Leonard Rusli and Anthony Luscher
The study aims to evaluate the capability of a machine vision camera and software to recognize fasteners for the purpose of assembly verification. This will enable the current…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to evaluate the capability of a machine vision camera and software to recognize fasteners for the purpose of assembly verification. This will enable the current assembly verification system to associate torque verfication with a specific fastener.
Design/methodology/approach
A small camera is installed at the head of a tool near the socket. The camera is used to capture images surrounding the fastener, and feeding them into machine vision recognition software. By recognizing unique features around the fastener, the fastener can be uniquely identified and therefore verified to be assembled. Additional filtering and multiple frame recognition will improve the reliability of the recognition.
Findings
The machine vision technology is found to be adequately reliable in identifying fasteners after tuning key threshold parameters and requiring multiple positively recognized frames. The time to verify can be kept around a fraction of a second to prevent impacting assembly speed.
Research limitations/implications
This experiment was run under simulated assembly line lighting conditions. It also does not explore industrial remote head industrial camera hardware.
Practical implications
By using a remote-mounted camera in combination with electric tools, a reliable assembly verification system can be used to eliminate torque check processes of critical fasteners, thereby reducing the cost of assembly.
Originality/value
Currently, assembly verification is done only using the torque values. In automated assembly line, each process might involve fastening multiple fasteners. Using this system, a new level of assembly verification is achieved by recording the assembled fastener and its associated torque.
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Leonard Rusli and Anthony Luscher
The purpose of this paper is to create an assembly verification system that is capable of verifying complete assembly and torque for each individual fastener.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to create an assembly verification system that is capable of verifying complete assembly and torque for each individual fastener.
Design/methodology/approach
The 3D position of the tool used to torque the fastener and the assembly pallet will be tracked using an infrared (IR) tracking system. A set of retro‐reflective markers are attached to the tool and assembly while being tracked by multiple IR cameras. Software is used to triangulate the relative position of the tool in order to identify the fastener being torqued. The torque value is obtained from the tool controller device. By combining the location of the tool and the torque value from the tool controller, assembly of each individual fastener can be verified and its achieved torque recorded.
Findings
The IR tracking is capable of tracking within 2‐3 mm for each tracking ball, with a resulting practical resolution of 24 mm distance between fasteners while maintaining 99.9999 per cent reliability without false positive fastener identification.
Research limitations/implications
This experiment was run under simulated assembly line lighting conditions.
Practical implications
By being able to verify assembly reliably, the need for manual torque check is eliminate and hence yield significant cost savings. This will also allow programming electric tools according in real time based on the fastener in proximity identification.
Originality/value
Currently, assembly verification is only done using the torque values. In automated assembly line, each process might involve fastening multiple fasteners. Using this system, a new level of assembly verification is achieved by recording the assembled fastener and its associated torque.
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Mayra Liuviana Vega Chica and Iván Manuel De la Vega Hernández
This study aims to examine the influence of absorptive capacity and learning motivation in the process of knowledge acquisition in students of higher education institutions and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the influence of absorptive capacity and learning motivation in the process of knowledge acquisition in students of higher education institutions and subsequently evaluate its effect on the transfer of knowledge in the companies where students work, and the possible moderating effect of students’ social skills and the level of work autonomy.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design is non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational-causal, with a quantitative approach and the data collected are from primary sources. The variables autonomy and social skills are used on the perceptions of students in continuing education in programs related to third- or fourth-level business and administration careers in universities in Ecuador.
Findings
With the results obtained, it can be concluded that knowledge absorption capacity and learning motivation, as reflective constructs, have a significant effect on knowledge acquisition, and knowledge acquisition has a significant effect on transfer of knowledge, in part-time students, of the administrative area, studying in higher education institutions in Ecuador and working full time.
Originality/value
This study identifies the significant relationship between the variables of job autonomy and social skills and between the acquisition and transfer of knowledge. In addition, it is evident that the variables of job autonomy and social skills are significantly related.
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Mona Ashok, Mouza Saeed Mohammed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, Rohit Madan and Michael D. Dzandu
Knowledge management (KM) is associated with higher performance and innovative culture; KM can help the public sector to be fiscally lean and meet diverse stakeholders’ needs…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge management (KM) is associated with higher performance and innovative culture; KM can help the public sector to be fiscally lean and meet diverse stakeholders’ needs. However, hierarchical structures, bureaucratic culture and rigid processes inhibit KM adoption and generate inertia. This study aims to explore the nature and causes of this inertia within the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) public sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an in-depth case study of a UAE public sector organisation, this study explores how organisational inertia can be countered to enable KM adoption. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with 17 top- and middle-level managers from operational, management and strategic levels. Interview data is triangulated with content analysis from multiple sources, including the UAE Government and case organisation documents.
