IT investments and business performance improvement: the mediating role of lean manufacturing implementation

The main purpose of this study is to examine whether the application of current information technology (IT) and different principles of lean manufacturing (LM) are interdependent and complimentary or they are mutually exclusive. This study draws on the so-called IT-enabled organisational capabilities perspective to study the relationships between IT, LM and business performance improvement. Using a questionnaire-based survey, the data come from 231 leading Iranian and Malaysian auto-part manufacturers. The findings suggest that LM and IT are mutually interdependent and value of IT investments can be effectively transformed into business performance improvement for auto-part manufacturers through the higher levels of lean manufacturing system (LMS) implementation. Advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) competency is a valuable intermediate capability which links IT investments into LMS implementation. It was found that IT investment is one of the minimum requirements of LMS implementation for surveyed business, and the value of IT investment is truly transformed to LMS implementation when IT investments offer competent administrative AMTs to effectively manage all production processes. Findings also recommend that managers should avoid isolating the performance metrics only on areas such as net financial measures, while assessing the business value of IT and LM.     

Lean manufacturing in Brazilian small and medium enterprises: implementation and effect on performance

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the degree to which lean manufacturing (LM) practices are being implemented within Brazilian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), by defining what LM means, in the view of SMEs in Brazil. In addition, the paper investigates the relationship between LM implementation and performance of such companies. The research method used in this paper comprised of an exploratory survey using the partial least-square method with the structural equation modelling technique (PLS-SEM). The results show that the companies studied used practices in a fragmented manner, without a holistic view of LM, which is considered to be one of the most important parts of this approach. Only the constructs of statistical process control, total productive maintenance and employee involvement are being implemented as an integrated approach for Brazilian SMEs. These companies do not take other important constructs such as customer involvement, continuous flow, pull production, set-up time reduction, supplier development and supplier feedback into consideration as part of LM systems, despite using some practices in a dispersed manner. Concerning performance, the present study shows that even in a fragmented way, the implementation of these LM practices help these companies to achieve improvement in operational performance.     

农业企业社会责任动机对财务绩效的影响

运用扎根理论研究方法,对沪深两市中14家农业企业2008年的社会责任表现数据进行分析,构建农业企业社会责任动机与财务绩效的关系模型并进行检验.得出战略动机有助于提高企业财务绩效,而利他动机对财务绩效的影响以负面为主,但不排除因赢得社会声誉提高财务绩效的可能性;产品创新和过程创新的契合度调节了企业社会责任表现对财务绩效的影响,即产品创新、过程创新与企业社会责任表现的协调一致能够有效提高企业财务绩效.     

超声波倒车雷达中电荷放大器的分析与选择

为了提高超声波倒车雷达系统的量程及灵敏度,提出利用PROTEL软件对电荷放大器进行仿真选型.今对常见的LM2904、OP07、LF356和LF357_NSC四种不同性能的运算放大器所组成的电荷放大电路的性能进行分析及仿真,得出了适合本应用的电荷放大电路.实验数据表明,本电路的实际测量距离能达到6m,误差为0.6%.     

Quantitative dental measurements by use of simultaneous frequency-domain laser infrared photothermal radiometry and luminescence

Modulated (frequency-domain) infrared photothermal radiometry (PTR) is used as a dynamic quantitative dental inspection tool complementary to modulated luminescence (LM) to quantify sound enamel or dentin. A dynamic high-spatial-resolution experimental imaging setup, which can provide simultaneous measurements of laser-induced modulated PTR and LM signals from defects in teeth, has been developed. Following optical absorption of laser photons, the experimental setup can monitor simultaneously and independently the nonradiative (optical-to-thermal) energy conversion by infrared PTR and the radiative deexcitation by LM emission. The relaxation lifetimes (tau1, tau2) and optical absorption, scattering, and spectrally averaged infrared emission coefficients (mu(alpha), mu(s), mu(IR)) of enamel are then determined with realistic three-dimensional LM and photothermal models for turbid media followed by multiparameter fits to the data. A quantitative band of values for healthy enamel with respect to these parameters can be generated so as to provide an explicit criterion for the assessment of healthy enamel and, in a future extension, to facilitate the diagnosis of the onset of demineralization in carious enamel.     

Fractal raster tool paths for layered manufacturing of porous objects

The present work describes an approach for layered manufacturing (LM) of porous objects using an appropriate modelling scheme, a pre-processing algorithm for slicing and a raster tool path generation based on the porosity information. Initially an overall framework of modelling and data transfer that includes controlled porosity information apart from the external geometry of porous objects and its transfer for LM is presented. A novel raster path generation methodology using space-filling fractal curves for LM of porous models is presented later. Specifically, the geometry and space-filling characteristics of fractal curves are studied for application to raster tool path generation in LM. Finally, boundary-constrained raster patterns are generated based on the surface geometry. The resulting data can be translated into a machine language file that can be imported by an LM system. Case studies are presented to illustrate the efficacy of this approach.     

