Boeing Laishram, Ganesh Devkar, Yongjian Ke and Ahmed Abdel Aziz
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the reliability, availability, maintenance and safety analysis method for railway network operation.
Design/methodology/approach
The reliability of the railway network is proposed based on the accident frequency and the topology of the railway network. Network efficiency and capacity are proposed to evaluate the availability of the railway network. The maintenance of the railway network is analyzed from the perspective of accident recovery time. The safety index of the railway network is proposed to measure the safety of railway stations and sections and the K-means method is proposed to find the safety critical stations and sections. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated through a real-world case study.
Findings
The case study shows that the proposed model can produce a big-picture averaged view of the network-wide safety level and help us identify the safety critical stations and sections by considering both the expected reduction of network efficiency and capacity.
Practical implications
The potential application of the proposed model is to help the safety managers determine the investments in safety management of each section and station and then increase the safety and robustness of railway network operation.
Originality/value
The safety analysis of the railway network should consider the reliability, availability and maintenance of the railway network. In this paper, the reliability of the railway network is proposed based on the accident frequency and the topology of the railway network. Network efficiency and capacity are proposed to evaluate the availability of the railway network. The maintenance of the railway network is analyzed from the perspective of recovery time. Finally, the safety index of the railway network is proposed to analyze the safety critical stations and sections.
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Keywords
Mpho Trinity Manenzhe, Arnesh Telukdarie and Megashnee Munsamy
The purpose of this paper is to propose a system dynamic simulated process model for maintenance work management incorporating the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a system dynamic simulated process model for maintenance work management incorporating the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
The extant literature in physical assets maintenance depicts that poor maintenance management is predominantly because of a lack of a clearly defined maintenance work management process model, resulting in poor management of maintenance work. This paper solves this complex phenomenon using a combination of conceptual process modeling and system dynamics simulation incorporating 4IR technologies. A process for maintenance work management and its control actions on scheduled maintenance tasks versus unscheduled maintenance tasks is modeled, replicating real-world scenarios with a digital lens (4IR technologies) for predictive maintenance strategy.
Findings
A process for maintenance work management is thus modeled and simulated as a dynamic system. Post-model validation, this study reveals that the real-world maintenance work management process can be replicated using system dynamics modeling. The impact analysis of 4IR technologies on maintenance work management systems reveals that the implementation of 4IR technologies intensifies asset performance with an overall gain of 27.46%, yielding the best maintenance index. This study further reveals that the benefits of 4IR technologies positively impact equipment defect predictability before failure, thereby yielding a predictive maintenance strategy.
Research limitations/implications
The study focused on maintenance work management system without the consideration of other subsystems such as cost of maintenance, production dynamics, and supply chain management.
Practical implications
The maintenance real-world quantitative data is retrieved from two maintenance departments from company A, for a period of 24 months, representing years 2017 and 2018. The maintenance quantitative data retrieved represent six various types of equipment used at underground Mines. The maintenance management qualitative data (Organizational documents) in maintenance management are retrieved from company A and company B. Company A is a global mining industry, and company B is a global manufacturing industry. The reliability of the data used in the model validation have practical implications on how maintenance work management system behaves with the benefit of 4IR technologies' implementation.
Social implications
This research study yields an overall benefit in asset management, thereby intensifying asset performance. The expected learnings are intended to benefit future research in the physical asset management field of study and most important to the industry practitioners in physical asset management.
Originality/value
This paper provides for a model in which maintenance work and its dynamics is systematically managed. Uncontrollable corrective maintenance work increases the complexity of the overall maintenance work management. The use of a system dynamic model and simulation incorporating 4IR technologies adds value on the maintenance work management effectiveness.
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Yingfeng Zhang, Lin Zhao and Cheng Qian
The huge demand for fresh goods has stimulated lots of research on the perishable food supply chain. The characteristics of perishable food and the cross-regional transportation…
Abstract
Purpose
The huge demand for fresh goods has stimulated lots of research on the perishable food supply chain. The characteristics of perishable food and the cross-regional transportation have brought many challenges to the operation models of perishable food supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to address these challenges based on the real-time data acquired by the Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Design/methodology/approach
IoT and the modeling of the Supply Hub in Industrial Parks were adopted in the perishable food supply chain.
Findings
A conceptual model was established for the IoT-enabled perishable food supply chain with two-echelon supply hubs. The performance of supply chain has improved when implementing the proposed model, as is demonstrated by a case study.
Originality/value
By our model, the supply hubs which act as the dominators of the supply chain can respond to the real-time information captured from the operation processes of an IoT-enabled supply chain, thus to provide public warehousing and logistic services.
