scholarly journals CASE STUDIES IN ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION IN THE CARIBBEAN: A FOCUS ON EDUCOLCOM AND BEVCOM

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Rameshwar ◽  
Graham King
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Technology Innovation ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Engineering And Technology ◽  
Developmental Readiness ◽  
The Caribbean

Caribbean SMEs (EduColCom and BevCom) identified Industry 4.0 (I4.0) enabling technologies integrating areas of their value networks. This enabled them to be innovative, competitive and sustainable within the global marketplace. This paper illustrated Proof of Concept examples of I4.0 technologies and overcoming implementation challenges by horizontally integrating with a vendor. Structured interviews with C-level executives determined each SME’s I4.0 developmental readiness and the methods used to select and adopt new technologies. Their strategies were based on the existing stability of each system and reinforced the need of C-level support for transformation. Their evolution roadmaps can be duplicated by other SMEs to achieve similar improvements.

scholarly journals Sustainable engineering challenges towards Industry 4.0: A comprehensive review

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina Krdžalić ◽  
Lejla Hodžić
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Sustainable Engineering ◽  
New Challenges

This article reviews Industry 4.0, its emerging phase, implementation, challenges, benefits, etc. It combines various fields where it has any influence and leave some changes and where it require some adaptation. Papers from last 4 years are taken and analyzed, what is written about this topic in various countries with different backgrounds and economic development. Industry 4.0 affect production environment introducing new technologies which require better educated workforce so it affect education and requires some changes in curriculas and way of teaching. It brings new challenges and ask for new approach from management to be able to handle fast and big changes in business environment and to implement such innovation in production effectively.

scholarly journals An initial assessment of Lean Management methods for Industry 4.0

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-601
Author(s):  
Robert Saxby ◽  
Michele Cano-Kourouklis ◽  
Evi Viza
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Lean Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Management Method ◽  
Constituent Elements

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the results of an assessment into how well the Lean Management method will support continuous improvement in the world of Industry 4.0.Design/methodology/approachUsing thematic analysis of literature, the Lean Management method and Industry 4.0 were deconstructed into their constituent elements. Semi-structured interviews were then carried out with five Quality Specialists in manufacturing to gather opinions on how well each Lean element supported each theme of Industry 4.0.FindingsThis initial research highlighted that the Lean method can integrate new technologies, to allow it to better support continuous improvement in the world of Industry 4.0. It was found the supportive elements of Lean in the world of Industry 4.0 would include Continual Improvement, Engaging the Supply Chain, Pull Systems and having a Customer Focus.Research limitations/implicationsThis was a scoping study as a precursor to further research and was based on the opinions of five Quality/Lean Specialists. However, the results determine that Lean can be supported by Industry 4.0 technologies.Practical implicationsThose constituent elements of Lean which might be updated to better support quality improvement in the world of Industry 4.0 have been identified. A methodology by which expanded research may be undertaken has been demonstrated.Originality/valueThe findings contribute to knowledge by providing a focus on the key supporting elements of Lean implementation for Industry 4.0 in the manufacturing sector.

Emerging Industrial Revolution: Symbiosis of Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: The Role of Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seeram Ramakrishna ◽  
Alfred Ngowi ◽  
Henk De Jager ◽  
Bankole O. Awuzie
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Jobs

Growing consumerism and population worldwide raises concerns about society’s sustainability aspirations. This has led to calls for concerted efforts to shift from the linear economy to a circular economy (CE), which are gaining momentum globally. CE approaches lead to a zero-waste scenario of economic growth and sustainable development. These approaches are based on semi-scientific and empirical concepts with technologies enabling 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and 6Rs (reuse, recycle, redesign, remanufacture, reduce, recover). Studies estimate that the transition to a CE would save the world in excess of a trillion dollars annually while creating new jobs, business opportunities and economic growth. The emerging industrial revolution will enhance the symbiotic pursuit of new technologies and CE to transform extant production systems and business models for sustainability. This article examines the trends, availability and readiness of fourth industrial revolution (4IR or industry 4.0) technologies (for example, Internet of Things [IoT], artificial intelligence [AI] and nanotechnology) to support and promote CE transitions within the higher education institutional context. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of universities as living laboratories for experimenting the utility of industry 4.0 technologies in driving the shift towards CE futures. The article concludes that universities should play a pivotal role in engendering CE transitions.

scholarly journals Chromatin Manipulation and Editing: Challenges, New Technologies and Their Use in Plants

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 512
Author(s):  
Kateryna Fal ◽  
Denisa Tomkova ◽  
Gilles Vachon ◽  
Marie-Edith Chabouté ◽  
Alexandre Berr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Dna Interaction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Epigenetic Marks ◽  
Molecular Events

An ongoing challenge in functional epigenomics is to develop tools for precise manipulation of epigenetic marks. These tools would allow moving from correlation-based to causal-based findings, a necessary step to reach conclusions on mechanistic principles. In this review, we describe and discuss the advantages and limits of tools and technologies developed to impact epigenetic marks, and which could be employed to study their direct effect on nuclear and chromatin structure, on transcription, and their further genuine role in plant cell fate and development. On one hand, epigenome-wide approaches include drug inhibitors for chromatin modifiers or readers, nanobodies against histone marks or lines expressing modified histones or mutant chromatin effectors. On the other hand, locus-specific approaches consist in targeting precise regions on the chromatin, with engineered proteins able to modify epigenetic marks. Early systems use effectors in fusion with protein domains that recognize a specific DNA sequence (Zinc Finger or TALEs), while the more recent dCas9 approach operates through RNA-DNA interaction, thereby providing more flexibility and modularity for tool designs. Current developments of “second generation”, chimeric dCas9 systems, aiming at better targeting efficiency and modifier capacity have recently been tested in plants and provided promising results. Finally, recent proof-of-concept studies forecast even finer tools, such as inducible/switchable systems, that will allow temporal analyses of the molecular events that follow a change in a specific chromatin mark.

scholarly journals Embracing Industry 4.0: Empirical Insights from Malaysia

Informatics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Mansoor Ahmed Soomro ◽  
Mohd Hizam-Hanafiah ◽  
Nor Liza Abdullah ◽  
Mohd Helmi Ali ◽  
Muhammad Shahar Jusoh
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Quantitative Approach ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
Leadership Strategy ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Cost

Industry 4.0 revolution, with its cutting-edge technologies, is an enabler for businesses, particularly in reducing the cost and improving the productivity. However, a large number of organizations are still too in their infancy to leverage the true potential of Industry 4.0 and its technologies. This paper takes a quantitative approach to reveal key insights from the companies that have implemented Industry 4.0 technologies. For this purpose, 238 technology companies in Malaysia were studied through a survey questionnaire. As technology companies are usually the first in line to adopt new technologies, they can be studied better as leaders in adopting the latest technologies. The findings of this descriptive study surfaced an array of insights in terms of Industry 4.0 readiness, Industry 4.0 technologies, leadership, strategy, and innovation. This research paper contributes by providing 10 key empirical insights on Industry 4.0 that can be utilized by managers to pace up their efforts towards digital transformation, and can help the policymakers in drafting the right policy to drive the digital revolution.

scholarly journals Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2156
Author(s):  
Jo White ◽  
Ruth Sims
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Habit Formation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Mutual Benefit ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Behavioural Research ◽  
Equine Welfare ◽  
Lasting Change

This paper explores the potential for interventions to develop pro-animal welfare habitual behaviours (PAWHBs) in people to improve the lives of animals. Human behavioural research indicates that opportunities exist to deliver lasting change through developing positive habitual behaviours. The routine nature of many equine care and management practices lends itself to habit formation and maintenance. This proof-of-concept paper aims to evaluate a theory-based intervention of developing and maintaining a PAWHB in people caring for equines. Qualitative research methods were used. A 30 day PAWHB intervention (PAWHBInt) of providing enrichment to an equine by scratching them in a consistent context linked to an existing routine behaviour was undertaken. Participants (n = 9) then engaged in semi-structured interviews that were analysed using thematic analysis, where the participants self-reported the outcomes they observed during the intervention. The study findings suggest that the PAWHBInt had a positive impact on human behaviour and habit formation. The research helps to address the dearth of evidence regarding the application of habit theory to equine welfare interventions and emphasised linking a desired new behaviour to an existing routine behaviour when developing PAWHBs. The research also highlights the role of mutual benefit for human and equine, and emotion in providing feedback and potential reward, supporting the link to the cue-routine-reward principle of habit theory.

scholarly journals What matters to patients? A mixed method study of the importance and consideration of oncology patient demands

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias WAELLI ◽  
Etienne Minvielle ◽  
Maria Ximena Acero ◽  
Khouloud Ba ◽  
Benoit Lalloué
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Delivery Systems ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Oncology Patient

Abstract Background A patient-centred approach is increasingly the mandate for healthcare delivery, especially with the growing emergence of chronic conditions. A relevant but often overlooked obstacle to delivering person-centred care is the identification and consideration of all demands based on individual experience, not only disease-based requirements. Mindful of this approach, there is a need to explore how patient demands are expressed and considered in healthcare delivery systems. This study aims to: (i) understand how different types of demands expressed by patients are taken into account in the current delivery systems operated by Health Care Organisations (HCOs); (ii) explore the often overlooked content of specific non-clinical demands (i.e. demands related to interactions between disease treatments and everyday life). Method We adopted a mixed method in two cancer centres, representing exemplary cases of organisational transformation: (i) circulation of a questionnaire to assess the importance that breast cancer patients attach to every clinical (C) and non-clinical (NC) demand identified in an exploratory inquiry, and the extent to which each demand has been taken into account based on individual experiences; (ii) a qualitative analysis based on semi-structured interviews exploring the content of specific NC demands. Results Further to the way in which the questionnaires were answered (573 answers/680 questionnaires printed) and the semi-structured interviews (36) with cancer patients, results show that NC demands are deemed by patients to be almost as important as C demands (C = 6.53/7 VS. NC = 6.13), but are perceived to be considered to a lesser extent in terms of pathway management (NC = 4.02 VS C = 5.65), with a significant variation depending on the type of non-clinical demands expressed. Five types of NC demands can be identified: demands relating to daily life, alternative medicine, structure of the treatment pathway, administrative and logistic assistance and demands relating to new technologies. Conclusions This study shows that HCOs should be able to consider non-clinical demands in addition to those referring to clinical needs. These demands require revision of the healthcare professionals’ mandate and transition from a supply-orientated system towards a demand-driven approach throughout the care pathway. Other sectors have developed hospitality management, mass customisation and personalisation to scale up approaches that could serve as inspiring examples.

