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Article
Publication date: 20 October 2014

M. Cestari, D. Sanz-Merodio, J.C. Arevalo and E. Garcia

The purpose of this study is to present a variable stiffness actuator, one of whose main features is that the compliant elements simultaneously allow measuring of the torque…

881

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a variable stiffness actuator, one of whose main features is that the compliant elements simultaneously allow measuring of the torque exerted by the joint. Conceived as a force-controlled actuator, this actuator with Adjustable Rigidity and Embedded Sensor (ARES) is intended to be implemented in the knee of the ATLAS exoskeleton for children to allow the exploitation of the intrinsic dynamic during the locomotion cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of simulations were performed to evaluate the behavior of the actuator mechanism and a prototype of the variable impedance actuator was incorporated into the exoskeleton’s knee and evaluations of the torque measurements capabilities along with the rigidity adjustments were made.

Findings

Mass and inertia of the actuator are minimized by the compact design and the utilization of the different component for more than one utility. By a proper match of the compliance of the joint and the performed task, good torque measurements can be achieved and no bandwidth saturation is expected.

Originality/value

In the actuator, the compliant elements simultaneously allow measuring of the torque exerted by the join. By a proper match of the compliance of the joint and the performed task, good torque measurements can be achieved and no bandwidth saturation is expected.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 41 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 29 November 2021

Louisi Francis Moura, Edson Pinheiro de Lima, Fernando Deschamps, Dror Etzion and Sergio E. Gouvea da Costa

This conceptual paper presents a proposal for improving a performance measurement (PM) system implementation process based on enterprise engineering (EE) guidelines, which gives…

313

Abstract

Purpose

This conceptual paper presents a proposal for improving a performance measurement (PM) system implementation process based on enterprise engineering (EE) guidelines, which gives the process a sense of completeness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes a well-known process for PM systems implementation organized in two phases: identifying, designing and implementing the top-level performance measures; and cascading the top-level measures and identify appropriate lower-level performance measures. The proposed improvements to the studied process derive from the EE guidelines, which establish a basis for the structure of an organizational management system, the formalization and synchronization of processes, performance expectations, exception handling and change management.

Findings

The study reveals that not all EE guidelines are covered by the analyzed process, with four of them having no evidence of being adopted: involvement of people in process design and implementation; ensuring interoperability between different systems in the information structure; addressing of all possible exceptions; coherence and consistency of semantics across all processes.

Originality/value

By the lens of EE guidelines, this paper advances a how-to-guide. This paper can support managers and researchers on PM system design and implementation, given the importance and relevance of EE recommendations having a consistent and well-structured procedure.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 72 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

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Article
Publication date: 11 February 2021

Juliano Munik, Edson Pinheiro de Lima, Fernando Deschamps, Sergio E. Gouvea Da Costa, Eileen M. Van Aken, José Marcelo Almeida Prado Cestari, Louisi Francis Moura and Fernanda Treinta

This study aims to conduct a literature review on factors that influence the implementation and design of performance measurement systems in nonprofit organizations.

1455

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to conduct a literature review on factors that influence the implementation and design of performance measurement systems in nonprofit organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research strategy is conceived through a literature review focused on the analysis of authorship, supported by bibliometric techniques such as citation, co-citation and co-authorship social networks.

Findings

Models and theories proposed for measuring performance in non-profit organizations are being researched, starting to form an intellectual structure related to performance measurement systems and nonprofits. Three main research topics have been given more attention: strategic performance and public service performance, health-care performance and nonprofit operations strategy and performance measurement.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to scientific journal papers and could benefit from the addition of new sources of information such as conference papers, books and standards. The body of knowledge of this topic could also benefit from an in-depth investigation through a comprehensive review of models and theories, as a proposal for a future research agenda.

Practical implications

As practical applications are identified, groups of researchers in different countries and subjects that can generate research agendas, scientific communities used to investigate issues related to performance in nonprofit activities.

Originality/value

Performance measurement in nonprofit organizations is a topic of study that has been receiving considerable attention in recent years, to the point that the literature is revealing specific models for measuring performance in this type of organizations. Particular models and theories are being conceived, specializing existing models and theories related to performance measurement and management.

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

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Article
Publication date: 4 June 2020

Louisi Francis Moura, Edson Pinheiro de Lima, Fernando Deschamps, Eileen M. Van Aken, Sergio E. Gouvea Da Costa, Fernanda Tavares Treintaa, José Marcelo Almeida Prado Cestari and Ronan Assumpção Silva

The purpose of this research is to examine the factors that influence the design of performance measurement systems (PMSs) in nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and public…

1120

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the factors that influence the design of performance measurement systems (PMSs) in nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and public administration and explore inter-relationships among these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Findings resulted through the identification of design factors from the paper portfolio of a previous systematic literature review on this topic and the construction of a factor co-occurrence network for the identified factors. 

Findings

The methodology helped to determine the relationships among factors and show how these factors influence PMSs in NPOs and public administration. It also helped to demonstrate how PMSs in these organizations are different from PMSs in traditional companies because of the impact of the factors on the complexity and dynamics of NPOs and public administration. The findings and discussion contribute to the performance measurement literature on NPOs and public administration by presenting a set of design factors related to purpose, stakeholders and management.

Practical implications

This paper presents practical implications for managers regarding the PMS design process and shows how some design factors can be particularly related to these organizations

Originality/value

The design factors are particular to the organizational dynamic and should be considered by managers involved with the design (or redesign) process of performance measurement systems.

