The Role of Leadership in Total Quality Management

ABSTRACT

Although many organizations are in the process of implementing TQM, varying degrees of success are reported. Leadership plays a critical role in the sponsorship of TQM within organizations and sets the culture necessary for TQM to flourish. This article will explore some of the important interfaces between effective leadership and successful TQM. The intention is to demonstrate that TQM without the right leadership cannot fully succeed and that the principles of effective leadership can be learned and practiced.     

The Effects of Leadership on Quality

Abstract:

Research examining quality management has focused primarily on manufacturing organizations with specific attention directed toward organizational employees. Many in the field of quality believe that management is key for a successful quality program, yet the effects of specific leadership styles on quality performance have not been determined. In this study, leadership styles within transformational, transactional and non-transactional classifications are evaluated relative to the organization's performance based on the criteria from the Baldrige Quality Award. Results indicate that leadership does have an affect on quality, and certain transformational and transactional styles are more effective.     

Insight into the fabrication and perspective of dendritic Ag nanostructures

ABSTRACT

This article reviews recent advances in the shape-controlled synthesis routes of hierarchical Ag dendritic nanostructures. Various fabricated techniques, with or without templates or surfactants, electrochemical method and sonochemical, microwave or photochemical assisted synthesis method, can be amazingly effective in the dendritic Ag nanostructures synthesis, if synthetic parameters are carefully selected. The involved synthesis mechanism are discussed in order to control the limited factors along the fabricated progress efficiently and then to find new synthetic means. Also, the blemish of the above synthesis routes that hinders the practical application is pointed out to inspire the future research.     

Exhibiting Leadership and Facilitation Behaviors in NPD Project-Based Work: Does Team Personal Style Composition Matter?

Abstract:

Teams are increasingly becoming primary in the way employees in organizations conduct work. Understanding what makes teams effective is especially important for new product development (NPD) teams, whose members often have diverse backgrounds and competencies. The effects of similarities and differences among team members in NPD project-based work influence every aspect of that work. We explored the relationship between project team composition attributes and project team members' team leadership and facilitation behaviors, drawing from the literature on similarity-attraction effect.

Data from two time points that were 12-weeks apart were collected from 144 professional employees working in 48 project teams to test the study's hypotheses. Using HLM 6.0 (Raudenbush & Bryk, 2002), findings show that when it comes to project team composition, members of a team, who are similar on affective personal style traits, demonstrate greater team leadership and facilitation behaviors. We identify implications for generating productive team leadership and facilitation behaviors in NPD project-based work.     

The Role of Key Technologies in International Aerospace Competition

ABSTRACT

The Aerospace Industries Association program of key technologies for the 1990s is designed to advance the United States' aerospace technology and to preserve the U.S. aerospace industry's leadership position. The program's key points, some potential benefits and challenges, and a strategic management approach are described. This program provides a model for advancing technology in other industries and countries.     

Theoretical and numerical analysis of the folding mechanism of vertex-based hierarchical honeycomb structure

Abstract

This study presents numerical and theoretical investigation for the vertex-based hierarchical honeycomb structure subjected to axial compression. Mechanical behavior as well as predictable formulas were explored based on folded element and Minimal Energy Principle. Parametric studies were numerically conducted with different scale ratio, and the influence of wall thickness on mechanical performance was determined. Good agreement was observed between the numerical results and theoretical solutions, which validates the analytical model well. Furthermore, deformation mode comparisons were conducted between vertex-based hierarchical honeycomb and other filled-type honeycomb structures. Evident promotion on energy absorption was obtained for vertex-based hierarchical honeycomb.     

A review of laser fabrication of metallic engineering components and of materials

Abstract

The state of the art and directions for the future development of two laser based technologies, direct laser fabrication in which powder is fed into the focal point of a laser, and a laser powder bed technology are outlined in this review. The areas in which these technologies have made significant contributions are: the manufacture, directly from powder, of alloys and of functionally graded materials which enables a range of compositions to be assessed rapidly and the manufacture of net shape and the repair of engineering components. It is suggested that rapid assessment of structure/property relationships in a range of compositions will continue to be a useful application of laser fabrication. It is further concluded that the two approaches, direct laser fabrication and laser powder bed will continue to be developed since each has its own advantages and disadvantages; direct laser fabrication is the preferred technique for alloy development work and for component repair but laser bed technology is currently the preferred technology for the manufacture of small components which require a good surface finish. Improvements in surface finish, in dimensional accuracy, in microstructural control and in process control with real time feedback to control properties are nevertheless required if these technologies are to increase their impact in the area of the manufacture of net shape components.     

