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Article
Publication date: 25 January 2011

Elizabeth A. Smith and Matthew C. Mireles

The paper aims to propose that Community of CompetenceTM (C of C), as a catalyst for change, can foster and accelerate a paradigm shift in how longstanding, complex problems in…

840

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to propose that Community of CompetenceTM (C of C), as a catalyst for change, can foster and accelerate a paradigm shift in how longstanding, complex problems in health care are perceived, interpreted, and resolved. When multiple stakeholders within a C of C share a common or superordinate goal, group productivity increases as more effective and efficient use is made of human and material resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used the logical step‐by‐step process of systems thinking to see the whole picture, from beginning to end. Continuously cycling trial solutions back through the entire system improved the depth and breadth of results. Participants in each of the three ongoing projects used the safety and welfare of patients, the only true customers of health care, as a superordinate goal. This sole focus expedited and clarified decision making and provided valuable information on best practices for use in improving the safety and overall quality of patient‐centered care.

Findings

Results of anecdotal, observational, and documented findings validated the decision to continue using patient safety and patient welfare as the common, unifying superordinate goal in health care. The flexible structure and competency‐based, interactive work environment of C of C support networking and sharing of unique competencies and knowledge to guide a focused, streamlined problem‐solving processes.

Originality/value

C of C has been used for more than seven years to analyze high‐priority healthcare problems and to create comprehensive, realistic solutions. When members of a proven competence identify a superordinate goal, collaborate and openly share tacit and explicit knowledge, the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of solutions increase.

Details

Clinical Governance: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7274

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Article
Publication date: 10 August 2010

Elizabeth A. Smith and Matthew C. Mireles

This paper aims to present the methods and framework of the Community of Competence™ (C of C) originated by Smith as a new organizational model designed to maximize the use of…

626

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the methods and framework of the Community of Competence™ (C of C) originated by Smith as a new organizational model designed to maximize the use of scarce human and material resources. C of C links the words “community” and “competence” and incorporates the theories of socialization, systems thinking, learning organizations, self‐organizing systems, motivation, and creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

Combining the structure of a learning organization, systems thinking, the framework and methods of C of C was shown to create and support partnerships for sharing key information and knowledge in electronic networked global multidisciplinary groups. The general and unique roles human and organizational variables play in selecting and assigning members, defining and solving problems, and documenting results are discussed in three of 11 major healthcare projects presented in part II of this paper.

Findings

Healthcare is extremely competitive and primarily driven by the bottom line, the need to “do more with less”, and apply twenty‐first century thinking. Over the 2005‐2010 period, the authors learned that to remain competitive in the local/global marketplace, healthcare organizations must start to share competencies and make better use of limited or scarce human and material resources. C of C brings multidisciplinary groups together to solve complex problems by creating practical and efficient ways to more effectively identify, address, and develop realistic, cost‐effective solutions for major high‐priority problems and concerns in healthcare.

Originality/value

A C of C, as a new organizational model and catalyst for change, may foster a paradigm not only toward patient‐centered medicine or “medical home”, but also help improve the safety, quality, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness and equity of healthcare as originally proposed by the US Institute of Medicine in 1999. Only then can patients and their families, as the only true customers of healthcare, be empowered and encouraged to more actively participate in decisions about their diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

Details

Clinical Governance: An International Journal, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7274

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Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

Clayton Neff, Matthew Trapuzzano and Nathan B. Crane

Additive manufacturing (AM) is readily capable of producing models and prototypes of complex geometry and is advancing in creating functional parts. However, AM processes…

545

Abstract

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM) is readily capable of producing models and prototypes of complex geometry and is advancing in creating functional parts. However, AM processes typically underperform traditional manufacturing methods in mechanical properties, surface roughness and hermeticity. Solvent vapor treatments (vapor polishing) are commonly used to improve surface quality in thermoplastic parts, but the results are poorly characterized.

Design/methodology/approach

This work quantifies the surface roughness change and also evaluates the effect on hermeticity and mechanical property impacts for “as-printed” and acetone vapor-polished ABS tensile specimens of 1-, 2- and 4-mm thicknesses produced by material extrusion (FDM).

Findings

Vapor polishing proves to decrease the power spectral density for surface roughness features larger than 20 µm by a factor of 10× and shows significant improvement in hermeticity based on both perfluorocarbon gross leak and pressure leak tests. However, there is minimal impact on mechanical properties with the thin specimens showing a slight increase in elongation at break but decreased elastic modulus. A bi-exponential diffusion decay model for solvent evaporation suggest a thickness-independent and thickness-dependent time constant with the latter supporting a plasticizing effect on mechanical properties.

