Angus Cheung, W.H. Ip and Dawei Lu
The purpose of this study is to propose an approach to facilitate the allocation of labor resources, which is a complex and fuzzy problem in nature existing in the aircraft…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to propose an approach to facilitate the allocation of labor resources, which is a complex and fuzzy problem in nature existing in the aircraft maintenance services industry. On the other hand, the shortage of experienced and qualified engineers makes the labor allocation process even more difficult.
Design/methodology/approach
Various approaches can be used to solve this personnel‐planning problem: mathematical programming is the common modeling approach; however, it is found to be inappropriate where there are many intangible factors. The other approach is analytical hierarchy process (AHP), a decision support method which can facilitate labor allocation. In this paper, the authors propose a decision support system with fuzzy AHP in weighing the importance of different intangible criteria; an extent analysis approach is used to overcome the uncertainty of subjective perception.
Findings
In the allocation of labor resources, the personnel plans have to consider the aviation authority regulations and safety laws, qualification of the employees and customers' requirements, as well as other intangible variables. The analysis results have shown that the fuzzy AHP approach‐based system provides better resource management and higher productivity for the aircraft industry.
Originality/value
Since limited studies have been found to be concentrated on manpower allocation problems in the aircraft maintenance industry, this study can provide important findings and references to the academicians and practitioners in the related areas.
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Angus Cheung, W.H. Ip, Dawei Lu and C.L. Lai
In this paper, the authors propose the application of an intelligent engine to develop a set of computational schedules for the maintenance of vehicles to cover all scheduled…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, the authors propose the application of an intelligent engine to develop a set of computational schedules for the maintenance of vehicles to cover all scheduled flights. The aim of the paper is to maximize the utilization of ground support vehicles and enhance the logistics of aircraft maintenance activities.
Design/methodology/approach
A mathematical model is formulated and the solution is obtained using genetic algorithms (GA). Simulation is used to verify the method using an Excel GA generator. The model is illustrated with a numerical case study, and the experience of this project is summarized.
Findings
The results indicate that this approach provides an effective and efficient schedule for deploying the maintenance equipment resources of the company, China Aircraft Service Limited.
Originality/value
The proposed model using the GA generator provides an effective and efficient schedule for the aircraft maintenance services industry.
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C.F. Cheung, W.B. Lee and Y. Wang
Unstructured knowledge management (UKM) becomes indispensable for the support of knowledge work. However, unstructured knowledge is inconvenient and difficult for sharing…
Abstract
Purpose
Unstructured knowledge management (UKM) becomes indispensable for the support of knowledge work. However, unstructured knowledge is inconvenient and difficult for sharing, organizing and acquisition. This paper seeks to present the development and implementation of a multi‐facet taxonomy system (MTS) for effective management of unstructured knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
Multi‐facet taxonomy is a multi‐dimensional taxonomy which allows the classification of knowledge assets under multiple concepts at any levels of abstraction. The MTS system is based on five components: multi‐dimensional taxonomy structure, thesaurus model, automatic classification mechanism, intelligent searching, and self‐maintenance of taxonomy, respectively. Artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language process (NLP) technologies are used in the development of the MTS.
Findings
With the successful development of the MTS, the accuracy of categorization of unstructured knowledge is significantly improved. It also allows an organization to capture the valuable tacit knowledge embedded in the unstructured knowledge assets. This helps an organization to explore business opportunities for continuous business improvement.
Practical implications
The implementation of the MTS system not only dramatically reduces the human effort, time and cost for UKM but also allows an organization to capture valuable knowledge embedded in unstructured knowledge assets.
Originality/value
As the knowledge work and task become more complex and are dynamically changing with time and involve multiple concepts, the MTS addresses the inadequacy of conventional single dimensional taxonomy for managing unstructured knowledge. The self‐maintenance capability of the MTS ensures that the taxonomy is up‐to‐date and new knowledge is classified automatically for better knowledge sharing and acquisition.
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Ruslan Ramanau, Jane Hughes and Paul Grayson
In the last two decades, online computer-marked assignments (CMAs) have been widely used in accounting education. Although there is a growing body of research on this form of…
Abstract
In the last two decades, online computer-marked assignments (CMAs) have been widely used in accounting education. Although there is a growing body of research on this form of online assessment, most of the previous studies relied on small samples of respondents or focused on student self-report using survey methods. This exploratory mixed-method study aims to combine a quantitative analysis of learners’ academic performance on an online Financial Accounting course with a more in-depth exploration of learner experiences using qualitative methods. The quantitative findings suggest that student previous educational qualifications, age and experience of studying a similar subject are strongly associated with CMA completion, which is also linked to scores on other pieces of assessed work. The qualitative results show that from the learners’ perspective, diversifying assessment methods, introducing low-stakes assessment activities and creating opportunities for situational interest are viewed as key aspects of online CMA design. This paper concludes with discussing the implications of the study for designing and delivering online courses in accounting, particularly in the light of the growing popularity of massive open online courses (MOOCs).
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Jeff French, Rebekah Russell-Bennett and Rory Mulcahy
This paper aims to explore the potential contributions of the for-profit sector in integrating resources with social marketing organisations for value co-creation at the meso…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the potential contributions of the for-profit sector in integrating resources with social marketing organisations for value co-creation at the meso level (midstream) of the social marketing eco-system. The paper addresses calls for further theorisation and understanding of value co-creation beyond the micro level (downstream).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws from social marketing, value co-creation and eco-systems literature to present a conceptual model for meso-level value co-creation between social marketing and for-profit organisations.
