Jusuke (JJ) Ikegami and Martha Maznevski
Carlos Ghosn, ex-chairman and CEO of Nissan and Renault, once admired as a role model of a global leader, was jailed in November 2018. This chapter examines why Nissan senior…
Abstract
Carlos Ghosn, ex-chairman and CEO of Nissan and Renault, once admired as a role model of a global leader, was jailed in November 2018. This chapter examines why Nissan senior executives took the controversial step of reporting Ghosn’s alleged behavior to the Prosecutor’s office, knowing it would send him to jail, rather than manage the situation internally. Clearly, the trust that Ghosn had built during the Nissan revival was no longer alive. We describe three phases across two decades of Ghosn’s leadership in Nissan. In each phase we analyze the relationship between Ghosn’s behavior and the business outcomes, on the one hand, and Ghosn’s relationship with the senior leaders at Nissan, on the other hand. Ghosn built trust with Nissan leaders in Phase I through his skillful global leadership and positive social processes. The trust was reinforced on its own momentum through Phase II. Starting with Phase III, mistakes in managing social dynamics became evident: Ghosn did not adjust his social relationships at Nissan, following changes in the environment and the organization. He became disconnected from the Nissan senior executives and employees, who eventually blew the whistle on his behaviors. Ironically, it seems that many of the factors that led to Ghosn’s success at Nissan turned into factors which led to his downfall. Ghosn’s case tells us that the virtuous circle of leadership can sometimes spiral so far that it is taken for granted. Neglecting to tend this virtuous circle can unravel it.
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J.I.U. Rubrico, J. Ota, T. Higashi and H. Tamura
This paper aims to develop a scheduler for multiple picking agents in a warehouse that takes into account distance and loading queue delay minimization within the context of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a scheduler for multiple picking agents in a warehouse that takes into account distance and loading queue delay minimization within the context of minimizing makespan (i.e. picking time).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses tabu search to solve the scheduling problem in a more global sense. Each search iteration is enhanced by a custom local search (LS) procedure that hastens convergence by driving a given schedule configuration quickly to a local minimum. In particular, basic operators transfer demand among agents to balance load and minimize makespan. The new load distribution is further improved by considering a vehicle‐routing problem on the picking assignments of the agents with relocated demands. Loading queue delays that may arise from the reassignments are systematically minimized using a fast scheduling heuristic.
Findings
The proposed tabu scheduler greatly improves over a widely practiced scheduling procedure for the given problem. Variants of the tabu scheduler produce solutions that are roughly of the same quality but exhibit considerable differences in computational time.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed methodology is applicable only to the static scheduling problem where all inputs are known beforehand. Furthermore, of the possible delays during picking, only loading queues are explicitly addressed (although this is justifiable, given that these delays are dominant in the problem).
Practical implications
The proposed approach can significantly increase through‐put and productivity in picking systems that utilize multiple intelligent agents (human pickers included), e.g. in warehouses/distribution centers.
Originality/value
The paper addresses a practical scheduling problem with a high degree of complexity, i.e. scheduler explicitly deals with delays while trying to minimize makespan (generally, delays are ignored in the literature to simplify things). In the tabu implementation, an LS procedure is introduced in the metaheuristic loop that enhances the search process by minimizing non‐productive time of picking agents (travel time and delays).
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To develop an OTA‐C‐based universal filter realizing all standard transfer functions viz low pass, high pass, band pass, notch and all pass without an inverting amplifier and with…
Abstract
Purpose
To develop an OTA‐C‐based universal filter realizing all standard transfer functions viz low pass, high pass, band pass, notch and all pass without an inverting amplifier and with minimum component matching condition.
Design/methodology/approach
By developing different sets of current and voltage relationship involving simple independent transconductance in biquadratic functions using three operational transconductance amplifiers the aim has been achieved.
Findings
The circuit produces all pass transfer function as stated above without inverting amplifier as has been used in most of the earlier circuits. All realizations except all pass filter requires no matching condition. The circuit remains stable for non‐ideal OTAs.
Originality/value
The proposed circuit finds wide utility in industrial and research applications as a signal processing element.
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Mohamed Raessa, Weiwei Wan and Kensuke Harada
This paper aims to present a hierarchical motion planner for planning the manipulation motion to repose long and heavy objects considering external support surfaces.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a hierarchical motion planner for planning the manipulation motion to repose long and heavy objects considering external support surfaces.
Design/methodology/approach
The planner includes a task-level layer and a motion-level layer. This paper formulates the manipulation planning problem at the task level by considering grasp poses as nodes and object poses for edges. This paper considers regrasping and constrained in-hand slip (drooping) during building graphs and find mixed regrasping and drooping sequences by searching the graph. The generated sequences autonomously divide the object weight between the arm and the support surface and avoid configuration obstacles. Cartesian planning is used at the robot motion level to generate motions between adjacent critical grasp poses of the sequence found by the task-level layer.
Findings
Various experiments are carried out to examine the performance of the proposed planner. The results show improved capability of robot arms to manipulate long and heavy objects using the proposed planner.
Originality/value
The authors’ contribution is that they initially develop a graph-based planning system that reasons both in-hand and regrasp manipulation motion considering external supports. On one hand, the planner integrates regrasping and drooping to realize in-hand manipulation with external support. On the other hand, it switches states by releasing and regrasping objects when the object is in stably placed. The search graphs' nodes could be retrieved from remote cloud servers that provide a large amount of pre-annotated data to implement cyber intelligence.