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Lina Gharaibeh, Björn Lantz and Kristina Maria Eriksson
This study addresses the critical imperative of quantifying building information modeling (bimalliance) benefits by augmenting existing methodologies, with a focus on…
Abstract
Purpose
This study addresses the critical imperative of quantifying building information modeling (bimalliance) benefits by augmenting existing methodologies, with a focus on monetization. Engaging industry practitioners, the research develops a comprehensive framework through an exhaustive literature review and a survey in the Swedish construction industry, incorporating insights from 128 respondents.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework, validated by industry experts, systematically assesses tangible BIM benefits against associated costs. It introduces a novel method in construction, addressing the lack of a unified approach. The resulting framework facilitates nuanced feasibility determinations by systematically evaluating BIM benefits against costs.
Findings
Despite its acknowledged limitations, the framework effectively captures a comprehensive range of costs and benefits, providing a more accurate and detailed estimation of BIM’s impact on project outcomes.
Practical implications
With practical implications, the framework enhances BIM understanding and application, contributing to effective project management throughout the construction supply chain lifecycle. Moreover, it aims to improve efficacy within the architecture, engineering, construction and operations industry.
Originality/value
The study empowers organizations and decision-makers with a bespoke tool for evaluating BIM feasibility, contributing to decision-making through a clarified numerical representation.
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Feng Zhao, Jianbao Zhang and Zhen Luo
The correlations and deviations between market prices, production prices and values are critical indexes for testing the labor theory of value. However, there is not yet a…
Abstract
Purpose
The correlations and deviations between market prices, production prices and values are critical indexes for testing the labor theory of value. However, there is not yet a universally accepted method of solving for the production price vector, and given the complexity and volatility of economic dynamics, production prices based on the assumption of economic equilibrium cannot be accurate measuring. This paper attempts to propose a new approach to test the labor theory of value.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a different approach. From the perspective of disequilibrium price, the paper deduces that the range of the relative prices of commodities is determined by the relative value, the rate of surplus-value and the technical structure of production inputs, with relative price fluctuating within the value range specified by the labor theory of value under market competition influences.
Findings
With empirical research results based on China’s economic data, this paper not only affirms the scientific and practical explanatory power of the labor theory of value in a more general sense but also uncovers how surplus value is distributed across sectors, which can be used to analyze market competition and technical relations and their impacts on industrial structure and distribution.
Originality/value
The disequilibrium analytical framework provides a new perspective for the empirical study of labor theory of value. Moreover, it evolves the labor theory of value into a robust empirical framework, breaking through the theoretical path of the traditional labor theory of value that is mostly limited to the normative discussion of exploitation.
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Mahshid Pourhosein and Mehdi Sabokro
The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the characteristics and visual patterns of successful knowledge workers using quantitative methods, particularly eye-tracking…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the characteristics and visual patterns of successful knowledge workers using quantitative methods, particularly eye-tracking technology. By conducting a systematic review and matching identified factors with theoretical literature, the research aims to uncover key attributes that contribute to the effectiveness of knowledge workers. These insights are intended to improve employee selection processes, ensuring the right candidates are chosen based on their cognitive, behavioral and visual traits.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach is employed in this study, consisting of three phases: (1) a systematic literature review identifies key characteristics of successful knowledge workers, (2) these factors are aligned with theoretical frameworks and expert insights to assess their applicability and (3) empirical data is collected through questionnaires and eye-tracking assessments involving ten high-performing site design employees and ten students from Shahid Beheshti University. SPSS software and Tobii Pro Lab tools are used for data analysis to establish correlations between eye movement patterns and attributes of effective knowledge workers.
Findings
The findings reveal that students whose eye movement patterns resemble those of high-performing knowledge workers also share similar cognitive and behavioral characteristics. Identified key attributes include enhanced problem-solving skills, adaptability and effective communication. The study further highlights the potential of eye-tracking technology as a valuable tool in employee selection, offering insights into visual behaviors that correlate with high performance in knowledge work. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the critical traits that optimize organizational performance.
Originality/value
This study presents a novel approach by integrating eye-tracking technology into the knowledge worker selection process. It provides empirical evidence of the visual and cognitive patterns associated with high performance, thereby enhancing the theoretical understanding of knowledge worker selection. The study contributes valuable insights for organizations aiming to refine their hiring practices, emphasizing the importance of both cognitive skills and visual behaviors in candidate assessment. This research lays the groundwork for future studies exploring the intersection of technology and human resource management to optimize workforce effectiveness.