Forty years of World Patent Information: A bibliometric overview

World Patent Information (WPI) is the leading international academic peer reviewed journal in the field of patent information. The journal was launched in 1979 and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019. In recognition of this event, the aim of this work is to analyse the main actors, research themes and audiences of WPI. The analyses are based on the Scopus and Web of Science databases and include bibliographic coupling, co-citation and co-occurrence of author keywords. WPI is a boundary-spanning journal with authors from academia, industry and governmental organisations, such as patent authorities. This unique composition provides a prominent platform for knowledge transfer between academia and industry. In addition, WPI facilitates knowledge transfer between academia and industry, with research institutions citing contributions from authors affiliated to industry and patent offices. Furthermore, WPI not only crosses the boundaries between organisations (academia, industry and government), but also across disciplines, linking IP management, technology and innovation management, engineering, computer sciences, physical and natural sciences.     

Online Engineering Education: Learning Anywhere,Anytime

The emergence of worldwide communications networks and powerful computer technologies has redefined the concept of distance learning and the delivery of engineering education content. This article discusses the Sloan Consortium's quest for quality, scale, and breadth in online learning, the impact on both continuing education of graduate engineers as well as degree‐seeking engineering students, and the future of engineering colleges and schools as worldwide providers of engineering education.     

基于“智慧树”平台的“食品添加剂”课程教学改革

目的 为加强当代高校食品类专业大学生在食品添加剂知识的教育引导,充分激发其学习主动性,使优质教学资源得到更合理的分配.方法 在介绍我国高校开展在线课程建设必要性的基础上,阐述"食品添加剂"课程的建设背景,并以"智慧树"运营服务系统为工作平台,探索如何借助网络平台开展食品科学与工程类专业选修课"食品添加剂"的在线课程建设.结果 通过梳理章节框架布局,凝练在线专题知识点,明确师生权责分配,丰富课程授课形式,合理设置评估方法,正确评估课程学习效果等方式强化了在线课程建设,提升了学生的线上学习效果.结论 在线课程建设既弥补了网络授课过程监督管理的不足,又使优质教学资源在不同高校间得到合理分配,充分调动了学生的主观能动性,培养了其发散思维和独立思考能力,提升了专业课学习效果和综合素质.     

分布式认知视角下在线教育平台设计策略

目的 以分布式认知理论为指导,通过调研和案例综合分析在线学习过程中内容、工具、情境交互的影响要素,探究分布式认知视角下在线教育平台的设计策略,为在线教育平台的体验设计提供指导。方法 首先,通过文献探析分布式认知理论介入在线教育平台体验设计的特征和优势,采用问卷法和访谈法进行用户调研,明确分布式认知视角下在线学习的影响要素。其次,对Coursera平台进行案例分析,将各要素分布到各自的语境中进行分析。最后提炼出分布式认知视角下在线教育平台的体验设计策略。结论 所提出的设计策略的可视化知识图谱、促进深度交互的协同工具和建立互惠共享的社交行为等设计方法,能够满足在线学习用户的学习需求,解决其学习自主性不高、沟通协作效率低等问题。     

基于Kano模型的编程语言在线学习平台功能需求分析

目的 编程语言在线学习平台是学习编程新知识的重要途径。厘清平台各类功能的用户需求属性,对提升平台服务质量至关重要。方法 采用德尔菲法、Kano模型和Better－Worse系数等多种研究方法,明确了编程语言在线学习平台的服务内涵,构建了包括5个维度、26种功能的编程语言在线学习平台功能需求服务体系,对编程语言在线学习平台的用户需求属性进行了科学归类。结论 根据Better-Worse系数值测度的用户满意度指数及其四象限坐标图,将编程语言在线学习平台的26种功能需求,分为期望型功能需求、魅力型功能需求、基本型功能需求、无差异型功能需求。在上述分析结论基础上,针对不同需求的功能属性对用户满意度的影响特征,提出改进编程语言在线学习平台用户需求的差异化服务策略。     

A comparison of online and offline procurement in B2B markets: results from a large-scale survey

