Search results

1 – 4 of 4
Article
Publication date: 11 April 2018

Ann-Louise Andersen, Jesper Kranker Larsen, Thomas Ditlev Brunoe, Kjeld Nielsen and Christopher Ketelsen

During design of reconfigurable manufacturing systems, manufacturing companies need to select and implement the right enablers of reconfigurability in accordance with the specific…

Abstract

Purpose

During design of reconfigurable manufacturing systems, manufacturing companies need to select and implement the right enablers of reconfigurability in accordance with the specific requirements being present in the manufacturing setting. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate enablers of reconfigurability in terms of their importance in industry, current level of implementation in industry, and significant differences in their implementation and criticality across different manufacturing settings.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey is conducted, in order to provide generalizable empirical evidence across various industries and manufacturing types.

Findings

The findings indicate that the level of implementation of the reconfigurability enablers is rudimentary, while their criticality is perceived higher than the current level of implementation. Moreover, significant differences regarding implementation and criticality of mobility, scalability, and convertibility were found for companies with varying degrees of manual work, make-to-stock production, and varying production volume, industry type and organization size.

Research limitations/implications

Main limitations of the research cover the relatively small sample size and non-random sampling method applied, primarily limited to one country, which could be increased to further extent the findings reported in this paper.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that the importance and implementation of reconfigurability enablers is contingent on the manufacturing setting. Thus, the research presented in this paper provides valuable knowledge in regard to aiding a paradigm shift in industry and help companies design manufacturing systems with the right reconfigurability enablers.

Originality/value

This paper expands research on manufacturing system design for changeability and reconfigurability, by explicitly considering these as capabilities that can be enabled in various ways for various purposes in different manufacturing contexts.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 29 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 February 2018

Ann-Louise Andersen, Thomas Ditlev Brunoe, Kjeld Nielsen and Mads Bejlegaard

The purpose of this paper is to present a decisions support tool that can be applied in initial stages of design, for evaluating the investment feasibility of changeable and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a decisions support tool that can be applied in initial stages of design, for evaluating the investment feasibility of changeable and reconfigurable manufacturing design concepts, based on future demand predictions and their uncertainties. A quantitative model is proposed, which evaluates the discounted value of capital and operating costs of changeable manufacturing design concepts, based on essential characteristics regarding their type and extent of changeability.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative empirical modeling is applied, where model conceptualization, validation, and implementation are central elements, using two Danish manufacturing companies as cases.

Findings

The applicability of the model is demonstrated in the two case companies, highlighting differences in type, extent, and level of feasible changeability, as a result of differences in product and production characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies of changeability implementation should be conducted across industrial fields in order to generalize findings.

Practical implications

There is currently limited support for the conceptual design phase of changeable and reconfigurable manufacturing, where critical decisions regarding type, extent, and level of changeability must be made, regardless of high degrees of uncertainty about future demand scenarios.

Originality/value

This paper expands previous research on design for changeability and reconfigurability, by explicitly considering changeability as a capability that can be enabled in various ways for various purposes in different industrial contexts. The proposed model and the case implementations provide important knowledge on the transition toward changeability in industry.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 29 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2015

Eric Broekaert, Caroline Elizabeth Berg-Sørensen, Wouter Vanderplasschen and Stijn Vandevelde

Even though there is much information available with regard to the development of the therapeutic community (TC) for addictions in Europe, little is known about the particular…

Abstract

Purpose

Even though there is much information available with regard to the development of the therapeutic community (TC) for addictions in Europe, little is known about the particular situation in Denmark.The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to address this dearth, the methodology of the following historical account is largely based on an interview and personal contacts with Hanne Holm Hage-Ali, current director of TC Opbygningsgården and star witness of the development of TC in Denmark.

Findings

In 1971, the Freetown “Christiania”, Copenhagen, where TC Opbygningsgården started up, was based on communal, anarchic and hippie ideas and values. In the beginning, TC Opbygningsgården was not well accepted by TC pioneers promoting the classic hierarchical TC, as it was seen as a social experiment with anti-authoritarian roots. Later, in its turn, it became influenced by TCs Veksthuset and Phoenix House Haga, Norway, which were part of the common European TC movement. At this moment, TC Opbygningsgården functions as a well-accepted member of the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities.

Research limitations/implications

The interview revealed information that it is line with current trends in and challenges for TC throughout Europe, as outlined in a recent EMCDDA study: TC in Europe can be considered as “children of the late sixties”; TCs are embedded in the anti-psychiatric movement, existentialism and the promotion of alternative community living; European TC leaders had different origins and professional background; and the TC never belonged to one religion or ideology. The common human value system always transcended the different visions.

Originality/value

This paper aims at addressing the dearth in knowledge on the development of TCs in Denmark.

Details

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, vol. 36 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0964-1866

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2024

Alshaymaa Foudah, May Tarek, Sarah Essam, Mostafa El Hawary, Kareem Adel and Mohamed Marzouk

This study aims to thoroughly explore and visualize the trends and developments of digital twin (DT) literature in the construction field while revealing future research…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to thoroughly explore and visualize the trends and developments of digital twin (DT) literature in the construction field while revealing future research directions for further exploration and exploitation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research follows a three-stage methodology. First, the bibliographic data is acquired using the Web of Science database. Second, the bibliometric methods are defined to include co-authorship analysis, citation analysis, keywords co-occurrence, thematic mapping while the software tools include MS Excel, VOSviewer and Biblioshiny. Third, analysis and findings include yearly DT publication output, influential DT publications, leading DT contributors, top DT sources and science mapping of DT literature.

Findings

This study identifies top-cited DT publications (35 out of 320) in terms of citations score, local citations score and document average citations per year. Furthermore, the key contributors with respect to authors (58 out of 1147), organizations (55 out of 427) and countries (19 out of 51) are recognized in terms of productivity, influence, activeness and scientific value. Similarly, the major publishing sources (24 out of 58) are identified using the same measures. Regarding science mapping, the DT domain comprises four research frontiers, namely, deep learning and smart city, internet of things and blockchain, DT and building information modeling and machine learning and asset management.

Originality/value

Through a mixed-review strategy, this study introduces a comprehensive analysis of DT literature while avoiding the subjectivity/cognitive bias of traditional review approaches. Moreover, it illuminates the promising and rising DT themes for new/seasoned researchers, institutions, editorial boards and funding agencies.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

1 – 4 of 4