Construction supply chain integration: Understanding its applicability in infrastructure asset maintenance and renewal programmes

Extant research in construction supply chains focuses on new asset construction projects, with little addressing longer duration asset and network renewal and maintenance programmes. The purpose of this research is to address a gap in construction supply chain research, and consider if supply chain integration is applicable in long-term work programmes in civil infrastructure. This qualitative research draws on data provided by semi-structured interviews with contractors, clients, sub-contractors and materials providers from two roading network case studies. The data were analysed using ethnographic content analysis in three stages, which generated propositions aligned to aggregate dimensions identified in the literature. The findings suggest that there is an underlying demand and value for increased integration, and a willingness and trust amongst the focal actors to integrate more with upstream and horizontal partners. However, implementation would be hindered by the focal actors’ limited capabilities and maturity in supply chain management and supply chain integration. The research concludes that focal actors, delivering long-term programmes of planned and response works, could adapt prevailing supply chain methodologies to benefit from increased integration. The research contributes to knowledge through an increased understanding of supply chain integration considerations in asset maintenance and renewal programmes

Surface and sub-surface integrity of Ti-6Al-4V components produced by selective electron beam melting with post-build finish machining

The emergence of metal additive manufacturing (AM) processes offer manufacturers a promising alternative to traditional forging and casting techniques for the production of near net shape titanium alloy components. However, limitations in both the surface finish quality and the geometric accuracy of parts produced by AM means that post-build finish machining of the part remains to be a requirement to produce high precision components. Furthermore, the fatigue performance of material produced directly by these processes is often limited by both the poor surface finish and porosity related defects which occur within the material. This study investigates the implications of machining stock allowance on the surface integrity of Ti-6Al-4V specimens produced by selective electron beam melting (SEBM) followed by post-build finish machining. The study revealed that the exposure of porosity related defects on the newly machined surface varied depending on the depth of material removed from the as-built specimen surface during machining. Four point bend fatigue testing of the specimens was carried out to determine the effect of the exposed surface defects on the fatigue performance of the material. This study highlights that the non-uniform distribution of pores within SEBM Ti-6Al-4V means that careful considerations must be given regarding machining stock allowance in the design of these components due to the implications of material removal depth on surface integrity

First observations of Weddell seals foraging in sponges in Erebus Bay, Antarctica

Attaching cameras to marine mammals allows for first-hand observation of underwater behaviours that may otherwise go unseen. While studying the foraging behaviour of 26 lactating Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in Erebus Bay during the austral spring of 2018 and 2019, we witnessed three adults and one pup investigating the cavities of Rossellidae glass sponges, with one seal visibly chewing when she removed her head from the sponge. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such behaviour. While the prey item was not identifiable, some Trematomus fish (a known Weddell seal prey) use glass sponges for shelter and in which to lay their eggs. Three of the four sponge foraging observations occurred around 13:00 (NZDT). Two of the three sponge foraging adults had higher-than-average reproductive rates, and the greatest number of previous pups of any seal in our study population, each having ten pups in 12 years. This is far higher than the study population average of three previous pups (± 2.6 SD). This novel foraging strategy may have evolved in response to changes in prey availability, and could offer an evolutionary advantage to some individuals that exploit prey resources that others may not. Our observations offer new insight into the foraging behaviours of one of the world’s most studied marine mammals. Further research on the social aspects of Weddell seal behaviour may increase our understanding of the extent and mechanisms of behavioural transfer between conspecifics. Research into the specific foraging behaviour of especially successful or experienced breeders is also warranted

Photo-identification confirms that humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from eastern Australia migrate past New Zealand but indicates low levels of interchange with breeding grounds of Oceania

Recent photo-identification and genetic studies have identified at least five discrete breeding populations in Australia and Oceania: western Australia (D), eastern Australia (E (i)), New Caledonia (E (ii)), Tonga (E (iii)), French Polynesia and the Cook Islands (F). Also evident are low levels of intermingling among breeding populations consistent with the degree of genetic differentiation. Photo-identification has confirmed linkages between Area V feeding areas and eastern Australia breeding grounds and one genotype match has been reported between Area V feeding areas and Oceania breeding grounds. Recent abundance estimates show strong increases in the eastern Australian population, and some recovery in the New Caledonia and Tonga populations, but with little evidence of recovery at other known Oceania breeding grounds or New Zealand. Studies to date have provided no conclusive evidence of the migratory destination of humpback whales passing through New Zealand waters en route between Antarctic feeding areas and tropical breeding grounds. Photo-identification comparisons were undertaken between humpback whale fluke catalogues from eastern Australia (EA, 1315), Oceania east (OE, 513), Oceania west (OW, 166) and New Zealand (NZ, 13). Five matches were found between OE/OW, four matches between OW/EA and three matches between NZ/EA. The data are used to investigate and discuss the migratory destination and breeding ground migratory terchange of humpback whales travelling through New Zealand waters. The data confirm that humpback whales with site fidelity to eastern Australia migrate past New Zealand including through the Cook Strait and Foveaux Strait

Past and present distribution, densities and movements of blue whales <i>Balaenoptera musculus</i> in the Southern Hemisphere and northern Indian Ocean

