The reader who ventures vicariously or otherwise into the murky world of spies and spying will quickly discover a semantic confusion in which the terms “espionage” and…
Abstract
The reader who ventures vicariously or otherwise into the murky world of spies and spying will quickly discover a semantic confusion in which the terms “espionage” and “intelligence” are used with a bewildering profusion of meanings. Basically, however, “intelligence” refers to information; thus, intelligence agencies and agents are involved in the collection, evaluation and dissemination of information for a variety of purposes. “Espionage,” on the other hand, properly refers to the collecting of usually secret information by means of clandestine techniques and methods. Espionage is only a part of the larger function of intelligence activity but the terms have become thoroughly confused in much of the literature as well as in the public mind.
A visit last July to the American Library Association's annual conference in New York City proved both rewarding and frustrating. There was not enough time for the editor of this…
Abstract
A visit last July to the American Library Association's annual conference in New York City proved both rewarding and frustrating. There was not enough time for the editor of this column to thoroughly inspect all the reference serials which were displayed—a mind‐numbing assortment of new and changing titles. In booth after booth, there were abstracts, indexes and bibliographic books and services worthy of consideration: Encyclopedia of Governmental Advisory Organizations (Gale Research), Principal International Businesses: 1974 (Dun & Bradstreet), Artbibliographies Modern (ABC‐Clio), Media Review Digest: 1973/74 (Pierian Press), Bulletin of Reprints (Verlag Dokumentation), International African Bibliography (Mansell), OTC Industrial Manual (Moody's), and International Bibliography, Information, Documentation (Bowker). H. W. Wilson distributed a brochure, “The Cataloging and Indexing Services of H. W. Wilson,” which had not been revised to reflect the creation of two services—Social Science Index and Humanities Index—form the Social Sciences & Humanities Index; but the first issue of each (June 1974) was displayed.
Using the backdrop of an (apparently) extended visit to the West Indies, analogies with key concerns of internal audit are drawn. An unusual and refreshing way of exploring the…
Abstract
Using the backdrop of an (apparently) extended visit to the West Indies, analogies with key concerns of internal audit are drawn. An unusual and refreshing way of exploring the main themes ‐ a discussion between Bill and Jack on tour in the islands ‐ forms the debate. Explores the concepts of control, necessary procedures, fraud and corruption, supporting systems, creativity and chaos, and building a corporate control facility.
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Using the backdrop of an (apparently) extended visit to the West Indies, analogies with key concerns of internal audit are drawn. An unusual and refreshing way of exploring the…
Abstract
Using the backdrop of an (apparently) extended visit to the West Indies, analogies with key concerns of internal audit are drawn. An unusual and refreshing way of exploring the main themes ‐ a discussion between Bill and Jack on tour in the islands ‐ forms the debate. Explores the concepts of control, necessary procedures, fraud and corruption, supporting systems, creativity and chaos, and building a corporate control facility.
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Javier Munguia, Alain Bernard and Merve Erdal
The purpose of this paper is to propose and evaluate a novel tool for the assessment and selection of rapid prototyping (RP)/manufacturing (RM) systems as alternative processes…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose and evaluate a novel tool for the assessment and selection of rapid prototyping (RP)/manufacturing (RM) systems as alternative processes for low‐volume production in the machinery and equipment design sector. By analysing previous RP/RM selectors, this research addresses the necessary factors that a knowledge‐based engineering (KBE) system must include for the analysis, comparison and ranking of candidate technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
This research starts with the analysis of previous KBE solutions for RP/RM process selection, then a new KBE tool is proposed through the integration of artificial intelligence tools such as fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks (ANNs) and relational databases. Three case studies, provided by a Spanish machinery design centre, are used in order to measure the suitability of the proposed system for the assessment of real designs of special purpose mechanical parts.
Findings
The paper reports several improvements based on case studies which include a more suitable logic for process selection according to the designer's criteria and improvements in the overall parts cost estimation when compared to conventional parametric methods.
Practical implications
The newly proposed KBE system has proven useful especially in cases where non‐experts or students need to select a RP/RM process according to an initial product design specification. The cost estimation module based on ANNs provides a practical tool which may be used by academics but also practitioners who wish to automate product costing calculations.
