Prediction of the Risk of Capsize of Small Ships

The lack of a necessary rational framework for assessing ship stability was the main concern of this research. The aim was to develop a rational philosophy and a logical procedure of assessing intact stability in order to ensure a consistent and unified approach to design for operation and for survival. The method uniquely brings together a linearised analysis for assessing a potentially dangerous roll motion with a probabilistic assessment of ship performance in rough seas on a standard test-track. This represents a significant advance on previous research. A novel feature of the analysis was that prediction of the extreme capsize roll motion was not attempted per se. Instead a reduced level of roll response termed "potentially dangerous" roll motion was selected (based on discussions with seagoing personnel) beyond which there was evidence that loss of the vessel is likely. Validation of the linear spectral analysis used in the simulations was performed using full scale trial results of a fisheries protection vessel. Provided that measured values of roll damping coefficient were used, the predicted values of extreme roll closely matched the maximum values experienced on sea trials up to the chosen value of critical roll angle of 30 degrees. Particular attention was paid to the realistic modelling of total system behaviour in rough seas. Families of wave spectra were used to represent the complete range of wave conditions encountered in nature. Avoidance and pacifying seamanship were incorporated based on the results of available trials data and discussions with serving masters. Independent (Bernoulli) trials procedures were used to calculate the cumulative probability of a critical roll motion being exceeded at least once during the vessel's passage through the test-track. The value of critical motion exceedance obtained was 5x10ˉ² for the fisheries protection vessel which has a large metacentic height and is reported to have good seakeeping characteristics.British Maritime Technology Umited, Feltha

A comparison between e-government practices in Taiwan and New Zealand.

Few studies have focused on comparing the state of e-government in Western- and Non-Western settings, where the political, social, economic, and cultural environments can be markedly different. This paper compares the views of local authority policymakers in Taiwan and New Zealand, in order to judge the sophistication of their e-government initiatives via the formal and informal policies underpinning website development. Good level of agreement were observed between the Taiwanese and New Zealander respondents for the high levels of significance they attached to 3 key issues, which the authors argue are critical for successful e-government: Accessibility, Security and Privacy. Similarly, the policymakers agreed on a medium level of significance for the 7 key issues: E-procurement, Digital Divide, Private Sector, Taxation, Cultural Obstacles, IT Workforce, and Social Effects (and on a low level of significance for E-Tailing). It was concluded that government policymakers in both countries, in an era of commercial online social networking, are continuing to favour pushing(what they deem to be important) information to citizens, rather than creating collaborative service channels with citizens, contractors and suppliers or integrating separate service processes to satisfy all stakeholders. An attendant lack of commitment to promoting heightened (e-)democracy was also noted, especially in New Zealand

Supply chain integration in New Zealand: benchmark comparisons with the UK automotive sector

Supply chain integration is a promising approach to cross-enterprise process improvement that is still not well understood. This research investigates the level of sophistication (maturity) of supply chain integration in New Zealand from the systems uncertainty perspective. Uncertainty levels of value streams are evaluated using the 'uncertainty circle' concept, thereby enabling benchmark comparisons of value stream performance. A sample of 21 NZ process industry value streams is assessed using a so-called Quick Scan Audit Methodology (QSAM). and the uncertainty results compared with those obtained from 21 value streams in the UK automotive sector. This benchmarking revealed that value streams in New Zealand are weakly integrated and have control mechanisms which are significantly looser than those of the UK sample, even though they face higher uncertainty on the control and demand sides. In contrast, crosscountry differences in supply and process uncertainty are marginal. While providing insights into the general health of New Zealand value streams, the authors acknowledge that the sample is not a comprehensive representation of every NZ value stream

Drivers of sub-supplier social sustainability compliance: An emerging economy perspective

Purpose: Tragic incidents like the Rana Plaza building collapse call into question the value and effectiveness of supplier codes of conduct (SCC) used in multi-tier supply chains. This paper investigates the drivers of sub-supplier social sustainability compliance from the perspective of suppliers that adopt a double agency role by complying with buyer-imposed SCC while managing sub-supplier compliance on behalf of the buyer. Design/Methodology: This research adopts a sequential, mixed-methods approach. The qualitative phase develops a conceptual model with the aid of the extant literature and semi-structured interviews with 24 senior manufacturing professionals. The quantitative phase uses hierarchical regression analysis to test the conceptual model using survey data from 159 apparel suppliers based in India. Findings: The findings reveal that sub-supplier compliance is positively impacted by effective buyer-supplier governance and by the focal supplier having a strategic partnership with the sub-supplier. Conversely, price pressure on sub-suppliers adversely impacts their compliance, while the institutional pressure on them to comply is generally ineffective. Research Limitations: The context of the study is limited to the apparel manufacturing industry in India. Practical implications: To improve SCC compliance rates, buyers and focal suppliers should actively develop strategic partnerships with selected upstream supply chain actors; should set a reasonable price across the supply chain; and, should include specific sub-supplier compliance requirements in the supply contract. The findings also suggest the need to develop social sustainability protocols that are cognisant of regional contexts. Originality/Value: Given the absence of prior research on SCC implementation by sub-suppliers, this study represents a pioneering empirical study into such multi-tier sourcing arrangements. It provides strong support that sub-supplier governance arrangements differ from those typically found in the focal supplier layer. It also provides empirical evidence of the critical factors that encourage sub-supplier compliance within the apparel industry of an emerging economy