1Blue whale locations in the Southern Hemisphere and northern Indian Ocean were obtained from catches (303 239), sightings (4383 records of =8058 whales), strandings (103), Discovery marks (2191) and recoveries (95), and acoustic recordings.2Sighting surveys included 7 480 450 km of effort plus 14 676 days with unmeasured effort. Groups usually consisted of solitary whales (65.2%) or pairs (24.6%); larger feeding aggregations of unassociated individuals were only rarely observed. Sighting rates (groups per 1000 km from many platform types) varied by four orders of magnitude and were lowest in the waters of Brazil, South Africa, the eastern tropical Pacific, Antarctica and South Georgia; higher in the Subantarctic and Peru; and highest around Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Chile, southern Australia and south of Madagascar.3Blue whales avoid the oligotrophic central gyres of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, but are more common where phytoplankton densities are high, and where there are dynamic oceanographic processes like upwelling and frontal meandering.4Compared with historical catches, the Antarctic (‘true’) subspecies is exceedingly rare and usually concentrated closer to the summer pack ice. In summer they are found throughout the Antarctic; in winter they migrate to southern Africa (although recent sightings there are rare) and to other northerly locations (based on acoustics), although some overwinter in the Antarctic.5Pygmy blue whales are found around the Indian Ocean and from southern Australia to New Zealand. At least four groupings are evident: northern Indian Ocean, from Madagascar to the Subantarctic, Indonesia to western and southern Australia, and from New Zealand northwards to the equator. Sighting rates are typically much higher than for Antarctic blue whales.6South-east Pacific blue whales have a discrete distribution and high sighting rates compared with the Antarctic. Further work is needed to clarify their subspecific status given their distinctive genetics, acoustics and length frequencies.7Antarctic blue whales numbered 1700 (95% Bayesian interval 860–2900) in 1996 (less than 1% of original levels), but are increasing at 7.3% per annum (95% Bayesian interval 1.4–11.6%). The status of other populations in the Southern Hemisphere and northern Indian Ocean is unknown because few abundance estimates are available, but higher recent sighting rates suggest that they are less depleted than Antarctic blue whales.</li

Social media and sensemaking patterns in new product development: demystifying the customer sentiment

Artificial intelligence by principle is developed to assist but also support decision making processes. In our study, we explore how information retrieved from social media can assist decision-making processes for new product development (NPD). We focus on consumers’ emotions that are expressed through social media and analyse the variations of their sentiments in all the stages of NPD. We collect data from Twitter that reveal consumers’ appreciation of aspects of the design of a newly launched model of an innovative automotive company. We adopt the sensemaking approach coupled with the use of fuzzy logic for text mining. This combinatory methodological approach enables us to retrieve consensus from the data and to explore the variations of sentiments of the customers about the product and define the polarity of these emotions for each of the NPD stages. The analysis identifies sensemaking patterns in Twitter data and explains the NPD process and the associated steps where the social interactions from customers can have an iterative role. We conclude the paper by outlining an agenda for future research in the NPD process and the role of the customer opinion through sensemaking mechanisms

Network governance in New Zealand agribusiness value chain: A case study

Value continues to be a critical driver for business activities and has been researched by academics for hundreds of years. More recently, this area has garnered increasing interest by researchers in an effort to explain the value creation and value capture efforts of firms. However, firms do not exist in isolation and are part of a wider value chain. Hence, the issue of end-to-end network governance is an important issue when considering value provision. However, governance has received scant attention from researchers. Utilising theoretical paradigms from business management and economics, this research focuses on the governance of value co-creation and collaborative activities that take place between organisations. An exploratory case study methodology was adopted, where five New Zealand agribusiness cases were explored. The results highlight four key drivers of value creation and capture; market orientation, channel leadership, value co-creation, and brand ownership. Resultant propositions are developed for future empirical analysis, and potential value creation pathways are introduced, whereby firms may choose to act in an opportunistic way, or engage in value co-creation and collaboration with value chain partners

A model for managing the product development process in house building

The performance of the product development process has a critical influence in the efficiency and duration of building projects, as well as on the quality of the final product. Despite its importance, relatively little attention has been given to the management of this process, if compared to production. The main objective of this paper is to present some results of a research project which aimed to devise a general model for managing the product development process in small sized companies involved in the development and construction of residential and commercial buildings. This model consists of a template for the product development process, which can be used by different companies as a basis to devise their own models for managing individual projects. The development of the model was based on case studies carried out in two companies from the South of Brazil and also on a benchmarking study

The quick scan audit methodology: A supply chain diagnostic approach

There are many paradigms proposed in the literature as the means whereby the performance of supply chains may be improved. Often such principles are accompanied by waves of publicity aimed at convincing busy executives that this is the singular and indispensable route forward. Consequently, small differences between approaches may be amplified by the consultant in an effort to gain business. In contrast, there is a perceived shortage of objective methodologies for the reliable and consistent auditing of value stream performance, and that build confidence regarding any claims for causality. The objective of this research paper is to fill this gap by detailing a rigorous supply chain diagnostic