N. Boubekri and Pinaki Chakraborty
The application of robots to industrial problems often requires grasping and manipulation of the work piece. The robot is able to perform a task adequately only when it is…
Abstract
The application of robots to industrial problems often requires grasping and manipulation of the work piece. The robot is able to perform a task adequately only when it is assigned proper tooling and adequate methods of grasping and handling work pieces. The design of such a task requires an in‐depth knowledge of several interrelated subjects including: gripper design, force, position, stiffness and compliance control and grasp configurations. In this paper, we review the research finding on these subjects in order to present in a concise manner, which can be easily accessed by the designers of robot task, the information reported by the researchers, and identify based on the review, future research directions in these areas.
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Afia Anzum, Md. Jewel Rana, Estiak Ahmed and Sabitur Rahman
The major goals of this study are to investigate the existing state of affairs concerning daylighting, glare and thermal comfort in the building, which will be the focus of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The major goals of this study are to investigate the existing state of affairs concerning daylighting, glare and thermal comfort in the building, which will be the focus of the investigation, particularly in connection to the building’s energy efficiency considering student task performances. EnergyPlus, which is a software for building energy modeling, is applied to evaluate the energy consumption of buildings under a variety of circumstances related to their design. With the use of a variety of simulations, the goal of this study is to provide building design options that are both the most efficient and the most cost-effective for the case study building.
Design/methodology/approach
There are three distinct categories that can be applied throughout the entire process. The first thing that has to be done is to choose a building to use as a case study and then conduct an analysis of the current situation to address the existing problem. In the following step, several passive design measures are implemented and simulated in order to solve the challenges that are currently being faced. A detailed cost analysis is carried out as the final step in the process of determining whether or not it is feasible.
Findings
According to the findings: A cantilevered 3’ drop wall as a shading system, an east-facing model, and a window with a height of 4.5 is the ideal configuration. The annual energy can be saved by 22.5%. The payback period is 11 years. Benefit/Cost >1 makes it a feasible and economical solution.
Originality/value
The work is completely original. No one have done this before.
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Mieczysl‐aw Siemiatkowski and Wl‐odzimierz Przybylski
Presents a proposal of computer integrated production planning and shopfloor control in a modular robot served flexible manufacturing cell. The manufacturing functions involving…
Abstract
Presents a proposal of computer integrated production planning and shopfloor control in a modular robot served flexible manufacturing cell. The manufacturing functions involving scheduling, despatching and monitoring are integrated and mapped onto the multi‐level system architecture. Discusses functions of the system software modules, principles of communication between them and the technical requirements imposed on the system. Introduces simulation modelling tools based on the Petri net formalism to support the user in developing schedule solutions and estimating the overall manufacturing performance of the specific cell.
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Rianne Appel-Meulenbroek, Maria Clippard and Andreas Pfnür
This study aims at understanding academic practice in the field of physical office environment research and providing recommendations for further enhancement of the field. It…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims at understanding academic practice in the field of physical office environment research and providing recommendations for further enhancement of the field. It shows which effects of the physical office environment on employee outcomes are studied by which disciplines, and which methodologies are used by whom and on which variables. Existing gaps in research that are confirmed by these analyses are discussed and “assigned” to obvious, best suited combinations of future multi-disciplinary research projects to call for studies that would help practice in better decision-making.
Design/methodology/approach
After a systematic search and selection of studies, an exploratory analysis of 134 empirical studies from 50 different journals (and other sources) was performed. The selected studies were entered into a database with information on the empirical parameters of the study, the methodology and author information. From this database, cross-tables were built and tested with Canonical Correspondence analyses.
Findings
Results of the analyses showed that each discipline has its preferred topics and methods of research. In general, questionnaires are preferred over hard data from physical and physiological recordings. Still many important gaps exist in fully clarifying workplace effectiveness. This paper suggests which disciplines would be capable of taking up which challenges in future studies through interdisciplinary cooperation to further advance the field and corporate real estate management/FM in practice.
Originality/value
The Correspondence analyses not only confirmed important gaps for future research but also identified which disciplines would be best suited to take up these challenges.
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Richard N. Callahan, Kevin M. Hubbard and Shawn D. Strong
To develop a decision framework for the planning and development of a flexible manufacturing system (FMS).
Abstract
Purpose
To develop a decision framework for the planning and development of a flexible manufacturing system (FMS).
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic weighted property index approach for FMS development decisions is developed to evaluate various design options. This methodology converts design property values of differing orders of magnitude into a unitless system where an overall evaluation of the options can be made.
Findings
Major design choices related to the implementation of an educational FMS are identified, and considerations affecting each choice are discussed. A methodology for the selection of the appropriate FMS is then developed and demonstrated.
Practical implications
Provides a useful framework for evaluating various options in FMS development and selecting an appropriate system for a given environment and situation.
Originality/value
Identifies the major design choices related to the implementation of an educational FMS, provides practical examples taken from the development of FMSs at Southwest Missouri State University and the University of Missouri‐Rolla, and presents a systematic methodology for FMS design decision making.
