Decision making in product design – bridging the gap between inception and reality

Product Design in the modern world is a complex multifaceted discipline comprising of many skills and applications. It also operates in cross-disciplinary contexts both in direct teams but also contributing to strategic business of manufacturers, government/councils and not for profit organisations. It is no longer a purely creative problem solving activity where a good idea or innovation is enough to push forward a new product. For the majority of the design profession the days of design on the back of an envelope are gone. Today design is a structured activity with recognizable and repeatable methodologies and processes. Within this the profession is acknowledging and aligning with the principles of business management. A consequence is that designers are capable of undertaking ever increasingly complex challenges. Education needs to train designers to recognise and operate in these complex situations. As a response Universities now include project or design management within curriculum. ‘The new programme should equip the students with not only the ability to design, manufacture and test design solutions; but also with a firm knowledge of business strategy’ [1] However the authors have recognized a gap within the profession and education for a more structured and validated approach to decision making within the design process. This paper outlines a pilot study within a student project whereby professional decision making tools are introduced to final year students and used to validate selection of appropriate designs from initial concepts against a hierarchy of criteria.Peer reviewe

The Canine Surrogacy Approach and Paleobotany: An Analysis of Wisconsin Oneota Agricultural Production and Risk Management Strategies

The goal of this research is to investigate the nature of Upper Mississippian subsistence systems (circa AD 1050-1450), to evaluate the role of agriculture, and to understand how these dietary choices are related to risk management systems and the development of cultural complexity in the Midcontinent. The research uses the Koshkonong Locality of southeastern Wisconsin as a case study and compares it to other Upper Mississippian groups throughout Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois, Middle Mississippian groups in Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin, and contemporaneous Late Woodland groups in southeastern Wisconsin. This study uses two primary lines of evidence; macrobotanical remains and dietary isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) from dogs. The dog values are interpreted as proxies for human food consumption though the lens of the canine surrogacy approach (CSA). Regionally, the data indicate maize was foundational to all examined Upper and Middle Mississippian populations, Upper Mississippians distributed food more equitably than Middle Mississippians, and each Upper Mississippian locality buffered maize in a unique manner. Locally, the data indicate that the Koshkonong residents were under stress from structural violence and that intralocality cooperation would have been essential for the subsistence system to have functioned effectively

The North American Fur Trade World System

The fur trade played an important role in determining the nature of the European-Native American relations. It acted as the framework for a developing world system, in which the European powers eventually formed multiple cores where a few Native American groups formed the semi-periphery and drew many more Native American groups into peripheral positions. To fit into this world system, the Native American groups restructured their lives in a variety of ways that can be seen archaeologically and historically. This is not to say that the Native Americans lacked agency within a deterministic system. To the contrary, the changes made to compete within the world system were often adaptations or intensifications of preexisting Native American practices in ways that would benefit them, at least in the short term

Bilingual Parenting: A Personal Narrative Story of Foreign Bride in Taiwan Towards Taiwanese-Indonesian Student Academic Achievement

This study aims to investigate the impact of bilingual parenting on academic achievement by using a qualitative research technique that entails evaluating the narrative story of a foreign marriage family living in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. Because of numerous instances published in Taiwan's media, people formed a stereotype that women from Southeast Asia came just to get nationality and enhance their family's economic status. As a result, spouses from Southeast Asia are stigmatized by this notion. Not only do they look down on them, but they are also treated harshly by family members such as in-laws. According to the interview, new immigrant spouse in Taiwan face a variety of problems, including economic troubles and verbal and physical assault, among others. This situation can result in the formation of an unfavorable family lively, occasionally referred to as a "broken home." These problems have an impact on children's conduct, which influences their attitudes and learning results. Notably, children from foreign marriages are especially vulnerable to verbal bullying, which can have an impact on their academic achievement. However, the research findings show that the children of the participants have a remarkable resilience, suggesting a potential to fight and overcome the negative impacts of verbal bullying, eventually minimizing its influence on their academic achievement. Keywords: new immigrant, academic achievement, narrative story DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-35-03 Publication date: December 31st 202

Evolving an Effective Electronic Commerce Strategy: A Supplier's Perspective

This presentation illustrates the development of an IS and e-business strategy at HP Bulmer in the 1990s to respond to demands from their major customers for e-business trading. It outlines how, based on a sound technology strategy, this drinks company was able to respond proactively to the requirements of the major supermarkets to use EDI for a range of transactions. Then, with Whitbread, one of their major on-trade customers, the comapny helped pioneer the development of co-managed inventory (CMI), bringing trading benefits to both customer and supplier

Summer and Winter Spatial Habitat Use by the Lake Erie Watersnake

In an effort to provide information to guide habitat management for the Lake Erie watersnake Nerodia sipedon insularum, a federally threatened and Ohio state endangered species, we used radiotelemetry to obtain spatial habitat data for adult snakes during the summer active season and during winter hibernation. During the summer active season, terrestrial habitat use was limited to a narrow band of shoreline. Among individuals, maximum distance inland from shore ranged from 1 to 50 m (mean = 8 m) and linear extent of shoreline ranged from 30 to 1,360 m (mean = 261 m). Winter hibernation occurred at varying distances inland with individual hibernation sites ranging from 1 to 580 m (mean = 29 m) from shore. Habitat use did not differ between males and females. Existing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service habitat management guidelines suggest that ground-disturbing activities within potential hibernation areas (defined as terrestrial habitat within 161 m of shore) should be avoided in winter to prevent harm to hibernating snakes. They suggest further that excavation and removal of shrubs, standing or downed trees, root masses, animal burrows, piled rocks, cliffs, or bedrock within 21 m of shore should be avoided in summer to prevent harm to active snakes. Given that Lake Erie watersnakes have recovered to the point where delisting is being proposed, these habitat guidelines appear to be sufficient. However, maintaining voluntary compliance with habitat guidelines and meeting the need for continued public outreach will be vital to ensure long-term persistence

A rural undergraduate campus in England:virtue from opportunity and necessity

The implementation of new curriculum at Keele University Medical School, UK has made heavy use of general practice as a locus for learning. This has necessitated a substantial expansion in the School's teaching network. The School's hinterland includes a large rural area with a number of excellent general practices and associated community hospitals that, to date, have been unable to teach undergraduates because of their inaccessibility. This article describes how the School and its partners articulated a vision to establish a rural campus with an associated rural accommodation hub, and the challenges involved in establishing and sustaining the campus

Bostonia: The Boston University Alumni Magazine. Volume 34

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

The Central American common market

Call number: LD2668 .R4 1966 L