Integrated supply chain risk management via operational methods and financial instruments

Supply chain risk management (SCRM) is an emerging field that generally lacks integrative approaches across different disciplines. This study contributes to narrowing this gap by developing an integrated approach to SCRM using operational methods and financial instruments. We study a supply chain composed of an aluminium can supplier, a brewery and a distributor. The supply chain is exposed to aluminium price fluctuation and beer demand uncertainty. A stochastic optimisation model is developed for managing operational and financial risks along the supply chain. Using this model as a base, we compare the performance of an integrated risk management model (under which operational and financial risk management decisions are made simultaneously) to a sequential model (under which the financial risk management decisions are made after the operational risk management decisions are finalised). Through simulation-based optimisation and using experimental designs and statistical analyses, we analyse the performance of the two models in minimising the expected total opportunity cost of the supply chain. We examine the supply chain performance as a function of three factors, each at three levels: risk aversion, demand variability and aluminium price volatility. We find that the integrated model outperforms the sequential model in most but not in all cases. Furthermore, while the results indicate that the supply chain improves its performance by being less risk averse, there exists a threshold beyond which accepting a higher risk level is not justified. Managerial insights are provided for various business scenarios experimented with.     

Measuring Project Management Performance: Case of Construction Industry

This study develops construction-specific determinants and indicators of project management performance based on the 14 knowledge areas of the project management body of knowledge guide. Interrelations among the knowledge areas and influence of these factors on performance are investigated. Data collected from 121 construction projects are analyzed using structural equation modeling. Research findings suggest that project integration, communications, safety, risk, human resources, financial, and cost management have a direct impact, whereas scope and time management have an indirect effect on performance. The findings reported in this study are expected to help construction project managers devise and implement strategies and develop actions to improve project success. An engineering manager can use the framework developed in this research to define the underlying factors of efficient project management practices.     

Magnetically Powered Shape‐Transformable Liquid Metal Micromotors

Shape‐transformable liquid metal (LM) micromachines have attracted the attention of the scientific community over the past 5 years, but the inconvenience of transfer routes and the use of corrosive fuels have limited their potential applications. In this work, a shape‐transformable LM micromotor that is fabricated by a simple, versatile ice‐assisted transfer printing method is demonstrated, in which an ice layer is employed as a “sacrificial” substrate that can enable the direct transfer of LM micromotors to arbitrary target substrates conveniently. The resulting LM microswimmers display efficient propulsion of over 60 µm s^?1 (≈3 bodylength s^?1) under elliptically polarized magnetic fields, comparable to that of the common magnetic micro/nanomotors with rigid bodies. Moreover, these LM micromotors can undergo dramatic morphological transformation in an aqueous environment under the irradiation of an alternating magnetic field. The ability to transform the shape and efficiently propel LM microswimmers holds great promise for chemical sensing, controlled cargo transport, materials science, and even artificial intelligence in ways that are not possible with rigid‐bodies microrobots.     

A Liquid‐Metal–Elastomer Nanocomposite for Stretchable Dielectric Materials

Stretchable high‐dielectric‐constant materials are crucial for electronic applications in emerging domains such as wearable computing and soft robotics. While previous efforts have shown promising materials architectures in the form of dielectric nano‐/microinclusions embedded in stretchable matrices, the limited mechanical compliance of these materials significantly limits their practical application as soft energy‐harvesting/storage transducers and actuators. Here, a class of liquid metal (LM)–elastomer nanocomposites is presented with elastic and dielectric properties that make them uniquely suited for applications in soft‐matter engineering. In particular, the role of droplet size is examined and it is found that embedding an elastomer with a polydisperse distribution of nanoscale LM inclusions can enhance its electrical permittivity without significantly degrading its elastic compliance, stretchability, or dielectric breakdown strength. In contrast, elastomers embedded with microscale droplets exhibit similar improvements in permittivity but a dramatic reduction in breakdown strength. The unique enabling properties and practicality of LM–elastomer nanocomposites for use in soft machines and electronics is demonstrated through enhancements in performance of a dielectric elastomer actuator and energy‐harvesting transducer.     

