The Effects of JIT on the Development of Productivity Norms

Low inventory, or just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing systems, enjoy increasing application worldwide, yet the behavioral effects of such systems remain largely unexplored. Operations Research (OR) models of low inventory systems typically make a simplifying assumption that individual worker processing times are independent random variables. This leads to predictions that low-inventory systems will exhibit production interruptions. Yet empirical results suggest that low-inventory systems do not exhibit the predicted productivity losses. This paper develops a model integrating feedback, goal-setting, group cohesiveness, task norms, and peer pressure to predict how individual behavior may adjust to alleviate production interruptions in low-inventory systems. In doing so we integrate previous research on the development of task norms. Findings suggest that low-inventory systems induce individual and group responses that cause behavioral changes that mitigate production interruptions

Modeling the Worker

Modeling the Worke

Comparative results of transluminal extraction coronary atherectomy in saphenous vein graft lesions with and without thrombus

AbstractObjectives. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the results of transluminal extraction coronary atherectomy in saphenous vein graft lesions with and without angiographic thrombus.Background. Percutaneous interventions in lesions with thrombus are associated with reduced procedural success and increased risk of complications. Use of the transluminal extraction catheter, which cuts and aspirates atheroma and thrombus, has been advocated as a potential revascularization strategy for lesions with thrombus.Methods. Baseline patient characteristics, lesion morphology, immediate angiographic results, in-hospital complications and follow-up were prospectively entered into an interventional cardiology data base. The results of transluminal extraction coronary atherectomy in saphenous vein bypass grafts with angiographic thrombus were compared with results in similar grafts without angiographic thrombus.Results. Transluminal extraction coronary atherectomy was performed in 175 patients with 183 vein graft lesions, including 59 lesions (32%) with thrombus (Group 1) and 124 (68%) without thrombus (Group 2). Compared with lesions in Group 2, lesions in Group 1 were associated with a higher incidence of baseline total occlusion, diffuse disease and abnormal Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade flow (p < 0.05); more severe diameter stenosis at baseline, after atherectomy and after final angiography (p < 0.05); a lower rate of clinical success (69% vs, 88%, p < 0.01); and more angiographic and clinical complications, including no reflow (p < 0.05), vascular repair (p < 0.05) and Q wave myocardial infarction (p = 0.09).Conclusions. In transluminal extraction coronary atherectomy of saphenous vein bypass grafts, the presence of thrombus is associated with more baseline lesion complexity, reduced clinical success and increased risk of no reflow, Q wave myocardial infarction and vascular repair

Who talks to whom about what? How interdisciplinary communication and knowledge of expertise distribution improves in integrated R&D labs

Although several studies have examined the impact of open workspaces, there is still an on-going debate about its advantages and disadvantages. Our paper contributes to this debate by shedding light on three issues: the effect of open workspaces on (1) the flow of communication along and across hierarchical lines; (2) the content of communication; and (3) the specificities of open integrated laboratories. Our findings derive from a longitudinal case in a large pharmaceutical company that has relocated some R&D teams from enclosed to multi-space offices and labs. The relocation has resulted in (a) increased interdisciplinary communication, particularly at lower hierarchical levels, (b) a shift of the location of discussions and the content of conversations and (c) an improved knowledge about expertise distribution. Practitioner Summary Communication is essential in knowledge-driven organisations. This article examines the impact of a relocation of R&D employees from enclosed to multi-space offices and labs on communication patterns. We explain how the new environment fosters interdisciplinary communication, shifts the location of discussions and increases the knowledge of expertise distribution

Innovation for an inclusive future

This workshop will focus on setting the agenda for research, practice and policy in support of inclusive design for third generation computer-based products. The next generation of technology represents an unprecedented opportunity to improve the quality of life for groups of users who have previously faced exclusion, such as those with impairments and older citizens. At the same time it risks creating a greater digital divide and further exclusion. How we approach design for this new generation will determine whether or not the third wave will provide positive advances towards an inclusive digital world. We therefore need to put forward both a rationale for inclusive design and provide pointers towards technical development and design practice in support of inclusion. It is our belief that there is not only a strong moral case for design for inclusion but also significant commercial incentive, which may be key to persuading influential players to focus on inclusion. Therefore one of our key objectives is to describe and promote the advantages of designing ‘in from the edges’ of the user population rather than designing for a notional ‘average’ user

Examining the quality and management of non-geometric building information modelling data at project hand-over

Through the exponential global increase of Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption across the Construction industry, and the emergence of inter-connected, strategic and data-rich solutions; such as Big Data, the Internet of Things and Smart Cities, the importance associated with activities and decisions reliant on exact data input, transaction, analysis, and resulting actions becomes exponentially magnified. The supply of inaccurate BIM data may negatively impact on systems and processes that require fully assured data of appropriate quality/veracity, to support informed decision making, deliver functionality, facilitate services, or direct strategic actions within the built environment. This preliminary research intends to provide a catalyst for discussion, analysis and information retrieval relating to Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes where non-geometric data errors may; or are predicted to occur within a project environment. This may result in the delivery of data that cannot be described as representing truth or of good quality, and therefore of little value or use to the data user. The wider aspects of this research investigates specifically non-geometric data veracity & associated dimensions of data quality; in order to discover and explore future solutions to resolve current industry data quality assessment challenges. This paper provides feedback from the research focusing on the current state, presenting existing industry challenges and proposes further research areas based on initial findings

A Model of Continuous Improvement Programme Management

The aim of this study is to identify key management decisions that enable the sustainment of a continuous improvement (CI) initiative. To accomplish this aim, we examine the procedures and practices used by two manufacturing companies for the management of their CI initiatives; one that is successfully sustaining the effectiveness of its CI initiative and another failing to do the same. This research makes two contributions to the conceptual understanding of CI programme management. First, we identify five CI programme management factors that enable the sustainment of a CI initiative. Second, the five factors are incorporated into a new CI programme management model. The model details a ‘bottom-up’ procedure for the generation of manufacturing performance improvement ideas and the management of their implementation