Originality/value
Unlike previous solutions, the proposed system provides a straightforward means for RP/RM selection by an overall ranking of candidate processes, part cost estimation and materials selection. The main contribution is the modular design and logical planning, that overcomes the dilemma: material‐or‐process first.
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Elodie Paquet, Alain Bernard, Benoit Furet, Sébastien Garnier and Sébastien Le Loch
The purpose of this paper is to present a novel methodology to produce a large boat hull with a foam additive manufacturing (FAM) process. To respond to shipping market needs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a novel methodology to produce a large boat hull with a foam additive manufacturing (FAM) process. To respond to shipping market needs, this new process is being developed. FAM technology is a conventional three-dimensional (3D) printing process whereby layers are deposited onto a high-pressure head mounted on a six-axis robotic arm. Traditionally, molds and masters are made with computer numerical control (CNC) machining or finished by hand. Handcrafting the molds is obviously time-consuming and labor-intensive, but even CNC machining can be challenging for parts with complex geometries and tight deadlines.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed FAM technology focuses on the masters and molds, that are directly produced by 3D printing. This paper describes an additive manufacturing technology through which the operator can create a large part and its tools using the capacities of this new FAM technology.
Findings
The study shows a comparison carried out between the traditional manufacturing process and the additive manufacturing process, which is illustrated through an industrial case of application in the manufacturing industry. This work details the application of FAM technology to fabricate a 2.5 m boat hull mold and the results show the time and cost savings of FAM in the fabrication of large molds.
Originality/value
Finally, the advantages and drawbacks of the FAM technology are then discussed and novel features such as monitoring system and control to improve the accuracy of partly printed are highlighted.
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Bernard Cova, Robert Spencer, Fabiana Ferreira and João Proença
Solutions are here approached from the focal net point of view i.e. the collaborative arrangements through which firms combine their individual offerings into a coherent…
Abstract
Purpose
Solutions are here approached from the focal net point of view i.e. the collaborative arrangements through which firms combine their individual offerings into a coherent, customer-facing solution. Focal nets are seen as an effective way to organize for value-system and solution development. However, a precise understanding as to how inter-firm dynamics support the morphing of a focal net to develop a customer’s solution is still not clear. This paper aims to provide an improved understanding of the dynamics at play between firms for providing a solution.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative and exploratory research approach is adopted, exploring the relationships at play within a focal net dedicated to providing a solution in the aerospace industry: a total of four triads are selected and analyzed, all of them involving the same buyer (the aircraft manufacturer) the same buyer’s customer (the airline) and a different service provider. Interviews with top managers in each company forming the triads have been carried out, with subsequent analysis, on the relational dynamics at play at the level of each triad and in-between triads within the focal net.
Findings
The study shows the handling by a solution provider of the transition from a program focal net to a customer-specific solution focal net. The four triads presented, taken individually, highlight four different component devices each of which contributes toward handling this transition. The four triads taken together along with their interactions (inter-triad) denote the capability of the solution provider to manage the morphing of the focal net.
Originality/value
The paper mobilizes a focal net perspective for the understanding of solution provision while combining this with a triadic perspective to demonstrate the inter-firm dynamics at play.
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The US fossil fuel industry is vulnerable to opposition from other sectors of the ruling class. Non-fossil fuel capitalists might conclude that climate breakdown jeopardizes their…
Abstract
The US fossil fuel industry is vulnerable to opposition from other sectors of the ruling class. Non-fossil fuel capitalists might conclude that climate breakdown jeopardizes their interests. State actors such as judges, regulators, and politicians may come to the same conclusion. However, these other elite actors are unlikely to take concerted collective action against fossil fuels in the absence of growing disruption by grassroots activists. Drawing from the history of the Obama, Trump, and Biden presidencies, I analyze the forces determining government climate policies and private-sector investments. I focus on how the climate and Indigenous movements have begun to force changes in the behavior of certain ruling-class interests. Of particular importance is these movements' progress in two areas: eroding the financial sector's willingness to fund and insure fossil fuels, and influencing judges and regulators to take actions that further undermine investors' confidence in fossil fuels. Our future hinges largely on whether the movements can build on these victories while expanding their base within labor unions and other strategically positioned sectors.