improve the Concurrent Engineering implementation process, individual companies can develop their own ‘best practice’ for product development. The methodology ensures that key implementation issues, which are primarily human and organisational, are addressed using simple but proven techniques.

This paper describes the key issues that the majority of companies face when implementing Concurrent Engineering. The structure of the methodology is described to show how the issues are addressed and resolved. The key actions used to improve the Concurrent Engineering implementation process are explained and their inclusion in the implementation methodology described.

Relevance to industry

Implementation of Concurrent Engineering concepts in manufacturing industry has not been a straightforward process. This paper describes a workbook-style tool that manufacturing companies can use to accelerate and improve their Concurrent Engineering implementation.     

基于中介真值程度度量的ERP软件选型评估方法

ERP软件选型是企业成功实施ERP项目的关键问题。在中介真值程度度量方法的基础上,本文提出一种软件选型定量评估方法,该方法对候选ERP软件进行横向对比,将各层评价指标评分映射到数轴,利用加权距离比率函数计算相应指标相对于其它候选软件的优劣程度,实现ERP软件评估由定性描述到定量计算的转变,为企业ERP软件选型提供可靠性依据。与其它选型评估方法的对比实验表明,该方法具有较高的简便性与准确性。     

应用AHP层次分析法评估ERP项目风险

风险评估是项目风险管理的基础，是确保ERP项目成功实施的关键。根据国内企业的ERP实施现状，分析了实施ERP项目存在的三大风险：软件风险、实施风险和管理风险。在此基础上引入AHP层次分析法建立ERP系统实施风险评估模型，结合山西恒康ERP实施项目，对ERP实施过程中的风险进行评估，应用AHP算法找出影响实施成功的关键风险因素。     

A tale of two coalitions – marginalising the users while successfully implementing an enterprise resource planning system

Classic analyses of system implementations view user participation as a key element for successful implementation. However, under some conditions, avoiding user participation offers an alternative route to a successful implementation; this is advisable especially when the user network is weak and aligning user needs with the technological capabilities will take too much resource. To illustrate such situation, we analyse how a successful implementation outcome of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system emerged in a recently established conglomeration of two previously independent universities. The ERP was used to replace several legacy student administration systems for both political and functional reasons. It was deemed successful by both project consultants and the new university's management while the users were marginalised (‘black boxed’) and left to ‘pick up the pieces’ of an incomplete system using traditional methods such as shadow systems and work‐a‐rounds. Using a process approach and an actor–network theory ‘reading’ of related socio‐technical events, we demonstrate how three networks of actors – management, the project team and the administrative users – collided and influenced the implementation outcome and how the management and project network established the ERP as a reliable ally while at the same time the users – while being enrolled in the network – were betrayed through marginalisation. Our analysis also suggests a useful way to conduct a ‘follow the network’ analysis explaining and accounting for the observed implementation outcome. We illustrate the benefits of using a socio‐technical processual analysis and show how stable actor networks must be constructed during large‐scale information technology change and how different actor groups perceive and influence differently the implementation outcome.     

Blended learning in higher education: Institutional adoption and implementation

Relatively little of the current research on blended learning (BL) addresses institutional adoption issues. Additional research is needed to guide institutions of higher education in strategically adopting and implementing blended learning on campus. The authors conducted a prior study in which they proposed a framework for institutional BL adoption (Graham, Woodfield, & Harrison, 2012), identifying three stages: (1) awareness/exploration, (2) adoption/early implementation, and (3) mature implementation/growth. The framework also identified key strategy, structure, and support issues universities may address at each stage. The current study applies this adoption framework to 11 U. S. institutions participating in a Next Generation Learning Challenge (NGLC) grant and attempting to transition from an awareness/exploration of BL to the adoption/early implementation phase. The study also compares U.S. institutional strategy, structure, and support approaches to BL adoption and identifies patterns and distinctions.     