Purchasing professionals in today's business-to-business (B2B) markets can choose between conducting bid solicitations and negotiations using an online or an offline process. One dominant type of online procurement has been the online reverse auction, which has received both praise and criticism. However, the choice between an online reverse auction and alternate offline procurement methods cannot be taken lightly. It is the objective of this research to distinguish these two environments and investigate their differences along the dimensions of purchase importance, supply market availability, future orientation and item specification difficulty. Examining these issues from the buyer's perspective, we develop our arguments of procurement choice based on literature in industrial buyer behaviour, strategic sourcing, and online reverse auctions; the psychological distance perspective and transaction cost economics serve as theoretical foundations for our hypotheses. Our hypotheses are tested with hierarchical logistic regression analysis using responses from 825 purchasing professionals in the US manufacturing sector. Two of our four main hypotheses are supported, indicating that offline procurement is more likely to be chosen when the purchase is highly important, whereas auctions are the preferred choice as more suppliers become able and willing to participate in the bidding process. No differences were detected between the future orientation of the buyer and the item specification difficulty. Advice is provided to practitioners when reverse auctions are more amenable than offline methods. Contributions to academia include the extension of the literature in industrial buyer behaviour and auctions, as well as the theoretical development based on the psychological distance perspective and transaction cost economics.     

Managing Collaborations of Engineering Management With Academia and Government in Triple Helix Technology Development Projects: A Case Example of Precarn From the Intelligent Systems Sector

Abstract:

This article examines “triple helix” collaborations, which are technology development projects that consist of industry, academia, and government partners. The article provides engineering managers with a process for engaging in such collaborations. Due to the cultural and organizational differences of partners, effective collaboration is difficult. The process offered follows the general stages of a typical project and discusses the challenges that may arise at each stage. The introduction of a fourth party called a “4th Pillar organization” is recommended as a solution to the difficult process of managing triple helix projects. A case study of the 4th Pillar organization, Precarn, and the benefits it has provided is presented. An engineering manager can use this article to decide whether to engage in triple helix collaborations and, if so, how the process of successful collaboration can be managed by a 4th Pillar-type organization. After reading it, the engineering manager will know whether or not it makes sense to engage a 4th Pillar organization in order to help with triple helix collaboration.     

Using Industrial Summer Intern Programs as a Tool for Engineering Education

Global competition and rapid changes in technology are creating a greater need for cooperation between academia and industry. One well-established tool for promoting cooperation is the summer intern program. Unfortunately, there is limited literature regarding how these programs promote engineering education. This paper documents the objectives, methodology, and results of Project Probe^SM—a unique summer intern program offered by American Electric Power (AEP) to provide qualified engineering students with meaningful education and work experiences in electric power generation under the direct supervision of engineering faculty. This program attempts to foster cooperation between academia and the power industry, enhance the education of future engineers in areas of critical need to the industry, provide a breadth of “real-life” experiences for the development of engineering faculty, and benefit the host corporation. It is hoped that Project Probe could serve as the basis for a viable model for development of similar programs.     

A Center for Teaching Design in Electrical and Computer Engineering

We describe a new approach which is currently being used in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University to provide engineering design education for our undergraduate students. We have formed an Undergraduate Design Center which closely interacts with local industry to attract real-life design projects. Students work on these projects with faculty and industry mentors to fulfill the requirements of a one-semester design course. The center makes use of a networked computer environment which facilitates preliminary design.     

工程图学习题库远程共享研究

土建制图的远程教育软件在作图练习方面提出了特殊的需求，从而引出了把作图习题库放在网络图形平台上共享的设计方案和实现方法，以及结合实例的详细介绍。在开发中，习题库的网络通讯设计采用的是服务器/客户机模式和套接字技术。但Java技术特殊的安全机制(沙箱模型)给方案交互性的实现增加了困难，因此，需要特别讨论有关的网络安全问题和现有可行方案的利弊。     

Capturing the User Mindset – Using the Online Research Community Method in Packaging Research

The rapid development of Web 2.0 technology has enabled new types of online research methods. The collective intelligence of online communities or ‘crowds’ can be harnessed to contribute actively to bodies of knowledge, work or value by means of crowdsourcing. This paper presents a case study of using a crowd‐based research method, more specifically, an online research community (ORC) for collecting information, user experiences and ideas from a community of packaging users. We will discuss the benefits, challenges and opportunities that the method offers to packaging research. A total of 137 participants were recruited to a closed online platform, with 86 of them as active participants. The discussion topics and tasks were pre‐determined by the researchers, and new topics were introduced daily over a period of 13 days. The discussions were moderated in order to keep them on topic and to propose additional questions when required. The platform suited well for gathering user information, feedback and insights on various packaging designs and development topics. The case study also demonstrated that the ORC method can provide valuable insights on usability, packaging communication, consumer behaviour and user experiences. The research yielded rich data, even on such a complex issue as the relation of packaging to food loss prevention. The method can be employed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from a crowd. However, answers provided by individual participants may remain less grounded and less rich in detail than those elicited with other qualitative methods, such as interviews or focus groups. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improve Computer Visualization of Architecture Based on the Bayesian Network