Modelling a macro-ergonomics approach to work systems design: An analysis of organizational context

This study proposes a systematic approach to model and examine the contextual effects of some key organizational factors on the functioning and utility of work practices. Whilst adopting a context-practice-performance conceptual framework, this study examines the relationship between leadership, organizational culture, and quality management practice. A survey was conducted amongst 66 respondents in 35 manufacturing companies in Hong Kong. Three complete mediation models and three partial mediation models were specified and estimated using structural equation modelling (LISREL 8.14). Results show that continuous-learning culture may promote the implementation of process management practices, and that transformational leaders tend to foster cultural changes towards continuous-learning. Results also suggest that the influence of transformational leadership on process management may be largely transmitted through a continuous-learning culture. This indicates that organizational culture may act as an effective mechanism for training overall and for leaders to induce organizational changes. Altogether, these findings suggest that the role of senior executives in promoting a continuous-learning culture could be important in leading a quality improvement programme. More theoretical and empirical work should be undertaken in applying the context-practices-performance framework to help integrate micro- and macro-ergonomics.     

Proceedings Reviews

ABSTRACT

This article describes two dimensions of the information environment of projects—uncertainty and equivocality—that have behavioral implications for engineering project managers and team members. When the levels of these dimensions change, project managers must 1) change the way they communicate with members of the team, 2) modify the team structure, 3) be prepared for different types of conflict, 4) adjust the way decisions are made, and 5) vary their own leadership style. The discussion of uncertainty and equivocality and their implications is linked to two engineering project examples.     

A behavior based nonlinear multi‐agent framework using a hybrid approach

Abstract

In this paper, a novel design and implementation of a multi‐agent system via a hybrid approach is proposed. First of all, an autonomous agent is insured to be stable by employing the proposed local feedback control besides appropriate switching among well‐posed behaviors including obstacle avoidance, target approaching, wandering, manipulator grasping, etc. Next, a hybrid framework of the multi‐agent system (HMAS) is established for dealing with multi‐agent cooperative problems. The architecture of the inherent hierarchical control is designed consisting of two levels, where the first (lower) level mainly handles the continuous state describing the data acquired from various sensors, whereas the second (higher) level is responsible for providing a well performed supervisory control that can manipulate all available resources to successfully accomplish the underlying mission. In the Advanced Control Laboratory of the Department of Electrical Engineering at National Taiwan University, an actual wheeled mobile robot (WMR) has been developed, named The Treasure Hunter (TTH), which is able to hunt treasures in an unknown environment whereby the effectiveness of the proposed approach can be satisfactorily demonstrated.     

The digital control of D.C. power sources

Abstract

The methods for controlling the voltage of D.C. power sources manually through a keyboard or directly from magnetic tape or direct computer control have been developed. Circuit operations of two different types of digitally controlled power supply, the series transistor and the SCR phase control, are discussed in detail and actual circuitry of both types have been implemented. Experimental results show the successful operation of these circuits.     

Fast-Cycle Product Development

ABSTRACT

In today's highly competitive industrial environment, those who are slow in bringing new products to market often lose out to those with a more agile development process. Developing products quickly while maintaining cost and quality demands a distinctive management approach that integrates marketing, engineering, manufacturing, and other activities. This article discusses the importance of development speed relative to the product's cost, performance, and development expense, and it suggests ways in which a company can cut development time. Topics covered include top management involvement; product objectives and complexity, team composition and leadership; communication vehicles, including the product specification; prototyping and testing; and control systems, such as design reviews.     

Constructing a new fuzzy classifier based on hierarchical fuzzy entropy

Abstract

In an earlier work, Lee et al. (Lee et al., 2001) presented a simple and fast fuzzy classifier that employed fuzzy entropy to evaluate pattern distribution information in a pattern space. In this paper, we extend his work to propose a new fuzzy classifier based on hierarchical fuzzy entropy (FC‐HFE). We retained the main parts of the original structure and modified some methods (e.g., methods for deciding the number of intervals in each dimension and for assigning class labels). In addition, the hierarchical fuzzy entropy is proposed for partitioning the decision region. The proposed FC‐HFE improves classification accuracy and overcomes some of the drawbacks in the Lee et al method (Lee et al., 2001). The simulation results show that the classification rate of the proposed FC‐HFE is better than earlier methods.     

