P. Alotto, A. Bertoni, I. Perugia and D. Scho¨tzau
The capability of discontinuous finite element methods of handling non‐matching grids is exploited in the simulation of rotating electrical machines. During time stepping, the…
Abstract
The capability of discontinuous finite element methods of handling non‐matching grids is exploited in the simulation of rotating electrical machines. During time stepping, the relative movement of two meshes, consistent with two different regions of the electrical device (rotor and stator), results in the generation of so‐called hanging nodes on the slip surface. A discretisation of the problem in the air‐gap region between rotor and stator, which relies entirely on finite element methods, is presented here. A discontinuous Galerkin method is applied in a small region containing the slip surface, and a conforming method is used in the remaining part.
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Simon J. Davies and Paul Robert van der Heijden
The chapter provides an overview of the book and addresses the rationale for the selection of cases reflecting teaching and research in major areas of SDG14. For example, the…
Abstract
The chapter provides an overview of the book and addresses the rationale for the selection of cases reflecting teaching and research in major areas of SDG14. For example, the impact of increasing global sea temperature, ocean acidification, and pollution on aquatic life and biosciences. Fisheries and aquaculture for seafood and marine ingredients and marine protected areas (MPAs) that favour the assemblage of fish, crustaceans, alga, coral, and mussels to enhance and stimulate biodiversity. New products derived from marine biotechnology are viewed to conserve and sustainably use the seas and oceans whilst promoting wealth creation and employment. Marine parks allow scientists to better study the marine environment and explore sustainable balances between tourism, work, and recreation in harmony with the Life Below Water – SDG14 mandate. Finally, the aspects of governance and roles of stakeholders and societal involvement are advocated in achieving the safe and effective use of marine resources. Throughout, the role of higher education in providing educated scientists and multidisciplinary specialists for future generations to come is highlighted.
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Giuditta Pezzotta, Claudio Sassanelli, Fabiana Pirola, Roberto Sala, Monica Rossi, Sophia Fotia, Angelos Koutoupes, Sergio Terzi and Dimitris Mourtzis
Nowadays manufacturers companies are increasingly compelled to navigate towards servitization. Different methods and approaches were proposed in literature to support them to…
Abstract
Purpose
Nowadays manufacturers companies are increasingly compelled to navigate towards servitization. Different methods and approaches were proposed in literature to support them to switch from traditional product-based business model to product service systems (PSSs). However, new knowledge, capabilities and skills were needed to consistently develop PSSs, since they need a joint focus on both customer’s perspective and company’s internal performance and at the same time a proper support for the integration of product and service design. The purpose of this paper is to propose the Product Service System Lean Design Methodology (PSSLDM), a structured methodology to develop PSSs along their entire lifecycle.
Design/methodology/approach
Retrieving concepts from interpretative, interactive and system development research traditions, and strongly reminding the design research methodology framework, the adopted research methodology is composed of three main phases (observation and conceptualization, theory building and tool development, validation) and involved three heterogeneous companies.
Findings
This paper provides an overview of the PSSLDM, explaining how the different methods supporting its conduction should contribute to properly design an integrated PSS. Moreover, companies highlighted several benefits in the different stages along the PSS lifecycle deriving by the adoption of the PSSLDM.
Research limitations/implications
The development of a platform based on the PSSLDM methodology raises a discussion on the possible changes needed by current Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) models and systems when they have to do with PSSs.
Originality/value
The PSSLDM enriches the already proposed SErvice Engineering Methodology, introducing new several components linked by lean rules in each of its phases (starting from customer analysis, going through solution concept and detailed design, until the offering analysis) and better supprting the deatil design of both prodcut and service components.
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Sarah Lai-Yin Cheah, Yinping Yang and Ozcan Saritas
This paper aims to discuss a foresight study conducted in Singapore’s national R&D agency to help science and technology decision makers identify key capability areas of R&D…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss a foresight study conducted in Singapore’s national R&D agency to help science and technology decision makers identify key capability areas of R&D investment to support the manufacturing industry’s growth in the country and the region.
Design/methodology/approach
Using horizon scanning, scenario analysis and expert opinion, nine capabilities are identified as core areas to be developed to support the country’s future growth of product-service systems.
Findings
The results of a Delphi survey involving 30 industry and academic thought leaders recommend priorities of these capabilities. This paper concludes with a discussion of the study implications for theory, research and practice in the domain of servitisation and product-service systems.
