A framework of justification criteria for advanced manufacturing technology implementation in small and medium enterprises

Today in order to stay in businesses and prosper, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are seeking higher electiveness and competitiveness across the entire cycle of marketing, product design, manufacture, test and sales. SMEs play an increasingly important role in all aspects of competitiveness: both products and production techniques, but also management methods, the organization of the firm and human resources training. One of the ways by which SMEs can achieve a competitive advantage in manufacturing is through the implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT). An increasing number of them have chosen and are choosing various levels of AMT as the solution. Realizing the importance of SMEs, an attempt has been made in this paper to review the application of AMT in SMEs. Also, a framework has been offered for the implementation of AMT in SMEs. Finally, a summary of findings and conclusions are presented

E-commerce and its impact in logistic management: A state of art

Logistics management is defined as that part of the supply chain process that plans, implements, and controls the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption in order to meet customers' requirements. Traditional logistical issues may be amplified by an e-commerce venture. Adopting e-commerce may greatly expand the marketplace. The organization needs to be concerned with its ability to deliver its product to potential customers. Realizing the importance of E-commerce in logistic management, an attempt has been made in this paper to review the existing literature with the objective to gain insights into the impact of E-commerce in logistic management. The advantages of the E-commerce in logistic management are offered. Finally, summary of findings and calculations are presented

Performance measurement of enablers of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the industrialization process of many developed countries and play a crucial role in increasing a country's economy. To be able to survive and grow, SMEs must adopt strategic technologies and innovative management to survive. During the last two decades, several factors have forced global manufacturers to make dramatic changes in their products, markets, as well as business and manufacturing strategies. One of the way by which SMEs can achieve a competitive advantage in manufacturing is through the implementation of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). An attempt has been made in this paper to study the performance measurement of enablers of CIM in SMEs through the empirical study conducted in the province of SIndh in Pakistan

Information systems evaluation: Mini-track introduction

abreast of technological innovations. Yet, companies are becoming more aware that a competitive advantage can not be achieved, or even maintained by utilizing the latest technology. Indeed, it is becoming more apparent that a strategic competitive advantage will not be achieved through embraced technology alone but, in the way companies approach the evaluation, management and exploitation of their human, organizational and technology based assets and infrastructure. In support of this, Sohal et al. (2001) reported the results of a large-scale survey that demonstrated the limited Information Technology (IT) enabled business benefits resulting in service and manufacturing sectors. The survey highlighted that many of the benefits achieved through adopting IT/IS were limited to improvements in productivity and cost alone. Clearly, such results are surprising given the emphasis the normative literature has placed on the strategic benefits achievable from IT/IS. As a result of the far reaching conclusions reported by Sohal et al. (2001), many organisational have begun to question the scope and depth of those IT-enabled business benefits that are not achieved by those companies proactively adopting IT/IS

The use of information systems for logistics and supply chain management in South East Europe: Current status and future direction

This research aims to investigate the current status and future direction of the use of information systems for logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) in South East Europe. The objectives are threefold: (1) to identify major challenges and developments on the use of information systems for LSCM by enterprises, (2) to examine the actual level of satisfaction of current policy on LSCM, and (3) to reveal the actual need of enterprises in South East Europe on effective use of information systems for LSCM. Mixed methodology of literature review and questionnaire survey is adopted in this research. Data collected from 79 enterprises are analysed using descriptive analysis in SPSS. The findings suggest that enterprises in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro, face similar challenges but all are in different stages of developments of LSCM. Their use of information systems explains their heavy focus on supply chain partnership and weakness in demand chain partnership. Major findings suggest that companies and governments alike in that region do not seem to be ready for playing a significant and demanding role in global supply chains. Current deficiencies, including limited abilities in building valuable forward relations, weak strategic planning and organisation, and infrastructural problems, are major obstacles for fast development in LSCM. At the same time though, traces of changing mentalities do exist, setting the ground for improved performance and ultimately for a better position in global business

A Multilevel, Posture-based Model for Motor Control in Simulation and Robotic Applications

This paper presents a multilevel, posture-based motor control model intended to plan collision-free movements in a 3D environment while maintaining computationally efficiency and accurately imitating human and primate motor function. Our model is a comprehensive approach that addresses the storage and lookup of postures and movements, path planning and the generation of new movements, and learning with experience. We demonstrate the functionality and computational advantages of the model through preliminary testing on a humanoid robot

Synthesis of metakaolin alkali based geopolymer for Hydrogen adsorption study

Hydrogen is not only an energy carrier but it’s also one of the substituting source that can be replace fossil fuels. Therefore possible adsorbent extensively being tested for better hydrogen adsorption. Recently, there are researches on hydrogen storage by using developed materials such as complex hydride, carbon nanotubes, zeolites and alloy metal. Geopolymer is proposed as a potential adsorbent due to economically and environmental friendly properties and lower cost compared to other developed materials and also derived from industrial waste. Thus, the scope of the hydrogen storage is wide, the author has narrowed down his study on hydrogen adsorption by using synthesized metakaolin alkali based geopolymer. Different molarity of alkali activator of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) of 8M, 10M and 12M were used to synthesis raw material of metakaolin in order to find which one is the best parameter for hydrogen adsorption uptake. Result shown that hydrogen adsorption on least molarity of alkali activator (8M), it adsorbs about 1.34 weight percentage though slightly lower than alkali activator of 12M which has about 1.49 weight percent. In nutshell, as molarity of the alkali activator (NaOH) increases, the hydrogen adsorption (wt%) also increases

Supply Chain Relational Behaviors: Outlook from Practical Cases

CAHIER DE RECHERCHE n°2012-07 E5Lots of works have been conducted to explore and explain inter-organizational relations between supply chain partners. However, we have noticed that there is no accurate agreement between authors. Thus, to better understand this disparity, we studied supply chain inter-organizational relationship dynamics in eight (8) different industries to bring out an analytical framework that allows a better understanding of such an issue. These casestudies instruct professionals and researchers so that they bring up their level of abstraction that remains appropriate to catch this dynamics in order to guide decision making and future research and studies

Developing an e-logistics system : a case study

Author name used in this publication: E. W. T. NgaiAuthor name used in this publication: T. C. E. Cheng2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Big data analytics capability in supply chain agility: The moderating effect of organizational flexibility

Please note that the full text of the AAM must only appear in the IR once the final version of the article has been published in the journal. If you have any questions about Emerald’s repository policy and how to make a ‘closed deposit’, please contact [email protected] purpose of this paper is to examine when and how organizations build big data analytics capability to improve supply chain agility and gain competitive advantage. We grounded our theoretical framework in two perspectives the dynamic capabilities view (DCV) and contingency theory (CT). To test our research hypotheses, we gathered 173 usable-responses using a pre-tested questionnaire. Our results suggest that big data analytics capability has a positive and significant effect on supply chain agility and competitive advantage. Further, our results support our hypothesis that organizational flexibility has a positive and significant moderation effect on the path joining big data analytics capability and supply chain agility. However, contrary to our belief, we found no support for the moderation effect of organizational flexibility on the path joining big data analytics capability and competitive advantage. The study makes some useful contributions to the literature on big data analytics capability, supply chain agility, organizational flexibility and competitive advantage. Moreover, our results may further motivate future scholars to replicate our findings using longitudinal data