scholarly journals Interrelations among SMED Stages: A Causal Model

Complexity ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Roberto Díaz-Reza ◽  
Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz ◽  
José Roberto Mendoza-Fong ◽  
Valeria Martínez-Loya ◽  
Emilio Jiménez Macías ◽  
...  

Mexico has received a lot of foreign investment that has brought in a wide range of novel production philosophies, such as Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED). Despite its popularity and reported effectiveness, Mexican companies often quit SMED implementation as they consider it challenging. This usually happens when organizations are not familiarized enough with each one of the SMED stages or do not know how they are interrelated. In this article the interrelations among the different SMED implementation stages by means of a structural equations model are analyzed. Data for constructing the model were gathered from a survey administered to 250 employees from the Mexican maquiladora industry. The survey assessed the importance of 14 activities belonging to the four SMED stages. The descriptive analyses of these stages were conducted and integrated into a structural equations model as latent variables, to find their level of dependency. The model was constructed using WarpPLS 5 software, and direct, indirect, and total effects among variables are analyzed and validated. Results from the model revealed that Stage 1 of SMED implementation, known as the Identification Stage, has both direct and indirect effects on all the other SMED stages, being the most important stage.

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrián Moneta Pizarro ◽  
Mariana Verónica González ◽  
Carina María Tofful ◽  
Mercedes Arrieta ◽  
Valeria Britos

Purpose: Present the advances of a research project whose main goal is the construction and empirical validation of a structural equations model to explain the students’ academic performance in Administration distance degree careers of the Universidad de la Defensa Nacional (Argentina). Methodology/Approach: Were selected and adapted indicators for each latent variable identified at the theorical model. For selection in some cases we resort to measurable variables in objective units and in other cases to subjective variables measurement scales validated by previous research. For adaptation, we consider the population characteristics under study and the distance education model particularly applied in the University. Findings: A measurement model formulation was obtained which, linked to the causal model proposed as a result of bibliographic background integration, allowed us to reach a complete structural equations model specification with six latent variables, five endogenous and one exogenous. Research Limitation/implication: Consider that the observed variables selected are the ones that best combine to identify the hypothesized constructs. Originality/Value of paper: Learning in virtual environments is the main endogenous latent variable of the model, explained by previous knowledge, motivation, digital skills, self-regulation and interaction processes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 933
Author(s):  
Claudia A. Robles-Haydar ◽  
Marina B. Martínez-González ◽  
Yuliana A. Flórez-Niño ◽  
Luz M. Ibáñez-Navarro ◽  
José J. Amar-Amar

This study aims to find causal factors of aggression in a group of Latino adolescents to achieve a greater understanding of human nature, taking into account personal and contextual variables. The fundamental hypothesis is that moral disengagement, personality traits, self-esteem, values, parenting, sex, and socioeconomic situation can function as possible casual factors of aggression in adolescents. The study examined the variables using the structural equations model (SEM) to determine causal factors of aggression in a sample of 827 adolescents (54% men and 46% women) between 11 and 16 years of age. According to the scientific literature review, sociodemographic, personal, and familiar variables were included in the causal model. The influence of the variables occurred in two ways: one that inhibits aggression and the other that reinforces it. The results are discussed based on identifying protective and risk factors against aggression: biological sex and values of conformity and transcendence as aggression’s inhibitors and, on the other hand, openness, moral disengagement, and leadership values as the most important predictors of aggression.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 254-254
Author(s):  
Kenneth Hepburn ◽  
Molly Perkins ◽  
Drenna Waldrop ◽  
Leila Aflatoony ◽  
Mi-Kyung Song ◽  
...  

Abstract This new NIA-supported Roybal Center seeks to support Stage 1 pilot clinical trials of programs aimed at promoting caregiving competence and confidence in the great heterogeneity of dementia caregiving contexts. During our first cycle, we received 26 letters of intent (LOI) for full applications. Responses reaffirmed the Center’s premise that dementia caregiving is remarkably varied in nature. While most proposed programs focused on generic caregiving, a number addressed caregiving issues facing specific ethnic/racial groups (African American; Korean American; Native Alaskan/American Indian; Latino), and several focused on specific dementing conditions (MCI, Lewy Body Dementia,TBI-based dementia). Most described programs centered on knowledge development and daily management skill issues (e.g., management of behaviors); others specified development of physical care skills. Decision-making and communication constituted the second most common topic. Over 40% proposed adaptation of existing programs; more than 25% proposed apps or technology interventions. Investigators represented a wide range of disciplines: 45% each from Health sciences (nursing, medicine, and social work) and Social/Behavioral sciences (principally psychology) and the rest from engineering and communications. LOIs varied most in their readiness to complete a clinical trial within a year. About 40% were in very preliminary stages; 25% were clearly poised for a Stage 1 trial; 15% did not sufficiently address the Center’s aims. Key criteria for invitations to submit full applications (n=4) included: specificity of context; clinical trial readiness; reasonableness of proposed adaptation. These criteria should guide future LOIs addressing the diversity of important new research and intervention perspectives on the multifaceted work of caregiving.


