Complexity Measures and Models in Supply Chain Networks

n/

Towards a complex geometry manufacturing : A case study on metal 3D printing of topology optimised bicycle parts with lattices

Manufacturing metal parts with complex geometries using conventional methods has proven to be almost impossible due to tooling constraints. Additive Manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing has proven to be a solution for manufacturing such parts since the constraints imposed by traditional manufacturing are not applicable to AM. The research objective is to demonstrate the workflow from design to manufacturing complex geometry parts specifically for AM Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process, it also has its own constraints that are different than traditional manufacturing. AM provides a solution to manufacturing topology optimised complex geometries that cannot be manufactured using conventional methods. In order to demonstrate the possibilities and challenges of producing complex geometries with additive manufacturing, a case study of manufacturing topology optimised bicycle parts has been conducted at the University of Vaasa, Finland using SLM technology, based on the Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) process. The results of this research show that metal 3D printing is an enabler for manufacturing topology optimised complex geometries with challenges such as the need to edit and optimise the automatically-generated supports, and thermal solid support design for anchoring large flat surfaces, and possible boundary shells issues and post-processing planning.©2022 the Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Managing project scope creep in construction industry

Purpose Project scope creep is a nightmare and nearly intolerable task. Most project managers struggle to curtail the expanse and degree of scope creep. This study examines different likely project scope creep factors associated with the construction industry projects. Design/methodology/approach After many brainstorming sessions with construction stakeholders, several project scope creep factors were identified. Then, a detailed survey was executed in big construction projects of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Findings The results derived and validated five conspicuous factors leading to project scope creep. Respectively, the highest and the lowest impact on project scope appears to be imposed by tasks/specifications and complexity/uncertainty. Practical implications It offers crucial support to the project stakeholders in scrutinizing different factors that stand as hurdles to project success and allows them to seek remedies to resolve them. Originality/value It is among the first study in the region that identifies and validates the factors that hinder construction project success.©2022 Emerald Publishing Limited. This manuscript version is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY–NC 4.0) license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

TQM Practices in Public Sector : Case of Finnish Healthcare Organizations

This study aims to discuss the evolution, principles, and stages of total quality management (TQM) in public health care organizations. It also makes a comparison that how case organizations think about quality and TQM along with its applicability within public sector. The study can be categorized as qualitative research. The data is collected from semi structural interviews of the informants and the concerning documents, which consist of strategy, policy papers and audit reports of the case organizations. Altogether there are two case organizations. Furthermore, data is analyzed with the help of content analysis. Most vital issues in TQM practices are its comprehensiveness, and its application in such a way which is appropriate for the organization, with a logical way of operation and the participation of management and personnel. Training, guidance, teamwork, involvement and learning are imperative for achieving a continuous improvement culture and are vital elements when adopting TQM. Managers should learn from the experience of TQM implementers by studying expected challenges and pitfalls. They should also pay more attention to the crucial role of all stakeholders in the TQM implementation. The study could be quite valuable from a strategic perspective in providing guidelines to build up a proper plan for TQM practices more promptly. The paper also manages to shed light on TQM practices of public service organizations by comparing their current approaches to quality.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Managing change in constant evolving sustainable energy market: An exploratory study of motivators, enablers, and barriers

Change management (CM) has been a persistent subject among organizations. The basic arguments originate from how and why organizations manage changes. However, CM is paramount for the success and survival of an organization in both highly competitive local and evolving global markets. The general perception of change usefulness or the aims of CM varies among stakeholders, namely employees, top management, as well as customers and governments. Against this backdrop, the current study explores the issue and identifies the motivators, enablers, and barriers of CM in the energy sector by focusing on different stakeholder categories: customers, employees, top management, and government. In addition, CM-related critical facilitating and barricading factors are explored with a structured method from all stakeholders’ perspective. A total of 75 face-to-face interviews were carried out in four different big energy organizations where information was extracted and coded in commonality analysis. The findings concluded that all stakeholders hold a common perception that community welfare/lifestyle, environmental aspects, and country brand/image are the top motives, along with effective/transparent communication, willingness, and flexibility serving as enablers. Additionally, global stability, fear, and change complications are among the main challenges facing CM. With special consideration to each stakeholder, a wide-range commonality analysis demonstrates all stakeholders’ perceptions of what drives, inhibits, and facilitates CM initiatives. It would be more beneficial for energy companies to balance all anticipations of stakeholders to perform successful and sustainable CM. This study is among the first in the region in the energy sector to adopt a broad stakeholder perspective for motivators, enablers, and barriers of CM towards green energy.©2019 Elsevier. This manuscript version is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY–NC–ND 4.0) license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed