Characterization of Event Based Sampling Encoders for Industrial Internet of Things using Input-Output Mutual Information (Extended Version)

An extended version with additional images. For personal use only.The emergence of Industry 4.0 has resulted in a rapid increase in the demand for bandwidth due to the proliferation of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Increased utilization of the network also gives rise to undesirable consequences such as high latency and increased likelihood of data loss through packet drops. Encoding inputs using event based sampling is a potential solution for decreasing network traffic generated when continuous input variables are sampled. The problem addressed by this paper is the fact that currently there is no effective method for comparing different encoders. The resulting contribution is the use of mutual information to compare the input and encoded output in terms of accuracy for the currently most efficient encoders that use either Memory Based Event Triggering (MBET) or Deadband Error Modulation (DEM). This allows a practitioner to select a suitable encoder for a given input specification.University of Moratuwa, SRC Grant SRC/ST/2016/05 Australian Research Council Linkage, Infrastructure, Equipment and Facility Grant LE12010011

Measuring Student Learning With Item Response Theory

We investigate short-term learning from hints and feedback in a Web-based physics tutoring system. Both the skill of students and the difficulty and discrimination of items were determined by applying item response theory (IRT) to the first answers of students who are working on for-credit homework items in an introductory Newtonian physics course. We show that after tutoring a shifted logistic item response function with lower discrimination fits the students’ second responses to an item previously answered incorrectly. Student skill decreased by 1.0 standard deviation when students used no tutoring between their (incorrect) first and second attempts, which we attribute to “item-wrong bias.” On average, using hints or feedback increased students’ skill by 0.8 standard deviation. A skill increase of 1.9 standard deviation was observed when hints were requested after viewing, but prior to attempting to answer, a particular item. The skill changes measured in this way will enable the use of IRT to assess students based on their second attempt in a tutoring environment.National Science Foundatio

360º̉ SERVITIZATION AS STRATEGY FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

Servitization is type a business model innovation where companies extend their product offers through related services. A 360º̉ Servitization is when the manufacturing company uses a base, intermediary and advance service portfolio together with their product portfolio to co-create a unique value proposition to each customer. This research aims to understand how an organization ventures to grow the business through a 360º̉  Servitization. Underpinning the Resource Advantage Theory, a single-case study is conducted in order to achieve the aim of the paper. Data was  collected from semi-structured interviews, company reports and the website. A participatory approach with the company CEO strengthened the esearch findings. A deductive content analysis was conducted and findings were reported. This study identifies the importance of a unique product service bundle for each existing and potential customer to co-create value to enhance business growth. The research further identifies the importance of all service types such as base services, intermediary services and advance services when creating a unique product service bundle. The Product- Service-Customer Matrix developed in this study is an import tool for business to business manufacturing organizations in the 21st century to co-create value with the customer. This matrix is a useful tool for managers in business to business manufacturing companies to amplify businessrowth opportunities. Due to limitations inherent in a qualitative case study approach it is not possible to generalize the findings beyond the case company. Moreover, researches in different manufacturing companies are required to improve the generalizability.KEYWORDSBusiness Growth, Business Model, Product-Service, Servitizatio

Meeting Triple Bottom Lines through Product Service Systems, Selling Purified Water Instead of Chemicals: An Extended Case Study

AbstractA Product-Service System (PSS) is an integrated product and service offering that delivers value in use. The purpose of this paper is to study the contribution of PSS to economic, social and environmental performance by changing the offering from product to product-service systems. The key attributes such as co-creation of value with customers, application of competences such as knowledge and skills on intangible resources are studied in depth in this case study. Authors have conducted a single-case study in order to achieve the aim of the paper. Analysis focuses on chemical supplier and the customer. Semi structured interviews were conducted to collect the primary data and supplementary data were used for theoretical triangulation (Jick, 1979; Yin, 2003; Baines et al., 2009). Deductive content analysis (Elo and Kyngäs, 2008) is conducted and findings were reported. By changing the business model of selling chemicals into selling purified water, the company has transformed from product focus to PSS focus. Both the customer and supplier were able to create value within and between systems. Customer acted as a co-creator of value. It has enhanced the triple bottom line by increasing the profit, reduced the environmental impact by reducing the chemical component and enhanced the employee morale and safety. This study creates the awareness about product service systems to enhance customer bonding, diminish competition and enhance triple bottom lines. This paper originates an empirical evidence of PSS in Sri Lanka and the economic, social and environmental benefits which can be derived thereby.Keywords: Product Service Systems, Triple Bottom Line, Sustainability, Servitization, Sri Lank