Findings
The paper proposes four dimensions of resources which can be integrated: cognitive, labour, economic and network. Additionally, it is proposed that from these integrated resources, three co-creation outcomes can be achieved – co-learning, co-design and co-production – which lead to improved value propositions.
Practical implications
This paper offers a framework for strategic planning and evaluation regarding partnerships and collaborations with for-profit organisations, which potentially lead to greater value propositions being offered.
Originality/value
This paper furthers the theoretical discussions and understanding of value co-creation in social marketing at the meso level. The paper identifies a new actor – for-profits – as a potential collaborator for value co-creation with social marketing organisations and contributes new understanding about value co-creation at the meso level between social marketing and for-profit organisations. Further, the paper describes and reviews the potential contributions of for-profits to social marketing efforts.
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Karen Joe Laidler and Maggy Lee
This paper, aims to contribute to the wider project of understanding the production of knowledge about crime and justice and, “to cultivate and sustain a reflexive awareness about…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper, aims to contribute to the wider project of understanding the production of knowledge about crime and justice and, “to cultivate and sustain a reflexive awareness about the conditions under which such knowledge is (or is not) produced” (Loader and Sparks, 2012, p. 6). In reviewing the core issues and concerns about crime and control from the 1980s as articulated in these research dissertations, the authors seek to be self-reflexive about academic criminology as a field of enquiry in Hong Kong.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, 209 dissertations, completed between 1988 and 2015, are categorized on the basis of the main subject or theme of investigation carried out by each of the research paper.
Findings and originality/value
This discussion is among the first and few attempts to look at the development of criminology in the Hong Kong China region and draws from the unique perspectives of practitioners – those working on the front lines – in their attempts to understand crime and its control with a criminological imagination.
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Luis Gil-Alana, Cecilia Font and Águeda Gil-López
Using data from 1820 onwards in a group of seven countries, namely, Australia, Chile, Denmark, France, the UK, Italy and the USA, the authors investigate if there is a long-run…
Abstract
Purpose
Using data from 1820 onwards in a group of seven countries, namely, Australia, Chile, Denmark, France, the UK, Italy and the USA, the authors investigate if there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between the two variables (GDP and population).
Design/methodology/approach
Using fractional integration and cointegration methods, this paper deals with the analysis of the relationship between GDP and population using historical data.
Findings
The authors’ results show first that the two series are highly persistent, presenting orders of integration close to or above 1 in practically all cases. Testing cointegration between the two variables, the results are quite variable depending on the methodology and the bandwidth numbers used, but if cointegration takes places, it only occurs in the cases of France, Italy and the UK.
Research limitations/implications
The fact that the orders of integration of all series is close to 1 indicate high levels of persistence with shocks having permanent effects and requiring strong measures to recover the original trends.
Practical implications
Any shock affecting the series will have a permanent nature, persisting forever.
Originality/value
Updated time series techniques based on concepts such as fractional integration and cointegration are used.
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Deborah Edwards, Mingming Cheng, IpKin Anthony Wong, Jian Zhang and Qiang Wu
The aim of this study is to understand the knowledge-sharing structure and co-production of trip-related knowledge through online travel forums.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to understand the knowledge-sharing structure and co-production of trip-related knowledge through online travel forums.
Design/methodology/approach
The travel forum threads were collected from TripAdvisor’s Sydney travel forum for the period from 2010 to 2014, which contains 115,847 threads from 8,346 conversations. The data analytical technique was based on a novel methodological approach – visual analytics, including semantic pattern generation and network analysis.
Findings
Findings indicate that the knowledge structure is created by community residents who camouflage as local experts and serve as ambassadors of a destination. The knowledge structure presents collective intelligence co-produced by community residents and tourists. Further findings reveal how these community residents associate with each other and form a knowledge repertoire with information covering various travel domain areas.
Practical implications
The study offers valuable insights to help destination-management organizations and tour operators identify existing and emerging tourism issues to achieve a competitive destination advantage.
Originality/value
This study highlights the process of social media mediated travel knowledge co-production. It also discovers how community residents engage in reaching out to tourists by camouflaging as ordinary users.
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Paula Lopez and Grisselle Centeno
The purpose of this research is to show how an integrated system serves as an information support tool to assists maintenance managers to analyze data and evaluate alternatives in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to show how an integrated system serves as an information support tool to assists maintenance managers to analyze data and evaluate alternatives in order to make better decisions that maximize efficiency in transit operations.
Design/methodology/approach
A system which consists of a mathematical scheduling model that interacts with a forecasting model and repair time standards to allocate resources in maintenance departments is presented. Information was obtained from observations at three transit facilities in the Central Florida area; the model developed is tested using historical data of the maintenance jobs performed.
Findings
Outputs obtained from testing have demonstrated reduction of operational costs, increased bus reliability, and increased efficiency in the tasks executed. Therefore, the present study aggregates value to transit organizations.
Research limitations/implications
This research brings up alternatives of use of the resources in transit maintenance departments and the potential impact on the overall productivity. This study contributes to the field of maintenance productivity practices.
Originality/value
Reports examined in the area of time standards are mostly based on estimations of time or historical information instead of on‐site analysis as presented in this study. This works expands the limited literature related to jobs scheduling for bus maintenance and combines models on maintenance scheduling and time standards which are typically presented in a disaggregated manner.