Computer visualization has marvelous effects when it is applied in various fields, especially in architectural design. As an emerging force in the innovation industry, architects and design agencies have already demonstrated the value of architectural visual products in actual application projects. Based on the digital image technology, virtual presentation of future scenes simulates architecture design, architectural renderings and multimedia videos. Therefore, it can help design agencies transform the theoretical design concept into a lively and realistic visual which can provide the audience with a clearer understanding of the engineering and construction projects. However, it is challenging for designers to produce satisfactory renderings due to the frequent fault data during rendering. In this paper, we use the 3Ds MAX as the operating platform and we present an algorithm based on the Bayesian network to construct a vector representation of the fault data. On this basis, a case study of 3D Max’ application has also been presented.     

Delivery and Assessment of Senior Capstone Design via Distance Education

The University of North Dakota (UND) School of Engineering and Mines (SEM) Departments of Chemical, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering offer a unique capstone design course. The course is offered to distance education students at their industrial work sites using company‐based projects and industry mentors. Each department offers this course as partial fulfillment of an ABET‐accredited Bachelor of Science degree.     

从神经学角度评估分析消费者网络购物决策

在消费者决策过程中,消费者依据自己的期望对备选产品进行评估,这一评估过程一直被视为黑箱。为了检测这一评估过程,本研究以在线购物为例,采用事件相关电位（ERPs）来探索消费者评估备选方案的心理过程和神经机制。研究结果表明,消费者的评估过程会诱发出明显的正成分P300,并分布于整个后顶区和枕区。相较于非期望产品,符合消费者期望的产品诱发出振幅更大的P300。P300意味着消费者对备选产品进行评估时存在着一个相似性判断,比对产品所具备的属性与其期望属性的相似性,相似性越高消费者越容易做出购买决策。该发现解释了消费者在线购物时浏览商品介绍和规格参数界面时的神经和心理层面的活动,并可以此来预测消费者的购买决策。     

A Learning Experience: The Technology Innovation Program

The Technology Innovation Program (TIP) is a cooperative educational venture between the Department of Chemical Engineering and the School of Business at Queen's University at Kingston, Canada. First incorporated into the curriculum of senior year business and chemical engineering students in the 1994–1995 school year, TIP provides an invaluable opportunity for these students to work together in multi-disciplinary teams on real projects for industry clients. An academically rigorous exercise, TIP uses non-traditional instructional means such as problem-based learning, multi-disciplinary teams, and self-directed project work to create a learning environment paralleling that of the professional engineer or business person. Although it is still evolving, the Technology Innovation Program provides a model for other educational ventures seeking to bridge engineering and business, and to establish valuable links between the university and industry, while simultaneously easing the graduating student's transition into the workplace.     

An Analysis of Motivation Constructs with First‐Year Engineering Students: Relationships Among Expectancies,Values, Achievement,and Career Plans

Background Researchers have identified many factors affecting undergraduate engineering students' achievement and persistence. Yet, much of this research focuses on persistence within academia, with less attention to career plans after graduation. Furthermore, the relative influence of expectancy‐versus value‐related beliefs on students' achievement and career plans is not fully understood. Purpose (Hypothesis ) To address these gaps, we examined the relationships among the following motivation constructs for female and male first‐year engineering students: (a) expectancy‐related constructs that included engineering self‐efficacy (i.e., a judgment of one's ability to perform a task in engineering) and expectancy for success in engineering (i.e., the belief in the possibility of success in engineering); (b) value‐related constructs that included identification with engineering (i.e., the extent to which one defines the self through a role or performance in engineering) and engineering values (i.e., beliefs related to engineering interest, importance, and usefulness); (c) engineering achievement; and (d) engineering career plans. Design /Method Participants included 363 first‐year engineering students at a large state university. The students completed an online survey instrument in the first and second semester of their first year. Results Students' expectancy‐ and value‐related beliefs decreased over the first year for both men and women. Men reported higher levels for expectancy‐related beliefs than women. Expectancy‐related constructs predicted achievement better than the value‐related constructs, whereas value‐related constructs predicted career plans better for both men and women. Conclusions Expectancy‐ and value‐related constructs predicted different outcomes. Thus, both types of constructs are needed to understand students' achievement and career plans in engineering.     

