Xiaoyu Yang, Zhigeng Fang, Xiaochuan Li, Yingjie Yang and David Mba
Online health monitoring of large complex equipment has become a trend in the field of equipment diagnostics and prognostics due to the rapid development of sensing and computing…
Abstract
Purpose
Online health monitoring of large complex equipment has become a trend in the field of equipment diagnostics and prognostics due to the rapid development of sensing and computing technologies. The purpose of this paper is to construct a more accurate and stable grey model based on similar information fusion to predict the real-time remaining useful life (RUL) of aircraft engines.
Design/methodology/approach
First, a referential database is created by applying multiple linear regressions on historical samples. Then similarity matching is conducted between the monitored engine and historical samples. After that, an information fusion grey model is applied to predict the future degradation trajectory of the monitored engine considering the latest trend of monitored sensory data and long-term trends of several similar referential samples, and the real-time RUL is obtained correspondingly.
Findings
The results of comparative analysis reveal that the proposed model, which is called similarity-based information fusion grey model (SIFGM), could provide better RUL prediction from the early degradation stage. Furthermore, SIFGM is still able to predict system failures relatively accurately when only partial information of the referential samples is available, making the method a viable choice when the historical whole life cycle data are scarce.
Research limitations/implications
The prediction of SIFGM method is based on a single monotonically changing health indicator (HI) synthesized from monitoring sensory signals, which is assumed to be highly relevant to the degradation processes of the engine.
Practical implications
The SIFGM can be used to predict the degradation trajectories and RULs of those online condition monitoring systems with similar irreversible degradation behaviors before failure occurs, such as aircraft engines and centrifugal pumps.
Originality/value
This paper introduces the similarity information into traditional GM(1,1) model to make it more suitable for long-term RUL prediction and also provide a solution of similarity-based RUL prediction with limited historical whole life cycle data.
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Panagiotis Loukopoulos, George Zolkiewski, Ian Bennett, Pericles Pilidis, Fang Duan and David Mba
Centrifugal compressors are integral components in oil industry, thus effective maintenance is required. Condition-based maintenance and prognostics and health management…
Abstract
Purpose
Centrifugal compressors are integral components in oil industry, thus effective maintenance is required. Condition-based maintenance and prognostics and health management (CBM/PHM) have been gaining popularity. CBM/PHM can also be performed remotely leading to e-maintenance. Its success depends on the quality of the data used for analysis and decision making. A major issue associated with it is the missing data. Their presence may compromise the information within a set, causing bias or misleading results. Addressing this matter is crucial. The purpose of this paper is to review and compare the most widely used imputation techniques in a case study using condition monitoring measurements from an operational industrial centrifugal compressor.
Design/methodology/approach
Brief overview and comparison of most widely used imputation techniques using a complete set with artificial missing values. They were tested regarding the effects of the amount, the location within the set and the variable containing the missing values.
Findings
Univariate and multivariate imputation techniques were compared, with the latter offering the smallest error levels. They seemed unaffected by the amount or location of the missing data although they were affected by the variable containing them.
Research limitations/implications
During the analysis, it was assumed that at any time only one variable contained missing data. Further research is still required to address this point.
Originality/value
This study can serve as a guide for selecting the appropriate imputation method for missing values in centrifugal compressor condition monitoring data.
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This tribute is in memory of Professor David Campbell, who sadly died in June 2017. David was an influential and inspirational global researcher in accounting. This tribute…
Abstract
Purpose
This tribute is in memory of Professor David Campbell, who sadly died in June 2017. David was an influential and inspirational global researcher in accounting. This tribute summarises his significant contribution to the discipline as well as providing insights into his career at Northumbria and Newcastle Universities.
Design/methodology/approach
The tribute provides a review of David’s research and his key publications in accounting. Specifically, his invaluable contribution to social and environmental accounting disclosure and related corporate accountability is highlighted.
Findings
David was a hugely popular personality in the accounting research discipline and he will be missed by colleagues and friends across the world. His insightful research, thinking and engaging personality led to enduring friendships and significant collaborative research publications. David was a great supporter of international conferences at which he actively encouraged and nurtured research by others around him.
Research limitations/implications
David leaves a legacy of influential publications in accounting that have shaped the discipline and have helped develop solid foundations for rigorous future research in the area.
Practical implications
David’s research had significant practical implications with regard to the usefulness of voluntary accounting disclosure narrative to stakeholders. As well as highlighting the policy implications in relation to corporate disclosure, his work contributed to the debate concerning the accountability and ethics of organisations. Beyond research, David was also influential in professional accounting education as ACCA chief examiner for “Governance, Risk and Ethics”, embedding these issues into the curriculum.
Social implications
The tribute highlights David’s global collaborative research friendships and their fruitful publications. He will be a huge loss to those people and others who knew him closely, as well as to the accounting community in general.
Originality/value
David enhanced the discipline as we know it and through his work will continue to shape the discipline in years to come. David had a love for research and for others whom he knew through it.
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This paper describes the personal history and intellectual development of Morris B. Holbrook (MBH), a participant in the field of marketing academics in general and consumer…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper describes the personal history and intellectual development of Morris B. Holbrook (MBH), a participant in the field of marketing academics in general and consumer research in particular.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper pursues an approach characterized by historical autoethnographic subjective personal introspection or HASPI.
Findings
The paper reports the personal history of MBH and – via HASPI – interprets various aspects of key participants and major themes that emerged over the course of his career.