scholarly journals From Denmark to Delhi: the multisectoral challenge of regulatingtransfats in India

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 2273-2280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shauna M Downs ◽  
Anne Marie Thow ◽  
Suparna Ghosh-Jerath ◽  
Justin McNab ◽  
K Srinath Reddy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Oils ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils

AbstractObjectiveIndia has proposed legislating an upper limit oftransfat in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and mandatingtransfat labelling in an effort to reduce intakes. The objective of the present study was to examine the complexities of regulatingtransfat in India by examining the policy processes involved and the perceived implementation challenges.DesignSemi-structured interviews (n18) were conducted with key informants from various sectors. Interviewees were asked about sources oftransfat in the food supply, existing policies that may influencetransfats and perceived challenges related to the proposedtransfat regulation, in addition to questions tailored to their area of expertise. Interview data were organised based on common themes.SettingInterviews were conducted in India.SubjectsInterviewees were key informants from various sectors including agriculture, trade, industry and health.ResultsSeveral themes were identified related to the complexity of regulatingtransfat in India. A lack oftransfat awareness, the large unorganised retail sector, a need for suitable alternative products that are both acceptable to consumers and affordable, and a need to build capacity were crucial factors affecting India's ability to successfully regulatetransfat. The limited number of food inspectors will create an additional challenge in terms of enforcement oftransfat regulation.ConclusionsAlthough India will face challenges in regulatingtransfat, legislating an upper limit oftransfat in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils will likely be the most effective approach to reducing it in the food supply. Ongoing engagement with industry, agriculture, trade and processing sectors will prove essential in terms of product reformulation.

Assessing Industry 4.0 readiness in manufacturing: a self-diagnostic framework and an illustrative case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnamurthy Ramanathan ◽  
Premaratne Samaranayake
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tool ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Emerging Economy ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Readiness Assessment ◽  
Manufacturing Firm ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an Industry 4.0 Readiness Assessment Framework (I4.0RAF) and demonstrate its applicability and practical relevance through a case study of a large manufacturing firm in an emerging economy.Design/methodology/approachThe research firstly involved a synthesis of recent literature for the identification of important determinants, and their constituent criteria, for assessing the readiness of a manufacturing firm to transition to an Industry 4.0 setting and structuring them into a readiness assessment framework that can be used as a self-diagnostic tool. The framework was illustrated through a case study. The empirical findings of readiness assessment are validated using semi-structured interviews of senior management of the organization.FindingsThe proposed I4.0RAF was found to be a practically applicable self-diagnostic tool that can be used to assess a firm's readiness to transition to an Industry 4.0 setting with respect to eight important determinants. Cross-functional participation in the assessment helped the organization to determine priorities and interdependencies among the determinants.Research limitations/implicationsThe determinants and their constituent criteria can be further streamlined using inputs from practitioners, consultants and academics.Practical implicationsThe findings demonstrate the interdependencies between the determinants, help to delineate interventions that can lead to synergistic outcomes and enabls planning to achieve higher levels of Industry 4.0 maturity.Originality/valueA self-diagnostic tool as a basis for an informed discussion on transitioning to an Industry 4.0 setting is presented and illustrated through a case study in an emerging economy.

Development of the Sheraton hotel chainDevelopment of the Sheraton hotel chain

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (04) ◽  
pp. 137-139
Author(s):  
Mehdi Elman oğlu Bağırov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
South America ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Sheraton Hotel ◽  
Hotel Chains ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Day By Day ◽  
Hotel Chain ◽  
Made In

The distribution of the world's hotel chains to more and more countries is also reflected in our country, and the development of this type of chain hotels is growing day by day. Along with the development of technology, the tourism infrastructure and its key element, the hotel industry, is also developing. Today, investments are being made in a planned way to modernize the hotel business, build new hotels, and introduce new technologies and forms of service. Sheraton Hotels and Resorts is an international hotel chain owned by Marriott International. Sheraton has 446 hotels with 155,617 rooms worldwide, including locations in North America, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Key words: hotel chains, investment, technology, hotel business, tourism infrastructure

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