Originality/value

The contributions of this work show vapor polishing can have a substantial impact on the performance for end-use application of ABS FDM components.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2005

José Mireles

Owing to the technology growth, especially in Microsystems technology and Nanotechnology, new products will provide new ways to sense variables that are crucial for product…

1576

Abstract

Purpose

Owing to the technology growth, especially in Microsystems technology and Nanotechnology, new products will provide new ways to sense variables that are crucial for product improvement and system reliability. A big concern of the scientific community is the measurement of low level flow measurements, especially for the biomedical and/or systems on a chip approaches.Design/methodology/approach – A new flow meter concept design consists of a surface micromachined sensor having an optical high reflective mirror made of gold, which is attached to unique cantilever designs that bend due to the drag force of mass flow. The bending of the cantilevers produces the mirror to approach/depart from an optical fiber end‐tip. The reflective light to fiber is modulated using a Fabry‐Perot interferometry technique to determine the mirror separation to the fiber, which corresponds to the mass flow.Findings – The new concept design shows a big potential approach to measure low flow measurements for air, gas and liquids of low viscosity. The results of this concept, through finite element analysis, show that the material used to build the sensor, makes them excellent candidates for fabrication. The stresses of the materials and allowable (readable) bending are among the tolerances of such materials/construction‐design. The sensor is not affected by electromagnetic interference and does not require electrical currents to sense, i.e. it is perfectly suited for biomedical and low mass‐flow sensing such as lab‐on‐chip applications.Originality/value – Among all approaches to sense low flow measurements, most of them need either “big” turbine approaches (dimensions over 1 cm diameter), or the need of an electrical approach needed in the end measurement sensor. This work proposes a non‐electrical approach.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

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Article
Publication date: 27 September 2024

Elmira Sharabian, Mahyar Khorasani, Stefan Gulizia, Amir Hossein Ghasemi, Eric MacDonald, David Downing, Bernard Rolfe, Milan Brandt and Martin Leary

This study aims to comprehensively investigate the electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) process for copper, offering validated estimations of melt pool temperature and…

102

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to comprehensively investigate the electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) process for copper, offering validated estimations of melt pool temperature and morphology through numerical and analytical approaches. This work also assesses how process parameters influence the temperature fluctuations and the morphological changes of the melt pool.

Design/methodology/approach

Two distinct methods, an analytical model and a numerical simulation, were used to assess temperature profiles, melt pool morphology and associated heat transfer mechanisms, including conduction and keyhole mode. The analytical model considers conduction as the dominant heat transfer mechanism; the numerical model also includes convection and radiation, incorporating specific parameters such as beam power, scan speed, thermophysical material properties and powder interactions.

Findings

Both the analytical model and numerical simulations are highly correlated. Results indicated that the analytical model, emphasising material conduction, exhibited exceptional precision, although at substantially reduced cost. Statistical analysis of numerical outcomes underscored the substantial impact of beam power and scan speed on melt pool morphology and temperature in EB-PBF of copper.

Originality/value

This numerical simulation of copper in EB-PBF is the first high-fidelity model to consider the interaction between powder and substrate comprehensively. It accurately captures material properties, powder size distribution, thermal dynamics (including heat transfer between powder and substrate), phase changes and fluid dynamics. The model also integrates advanced computational methods such as computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method. The proposed model and simulation offer a valuable predictive tool for melt pool temperature, heat transfer processes and morphology. These insights are critical for ensuring the bonding quality of subsequent layers and, consequently, influencing the overall quality of the printed parts.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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Article
Publication date: 29 May 2023

Jinxiang Zeng, Shujin Cao, Yijin Chen, Pei Pan and Yafang Cai

This study analyzed the interdisciplinary characteristics of Chinese research studies in library and information science (LIS) measured by knowledge elements extracted through the…

435

Abstract

Purpose

This study analyzed the interdisciplinary characteristics of Chinese research studies in library and information science (LIS) measured by knowledge elements extracted through the Lexicon-LSTM model.

Design/methodology/approach

Eight research themes were selected for experiment, with a large-scale (N = 11,625) dataset of research papers from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database constructed. And it is complemented with multiple corpora. Knowledge elements were extracted through a Lexicon-LSTM model. A subject knowledge graph is constructed to support the searching and classification of knowledge elements. An interdisciplinary-weighted average citation index space was constructed for measuring the interdisciplinary characteristics and contributions based on knowledge elements.

Findings

The empirical research shows that the Lexicon-LSTM model has superiority in the accuracy of extracting knowledge elements. In the field of LIS, the interdisciplinary diversity indicator showed an upward trend from 2011 to 2021, while the disciplinary balance and difference indicators showed a downward trend. The knowledge elements of theory and methodology could be used to detect and measure the interdisciplinary characteristics and contributions.