Research limitations/implications
The foresight study presented here on the future of servitisation in Singapore demonstrates one of the first fully fledged applications of foresight in constructing a coherent vision of future product-service system markets. In this study, the authors applied systemic foresight methodology (SFM) comprising the first six phases: initiation (scoping), intelligence (scanning), imagination (scenarios), integration (priorities), interpretation (strategies) and implementation (action).For future research, an ideal step would be to proceed with the final phase of the SFM, impact, to develop indicators for servitisation and to monitor and evaluate the transition process.
Practical implications
Manufacturing and services are no longer distinct concepts with a clear divide. Manufacturing firms not only become more service dependent but also produce and provide services for their consumers. This transformation towards servitisation implies fundamental re-organisation of the production and management practices. Furthermore, through new business models, new and loyal customers will be gained, which will in turn bring additional income, while making the companies less prone to economic and business fluctuations.
Social implications
The results of this study have practical implications for policymakers of public and private sectors that are interested in playing a key role in future product-service system innovation. These have implications for developing the human and intellectual capital that are required for supporting the future innovation. Institutes of higher learning and vocational institutes should also consider incorporating new curricula and modules to build the capabilities for knowledge creation and transfer.
Originality/value
The findings of the present study on strategic growth areas and relevant critical capabilities provide new directions for research in the field of servitisation. Among the nine capabilities identified, the top three were advanced customer intelligence capability, socio-physical service quality, traceability and maintainability and integrated strategic decision-making. From the results, it is apparent that advanced customer intelligence capability is both an area of importance to Singapore and the world.
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Khadijeh Momeni, Chris Raddats and Miia Martinsuo
Digital servitization concerns how manufacturers utilize digital technologies to enhance their provision of services. Although digital servitization requires that manufacturers…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital servitization concerns how manufacturers utilize digital technologies to enhance their provision of services. Although digital servitization requires that manufacturers possess new capabilities, in contrast to strategic (or dynamic) capabilities, little is known about how they develop the required operational capabilities. The paper investigates the mechanisms for developing operational capabilities in digital servitization.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents an exploratory study based on 15 large manufacturers operating in Europe engaged in digital servitization.
Findings
Three operational capability development mechanisms are set out that manufacturers use to facilitate digital servitization: learning (developing capabilities in-house), building (bringing the requisite capabilities into the manufacturer), and acquiring (utilizing the capabilities of other actors). These mechanisms emphasize exploitation and exploration efforts within manufacturers and in collaborations with upstream and downstream partners. The findings demonstrate the need to combine these mechanisms for digital servitization according to combinations that match each manufacturer’s traditional servitization phase: (1) initial phase - building and acquiring, (2) middle phase - learning, building and acquiring, and (3) advanced phase - learning and building.
Originality/value
This study reveals three operational capability development mechanisms, highlighting the parallel use of these mechanisms for digital servitization. It provides a holistic understanding of operational capability development mechanisms used by manufacturers by combining three theoretical perspectives (organizational learning, absorptive capacity, and network perspectives). The paper demonstrates that digital servitization requires the significant application of building and acquiring mechanisms to develop the requisite operational capabilities.
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The purpose of this study is to identify the key features of a non-spiritual organization (NSO) and to show what it is capable of delivering to society.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the key features of a non-spiritual organization (NSO) and to show what it is capable of delivering to society.
Design/methodology/approach
This study relies on grounded theory method, given that it allows the researcher to apply flexible guidelines to collect and analyze qualitative data to build theories on the grounds of the data themselves. Therefore, qualitative data are derived from quotations, observations and excerpts from documents. The backdrop of this investigation was the accident caused by a Brazilian miner in the Rio Doce basin after the collapse of the Fundão dam in Bento Rodrigues, Brazil.
Findings
Overall, data revealed a pattern in which five themes emerged naturally, namely, the antecedents, poor corporate values, lack of appropriate management tools, unjustified dynamics and dealing with the consequences. Further, the ethical imperatives of doing right, doing good and doing well may be only discursive elements for great corporations. At first sight, adhering to an NSO frame is a result of a strategic decision.
Research limitations/implications
Taking into account the method that was used, the results cannot be generalized and herein resides the major limitation of this study.
Practical implications
It is very concerning that an acknowledged and awarded company is involved in such an episode. Such evidence prompts us to suspect that many so-called good companies may be deliberately hiding their shadows from society.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first empirical work toward untangling the meaning, nuances and contours of an NSO. In doing so, it helps understand the impact of this sort of companies on society and environment.
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Torbjörn Ljungkvist and Börje Boers
This paper addresses the phenomenon of venture capital firms which are also family businesses (VCFBs). The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand the phenomenon of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper addresses the phenomenon of venture capital firms which are also family businesses (VCFBs). The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand the phenomenon of VCFB by answering the following questions: What are the features of professionalization in VCFBs? And, how do professionalization and types of family businesses explain the strategies and governance of VCFBs?
