Search results

This paper aims to introduce an alternative for modeling levitation forces between NdFeB magnets and bulks of high-temperature superconductors (HTS). The presented approach should be evaluated through two different formulations and compared with experimental results.

The T-A and H-ϕ formulations are among the most efficient approaches for modeling superconducting materials. COMSOL Multiphysics was used to apply them to magnetic levitation models and predict the forces involved.The permanent magnet movement is modeled by combining moving meshes and magnetic field identity pairs in both 2D and 3D studies.

It is shown that it is possible to use the homogenization technique for the T-A formulation in 3D models combined with mixed formulation boundaries and moving meshes to simulate the whole device’s geometry.

The case studies are limited to the formulations’ implementation and a brief assessment regarding degrees of freedom. The intent is to make the simulation straightforward rather than establish a benchmark.

The H-ϕ formulation considers the HTS bulk domain as isotropic, whereas the T-A formulation homogenization approach treats it as anisotropic. The originality of the paper lies in contrasting these different modeling approaches while incorporating the external magnetic field movement by means of the Lagrangian–Eulerian method.

Investigate distinctive skills, encompassing Building Information Modeling (BIM skills, project management (PM) skills (PMSs), as well as strategic and operational skills (OSs) in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.

The research design adopts a quantitative survey-based approach, utilizing a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

The findings underscore a significant relationship between OSs and both BIM and PMSs, while also illuminating the relationship of strategic skills with both BIM and PMSs. However, intriguingly, the study reveals that although BIM skills and PMSs are indispensable, they lack a statistically significant relationship. Despite this, we have identified a pathway from BIM skills to operational and strategic skills that traverses through PMSs, exhibiting significant indirect effects.

Our study employs cross-sectional data rather than longitudinal data, which hinders temporal interpretations of the associations between competence building for AEC professionals especially given that BIM skills are still in the early stages within AEC projects, particularly in Latin America. Therefore, a longitudinal study would offer deeper insights into potential causation, allowing for a more robust establishment of underlying associations. Additionally, future research endeavors should focus on capturing longitudinal data through case studies that explore perceptions and observations of the roles of BIM managers and project managers in project-based organizations.

Our model guides organizations to recognize the importance of BIM management skills as a pivotal role in the AEC industry, bridging operational and strategic levels. While project managers focus on tools that facilitate team and project integration, BIM managers enhance collaboration and communication across different disciplines within construction projects. This synthesis highlights the complementary roles of project managers and BIM managers in driving successful project outcomes, showcasing the synergy between their skill sets in achieving strategic objectives within the AEC industry. Furthermore, it underscores the critical role of indirect and cascading flows of influence among skill domains through multiple interconnected pathways.

Our study demonstrates that different types of skills are required to manage AEC projects. These skills are interconnected through direct and indirect pathways that warrant attention from academia. The theoretical contribution of the research model is clearly shown in the linking between PM and BIM in the AEC industry. Several scholars recognize BIM as innovative and that drives the success of civil construction projects; however, our study goes further in identifying the significant relationships among variables and the magnitude of their effects on strategic and OSs for BIM management and PM domain.

The losses of vegetables in the world are significant and are distributed throughout the production chain. In the face of this problem, the purpose of this study is to applied the principles of the Lean Production to reduce waste in the production process on a family farm.

A case study was conducted on a family farm producing organic vegetables, with the focus of study being on lettuce. Data collection procedures involved interviews, observations and filming of the lettuce production process. The instruments used to identify the sources of waste were the value flow mapping, vertical flowchart, Ishikawa diagram, consumer voice and spaghetti diagram.

The main sources of waste observed were the movement in the planting stage and excess processing in the fertilization stage (excess fertilization). Improvements such as adaptation and even exclusion of activities related to the production process and organization of the site were carried out and contributed to a 45% reduction in the time of the activities cycle that did not add value but which were necessary.

The study here presented came to innovate and contribute to the reduction of waste related to agriculture since the lean production principles were applied to reduce waste in the productive process of lettuce in a family farm. The positive results of the application of lean production prove to be replicable to other properties and cultures, given that the conduction took place in a structured way in the five lean principles and their tools. It is up to the guidance and dissemination of this knowledge to producers.

The study here presented can estimate that lean principles, when applied in agriculture, can contribute to the sustainability of food production systems.

Lean Production is a model developed for application in industrial sectors, and its application in agriculture is incipient in the international literature. This paper contributes to reducing waste in a sector that has significant loss rates by adapting the lean production model to agriculture.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the digitalization of operational processes and activities in lean manufacturing firms and explore the associated learning implications through the lens of cumulative capability theory.

Adopting a multiple-case design, we examine four cases of digitalization initiatives within lean manufacturing firms. We collected data through semi-structured interviews and direct observations during site visits.

The study uncovers the development of learning capabilities as a result of integrating lean and digitalization. We find that digitalization in lean manufacturing firms contributes to the development of both routinized and evolutionary learning capabilities in a cumulative fashion.

The study adds nuance to the limited theoretical understanding of the integration of lean and digitalization by showing how it cumulatively develops the learning capabilities of lean manufacturing firms. As such, the study supports the robustness of cumulative capability theory. We further contribute to research by offering empirical support for the cumulative nature of learning.

Value stream mapping (VSM) is a visualization tool to identify and eliminate waste and widely applied in manufacturing, transportation, construction, service and other industries, especially in the Industrial 4.0 technology era. The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the VSM literature to identify the advances and hotspots of VSM literature.

Taking the VSM literature collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database as the research samples, this research used the bibliometric and keyword co-occurrence analysis to analyze the publication trend, research topics and their contents of VSM from concept integration, application sectors and technology expansion.

With the development of research, the latest research integrates conceptual integration, application departments and technology expansion to develop more complex research designs. It can be integrated with simulation, six sigma, big data, Internet of Things and other technologies to expand the analysis and design ability of VSM, which enhances the adaptability of VSM to various scenarios.

This research contributes to VSM literature by conducting a systematic review based on the citation structure within VSM research and identifies the established and emerging areas of research on VSM.