Multi-attribute optimization-based system decomposition considering several value chain stakeholder perspectives

Abstract The final architecture of a complex system reflect preferences of several value chain stakeholders on system attributes, also called “ilities”. Owing to differences in their individual roles and responsibilities, different stakeholders prefer different approaches to architect and decompose a system to optimize their attributes of interest. However, owing to increasing complexity of modern engineering systems, optimizing multiple attributes of complex systems has become challenging; moreover, very few researches have been published in this regard. Thus, to address this gap in available literature, this paper presents a multi-attribute optimization framework for complex system decomposition. The proposed framework primarily optimizes two attributes—system robustness (to the perspective of the stakeholder), and modularity—while system maintainability is considered an optimization constraint. Feasibility of the proposed framework has been demonstrated through a case study, wherein system attributes of three different mechanical clock models having different architectures were optimized.

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Level of Modularity and Different Levels of System Granularity

Journal of Mechanical Design ◽

10.1115/1.4005069 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 133 (10) ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Noemi Chiriac ◽

Katja Hölttä-Otto ◽

Dusan Lysy ◽

Eun Suk Suh

Keyword(s):

Complex System ◽

System Development ◽

System Architectures ◽

System Decomposition ◽

Architectural Analysis ◽

Design Structure ◽

Printing System ◽

Different Levels ◽

Real Complex

All complex system development projects involve analysis of the system architecture. Thus far it has been assumed that there is some correct system decomposition that can be used in the architectural analysis without consideration of the sensitivity of the results to the chosen level of decomposition. We represent 88 idealized system architectures and a real complex system as a design structure matrix at two different levels of decomposition. We analyze these architectures for their degree of modularity. We find that the degree of modularity can vary for the same system when the system is represented at the two different levels of granularity. For example, the printing system used in the case study is considered slightly integral at a higher level of decomposition and quite modular at a lower level of decomposition. We further find that even though the overall results can be different depending on the level of decomposition, the direction of change toward more modular or more integral can be calculated the same regardless of the level of decomposition. We conclude that the level of decomposition can distort the results of architectural analysis and care must be taken in defining the system decomposition for any analysis.

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Motivating Growth in Low-tech Manufacturing Industries

Conference Proceedings of the Academy for Design Innovation Management ◽

10.33114/adim.2019.07.315 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Naomi HERTZ

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Field Research ◽

Sustainable Competitive Advantage ◽

Manufacturing Plants ◽

Footwear Industry ◽

Technological Platform ◽

Qualitative Methodologies ◽

Developed World ◽

Depth Interviews

Intensive manual labor enterprises in the developed world face challenges competing with products imported from countries where manufacturing costs are low. This reduces the volume of domestic production and leads to rapid loss of knowledge and experience in production processes. This study focuses on the Israeli footwear industry as a case study. Qualitative methodologies were applied, including in-depth interviews and field observations. A literature review on previous research, and contemporary trends was conducted. The field research examines challenges along the value chain in small factories. It finds that mass production paradigms impose a decentralized process between designers and manufacturers and therefore do not leverage local potential into a sustainable competitive advantage for small factories. The proposed solution is a digital and technological platform for small manufacturing plants. The platform mediates and designs the connections between production, technology, and design and enables the creation of a joint R&D system.

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Islam and Modernity: A Case of Muslim Female Engineers in Malaysia

Journal of Islam in Asia <span style="font-size: 0.6em">(E-ISSN: 2289-8077)</span> ◽

10.31436/jia.v8i0.253 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 403-419

Author(s):

Rohaiza Abd. Rokis

Keyword(s):

Engineering Students ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Physical Structure ◽

Normative Values ◽

Self Presentation ◽

Roles And Responsibilities ◽

Modern Development ◽

Modern Engineering ◽

Islam And Modernity ◽

Careful Management

Malaysia is portrayed as one of the modern and developed Muslim nations. Its rapid modern development in physical structure impressed many people. However, little is known about the situation of its non-physical structure, particularly the religious and normative values. This paper rests on the stance that individuals’ religious values remain despite the nation’s effort towards modernisation, particularly in the relations of women and profession. To achieve the purpose, this article explores the paradoxes relating to the intricate relationships between the traditional feminine social expectations and modern engineering profession experienced by Muslim female engineers and students in Malaysia. The research is a structured interview design on thirty-six Muslim female engineers and engineering students. It found that there were potential self-presentation crises, particularly when women participated in a male-dominated workplace. The gendering issues in engineering overwhelmingly projected the collision between modernism and traditionalism. Such a blending situation depended on very careful management as being women with a clear expectation towards traditional feminine roles and responsibilities, while at the same time they have to present themselves in a business-like, modern manner in terms of competence, commitment and ambitious targets to claim a rightful place in the engineering world. Modernisation has not been able to change women’s traditional attitude. Though they may be modernised, educated and professional, these women are still traditional at heart.