Beyond the classroom: integrating improvement learning into health professions education in Norway.

BACKGROUND: Students in the health professions must internalize the subject matter--professional knowledge--to acquire the necessary skills to serve as practitioners. Yet the ability to engage in continuous improvement is attainable only when combining professional knowledge with improvement knowledge. It is a challenge to strike a balance between theoretical teaching and practical training when working with personal quality improvement (QI), observing processes, and employing new methods and tools for problem solving and improvement work. EVOLUTION OF EFFORTS TO INTEGRATE IMPROVEMENT KNOWLEDGE INTO HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION: In February 1995 A National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care stipulated that training in quality improvement be an integral part of the education of health care personnel. A program was developed at Bergen College in 1998 to integrate the philosophy and methodology of quality improvement (improvement knowledge) into students' learning of professional knowledge. This program involves a variety of pilot projects in personal improvement, practice-related instruction on training wards, observation practice, clinical studies, cross-education student projects, and thesis writing. PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: With the starting point "quality is personal," students can work on personal change and improvement. If students learn methods and tools for improvement in their personal realm, they can transfer and use this knowledge in their professional work. Problems experienced by students in relation to their studies can be addressed by the Plan-Do-Check-Act problem-solving method. DISCUSSION: A longitudinal, personal-then-clinical, approach enables students to learn techniques and tools they can use as professionals, both in the care for patients and in contributing to organizational improvement.     

A Venture Capital Fund for Undergraduate Engineering Students at Rowan University*

All engineering students at Rowan University are required to take the eight‐semester Engineering Clinic sequence wherein multidisciplinary student teams engage in semester‐long design projects. In addition to projects that are funded by local industry, faculty research grants or departmental budgets, a Venture Capital Fund has been created, which is specifically ear‐marked for the development of original student inventions. Funding of up to $2,500 per student team per semester is competitively awarded based on student‐generated proposals to the Venture Capital Fund, which has been created through a series of grants from the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA). To qualify for funding, a multidisciplinary student team must propose, plan and implement an original, semester‐long product development enterprise. To date, 11 projects have been funded through the Venture Capital Fund. This paper describes the results of several student entrepreneurial projects and compares the results of student surveys to assess the effectiveness of entrepreneurial projects in satisfying the technical objectives of the Engineering Clinic. The results suggest that students engaged in entrepreneurial projects devote more hours per week on their projects, have more “ownership” in their projects and have a better understanding of the technical aspects and societal impact of their projects than their counterparts who are engaged in the more traditional engineering design projects.     

A theme for on-line Web-based assessment [of control engineeringstudents]

An online assessment mechanism for educational performance using Web technology is presented. The assessment can be undertaken at a time and place convenient to the student and can provide feedback quickly. It has been designed primarily to enable students of control engineering to assess their level of understanding and preparation of an experiment before actually carrying it out in the laboratory. The questions are structured to have multiple choice or true/false types of answers and there is an automatic marking facility. Although designed for on-campus students, the scheme can easily be extended to distance education     

The Quest for Relevance: Roles for Academia and Industry in Japan and the U.S.

While U.S. industry is making headway in worldwide markets, much remains to be done. Some have proposed that improving the relevance of engineering education can have a marked influence on the future success of U.S. manufacturing. Some in academia have heard industries' cries for help to improve relevancy in engineering education and have responded with various solutions. Is this the situation in Japan? What is the state of engineering education in Japan? Where is it headed and how does the U.S. compare? We found that industry-academia relationships like those being strengthened in the U.S. are minimal in Japan. Surprisingly, Japanese industry and academia appear not to be headed in a collaborative direction and are even more detached from one another than in the United States. This paper presents some differences in the way Japan and the U.S. view their roles for academia and industry and their interrelationships. Our objective is to further motivate U.S. educators to collaborate with industry and continue to integrate greater relevancy into engineering education.