Research limitations/implications
The main implication is that every scholar in the field of marketing pursues a different light, follows a unique path, plays by idiosyncratic rules, and deserves individual attention, consideration, and respect … like a cat that carries its own leash.
Originality/value
In the case of MBH, like (say) a jazz musician, whatever value he might have depends on his originality.
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Andrea Carver and David Needham
In a knowledge‐based society the onus is placed upon teachers to provide their students with high‐quality experiences that will enable them to work autonomously in the rapidly…
Abstract
In a knowledge‐based society the onus is placed upon teachers to provide their students with high‐quality experiences that will enable them to work autonomously in the rapidly changing world of work. The Times 100 has created a range of partnerships between The Times, it's sponsors and educational users by providing opportunities for young people to use up‐to‐date case studies as part of their learning.
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L. J. Bourgeois, David Freccia and Leslie Williams
This case presents the “best practices” of a highly successful post-merger integrator that grew from $400 million in 1997, to $1.5 billion in 2000, to $4 billion in 2002. The case…
Abstract
This case presents the “best practices” of a highly successful post-merger integrator that grew from $400 million in 1997, to $1.5 billion in 2000, to $4 billion in 2002. The case focus is on the $4.0 billion IT sector of Northrop Grumman, a company confronting immense change in the rapidly consolidating defense business. This integration is unique in that the product is a complete melding of various companies, systems, leaderships, and cultures of 11 legacy organizations. Not only is the result an organization with a new identity, but also one with new strategic capabilities unavailable to any of the stand-alone legacy companies. A teaching note is available to registered faculty, along with video clips that include footage of weapons systems (e.g., B-2 bomber) and information about the company's PMI process.
Details
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Keywords
– The purpose of this paper is to suggest new method for improving the condition indicators (CIs) used in health and usage monitoring system based on signal separation of gears.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to suggest new method for improving the condition indicators (CIs) used in health and usage monitoring system based on signal separation of gears.
Design/methodology/approach
The research method is based on employing signal separation techniques to improve gears signal and fault signature. The signal separation is based on adaptive filters concept.
Findings
CIs estimated for the deterministic part of vibration signal show higher sensitivity to gears faults in comparison to indicators estimated based on the original signal. This method proposed could enhance early fault detection in gears, particularly for those applications where strong background noise from other sources in the machine masks the characteristics fault components.
Originality/value
The contribution of this research is improving the CIs currently used for helicopter gearboxes. As consequence the safe operation and availability will be improved.
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Steven H. Appelbaum, David Carrière, Marwan Abi Chaker, Kamal Benmoussa, Basim Elghawanmeh and Suzanna Shash
The purpose of this paper is to investigate causes of high staff turnover among production workers at a large‐scale retail case meat processor. The paper aims to cover the field…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate causes of high staff turnover among production workers at a large‐scale retail case meat processor. The paper aims to cover the field research that was subsequently conducted to determine if the relationship outlined in the hypotheses in part 1 of the paper could be confirmed and provide insight into the relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
Three hypotheses were developed to investigate six independent variables as possible factors of high job turnover. The research is based on a two‐step process consisting of a literature review and field research. The literature review served to establish empirical links among the variables and construct an appropriate questionnaire for the field research. The field research consisted of 38 employees (out of 475) completing a 41‐question survey. Individual interviews were also conducted with 20 of the 38 respondents.
Findings
The results demonstrate that the employees' organizational commitment affects employee turnover. The findings also suggest that organizational commitment can be improved through increased effective communication between management and employees and ensuring that the organization's vision is shared and understood by employees. The link between job satisfaction and turnover was not supported by the research.
Research limitations/implications
Sample size was affected due to the limited availability of employees during production hours. Increased sample size would allow further investigation within specific departments and shifts. Additional research could also have been done on how the company's HR policy mandated from their US head office fits the needs of a Canadian based workforce.
Originality/value
The paper provides insight on the causes of employee turnover and low organizational commitment. The paper recommends four actions to address communication and vision sharing to improve organizational commitment and ultimately turnover.
Details
Keywords
Steven H. Appelbaum, David Carrière, Marwan Abi Chaker, Kamal Benmoussa, Basim Elghawanmeh and Suzanna Shash
The purpose of this paper is to investigate causes of high staff turnover among production workers at a large‐scale retail case meat processor.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate causes of high staff turnover among production workers at a large‐scale retail case meat processor.
Design/methodology/approach
Three hypotheses were developed to investigate six independent variables as possible factors of high job turnover. The research is based on a two‐step process consisting of a literature review and field research. The literature review served to establish empirical links among the variables and construct an appropriate questionnaire for the field research. The field research consisted of 38 employees (out of 475) completing a 41‐question survey. Individual interviews were also conducted with 20 of the 38 respondents. The paper is an empirically based case analysis.
Findings
The results demonstrate that the employees' organizational commitment affects employee turnover. The findings also suggest that organizational commitment can be improved through increased effective communication between management and employees and ensuring that the organization's vision is shared and understood by employees. The link between job satisfaction and turnover was not supported by the research.
Research limitations/implications
Sample size was affected due to the limited availability of employees during production hours. Increased sample size would allow further investigation within specific departments and shifts. Additional research could also have been done on how the company's HR policy mandated from their US head office fits the needs of a Canadian based workforce.
Originality/value
The paper provides insight on the causes of employee turnover and low organizational commitment. The paper recommends four actions to address communication and vision sharing to improve organizational commitment and ultimately turnover.