证券CRM系统中的数据仓库及其设计

数据仓库的正确实施是CRM系统成功的关键，也是众多CRM厂商关注的焦点。文中以证券CRM系统为研究背景，介绍了数据仓库技术及其特点，在阐明系统结构的基础上，论述了数据仓库的设计与实现过程，然后重点分析了数据仓库建模的三个层次，确定了OLAP技术的实现方式，最后结合实际，对数据仓库建设中的关键问题和解决方法进行论述。它能够帮助企业建立数据仓库，并在其中进行数据的分析与处理，这就是CRM系统区别传统数据库应用系统的关键。     

WalkMap: Developing an augmented reality map application for wearable computers

We have designed, implemented, and evaluated a map application for wearable computer users. Our application, called WalkMap, is targeted at a walking user in an urban environment, offering the user both navigational aids as well as contextual information. WalkMap uses augmented reality techniques to display a map on the surrounding area on the user's head-worn display. WalkMap is constructed by the means of software development, user interface design and evaluations, and existing knowledge on how humans use maps and navigate. The key design driver in our approach is intuitivity of use. In this paper, we present the design and implementation process of our application, considering human-map interfaces, technical implementation, and human-computer interfaces. We identify some of the key issues in these areas, and present the way they have been solved. We also present some usability evaluation results.     

Cognitive ergonomics, socio-technical systems, and the impact of healthcare information technologies

The United States healthcare system is transitioning from paper-based to computer-based systems. In this process, it is vitally important to focus on optimizing the role of human factors in systems design. This review examines a wide range of cognitive ergonomics and socio-technical systems issues that impact the successful implementation of healthcare information technologies (HIT). We review evidence on the impact of HIT on medication errors, electronic health records and clinical support, copying clinical exams and notes, computerized-provider order entry and clinical decision support system, and bar-code medication administration systems. We examine research on barriers to successful HIT implementation and also on user workarounds of systems’ limitations. The review concludes by summarizing a series of important human factors design considerations that must be considered for successful systems implementation. This information is presented in a manner that should allow HIT system designers and implementers to readily incorporate these principles into their future developments.Relevance to industry: Evidence from a comprehensive review of the impact of HIT on a wide variety of important healthcare issues is presented and a series of human factors design considerations that are critical to successful HIT systems design is summarized.     

The operational validation of new cockpit technologies supporting all conditions operations: a case study

This paper presents a case study pertaining to human factors/human–machine interaction (HMI) research undertaken over a four-year period, as part of a large Framework Seven project funded by the European Commission. Specifically, it reports on research concerning the operational validation of future cockpit concepts supporting all conditions operations. Primarily, it focuses on the innovation in the methodological approach adopted (and the theory underpinning this) and the key results. In so doing, this paper illustrates the requirement for HMI research to go beyond issues of task and user interface design, so as to properly address issues of operability. It is argued that the typical remit of operational assessment (i.e. the assessment of task workflows, workload and operator situation awareness) must be supplemented by a broader analysis of ‘operational’ issues related to the design of operational processes/procedures, teamwork, system information flow, process benefits and implementation barriers. This is enabled by the adoption of a stakeholder/participatory approach to evaluation and the application of both formal and informal HMI design/evaluation methods.     

A course model implemented in a teacher's learning community context: issues of course assessment

How could we design course programmes in a teachers' learning community context? Is it possible to conceive a concrete and appropriate course model? And if so, how could we assess the effectiveness of such a course model in such a complex learning situation? In this paper, a model implementation of technology-based courses is presented. The model was specified according to adult collaborative learning principles and was implemented in a learning community context. This model was put into practice during a distance learning educational programme, concerning further education of in-service primary and secondary education teachers. The programme was named School-Teacher's Learning Community and hosted many different web-based supported courses. Within this broad e-Learning Community students were educated, via the Internet, on aspects mainly concerning uses of information and communication technologies (ICT) in their teaching practices. The application of the previously specified course model was pursued, yet instructors responsible for each course were given substantial independence and the degree of harmonization with the course model was up to them. Some aspects of the case study, which was conducted within the context of this educational programme, are also presented. Emphasis was given to correlations that are derived from the analysis of data related to the research question concerning 'the extent of successful results that the application of the specified course model produced'. Course assessment issues were dealt with and evaluation of positive results was accomplished through the measurement of the degree of satisfaction of certain criteria that were considered decisive. Finally, conclusions, benefits and perspectives of issues presented in the paper are also presented.