Originality/value

The extraction of knowledge elements facilitates the discovery of semantic information embedded in academic papers. The knowledge elements were proved feasible for measuring the interdisciplinary characteristics and exploring the changes in the time sequence, which helps for overview the state of the arts and future development trend of the interdisciplinary of research theme in LIS.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. 75 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

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Article
Publication date: 10 August 2020

Zejing Qu, Wen Huang and Zhengjun Zhou

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of applying sustainability to the engineering curriculum at a university in China.

648

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of applying sustainability to the engineering curriculum at a university in China.

Design/methodology/approach

A new curriculum, “ethics, involvement and sustainability,” was designed and presented to engineering students from an undergraduate major in quality management engineering. This curriculum incorporated knowledge acquisition and skills training into sustainability via various teaching approaches in a mandatory curriculum at Tongling University, China. Pre- and post-questionnaire surveys, as well as a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model, were adopted to evaluate the changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of respondents before and after curriculum implementation.

Findings

Significant changes in knowledge and attitudes were observed following the implementation of the curriculum. In terms of the development of new behaviors, the changes tended to be moderate. Generally, respondents were satisfied with the effectiveness of the new interdisciplinary curriculum post-implementation.

Practical implications

Positive results were observed for the pilot and practice of the new engineering education (NEE) strategy at the cooperating university in China. Specifically, the integration of sustainability into curriculum design, implementation and evaluation inspired greater social responsibility in engineering students’ decision-making processes. Additionally, it shed light on how to integrate the concept of sustainability into curricula. One limitation of this study was the absence of a comparison group that did not experience the new curriculum.

Originality/value

Scant attention has been paid to local universities in the context of the newly-launched NEE strategy. This study provides new insight regarding the implementation of sustainability into engineering curricula and practice via formal, but diversified, teaching approaches.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 21 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 October 2022

Diqian Ren, Jun-Ki Choi and Kellie Schneider

Because of the significant differences in the features and requirements of specific products and the capabilities of various additive manufacturing (AM) solutions, selecting the…

2063

Abstract

Purpose

Because of the significant differences in the features and requirements of specific products and the capabilities of various additive manufacturing (AM) solutions, selecting the most appropriate AM technology can be challenging. This study aims to propose a method to solve the complex process selection in 3D printing applications, especially by creating a new multicriteria decision-making tool that takes the direct certainty of each comparison to reflect the decision-maker’s desire effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology proposed includes five steps: defining the AM technology selection decision criteria and constraints, extracting available AM parameters from the database, evaluating the selected AM technology parameters based on the proposed decision-making methodology, improving the accuracy of the decision by adopting newly proposed weighting scheme and selecting optimal AM technologies by integrating information gathered from the whole decision-making process.

Findings

To demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of the proposed methodology, this case study describes a detailed industrial application in rapid investment casting that applies the weightings to a tailored AM technologies and materials database to determine the most suitable AM process. The results showed that the proposed methodology could solve complicated AM process selection problems at both the design and manufacturing stages.

Originality/value

This research proposes a unique multicriteria decision-making solution, which employs an exclusive weightings calculation algorithm that converts the decision-maker's subjective priority of the involved criteria into comparable values. The proposed framework can reduce decision-maker's comparison duty and potentially reduce errors in the pairwise comparisons used in other decision-making methodologies.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 28 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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Article
Publication date: 23 November 2021

Aatish Sharma, Raied Mehtab, Sanjay Mohan and Mohd Kamal Mohd Shah

Augmented reality (AR) integrates the digital world with the real world and thus, provides a real-time experience to the users. With AR, the immediate surroundings become a…

1169

Abstract

Purpose

Augmented reality (AR) integrates the digital world with the real world and thus, provides a real-time experience to the users. With AR, the immediate surroundings become a learning platform for the users. The perception of the products has been enhanced many times with AR; thus, enriching user experience and responsiveness. The purpose of this paper is to bring forth the basics of AR and provide an overview of the research work carried out by researchers in the implementation of AR in different sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarizes the usefulness of AR in different industries. The authors have identified the peer-reviewed research publications from Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, etc. The selection of literature has been made based upon the significance of AR in recent times. The industries/sectors where AR has been implemented successfully have been considered for this paper. The paper has been divided into various sections and subsections to bring more clarity to the readers.

Findings

This paper presents a brief and a precise information on Industry 4.0 and AR. The basic working of AR system and its implications have also been discussed. The preference of AR over virtual reality (VR) has also been deliberated in this paper. The authors have presented the usefulness of AR in different sectors such as smart factories, ship yard building, online shopping, surgery and education. This paper discusses the AR-ready procedures being followed in these sectors.

Originality/value

AR has been an add-on to VR systems. The processes in industries have become very handy and informative with AR. Because the application of AR in different sectors has not been discussed in a single paper; thus, this work presents a systematic literature review on the applications of AR in different sectors/industries.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 49 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

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