Supply Chain Integration Barriers to Port-Centric Logistics—An Emerging Economy Perspective

Despite the growing interest in supply chain integration and port performance in the maritime literature, there is a lack of detailed studies into the barriers to integration in port-centric logistics. This study explores the barriers to port-centric supply chain integration from an emerging economy and multistakeholder perspective by using the DEMATEL (Decision Making-Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) analysis technique. The findings indicate that institutional requirements, lack of awareness by stakeholders, and port-centric supply chain integration all significantly impact supply chain projects that have been designed to offer maximum value to customers at a low cost. Other crucial barriers include the absence of benchmarking standards and lack of an innovation culture. The policy and managerial implications are explained

A Longitudinal Study of Local E-Government Development: The Policy Maker Perspective

Developments in information and communication technologies have been an enabler of enhanced, citizen focused services by governments around the world. Electronic Government, or E-Government, is widely regarded as a disruptor of traditional e-government service provision through greater citizen access, enhanced democracy, improved information quality, and a range of governmental efficiencies. Local government has been a key e-government focus for many nations due to the wide and varied interactions these governmental agencies have with citizens. A gap in the literature exists that monitors the development of local e-government, especially from the policy maker perspective, of This study presents the findings of a longitudinal study exploring the development of local e-government in New Zealand – from the policy makers’ perspective. All local and regional authorities in New Zealand were surveyed in 2000, 2004, and 2012 with the goal of understanding the key considerations associated with the development of e-government strategies and subsequent implementation of associated infrastructure. While local e-government development has been more incremental than transformational, there has been a trend towards greater consideration of citizen-focused issues including the likes of Consumer Confidence, Trust, Accessibility, The Digital Divide, Indigenous Peoples, Security, and Privacy. This offers a degree of reassurance that local authorities remain, and are indeed increasingly, focused on the provision of enhanced services to the communities they serve

In the Search for Impact and Relevance: A Design Science Approach

Abstract In spite of more than 30 years of academic publications in (supply chain) management, a significant gap between theory and practice remains. Due to the increasing concern that research is not relevant for practice, scholars have started addressing the issue of academic relevance. On the hand scholars argue that the issue can be identified as a 'knowledge transfer' problem, thus research findings are relevant for practice but are not produced in a form that can be easily applied by practitioners. On the other hand scholars argue that it is a 'knowledge creation' problem, in other words research findings are not meaningful for practice due to the closed and autoreferential nature of the system of Science and the system of Practice. This paper argues for a third approach, namely 'knowledge adaptation' problem, to tackle the issue of impact and relevance via a well proven supply chain diagnostic methodology. The robust mixed-methods approach known as Quick Scan Audit Methodology can yield two results: (1) enhancing scholars' understanding of how supply chain theories are (or can be) applied in practice which leads to the adaption and extension of management theory; (2) translating theories, supporting them in implementing improvement programs within their organisations

Social enterprise housing supply chains for resource-constrained communities: a complexity lens approach

Purpose: Delivering housing to resource-constrained communities is a complex process beset with difficulties. This study employs a complexity lens to examine the approach taken by a social enterprise in Australia to develop and manage a housebuilding supply chain for resource-constrained communities. Design/methodology/approach: The research team employed a longitudinal case study approach from 2017 – 2022, which utilised mixed methods to understand the phenomenon and gain an in-depth understanding of the complex issues and problem-solving undertaken by a social enterprise start-up. Findings: Balancing mission logic with commercial viability is challenging for a social enterprise. The supply chain solution that evolved accommodated the particulars of geography and the needs of many stakeholders, including the end-user community and government sponsors. Extensive and time-consuming socialisation and customisation led to a successful technical design and sustainable supply chain operation. Originality: This longitudinal case study contributes to knowledge by providing rich insights into the roles of social enterprises and how they develop and operate supply chains to fit with the needs of resource-constrained communities. Adding a contextual response dimension to an established complexity framework helped to explain how hybrid organisations balance commercial viability demands with social mission logic by amending traditional supply chain and governance practices. The case provides insights into supply chain configuration, needed changes, and potential impacts when a social enterprise as a focal actor inserts into a traditional for-profit construction supply chain. Practical implications: Analysing supply chain intricacies via a complexity framework is valuable for scholars and practitioners, assisting in designing and developing supply chain configurations and understanding their dynamics. Meeting the housing construction needs of resource-constrained communities requires the social enterprise to place societal focus at the centre of the supply chain rather than merely being a system output. The developed business model complements the engineering solution to empower a community-led housing construction supply chain.Funding and support from the New South Wales Department of Industry Tech-voucher funding scheme (Project Number 333/002/723) are gratefully acknowledged