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Regional Industrialisation Research Project: Case Study on the Mining Capital Equipment Value Chain in South Africa and Zambia

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.2716029 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Judith Fessehaie

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Value Chain ◽

Research Project ◽

Capital Equipment

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Research on the Power Equipment Quality Inspection Industry Based on the Theory of Value Chain: A Case Study of Zhejiang Province

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/571/1/012039 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 571 ◽

pp. 012039

Author(s):

Shen Zhao ◽

Qianda Mao ◽

Changhao Li ◽

Shujia Zhang ◽

Chao Lv ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Zhejiang Province ◽

Power Equipment ◽

Quality Inspection ◽

Theory Of Value

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The Unexplored Socio-Cultural Benefits of Coffee Plants: Implications for the Sustainable Management of Ethiopia’s Coffee Forests

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13073912 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 3912

Author(s):

Bikila Jabessa Bulitta ◽

Lalisa A. Duguma

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Ethnographic Study ◽

Gene Pools ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Cultural Services ◽

Study Approach ◽

Jimma Zone ◽

Food And Drink

Coffee is among the most popular commodity crops around the globe and supports the livelihoods of millions of households along its value chain. Historically, the broader understanding of the roles of coffee has been limited to its commercial value, which largely is derived from coffee, the drink. This study, using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, explores some of the unrevealed socio-cultural services of coffee of which many people are not aware. The study was conducted in Gomma district, Jimma Zone, Oromia National Regional state, Ethiopia, where arabica coffee was first discovered in its natural habitat. Relying on a case study approach, our study uses ethnographic study methods whereby results are presented from the communities’ perspectives and the subsequent discussions with the communities on how the community perspectives could help to better manage coffee ecosystems. Coffee’s utilities and symbolic functions are numerous—food and drink, commodity crop, religious object, communication medium, heritage and inheritance. Most of the socio-cultural services are not widely known, and hence are not part of the benefits accounting of coffee systems. Understanding and including such socio-cultural benefits into the wider benefits of coffee systems could help in promoting improved management of the Ethiopian coffee forests that are the natural gene pools of this highly valuable crop.

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A Kind of Change Management Method for Global Value Chain Optimization and Its Case Study

IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems ◽

10.1109/tcss.2021.3067730 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Guangyu Xiong ◽

Huaiyu Wu ◽

Petri Helo ◽

Xiuqin Shang ◽

Gang Xiong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Change Management ◽

Value Chain ◽

Global Value Chain ◽

Management Method

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Strengthening Agriculture Value Chain through Collectives: Comparative Case Analysis

International Journal of Rural Management ◽

10.1177/0973005221991438 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 097300522199143

Author(s):

Sneha Kumari ◽

Nisha Bharti ◽

K. K. Tripathy

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Action Theory ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Comparative Case Study ◽

Collective Actions ◽

Case Study Approach ◽

Study Approach ◽

The Board Of Directors ◽

Market Linkage

Indian agriculture has always been less profitable. Several factors contribute to the low profitability in agriculture, but less value addition, weak value chain system and weak market linkage are some of the most important factors. Producer companies are helping small farmers to emerge in the market. The farmer producer organisations (FPOs) linked with the producer companies are the best example of collective actions. The collective actions for the agriculture value chain (AVC) have resulted in a decrease in the cost and an increase in revenue. FPO and producer company find a good place in the underpinning theory of collective action theory. This study examines various successful examples of strengthening AVC through cooperatives and tried to identify various factors responsible for the success of these collectives. This study has adopted a case study approach. Three successful cases, that is, Vasundhara Agriculture Horticulture Producer Company Ltd: a multi-state FPO, Abhinav Farms Club and Sahyadri Farmer Producer Company have been selected for the case study based on their successful interventions for strengthening the agriculture value chain. Primary and secondary data has been collected through telephonic interviews from the board of directors, chairman and the members of the FPO. Both primary and secondary data have been collected to compare the three cases for AVC models. The data has been analysed using a comparative case study approach. The parameters of AVC have been identified using the Delphi technique. The study has found that collective actions have helped the farmers to strengthen the agriculture value chain. The study also concluded that leadership played an important role in defining the success of the FPOs. The study brings out future directions to excel in AVC through collectives.

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