A review of methodologies for performance evaluation of automated construction processes

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sundararaman Krishnamoorthi ◽  
Benny Raphael
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Planning Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Detailed Simulation ◽  
Three Stages

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to synthesize knowledge related to performance evaluation of automated construction processes during the planning and execution phases through a theme-based literature classification. The primary research question that is addressed is “How to quantify the performance improvement in automated construction processes?”Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review of papers on automated construction was conducted involving three stages-planning, conducting and reporting. In the planning stage, the purpose of the review is established through key research questions. Then, a four-step process is employed consisting of identification, screening, shortlisting and inclusion of papers. For reporting, observations were critically analysed and categorized according to themes.FindingsThe primary conclusion from this study is that the effectiveness of construction processes can only be benchmarked using realistic simulations. Simulations help to pinpoint the root causes of success or failure of projects that are either already completed or under execution. In automated construction, there are many complex interactions between humans and machines; therefore, detailed simulation models are needed for accurate predictions. One key requirement for simulation is the calibration of the models using real data from construction sites.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is based on a review of 169 papers from a database of peer-reviewed journals, within a time span of 50 years.Originality/valueGap in research in the area of performance evaluation of automated construction is brought out. The importance of simulation models calibrated with on-site data within a methodology for performance evaluation is highlighted.

scholarly journals Identifying Optimum Taper Lengths for Zipper Merging Applications using Real Data and Microscopic Simulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-220
Author(s):  
Wakeel Idewu ◽  
Pattanun Chanpiwat ◽  
Hana Naghawi
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Microscopic Simulation ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Design Guideline ◽  
Traffic Volumes ◽  
Unique Approach ◽  
Transition Length ◽  
Lane Closures

Motorists lack of understanding on the proper way to maneuver through lane closures during congested periods cause driver confusion. This confusion directly and indirectly creates inconsistent flow patterns, forced merges, travel time delays, and crashes. Engineers and developers have tried to improve the merge systems used in construction zones to reduce driver frustration, improve travel time, and increase safety. Encouraging drivers to use the zipper merge approach has been assumed by some to target these issues. When implemented, drivers jointly merge together in an alternating fashion at two-to-one lane closures/reductions. There is a difference in opinion between traffic officials concerning the taper length required to efficiently accommodate these types of merging patterns – particularly those that occur near construction sites. Current practice uses the taper design guideline presented in the MUTCD. However, some believe this unique approach to merging at lane reductions should be accompanied by a shorter/longer taper. This study simulated 192 scenarios consisting of eight different percent truck compositions, six different transition lengths, and four different traffic volumes in VISSIM. The simulation models were calibrated with field data taken while a zipper merge configuration was in operation on a freeway. The main objective was to identify the optimum transition length when placing a zipper merge configuration because it visually and physically promoted alternating merging maneuvers. The results indicated none of the six tested taper lengths had a clear advantage over the other under multiple traffic volumes and truck percentages. Although statistically equal, operational differences in response to taper lengths were present and became more pronounced as volumes and truck percentages increased.

The impediments to the competitiveness of the rail industry in Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Ghaderi ◽  
Jiangang Fei ◽  
Stephen Cahoon
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Synthesis Process ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Data Synthesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Rail Industry ◽  
First Time ◽  
Freight Market

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify current impediments to the competitiveness of the rail industry in the Australian non-bulk freight market. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review was adapted to identify the impediments and challenge themes from 1,081 studies available on the Australian rail industry. To select the studies relevant to the research question, a tollgate criterion was then deployed. Impediments were identified by a structured data synthesis process and a heuristic algorithm was developed to explore the possible relationships between the impediments and challenges. Findings – Four major themes are apparent, each of which presents the rail industry with challenges in the non-bulk freight market. “Infrastructural inefficiencies and the need for further integration” was ranked as the main rail industry challenge, while “environmental concerns and the associated costs of externalities” was the least. In addition, across the four themes data synthesis identified 43 impediments from purely policy related to technical and operational aspects. Research limitations/implications – The major implication of this review is the identification of impediments that have no linkage to the four industry challenges as revealed by stakeholders in the literature. That means that the rail industry has been dealing with a number of issues that have not been explored and studied in depth either by practitioners or academics. The underlying elements of impediments in this group are perceived as managerial, organisational and leadership factors. The rail industry has failed to manage its organisational ties across the system, both horizontally and vertically. This issue has been intensified as the result of complex interactions between different transport modes and operators associated with the non-bulk freight sector. Originality/value – For the first time in the Australian context, this study provides an en masse and summarised picture of impediments to the competitiveness of the rail industry in the non-bulk freight market by systematically reviewing the reports generated by different stakeholders in the last ten years. The outcomes will assist the rail industry and government to understand impediments impacting on the quality of rail freight services that may lead to collaboration on decision-making and investment strategies.