Controlled Assembly of Liquid Metal Inclusions as a General Approach for Multifunctional Composites

Soft composites that use droplets of gallium-based liquid metal (LM) as the dispersion phase have the potential for transformative impact in multifunctional material engineering. However, it is unclear whether percolation pathways of LM can support high electrical conductivity in a wide range of matrix materials. This issue is addressed through an approach to LM composite synthesis that focuses on the interrelated effects of matrix curing/solidification and droplet formation. The combined influence of LM concentration, particle size, and sedimentation is explored. By developing this approach, the functionalities that have been demonstrated with LM composites can be generalized to other matrix materials that impart additional functionality. Specifically, composites are synthesized using a biodegradable/reprocessable plastic (polycaprolactone), a hydrogel (poly(vinyl alcohol)), and a processable rubber (a styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene derivative) to demonstrate wide applicability. This method enables synthesis of composites: i) with high stretchability and negligible electromechanical coupling ( > 600% strain); ii) with Joule-heated healing and reprocessability; iii) with electrical and mechanical self-healing; and iv) that can be printed. This approach to controlled assembly represents a widely applicable technique for creating new classes of LM composites with unprecedented multifunctionality.     

Comparing holistic and analytic scoring for performance assessment with many-facet Rasch model

This paper compares holistic and analytic scoring methods to explore how the alternative scorings can make differences for performance assessment using many-faceted Rasch model. The model is especially pertinent for analyzing performance assessment since the model can include several facets simultaneously. Forty three students' reports for social studies were scored by four raters with the holistic method and the analytic method. The result demonstrated that scoring rubrics could be improved by investigating rating scale categories. Also, the comparison of student scores between the two scoring methods revealed that the selection of scoring methods might not be significant for the relative comparison of students but it could have serious implication for the assessment of students' absolute abilities. For rater severity, analytic scoring provided more consistency than holistic scoring. These findings can be used to select and improve scoring methods for performance assessment.     

A case study on measuring inspection performance for inspection job design

In the quality control system, most of the information for decision making and problem solving can be obtained by inspection activities. Therefore, the inspection work should be organized to maximize meeting the quality objectives. It has already been publicized that data obtained from measurement of inspection performance will supply an effective basis for assessment and design of the inspection station and inspection job. This paper is intended to report on a case study of measurement of inspection performance conducted for the assessment and design of an inspection job in a manufacturing company. Quality control specialists selected three groups of items having representative deficiencies under routine inspection, inspected as inspection job samples. They had individual inspectors inspect each sample to obtain data consisting of the rate of defects detected out of all the defects, and the proportion of erroneous findings in the total number of findings by each inspector. Thus they identified many problems in the inspection job to be corrected to enhance the inspection accuracy. Appropriate action was taken to remedy the situation. In the first place, the inspection job was redesigned. In the second, the method of training inspectors was reviewed and modified. As a result, the probability of defects passing the inspection undetected was greatly reduced.     

Oxide‐Mediated Formation of Chemically Stable Tungsten–Liquid Metal Mixtures for Enhanced Thermal Interfaces

Modern microelectronics and emerging technologies such as wearable devices and soft robotics require conformable and thermally conductive thermal interface materials to improve their performance and longevity. Gallium‐based liquid metals (LMs) are promising candidates for these applications yet are limited by their moderate thermal conductivity, difficulty in surface‐spreading, and pump‐out issues. Incorporation of metallic particles into the LM can address these problems, but observed alloying processes shift the LM melting point and lead to undesirable formation of additional surface roughness. Here, these problems are addressed by introducing a mixture of tungsten microparticles dispersed within a LM matrix (LM‐W) that exhibits two‐ to threefold enhanced thermal conductivity (62 ± 2.28 W m^?1 K^?1 for gallium and 57 ± 2.08 W m^?1 K^?1 for EGaInSn at a 40% filler volume mixing ratio) and liquid‐to‐paste transition for better surface application. It is shown that the formation of a nanometer‐scale LM oxide in oxygen‐rich environments allows highly nonwetting tungsten particles to mix into LMs. Using in situ imaging and particle dipping experimentation within a focused ion beam and scanning electron microscopy system, the oxide‐assisted mechanism behind this wetting process is revealed. Furthermore, since tungsten does not undergo room‐temperature alloying with gallium, it is shown that LM‐W remains a chemically stable mixture.     

Investments in big data analytics and firm performance: an empirical investigation of direct and mediating effects

Big data has recently been recognised as one of the most important areas of future technology. It has attracted the attention of many industries, since it has the potential to provide companies with high business value. This paper examines the forms of business value that companies can create from big data analytics investments, the direct impacts it has on the financial performance of a firm, and the mediating effects of market performance and customer satisfaction. Drawing on the resource-based view theory, this study demonstrates that the business value achieved from investments in big data analytics leads to advantages in terms of the financial performance of a firm. The results offer evidence of the existence of a customer satisfaction mediation effect and of the absence of a market performance mediation effect. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed at the end of the paper.     