Stabilization and Target Delivery of Nattokinase Using Compression Coating

ABSTRACT

The aim of the work is to develop a new formulation in order to stabilize a nutraceutical enzyme Nattokinase (NKCP) in powders and to control its release rate when it passes through the gastrointestinal tract of human. NKCP powders were first compacted into a tablet, which was then coated with a mixture of an enteric material Eudragit® L100-55 (EL100-55) and Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) by direct compression. The activity of the enzyme was determined using amidolytic assay and its release rates in artificial gastric juice and an intestinal fluid were quantified using bicinchoninic acid assay. Results have shown that the activity of NKCP was pressure independent and the coated tablets protected NKCP from being denatured in the gastric juice, and realized its controlled release to the intestine based on in vitro experiments.     

Syntactic user modelling with stochastic processes

An approach to user modelling with discrete stochastic processes is presented, which aims at the dynamic individualization of user interfaces on the syntactic layer. The state of the art of syntactic user modelling is surveyed. The mathematical background of simple Markov Chains and the 'classic' Hidden Markov Model is presented. Furthermore, dynamic Bayesian Networks are introduced, which generalize these Markovian Models. A case study of the simulation experiments uses a multimodal user interface for supervisory control of advanced manufacturing cells. A corresponding simulation model is created and exploited to generate interaction cases, which are the empirical basis for the evaluation. Six topologies of dynamic Bayesian Networks are evaluated for 100 interaction cases and 50 replications each: (1) Markov Chain of order 1, (2) Hidden Markov Model, (3) autoregressive Hidden Markov Model, (4) factorial Hidden Markov Model, (5) simple hierarchical Hidden Markov Model, and (6) tree structured Hidden Markov Model. The dependent variable is the prediction accuracy for a single prediction lead. In a first step, a one-way analysis of variance in conjunction with Tukey's post-hoc test demonstrated a significant superiority of the simple hierarchical Hidden Markov Model. In a second step, an additional two-way analysis of variance also indicated a significantly better prediction accuracy of the simple hierarchical Hidden Markov Model compared to the Hidden Markov Model, but the number of interaction cases also had a significant effect. Hence, the modeller has to take both factors--model topology and number of interaction cases--into account when designing syntactic user models with stochastic processes.     

Controlled Transdermal Mucolytic Delivery System: In Vivo Performance

Abstract

A multicomponent transdermal bromhexine delivering system was developed. The drug permeation across the human cadavar skin from either sexes was determined and found to be dependent on age, sex and site of skin. The system that could control the the delivery of the drug to allow it to permeate across the skin at a rate that is required to achieve the therapeutic concentration was selected and chosen for in vivo performance evaluation. Prior to in human volunteers availability testing the designed system was evaluated in rabbits and the system exhibiting desirable performance was redesigned for evaluation in human volunteers.T.P.S_o system delivering 1.991±0.116 mg bromhexine/cm² hr with a 453 μg/cm² priming dose was tested in human volunteers and found to maintain bromhexine blood level at or around peak plasma level for 20–24 hrs. The study reveals that bromhexine holds potential for transdermal delivery with a need of further clinical and pharmacodynamic studies.     

Early photography in Iran

Abstract

Photographs are of immense iconographic and documentary value for the study of 19th-century Persian history, because they provide unrivalled testimony of a traditional way of life and its architectural setting. They also document the hierarchical establishment of the Qajar state.     

Discussion on “Effective interdisciplinary collaboration between statisticians and other subject matter experts”

Abstract

In this review, we discuss and expand on the ideas presented by Anderson-Cook, Lu, and Parker. We describe how statisticians can grow in their respect and ability to collaborate by advancing through five levels of statistical collaboration and leadership. We also share insights based on more than 35 years of combined experience working as industrial statisticians on interdisciplinary teams.     

Establishing Community Quality Councils: Leadership and Teamwork in Action

ABSTRACT

The functions essential for obtaining excellence in quality leadership in Community Quality Councils (CQCs) are investigated. Presented here are highlights from a literature search, our experience with two local CQCs, and questionnaire responses from 26 U.S. CQCs. Our findings report several essential guidelines to foster action: maintain a constancy of purpose, plan strategically, train, attempt successes, measure quality improvement, communicate constantly, check results, use what you learn from the process, and empower people to act.     

Hierarchical structures of ZnO spherical particles synthesized solvothermally

Abstract

We review the solvothermal synthesis, using a mixture of ethylene glycol (EG) and water as the solvent, of zinc oxide (ZnO) particles having spherical and flower-like shapes and hierarchical nanostructures. The preparation conditions of the ZnO particles and the microscopic characterization of the morphology are summarized. We found the following three effects of the ratio of EG to water on the formation of hierarchical structures: (i) EG restricts the growth of ZnO microcrystals, (ii) EG promotes the self-assembly of small crystallites into spheroidal particles and (iii) the high water content of EG results in hollow spheres.