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

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Article
Publication date: 21 March 2022

Alberto Sardi, Enrico Sorano, Guido Giovando and Vania Tradori

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is increasing the use of digital technologies for delivering products and services. A performance measurement and management system (PMMS) is…

644

Abstract

Purpose

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is increasing the use of digital technologies for delivering products and services. A performance measurement and management system (PMMS) is recognised as a useful system to guide era 4.0; however, the literature has not adequately addressed this challenge in public government and not-for-profit organisations (NPOs). This research aims to investigate the evolution of the PMMS adopted by a local government for the control of investee NPOs in era 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

Through action research, the authors investigate an Italian municipality and its main investee NPOs. The project involved 4 researchers and 25 managers of the local government and NPOs.

Findings

This paper describes the design of a PMMS developed for a local government to control its investee NPOs. Considering the regulations and managerial needs, the designed system evolved from a fragmented set of indicators based on legitimacy and economic perspectives to a holistic set of indicators based on a comprehensive set of perspectives to consider the changing business environment.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the design of a PMMS adopted by local governments for controlling investee NPOs in era 4.0. The paper contributes (1) to identify the main control needs for the design of a PMMS in a public network and (2) to capture the evolution of a PMMS in light of era 4.0 by developing two conceptual propositions.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 72 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 11 February 2025

Xuan Cu Le

The study aims to explicate how Metaverse boosts learners’ cognition, decision confidence and active participation in Metaverse-based learning (MBL).

2

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to explicate how Metaverse boosts learners’ cognition, decision confidence and active participation in Metaverse-based learning (MBL).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey is designed with 523 respondents. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is conducted using online data to verify a research model.

Findings

Results demonstrate that Metaverse-related characteristics, namely interactivity, corporeity, persistence, immersion and personalized experience, aid in strengthening learners’ cognitive processing and decision confidence, whilst escapism does not influence decision confidence in MBL. Furthermore, user-related dimensions, including personal innovativeness and perceived trendiness, are the underlying motivations for decision confidence. Additionally, cognitive processing is positively associated with decision confidence, which considerably fosters learners’ active participation in MBL.

Originality/value

Limited studies have been conducted to illuminate a mechanism of cognitive processing, decision confidence and active participation among learners toward MBL in light of the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) paradigm. Therefore, a substantial amount of knowledge is supplemented to enlighten whether learners in a developing country may generate their engagement with MBL.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2008

Malcolm Firth, Frank Hanily and Paul Garratt

This paper identifies the challenges of interpreting and implementing appropriate eligibility criteria and assessment processes in adult mental health services, with reference to…

196

Abstract

This paper identifies the challenges of interpreting and implementing appropriate eligibility criteria and assessment processes in adult mental health services, with reference to an inner‐city Trust's own protocols. Central guidance, local interpretation and professional judgment are all legitimate contributions, but also confound both the concept and processes of entry to service.

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Article
Publication date: 10 January 2025

Hugo Carlos Dornfeld, Adrislaine da Silva Mansano, Eduardo Polloni-Silva, Herick Fernando Moralles and Luiz Fernando de Oriani e Paulillo

This study investigates why different governance structures have been adopted to organize similar operations in sugarcane transport transactions, resulting in the plural forms of…

7

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates why different governance structures have been adopted to organize similar operations in sugarcane transport transactions, resulting in the plural forms of governance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a panel of 10 Brazilian mills, covering the 2009–2019 period and employing an econometric strategy grounded mainly on the count data and traditional panel-regression models, this study used the Transaction Cost Economics perspective to investigate how the frequency of transactions, uncertainty and asset specificity influence the decision to adopt the Plural Forms of governance. Moreover, we employed two distinct measures of these Plural Forms and included governance alterations over time.

Findings

The results suggest that Transaction Cost Economics is a valid theoretical background for studying the plural forms of governance and that the interviewed Brazilian mills seemed to use these plural forms in their strategic transport planning, thus generating lower transaction costs and reducing issues, such as market uncertainties and opportunistic risks. We also found that the plural forms are gradually maintained but are not being adopted as a transitory management solution because they are aligned with the characteristics of price, the quality of service, contractual clauses and fidelity in negotiations.

Originality/value

The plural forms of governance are strategies for efficiently managing transport, promoting the security of supply and financial benefits related to transaction costs and improving environmental sustainability. Analyzing the plural forms of governance with two different measures (absolute and entropy-related), this study contributes to the ever-growing debate on governance, which is particularly important for the sugar-energy sector.

Details

Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-0839

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 4 January 2013

224

Abstract

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 40 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 15 May 2017

Iman Kardan and Alireza Akbarzadeh

This paper aims to overcome some of the practical difficulties in assistive control of exoskeletons by developing a new assistive algorithm, called output feedback assistive…

299

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to overcome some of the practical difficulties in assistive control of exoskeletons by developing a new assistive algorithm, called output feedback assistive control (OFAC) method. This method does not require feedbacks from force, electromyography (EMG) or acceleration signals or even their estimated values.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented controller uses feedbacks from position and velocity of the output link of series elastic actuators (SEAs) to increase the apparent integral admittance of the assisted systems. Optimal controller coefficients are obtained by maximizing the assistance ratio subjected to constraints of stability, coupled stability and a newly defined comfort measure.

Findings

The results confirm the effectiveness of using the inherent properties of SEAs for removing the need for extra controversial sensors in assistive control of 1 degree of freedom (1-DOF) SEA powered exoskeletons. The results also clearly indicate the successful performance of the OFAC method in reducing the external forces required for moving the assisted systems.

Practical implications

As the provided experiments indicate, the proposed method can be easily applied to single DOF compliantly actuated exoskeletons to provide a more reliable assistance with lower costs. This is achieved by removing the need for extra controversial sensors.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel assistive controller for SEA-powered exoskeletons with a simple model-free structure and independent of any information about interaction forces and future paths of the system. It also removes the requirement for the extra sensors and transforms the assistive control of the compliantly actuated systems into a simpler problem of position control of the SEA motor.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 44 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

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