Findings
The results show transformation leadership, external factors and organisational culture mediate the negative effect of inertia on KM practices adoption. We find that information technology plays a key role in enabling knowledge creation, access, adoption and sharing. Furthermore, we uncover a virtuous cycle between organisational culture and KM practices adoption in the public sector. In addition, we develop a new model (the relationship between KM practices, organisational inertia, organisational culture, transformational leadership traits and external factors) and four propositions for empirical testing by future researchers. We also present a cross-case comparison of our results with six private/quasi-private sector cases who have implemented KM practices.
Research limitations/implications
Qualitative data is collected from a single case study.
Originality/value
Inertia in a public section is a result of bureaucracy and authority bounded by the rules and regulations. Adopting a qualitative methodology and case study method, the research explores the phenomena of how inertia impacts KM adoption in public sector environments. Our findings reveal the underlying mechanisms of how internal and external organisational factors impact inertia. Internally, supportive organisational culture and transformational leadership traits positively effect KM adoption, which, in turn, has a positive effect on organisational culture to counter organisational inertia. Externally, a progressive national culture, strategy and policy can support a knowledge-based organisation that embraces change. This study develops a new model (interactions between internal and external factors impacting KM practices in the public sector), four propositions and a new two-stage process model for KM adoption in the public sector. We present a case-comparison of how the constructs interact in a public sector as compared to six private/quasi-private sector cases from the literature.
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Dimitrios Hatjidis, Mamie Griffin and Marylene Younes
This paper aims to examine empirically, within the context of the public sector, in what way the overall quality perception of an individual’s network relationships at work affect…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine empirically, within the context of the public sector, in what way the overall quality perception of an individual’s network relationships at work affect the psychological condition known as change readiness. Moreover, the research examines whether tacit knowledge and organizational climate can have indirect effects on the relationship between universal network quality perception and change readiness.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected through a self-reported survey from 105 individuals employed on a full-time basis by the government sector in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Using regression and mediation analysis, three hypotheses are tested relating to the direct effect of universal network quality perception and change readiness, accompanied by the indirect effects of tacit knowledge and organizational climate on the preceding relationship.
Findings
The results emanated from statistical analysis show that universal network quality perception has a positive association with change readiness, and tacit knowledge and organizational climate mediate significantly the relationship between the universal network quality perception and change readiness.
Research limitations/implications
Considering the nature of the study, conclusions with regard to causality might not be that strong as the findings relevant to the dependent variable represented by change readiness are not based on longitudinal research and the sample comprises only local people with similar cultural background. Therefore, study conclusions may not be suitable for generalization.
Practical implications
The mediating effects highlight the consideration of tacit knowledge and organizational climate as influential organizational mechanisms within the framework of a proactive change management practice due to their positive impact on the psychological uncertainty and lack of job content competencies that a change initiative might cause to employees and their behavioral reactions.
Originality/value
The paper reveals the role of universal network quality perception as a conduit of positive social influence on change readiness. This role becomes significantly elastic when tacit knowledge and organizational climate become notable links of relationship quality because of their ability to trigger favorable psychosocial behavioral patterns toward organizational change. Furthermore, this study expands the literature on organizational change readiness factors in the UAE, for which few studies currently exist.
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Kazem Shamsadini, Mahdi Askari Shahamabad and Fateme Askari Shahamabad
Increasing environmental pollution and destruction have damaged sustainability in polluting societies and organizations. For this reason, various environmental management programs…
Abstract
Purpose
Increasing environmental pollution and destruction have damaged sustainability in polluting societies and organizations. For this reason, various environmental management programs have recently been developed by governments and the environmental protection agencies (EPAs) to control and reduce environmental pollution. One of these programs is environmental audit (EA), which has not been fully implemented yet in developing countries and it has many disadvantages. It seems that one of the reasons for the lack of perfect implementation of EA in these countries is the lack of adequate review of the factors affecting its implementation. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors affecting EA implementation and then analysis of causal relationships between them.
Design/methodology/approach
Decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique was used to identify causal relationships of factors affecting EA implementation. Based on the literature review and interviewing nine experts in EA, 17 factors were identified to influence EA implementation. Six experts were selected for the evaluation using snowball sampling method. Using the DEMATEL approach, a cause and effect relationship diagram was generated through which the effect of factors was analyzed.
Findings
Seventeen factors were categorized in terms of cause and effect, and the interrelationships of factors were also analyzed. “Reducing environmental impacts and improving environmental performance,” “obtaining environmental management system certificates” and “contributing to the environmental goals of investment projects” are the most prominent factors on the basis of their prominent score.
Research limitations/implications
Analysis in the research is highly dependent on expert judgments and opinions may be biased. However, the initial matrix obtained from the experts is hindered by the ambiguity about some relationships. But this can be improved by using fuzzy and gray set theories. The factors used for the analysis may not be comprehensive and other researchers may find other factors.
Practical implications
Identifying the factors affecting EA implementation and analyzing causal relationships between them can be a guide and help governments to improve the implementation of EA or even develop this policy by being aware of the effect of the factors analyzed.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no comprehensive study of factors affecting EA implementation has been undertaken; this study is the first to identify these factors and analyze them using DEMATEL. Therefore, it is suggested that governments and EPAs in the policies focus on the significant factors.