The influence of technology innovation on SME performance through environmental sustainability practices in Kenya

This paper evaluates the association between technology innovation, environmental sustainability and its impact on small business performance. Samples of 204 small businesses and hierarchical regression models were used in the analysis. The results of the survey show that technological innovation affects environmentally friendly owners who have a positive impact on the performance of the company. Successful companies that support environmental community projects and social well-being beyond their economic responsibilities can bring greater financial success. Innovation from management and employee participation in environmental protection practices can improve the company's performance and enhance its image to stakeholders. The findings of this paper enhance existing theories and contribute to the establishment of sustainable practices in developed and developing countries.     

Match-Making in International Joint Ventures in Emerging Economies: Aligning Asymmetric Financial Strength and Equity Stake

This paper attends to prior equivocal results concerning partner asymmetry and international joint venture (IJV) performance. More specifically, we examine how asymmetric financial strength between the partners influences IJV termination in emerging economies, and consider the asymmetry direction as well as the local partner’s equity stake as contingency factors. Our event history analysis of 119 IJVs formed in Brazil shows that asymmetric financial strength increases the likelihood of termination. However, notably, the findings reveal that higher local partner financial strength is less harmful to IJV performance than lower local partner financial strength. Moreover, under both conditions, IJV performance is better when the highest equity stake is attributed to the local partner.     

Investigations into the fracture mechanics of acetylsalicylic acid and lactose monohydrate

The fracture mechanics of acetylsalicylic acid (ASS) and lactose monohydrate (LM) were studied using three-point beam bending experiments and compared with conventional tabletting performance. ASS was found to have an unusual behaviour in terms of its Young's modulus and tensile strength when determined with beams of different porosities. The Young's modulus as a function of beam porosity showed two exponential parts separated by a constant region and the tensile strength as a function of the porosity followed a non-exponential law. Tabletting experiments revealed that ASS undergoes different deformation mechanisms at the different compaction pressures associated with the porosity ranges covering the different regions. The different deformation mechanisms might have caused different crack and flaw patterns or different crack lengths, in particular at the beam surfaces, which are under maximum tensile stress during the tests. The unusual findings were, however, not reflected in experiments to determine the critical stress intensity factor as a function of beam porosity, because here crack propagation is controlled via a notch introduced into the beams. In contrast to ASS, LM behaved like the majority of materials i.e. Young's modulus, tensile strength and critical stress intensity factor were found to relate to the beam porosity exponentially.     

Output Linearization of Single-Input Single-Output Fuzzy System to Improve Accuracy and Performance

For fuzzy systems to be implemented effectively, the fuzzy membership function (MF) is essential. A fuzzy system (FS) that implements precise input and output MFs is presented to enhance the performance and accuracy of single-input single-output (SISO) FSs and introduce the most applicable input and output MFs protocol to linearize the fuzzy system’s output. Utilizing a variety of non-linear techniques, a SISO FS is simulated. The results of FS experiments conducted in comparable conditions are then compared. The simulated results and the results of the experimental setup agree fairly well. The findings of the suggested model demonstrate that the relative error is abated to a sufficient range (≤ ± 10%) and that the mean absolute percentage error (MPAE) is reduced by around 66.2%. The proposed strategy to reduce MAPE using an FS improves the system’s performance and control accuracy. By using the best input and output MFs protocol, the energy and financial efficiency of every SISO FS can be improved with very little tuning of MFs. The proposed fuzzy system performed far better than other modern days approaches available in the literature.     

DFSME: design for sustainable manufacturing enterprises (an economic viewpoint)

Design for sustainable manufacturing enterprise (DFSME) is considered to be a new ideologue regarding survival of manufacturing enterprise and it can also be considered as one of the most important solutions to deal with the existing global financial crisis. The DFSME is a systemic approach that simultaneously determines the aspects of sustainability and how they can be aggregated taking into consideration the globalisation issues. The problem addressed in this paper is how to present the concepts of sustainability to guide manufacturing enterprises analysts and designers with the most effective aspects for analysing sustainability. These aspects are: international issues; contemporary issues; innovative products; reconfigurable manufacturing systems; manufacturing strategies; business models; flexible organisation management; manufacturing strategies and performance measurements. Based on these aspects, the sustainable model will be analysed and presented through covering all aspects of sustainable manufacturing enterprise and the sustainability assessment will be measured. The ultimate goal of this paper is to consider the needs of manufacturing enterprise throughout most of the world to be sustainable as well as to be globalised enterprises. This analysis shows that the DFSME is a very large task and should be taken into consideration as one aspect of the next industrial revolution.