1,756 research outputs found
Service Implementation Framework in Manufacturing Firms: A Case Study
The culture and the operational methods of service management have become a formidable competitive weapon even for manufacturing firms. The term "service factory" has been proposed for identifying that particular integration of products and services, achieved by the excellent manufacturing firm, where "service is a multidimensional concept". The creation of a service factory necessarily implies a radical change in the operational and organizational characteristics of the firm. In order to support manufacturing firms in adopting a service strategy, it is relevant on the one hand to identify the bundle of services which have to be provided for the customers and, on the other hand, to understand the implications for firm management model. As regards the first point, the paper proposes a framework which classifies the services along with two dimensions: Timedimension and target-dimension. The proposed framework is of interest for manufacturing firms because it allows a better recognition of services that are more perceptible for the customers. In the second part of the paper, authors discuss the implications of a service strategy adoption on the management model of manufacturing firms. In order to carry out this analysis, authors propose a model that combines four service dimensions with three decision-making categories (Organization, Methodologies and Technologies). In the end, the proposed framework has been applied in a sample of Italian hot water heater manufacturers and a case study analysis has been carried out
A novel framework for the use of workflow system in the integration of supply chain tiers
The global competition has imposed challenges to supply chain integration, mainly, during the process of obtain information to make demand management decisions. This paper proposes an integrated framework for data collection, analysis and results dissemination in the supply chain management (SCM), contributing to research and alternatives for \u201cThe Bullwhip Effect\u201d issue. In this sense, it is necessary to discuss the integration of supply chain management, Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) functionality and others systems, to enlarge this scope to the total supply chain players. The ERP web-based tool and Workflow Systems (WS) can contribute to solve issues related to supply chain management. Starting from a detailed analysis of the research background regarding current SCM definitions and integration problems, Information Technology and Communication (ITC) development and WS in order to map and ensure flow fluency; the paper proposes a model to increase the overall integrations and an application in a case study for supporting the decisions that are aligned with the company\u2019s strategic objectives. This paper is divided in: research background; proposed model of the SC integration; case study, conclusions and future research
Rewarding the Factory Workers: How to Select the Right Measures for an Effective Pay-for-Performance System
Directionality preservation of nuclear recoils in an emulsion detector for directional dark matter search
Nuclear emulsion is a well-known detector type proposed also for the
directional detection of dark matter. In this paper, we study one of the most
important properties of direction-sensitive detectors: the preservation by
nuclear recoils of the direction of impinging dark matter particles. For
nuclear emulsion detectors, it is the first detailed study where a realistic
nuclear recoil energy distribution with all possible recoil atom types is
exploited. Moreover, for the first time we study the granularity effect on the
emulsion detector directional performance. As well as we compare nuclear
emulsion with other directional detectors: in terms of direction preservation
nuclear emulsion outperforms the other detectors for WIMP masses above 100
GeV/c.Comment: Prepared for submission to JCA
Statistical analysis of probability density functions for photometric redshifts through the KiDS-ESO-DR3 galaxies
Despite the high accuracy of photometric redshifts (zphot) derived using
Machine Learning (ML) methods, the quantification of errors through reliable
and accurate Probability Density Functions (PDFs) is still an open problem.