Design/methodology/approach
As an explorative case study, it maps the Swedish venture capital (VC) industry and compares two VCFBs and their business investments with regard to strategy and governance.
Findings
By suggesting two major configurations, the study explains how family business development and levels of professionalization relate to differences in VCFBs’ strategies, which in turn, affect their governance. The personal VCFB features active owners who personally take responsibility roles and strongly focus on customers and relationships. The administrative VCFB strongly focuses on predetermined financial metrics, high ethical awareness among board members, and ongoing interplay between the active family board members and minority shareholders.
Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted in Sweden and concerns Swedish VCFBs. The paper contributes to the literature by combining the two currently separate research streams, i.e. family business and VC, highlighting the importance and consequences of family ownership in VC businesses.
Practical implications
The present study provides stock market investors and stock analysts with a deeper understanding of VCFBs’ strategy incentives. By identifying the kind of VCFB and its relation to strategy, more reasonable assessments and analyses of the VCFBs’ actions will be possible. Family firms willing to accept VC-finance should consider the type of VC and the potential consequences of family ownership.
Originality/value
This study is the first to classify VC firms as family businesses. Moreover, it shows the features of professionalization in VCFBs by suggesting a set of configurations.
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M. BERNORIO, M. BERTONI, A. DABBENE and M. SOMALVICO
The purpose of this paper is to discuss some considerations about the problem of Natural Language Understanding with respect to the particular semantic domain of Robotics. The…
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to discuss some considerations about the problem of Natural Language Understanding with respect to the particular semantic domain of Robotics. The goal that makes realistic this research direction is the programming of a robot in Natural Language. A system called DONAU (Domain Oriented NAtural Language Understanding system) written in LISP and in MICROPLANNER has been developed on the UNIVAC 1108 computer of the MP‐AI Project, and experimental results have been obtained. This system represents an advanced contribution in the domain of Robotics and it is also a base for developing a more general Natural Language Understanding System.
M. Bernorio, M. Bertoni, A. Dabbene and M. Somalvico
The paper illustrates a system for man‐machine interaction in quasi‐natural language. The scope of the interaction is in the description of the sequence of tasks to be executed by…
Abstract
The paper illustrates a system for man‐machine interaction in quasi‐natural language. The scope of the interaction is in the description of the sequence of tasks to be executed by an industrial robot for the assembly of mechanical systems.
Ji Li, Pradeep Thaker, Deshou Jiang, Qingrong Huang and Chi-Tang Ho
The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the functionalities, safety regulations and product applications of herb Stevia rebaudiana extract. This plant material is…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the functionalities, safety regulations and product applications of herb Stevia rebaudiana extract. This plant material is embedded with multiple functionalities such as antioxidant, antidiabetics, anti-inflammation and antimicrobial. The regulations released from global authorities are covered to ensure the safety premise of stevia. Besides, the product applications of the extract of aerial parts of the herb S. rebaudiana helps us to recognize its value from commercial side.
Design/methodology/approach
Relevant literatures are selected and obtained from main scientific databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed and trade magazines published between 2000 and 2023. The keywords and their possible combinations such as sweetening, antioxidant, antidiabetics, anti-inflammation, safety and product development were used to ensure the preciseness and completeness of literature searching. Major data such as sweetness, total phenolic content and dose together with latter critical conclusions from searched publications were appropriately used and discussed. In this review, approximately 150 scientific literatures were meticulously ordered and analyzed. In applications, it is the first time that sentiment analysis was used to obtain a market assessment of the stevia-containing products.
Findings
This review paper helps rearrange the scientific affairs of those stevia extract’s functions like sweetening, antioxidant, antidiabetics and inflammation. Sweetness indexes of steviol glycosides were summarized together for comparison while various in vitro and in vivo approaches were reviewed to quantify those functions’ capacities and to depict the related mechanism. The regulation of steviol glycoside compounds such as rebaudioside A was established by global authorities such as US Food and Drug Administration and Joint FAO/World Health Organization Expert Committee to ensure the safety endorsement before commercialization. Then, this study discussed about the market performance of stevia ingredients or products with the self-developed data analytics. This study also investigated the product development progress of stevia-containing food products in the categories of beverage, bakery, dairy and confectionery. Those stevia-containing food consumer goods can be acceptable by certain consumers.
Originality/value
This review paper precisely presents the evidential information about the stevia’s multiple functionalities with mechanisms and global regulation milestones. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is then the first time to probe the stevia-containing products’ market performance through data analytics.