Qualitative analysis of lean tools in the construction sector in Colombia

This descriptive research identifies the lean tools applied worldwide in the supply chain of housing construction recognizing which are the most common tools across different countries, the least explored and which tools have the most reception in Colombia. Through a literary review of 84 academic papers from 22 countries, 254 mentions of 30 lean tools were detected, developing a qualitative content analysis from identified trends of the main differences and similarities in the adoption of lean construction (LC) in Colombia, Latin America and the different continents. The results derived from a Pareto chart and an affinity analysis in which lean tools were reduced to 23 categories, show that the main practices of lean manufacturing and lean construction are Last Planner System, Building Information Models, Visual Management, among others. This study is part of a subsequent project that will take the conclusions of this qualitative analysis to suggest a guiding tool (based on the continuous improvement tools found) that correlates applicable lean approaches with the main actors of the supply chain of high value housing projects in Bogotá. Taking into account the research gap found, this study could serve as a basis for lean construction studies in countries similar to Colombia

Towards an integrated framework to measure user engagement with interactive or physical products

Building great products or services is not easy; users want products and services that exceed their expectations and evolve with their needs; it is not just about building the right features. Knowing the user engagement (UE) towards a physical, virtual product or service can give valuable information that could be used as feedback for the design, enhancing its chances of success. In the context of user-centered design, UE is the assessment of the user experience characterized by the study of the individual’s cognitive, affective, and behavioral response to some stimulus, such as a product, a service, or a website. UE considers not only the users’ requirements and wishes but also their perceptions and reactions during and after an interaction with a product, system, or service. Many studies looking to quantify the UE are available. Still, a framework that provides a generic view of the most commonly used methods and metrics to measure UE does not yet exist in the literature. Aiming to understand the UE better, in this research, we developed a conceptual framework summarizing the available metrics and techniques used across different contexts, including good practices of self-report methods and physiological approaches. We expect this study will allow future researchers, developers, and designers to consider the UE as one of the most prominent product/service success indicators and use this guideline to find the more appropriate method, technique, and metric for its measurement

Desarrollo de un dispositivo que deseche las heces de los perros sin el uso de bolsas plasticas

The present article develops a device that discards the feces of the canines without using plastic bags. Based on a mixed methodology of product development, the primary needs to be satisfied were determined, it was found that the user needs a product that facilitates the disposal of dog feces, friendly to the environment, hygienic, versatile, durable, comfortable for use and safe. Based on the above, the final characteristics of the device were established, which are evidenced by an aesthetic CAD prototype, which accomplishes the defined ranges of the specifications dictated in the research, thus providing a solution to the problem of disposing of feces from dogs without using plastic bags.La presente investigación desarrolla un dispositivo que desecha las heces de los caninos sin hacer uso de bolsas plásticas. A partir de una metodología mixta de desarrollo de producto, se determinaron las necesidades primordiales que se deben satisfacer, se encontró que el usuario necesita un producto que facilite el desecho de las heces de perro, amigable con el medio ambiente, higiénico, versátil, duradero, cómodo para su uso y seguro. Con base en lo anterior se establecieron las características finales del dispositivo, las cuales son evidenciadas mediante un prototipo estético CAD, el cual cumple con los rangos definidos de las especificaciones dictadas en la investigación, aportando así una solución al problema de desechar las heces de los perros sin hacer uso de bolsas plásticas.&nbsp

Validation of a TAM Extension in Agriculture: Exploring the Determinants of Acceptance of an e-Learning Platform

Supporting education and training initiatives has been identified as an effective way to address Sustainable Development Challenges. In this sense, e-learning stands out as one of the most viable alternatives considering its advantages in terms of resources, time management, and geographical location. Understanding the reasons that move users to adopt these technologies is critical for achieving the desired social objectives. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) provides valuable guidelines to identify the variables shaping users’ acceptance of innovations. The present study aims to validate a TAM extension designed for FARMER 4.0, an e-learning application in the agricultural sector. Findings suggest that content quality (CQ) is the primary determinant of farmers’ and agricultural entrepreneurs’ perception of the tool’s usefulness (PU). Furthermore, experience (EXP) and self-efficacy (SE) shape potential users’ perceptions about ease of use (PEOU). This study offers helpful insight into the design and development of e-learning applications in the farming sector and provides empirical evidence of TAM’s validity to assess technology acceptance

Commonly Used External TAM Variables in e-Learning, Agriculture and Virtual Reality Applications

In recent years information and communication technologies (ICT) have played a significant role in all aspects of modern society and have impacted socioeconomic development in sectors such as education, administration, business, medical care and agriculture. The benefits of such technologies in agriculture can be appreciated only if farmers use them. In order to predict and evaluate the adoption of these new technological tools, the technology acceptance model (TAM) can be a valid aid. This paper identifies the most commonly used external variables in e-learning, agriculture and virtual reality applications for further validation in an e-learning tool designed for EU farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs. Starting from a literature review of the technology acceptance model, the analysis based on Quality Function Deployment (QFD) shows that computer self-efficacy, individual innovativeness, computer anxiety, perceived enjoyment, social norm, content and system quality, experience and facilitating conditions are the most common determinants addressing technology acceptance. Furthermore, findings evidenced that the external variables have a different impact on the two main beliefs of the TAM Model, Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU). This study is expected to bring theoretical support for academics when determining the variables to be included in TAM extensions