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Yanjiang Huang, Yanglong Zheng, Nianfeng Wang, Jun Ota and Xianmin Zhang
The paper aims to propose an assembly scheme based on master–slave coordination for a compliant dual-arm robot to complete a peg-in-hole assembly task.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to propose an assembly scheme based on master–slave coordination for a compliant dual-arm robot to complete a peg-in-hole assembly task.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed assembly scheme is inspired by the coordinated behaviors of human beings in the assembly process. The left arm and right arm of the robot are controlled to move alternately. The fixed arm and the moving arm are distinguished as the slave arm and the master arm, respectively. The position control model is used at the uncontacted stage, and the torque control model is used at the contacted stage.
Findings
The proposed assembly scheme is evaluated through peg-in-hole assembly experiments with different shapes of assembly piece. The round, triangle and square assembly piece with 0.5 mm maximum clearance between the peg and the hole can be assembled successfully based on the proposed method. Furthermore, three assembly strategies are investigated and compared in the peg-in-hole assembly experiments with different shapes of assembly piece.
Originality/value
The contribution of this study is that the authors propose an assembly scheme for a compliant dual-arm robot to overcome the low positioning accuracy and complete the peg-in-hole assembly tasks with different shapes parts.
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Charles k. Ayo, Aderonke Atinuke Oni, Oyerinde J. Adewoye and Ibukun O. Eweoya
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors affecting e-banking usage based on electronic service (e-service) quality, attitude and customer satisfaction.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors affecting e-banking usage based on electronic service (e-service) quality, attitude and customer satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual model to investigate factors that influence e-banking usage was developed based on review of existing literature. The model employed e-services quality variable, diffusion of innovation construct and self-efficacy to better reflect the users’ views of e-banking usage. Data collected from 254 e-banking users were used to test the model. The data were analysed based on PLS-SEM using SmartPLS 3.0.
Findings
The result reveals that perceived e-service quality has a strong influence on customer satisfaction and use of e-banking, which means that greater quality of e-service has the potential to increase satisfaction and consequently result in to more use of e-banking. In this research findings, competence of e-service support staff, system availability, service portfolio, responsiveness and reliability, in that order, were found to be most significant in rating e-service quality.
Practical implications
This offers financial institutions and professional relevant information e-banking services that will promote greater customer satisfaction and use of e-banking.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to knowledge advancement in bank marketing by providing insight into motivational factors of e-banking services quality and personal characteristics.
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Recently, ethical leadership has become a widely studied research topic. Simultaneously, many studies have begun to emphasise the role of interpersonal communication competence…
Abstract
Recently, ethical leadership has become a widely studied research topic. Simultaneously, many studies have begun to emphasise the role of interpersonal communication competence (ICC) in successful leadership. However, there has been little discussion on the links between ethical leadership and leaders’ ICC. To address this research gap, this study aims to compare and combine the research traditions of ethical leadership and leaders’ ICC. The study is based on two literature reviews examining (a) ethical leadership (substudy 1; N = 27) and (b) leaders’ ICC (substudy 2; N = 18). The research questions are as follows: (a) How are the requirements of leaders’ ICC noticed in the literature of ethical leadership? (substudy 1) (b) How are the requirements of ethical leadership noticed in the literature of leaders’ ICC? (substudy 2) The findings reveal that (a) studies in ethical leadership rarely pay attention to leaders’ ICC and (b) studies in leaders’ ICC do not often discuss ethical aspects of ICC, at least explicitly. While a larger sample would have been preferred, the study contributes to previous research by addressing a research gap between ethical leadership and leaders’ ICC and suggests integrating these research traditions to better understand the nature of ethics and ICC in leadership. By promoting novel interdisciplinary research perspectives, the study provides a foundation for further research and development of (a) a competence-based approach to ethical leadership and (b) an ethics-focused approach to competent leadership communication.
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Marta Félix and Paula Arriscado
Intrapreneurship (IP) and Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) are a paradigm in which the current global scenario of increased homeoffice and professional globalization can…
Abstract
Intrapreneurship (IP) and Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) are a paradigm in which the current global scenario of increased homeoffice and professional globalization can have the capacity to stimulate professionals’ autonomy and new business orientations able to re-invent new strategies, services, technologies and even leadership development. This study, of an exploratory nature, aims to analyze the synchronicities between IP and SHRM, raised by relational dynamics translated into leadership, organizational culture and individual practices having as a facilitating factor technology as an agent of change for continuous improvement (based on the Kaizen philosophy). It is supported by a qualitative analysis through a case study of a leading Portuguese group, Grupo Salvador Caetano, which has been in existence for 75 years.
The results demonstrate that dynamic relations are the synchronicities of IP and SHRM as long as stimulated and transmitted to collaborators, and that technology, facilitated these processes. The flexibility of SHRM, the sequence of delegation and implementation of relational dynamics must be the key for the synchronicities of SHRM and IP to be two phenomena that go side by side and contribute to more effective performance and evolution among collaborators, as they support each other in creating firms’ value for customers. Some contributions to theory and practice, raised through a logic of “in-house entrepreneurship,” are also presented at the end of the study.
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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.