2007 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-229
Author(s):  
V C Cousins

AbstractThe management of lesions of the lateral skull base is a highly sophisticated branch of surgery generally performed by otolaryngology–head and neck surgeons as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Assessment of patients with diseases affecting the lateral skull base can be complex, as can the application of the various treatment modalities and the management of the expected and unexpected side effects of that treatment.A wide range of pathological conditions occur in the lateral skull base. Many operations and procedures have been described for dealing with them. There is not necessarily one correct solution to the management of any particular problem in the skull base, with multiple factors to be considered in planning and intervention.As surgeons, we need to know how our own results and outcomes compare with pooled, published data concerning the implications and complications occurring as a result of intervention, in order to better advise our patients on their management.


2002 ◽  
Vol 205 (17) ◽  
pp. 2591-2603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D. Tytell ◽  
George V. Lauder

SUMMARYThe fast-start escape response is the primary reflexive escape mechanism in a wide phylogenetic range of fishes. To add detail to previously reported novel muscle activity patterns during the escape response of the bichir, Polypterus, we analyzed escape kinematics and muscle activity patterns in Polypterus senegalus using high-speed video and electromyography (EMG). Five fish were filmed at 250 Hz while synchronously recording white muscle activity at five sites on both sides of the body simultaneously (10 sites in total). Body wave speed and center of mass velocity, acceleration and curvature were calculated from digitized outlines. Six EMG variables per channel were also measured to characterize the motor pattern. P. senegalus shows a wide range of activity patterns, from very strong responses, in which the head often touched the tail, to very weak responses. This variation in strength is significantly correlated with the stimulus and is mechanically driven by changes in stage 1 muscle activity duration. Besides these changes in duration, the stage 1 muscle activity is unusual because it has strong bilateral activity, although the observed contralateral activity is significantly weaker and shorter in duration than ipsilateral activity. Bilateral activity may stiffen the body, but it does so by a constant amount over the variation we observed; therefore, P. senegalus does not modulate fast-start wave speed by changing body stiffness. Escape responses almost always have stage 2 contralateral muscle activity, often only in the anterior third of the body. The magnitude of the stage 2 activity is the primary predictor of final escape velocity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzad Tarhani ◽  
Solmaz Janfadaei

Export deals with a wide range of environmental factors, customers and competitors that are different with the domestic market. That’s why market research and export promotion require management plans and appropriate procedures to their target markets and audiences. Exporter before entering a foreign market requires that by doing the necessary research on the marketrealizethe type of information required and how to collect it from a country other than their country and study about the cultural dimensions.In fact, differences in the environment, cultural, legal, political, economic, financial, geographic, multinational markets, free trade zones and economic agreements include the level of economic development and the risks and major exporter that they should do an investigation to consider the conditions of satisfaction and thus increase customer loyalty.This applied research was done aims to determine the effect of culture on customer loyalty at target markets for successful export using a descriptive method by a questionnaire that its validity and reliability was calculated. To analyze the issue of structural equations and correlation test was used. Based on the results, this study found a relationship between the cultural dimension, cultural beliefs and cultural values and traditions with customer loyalty at target market.


1996 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 93-101
Author(s):  
Kazuo NISHII ◽  
Toshimichi SATO ◽  
Hideki FURUYA ◽  
Kazumi TAKAHASHI

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayyad Mohsen Allameh ◽  
Ahmad Abedini ◽  
Javad Khazaei Pool ◽  
Ali Kazemi

The vital importance of knowledge management, in today’s complicated and changing environment as a source for strategic reconstruction of an organization cannot be denied. Furthermore, the effective sharing of knowledge is one of the most important success factors in an organization. This study aims at predicting the staff’s sharing of knowledge in the central library of the University of Isfahan. The conceptual framework for this study is consisted of the completed model of Theory of Reasoned Action. The statistical population of the current study contains the staffs of central library in university of Isfahan out of which 160 participants were studied by the census method. For the validity evaluation of the model, the structural equations model was applied and based on the results of path analysis relationship between research variables it was confirmed. The research results show that the expected organizational reward, reciprocal benefits, self-efficacy of knowledge, and enjoyment in helping others affect attitude and intention for the sharing of knowledge. The research findings indicate the positive impact of subjective norms on knowledge sharing intentions.


Author(s):  
Hamidreza Asgari ◽  
Xia Jin

Results from a recent consumer survey were thoroughly analyzed in relation to willingness to adopt and willingness to pay (WTP) for different autonomous vehicle (AV) features. Four different levels of automation were considered including basic vehicles, adding advanced features, partial automation, and full automation. A structural equations model with latent variables was employed, which simultaneously regressed adoption and WTP levels against a variety of available variables including socioeconomic and demographic attributes, private car usage habits, and attitudinal preferences/personal opinions. To address the endogeneity in personal attitudes, these variables were added to the model as latent factors. Accordingly, the analysis revealed four major latent attitudinal factors, respectively labeled as “joy of driving,”“mode choice reasoning,”“trust,” and “technology savviness.” Model results indicated that those who enjoy driving were the hardest to persuade towards AV adoption or to pay for automated features. On the other hand, technology savvy people showed higher tendency towards AV adoption. When it comes to factors affecting mode choice including travel time, travel cost, and functionality, people are willing to pay more for automated features when they believe that these features and services will provide them better utility, in relation to time and cost savings, convenience, stress reduction, and quality of life, and so forth. Interestingly, individuals with trust concerns showed higher WTP values, which may indicate that the market believes autonomous vehicles will bring more privacy and protection, at least compared with existing shared mobility or public transit options.


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