Development of a software prototype according to the “design thinking” methodology for the standardization of the non-aeronautical logistics process at the tactical level in the Colombian Air Force

La Fuerza Aérea Colombiana es una institución que pertenece al sector público con una estructura piramidal castrense. Su razón de ser es atender las necesidades de seguridad y defensa del país, con el fin de contribuir al cumplimiento de los fines esenciales del Estado. Su función es ejecutada por un recurso humano de alta rotación en los diferentes niveles de mando e impacta la planeación institucional a corto, mediano y largo plazo, promoviendo crecimiento y gestión en un ambiente complejo que dificulta el cumplimiento de sus objetivos. Este comportamiento se refleja en la cultura y misionalidad del proceso logístico no aeronáutico, que descansa su gestión en la cotidianidad de los esfuerzos individuales y aislados por proveer los medios necesarios para el funcionamiento de las Unidades Militares y el desarrollo de las operaciones aéreas. La presente investigación desarrolla el prototipo de un software bajo la metodología design thinking como herramienta ideal y fundamental para estandarizar y optimizar, desde el punto de vista funcional y técnico, la operación del proceso logístico no aeronáutico en el nivel táctico de la institución. El proyecto del prototipo del software se desarrolla de acuerdo con la metodología design thinking, en sus fases: (1) empatizar, (2) definir, (3) idear, (4) prototipar y (5) probar. Se abordó la situación problemática para la construcción de la propuesta de solución que se materializa con la definición del esquema documental, representado en la actualización de la estructura organizacional respecto a los cargos y el manual de funciones, el procedimiento y el formato para trámite de los servicios. Esto es soporte para el desarrollo del prototipo del software que permita estandarizar y optimizar la operación del proceso logístico no aeronáutico en el nivel táctico de la Fuerza Aérea Colombiana que, de manera consecuente, optimice el uso de los recursos, mejore el clima laboral, y mejore la calidad de los bienes y servicios que se requieren para la operación

Desarrollo de modelo integral de autoevaluación en una institución de educación superior

La calidad en educación superior se aprecia en los sistemas de aseguramiento de la calidad, a través de procesos de autoevaluación. Para una institución de educaciónsuperior[IES] esunprocesodeparticipación activa de los stakeholders en la identificación de las fortalezas y oportunidades de mejoramiento, tanto de la institución como de sus programas académicos, encaminados al cumplimiento de su misión y permanente mejoramiento. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo dar respuesta a los procesos de autoevaluación contenidos en la legislación colombiana, integrando los modelos de autoevaluación y los requisitos de la Organización Internacional de Normalización NTC-ISO 9001:2015. Para esto se hace uso de la metodología de desarrollo de producto de Schnarch aplicada en el desarrollo de un modelo integral de autoevaluación para la Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito. El estudio permitió una caracterización y diagnóstico del proceso de autoevaluación en los stakeholders a través de la metodología de dinámica de sistemas para desarrollar un modelo que permita a las IES abordar los procesos de autorregulación, de registro calificado, acreditación institucional, de programas académicos y sus respectivas renovaciones

Design Thinking as a Framework for the Design of a Sustainable Waste Sterilization System: The Case of Piedmont Region, Italy

The development of new methods for the correct disposal of waste is unavoidable for any city that aims to become eco-friendly. Waste management is no exception. In the modern era, the treatment and disposal of infectious waste should be seen as an opportunity to generate renewable energy, resource efficiency, and, above all, to improve the population’s quality of life. Northern Italy currently produces 66,600 tons/year of infectious waste, mostly treated through incineration plants. This research aims to explore a more ecological and sustainable solution, thereby contributing one more step toward achieving better cities for all. Particularly, this paper presents a conceptual design of the main sterilization chamber for infectious waste. The methodology selected was Design Thinking (DT), since it has a user-centered approach which allows for co-design and the inclusion of the target population. This study demonstrates to the possibility of obtaining feasible results based on the user’s needs through the application of DT as a framework for engineering desig

Identification of the Correct Disposal of the Waste Generated by COVID-19 in Colombia Applying Systemic Design

Introduction: the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) has represented a significant increase in the use of disposable masks worldwide; particularly in Colombia, it has been evident that there is no knowledge about the disposal of these residues, this is reflected in high pollution rates. Objective: to propose a methodological guide to improve the disposal cycles of disposable masks, involving stakeholders and applying the Systemic Design methodology. Materials and methods: the methodology used included the collection of data through a Kano survey applied in different departments of Colombia. Remote interviews were conducted with experts in waste management. From these activities, it was possible to identify the different disposal methods used in Colombia. Results: a methodological guide that allows the correct arrangement of the masks, based on what was obtained with the application of the phases of Systemic Design, and the construction of the circular graphic that allows waste to return to the system. Conclusions: the research made it possible to identify that the correct disposition of the masks does not depend exclusively on the awareness of the communities, but also on the commitment of the industries involved; we hope that this study will be useful for future research