First, because it is difficult to accurately assess the contribution from
different sources of errors, namely internal to the method itself and from the
photometric features defining the available parameter space. Second, because
the problem of defining a robust statistical method, always able to quantify
and qualify the PDF estimation validity, is still an open issue. We present a
comparison among PDFs obtained using three different methods on the same data
set: two ML techniques, METAPHOR (Machine-learning Estimation Tool for Accurate
PHOtometric Redshifts) and ANNz2, plus the spectral energy distribution
template fitting method, BPZ. The photometric data were extracted from the KiDS
(Kilo Degree Survey) ESO Data Release 3, while the spectroscopy was obtained
from the GAMA (Galaxy and Mass Assembly) Data Release 2. The statistical
evaluation of both individual and stacked PDFs was done through quantitative
and qualitative estimators, including a dummy PDF, useful to verify whether
different statistical estimators can correctly assess PDF quality. We conclude
that, in order to quantify the reliability and accuracy of any zphot PDF
method, a combined set of statistical estimators is required.Comment: Accepted for publication by MNRAS, 20 pages, 14 figure
Flood hazard of the Somma-Vesuvius region based on historical (19-20th century) and geomorphological data
This paper presents a preliminary susceptibility map of the flood hazard
for the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic district, worked out by means of multidisciplinary
historical, geological, geomorphological and rainfall data
processing. It is well known that the Somma-Vesuvius volcano, due to its
explosive volcanism and the dense urbanization of the surrounding area,
with a population exceeding 650,000 is one of the most dangerous active
volcanoes of the world. Although this area has been extensively studied
from the volcanological point of view with regards to its volcanic hazard,
there are currently not many detailed studies about its flood hazard factors,
despite the fact that, in the last century, many intense rainfall events
in this area have produced several floods that invaded the surrounding
plains affecting towns and roads, and causing much damages and loss of
lives. Accordingly, in this paper high-resolution DEM (5Ă—5 m pixel) and
detailed geomorphological maps of the whole area have been analyzed
and processed in GIS environment, carrying out a comparative study of
the present-day morphology and the morphology of the 1900’s volcanic edifice,
including changes of infrastructures and buildings throughout the
last century. These results, together with historical chronicles data and
the rainfall accurate data for all flood events, have been processed in this
paper for highlighting the drainage basins areas of Somma-Vesuvius
where the flood phenomena could be more probable in the future, working
out a preliminary zoning map, also suggesting in which sectors interventions
useful for mitigation of flood risk should be implemented
On random flights with non-uniformly distributed directions
This paper deals with a new class of random flights defined in the real space characterized
by non-uniform probability distributions on the multidimensional sphere. These
random motions differ from similar models appeared in literature which take
directions according to the uniform law. The family of angular probability
distributions introduced in this paper depends on a parameter which
gives the level of drift of the motion. Furthermore, we assume that the number
of changes of direction performed by the random flight is fixed. The time
lengths between two consecutive changes of orientation have joint probability
distribution given by a Dirichlet density function.
The analysis of is not an easy task, because it
involves the calculation of integrals which are not always solvable. Therefore,
we analyze the random flight obtained as
projection onto the lower spaces of the original random
motion in . Then we get the probability distribution of
Although, in its general framework, the analysis of is very complicated, for some values of , we can provide
some results on the process. Indeed, for , we obtain the characteristic
function of the random flight moving in . Furthermore, by
inverting the characteristic function, we are able to give the analytic form
(up to some constants) of the probability distribution of Comment: 28 pages, 3 figure
High-resolution tracking in a GEM-Emulsion detector
SHiP (Search for Hidden Particles) is a beam dump experiment proposed at the
CERN SPS aiming at the observation of long lived particles very weakly coupled
with ordinary matter mostly produced in the decay of charmed hadrons. The beam
dump facility of SHiP is also a copious factory of neutrinos of all three kinds
and therefore a dedicated neutrino detector is foreseen in the SHiP apparatus.
The neutrino detector exploits the Emulsion Cloud Chamber technique with a
modular structure, alternating walls of target units and planes of electronic
detectors providing the time stamp to the event. GEM detectors are one of the
possible choices for this task. This paper reports the results of the first
exposure to a muon beam at CERN of a new hybrid chamber, obtained by coupling a
GEM chamber and an emulsion detector. Thanks to the micrometric accuracy of the
emulsion detector, the position resolution of the GEM chamber as a function of
the particle inclination was evaluated in two configurations, with and without
the magnetic fiel
Measles resurges in Italy: preliminary data from September 2007 to May 2008.
Following an incidence rate of 1/100,000 inhabitants in 2006 [1], Italy has been facing an upsurge of measles cases since September 2007, with outbreaks being reported in various regions. In Italy, measles vaccination is currently offered free of charge as combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The current national vaccination schedule recommends two doses of MMR vaccine, given respectively at 11-12 months and 5-6 years of age. Although childhood vaccination coverage has increased in recent years, reaching the national average of 88% in 2006 (source: Ministry of Health), with some regional variability (Figure 1), it is still below the target of 95% set by the National Measles Elimination Plan (MEP) launched in 2003 [2], and outbreaks continue to occur
Quantitative assessment of emphysematous parenchyma using multidetector-row computed tomography in patients scheduled for endobronchial treatment with one-way valves.
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