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Syahrul Nizam Kamaruzzaman and Ainur Mardiha Azmal
This paper aims to identify the indoor environmental quality in an affordable housing, as well as the health condition of users. Furthermore, it aims to find the relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the indoor environmental quality in an affordable housing, as well as the health condition of users. Furthermore, it aims to find the relationship between quality of the indoor environment (IEQ) and sick building syndrome (SBS) and the satisfaction level of the occupants towards the IEQ factor, as well as the importance of the factors in the occupants’ view. Additionally, the purpose of this pilot study is to validate the questionnaire and identify the possible outcome of this research for the main study.
Design/methodology/approach
There are a few methods to achieve the objective of this paper: first is by literature review and second is by a survey. There are two types of survey made: observation survey and questionnaire survey. The purpose of observation survey is to survey the surrounding and the condition of the apartments, while questionnaire survey was distributed to the respondents in the affordable housing area. Next, is analysis and discussion of the survey, and finally, summary.
Findings
Aside from achieving the validity of the questionnaire survey, the results of the survey have found that the respondents are dissatisfied with the noise and glare level, as well as the amount of artificial lighting in their unit. Additionally, they have rated health, ventilation and amount of air movement as the most important IEQ factors. More importantly, the occupants have experienced the symptoms of SBS and the health condition of the building occupants. The results show that the most frequent symptoms affected the respondents are fatigue, dizziness and a headache.
Originality/value
This paper has indicated the IEQ in the affordable housing and identifies the health risk of occupants, specifically in Malaysia.
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Paul Hong, Oahn Tran and Kihyun Park
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the impacts of supplier‐ and customer‐oriented electronic communication technologies (ECTs) (electronic data interchange (EDI…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the impacts of supplier‐ and customer‐oriented electronic communication technologies (ECTs) (electronic data interchange (EDI) and internet‐based) on supply chain integration and manufacturing competitive capabilities (flexibility and quality).
Design/methodology/approach
The research model is based on resource‐based view of technology use, ECTs, and supply chain management literature. Data from 711 international manufacturing firms International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS IV) are analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to test the proposed relationships.
Findings
The results suggest: the importance of applying two specific ECTs (EDI and internet‐based) for both supplier and customer integration; and the direct impact of supplier integration and customer integration on manufacturing competitive capabilities.
Research limitations/implications
Except for perceptual biases inherent to survey methodology, this research provides rich implications on ECTs (particularly, EDI and internet‐based) on supply chain integration and manufacturing competitive capabilities.
Practical implications
The findings of this research provide practical management insights on ECTs investment and deployment practices. Creation and delivery of values require effective integration of technologies for key performance outcomes across suppliers, customers and internal business processes.
Originality/value
This paper fills the research gap by presenting a research model and empirically validates how ECTs impact on quality and flexibility based on rich empirical data of 711 firms of manufacturing firms.
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Robot tools, or in more general terms, end‐of‐arm tools, or robot end‐effectors are general purpose, programmable or task‐oriented devices connected between the robot wrist and…
Abstract
Robot tools, or in more general terms, end‐of‐arm tools, or robot end‐effectors are general purpose, programmable or task‐oriented devices connected between the robot wrist and the object or load to be manipulated and/or processed by the robot. They can offer and/or limit the versatility of grasping and/or processing of different components, sensing their characteristics and working together with the robot control system to provide a reliable “service” throughout the component manipulation cycle. Reconfigurable robot tooling enables the robot to rapidly change its end‐effectors or fingers of its end‐effectors, typically under programmable software control. The importance of providing lean‐flexibility by means of reconfigurable, automated robot hand changers (ARHC), particularly in small‐batch robotic welding, assembly, machine loading and in other flexible robot cells, is discussed with examples. Some known systems are demonstrated and the “Ranky‐type” ARHC design is illustrated in more detail.
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Employees’ satisfaction and productivity is one of the main interests of employers. Psychological comfort can cause dissatisfaction with their work. Thus, it is important to…
Abstract
Purpose
Employees’ satisfaction and productivity is one of the main interests of employers. Psychological comfort can cause dissatisfaction with their work. Thus, it is important to understand what factors contribute to employees’ satisfaction in workplaces. The purpose of this paper is to identify the weight of contribution of each design parameter on increasing psychological satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The study included 579 employees in five offices in The Netherlands through an online survey. The typologies of offices vary in terms of office layouts, orientations and façade. Additionally, a parameter of desk location was included as this factor may be associated with user satisfaction. Kruskal–Wallis H test, categorical regression, and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the impact of these design parameters on psychological user satisfaction.
Findings
The results revealed the impact of design parameters on the psychological satisfaction. The parameters of office layouts and desk locations were the significant predictor factors for the probability of satisfaction variables (e.g. privacy, concentration, communication, social contact and territoriality). The parameters for optimal satisfaction were found in cellular office, north-west oriented workstation and 4 m away from a window.
Originality/value
Psychological comfort is an inevitable aspect in user satisfaction studies. This paper, therefore, measures and predicts the relationship between design factors and employees’ satisfaction through case studies in The Netherlands. The findings help designers, architects, planners and facility managers to develop user-focussed office design principles supporting employees’ work performance.
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Editorial This special issue of Industrial Management & Data Systems is a huge departure from our usual journal/ monograph style. This is an additional issue to the year's volume…
Abstract
Editorial This special issue of Industrial Management & Data Systems is a huge departure from our usual journal/ monograph style. This is an additional issue to the year's volume — a bonus in fact.