An integrated TOPSIS-MOORA-based performance evaluation methodology for the key service providers in sharing economy: case of Airbnb superhosts

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrija Majumdar ◽  
Arnab Adhikari
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Classification Framework

PurposeIn the context of sharing economy, the superhost program of Airbnb emerges as a phenomenal success story that has transformed the tourism industry and garnered humongous popularity. Proper performance evaluation and classification of the superhosts are crucial to incentivize superhosts to maintain higher service quality. The main objective of this paper is to design an integrated multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) method-based performance evaluation and classification framework for the superhosts of Airbnb and to study the variation in various contextual factors such as price, number of listings and cancelation policy across the superhosts.Design/methodology/approachThis work considers three weighting techniques, mean, entropy and CRITIC-based methods to determine the weights of factors. For each of the weighting techniques, an integrated TOPSIS-MOORA-based performance evaluation method and classification framework have been developed. The proposed methodology has been applied for the performance evaluation of the superhosts (7,308) of New York City using real data from Airbnb.FindingsFrom the perspective of performance evaluation, the importance of devising an integrated methodology instead of adopting a single approach has been highlighted using a nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. As per the context-specific findings, it has been observed that the price and the number of listings are the highest for the superhosts in the topmost category.Practical implicationsThe proposed methodology facilitates the design of a leaderboard to motivate service providers to perform better. Also, it can be applicable in other accommodation-sharing economy platforms and ride-sharing platforms.Originality/valueThis is the first work that proposes a performance evaluation and classification framework for the service providers of the sharing economy in the context of tourism industry.

Co-workers’ perceptions of and reactions to employee’s involuntary demotion

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 740-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Hennekam ◽  
Subramaniam Ananthram ◽  
Steve McKenna
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Emotional Reaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Informational Justice ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Behavioural Reaction ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
The Way

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how individuals perceive and react to the involuntary demotion of a co-worker in their organisation. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw on 46 semi-structured in-depth interviews (23 dyads) with co-workers of demoted individuals. Findings The findings suggest that an individual’s observation of the demotion of a co-worker has three stages: their perception of fairness, their emotional reaction and their behavioural reaction. The perception of fairness concerned issues of distributive, procedural, interpersonal and informational justice. The emotional responses identified were feelings of disappointment/disillusion, uncertainty, vulnerability and anger. Finally, the behavioural reactions triggered by their emotional responses included expressions of voice, loyalty, exit and adaptation. Originality/value Perceptions of (in)justice perpetrated on others stimulate emotional and behavioural responses, which impacts organisational functioning. Managers should therefore pay attention to the way a demotion is perceived, not only by those directly concerned, but also by co-workers as observers.

Money laundering through raw diamonds

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann ◽  
Marie-Christin Falker
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Money Laundering ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Compliance Officers ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Combat Money Laundering

Purpose This paper aims to illustrate how illegally obtained funds are laundered through raw diamonds in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Design/methodology/approach To identify specific money laundering techniques involving raw diamonds, this study used a qualitative content analysis of data collected from 60 semi-standardized interviews with both criminals and prevention experts and a quantitative survey of 200 compliance officers. Findings Raw diamonds are extraordinarily suitable for money laundering in European German-speaking countries. In particular, they may be used in all three stages of the laundering process, namely, placement, layering and integration. Research limitations/implications Because the qualitative findings are based on semi-standardized interviews, their insights are limited to the perspectives of the 60 interviewees. Practical implications Identifying gaps in existing anti-money laundering mechanisms should provide compliance officers, law enforcement agencies and legislators with valuable insights into how criminals operate. Originality/value While prior studies focus on the methods used by organizations to combat money laundering and how to improve anti-money laundering measures, this paper investigates how money launderers operate to avoid detection, thereby illustrating authentic experiences. Its findings provide valuable insights into the minds of money launderers and combines criminal perspective with that of prevention experts.

Knowledge transfer roles of subsidiaries in MNCs’ networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cigdem Baskici
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Hierarchical Structures ◽  
Knowledge Flows ◽  
Consumer Electronics ◽  
Knowledge Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based

Purpose Although there have been a considerable number of studies regarding subsidiary role typology in multinationals’ management literature, there appear to be few studies that consider knowledge-based role typology from the network-based perspective. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap and extend the study of Gupta and Govindarajan (1991). Thus, the study focuses on answering the following research question: Do subsidiaries have different roles in terms of knowledge flows within a multinational company (MNC)? Design/methodology/approach This empirical study has been carried out as an explorative single case study. An MNC with 15 foreign subsidiaries headquartered in Turkey, which operated in the manufacturing of household appliances and consumer electronics, has been selected as the case. Knowledge transfer is analyzed in this MNC from the network perspective. Findings Four role typologies are detected for subsidiaries of the MNC: collector transmitter, collector diffuser, converter transmitter and converter diffuser. Research limitations/implications Findings of this study are specific to this case. Testing the findings in a sample consisting of subsidiaries of MNCs producing transnational products may contribute to the generalizability of these roles. Practical implications This study offers potentially important findings for MNC managers to use. First, in this study, knowledge flows' route could be defined within MNCs’ dual network. Second, role typologies could inform MNC managers to design their MNCs’ knowledge network. Originality/value The suggested typologies are expected to more accurately define the roles of subsidiaries within contemporary MNCs which are accepted to be transformed from hierarchical structures to network-based organizations.

scholarly journals Assessing asset monitoring levels for maintenance operations

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 632-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah A Alabdulkarim ◽  
Peter Ball ◽  
Ashutosh Tiwari
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Dynamic Modelling ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Product Service ◽  
Asset Monitoring ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Asset management has recently gained significance due to emerging business models such as Product Service Systems where the sale of asset use, rather than the sale of the asset itself, is applied. This leaves the responsibility of the maintenance tasks to fall on the shoulders of the manufacturer/supplier to provide high asset availability. The use of asset monitoring assists in providing high availability but the level of monitoring and maintenance needs to be assessed for cost effectiveness. There is a lack of available tools and understanding of their value in assessing monitoring levels. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This research aims to develop a dynamic modelling approach using Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to assess such maintenance systems in order to provide a better understanding of the behaviour of complex maintenance operations. Interviews were conducted and literature was analysed to gather modelling requirements. Generic models were created, followed by simulation models, to examine how maintenance operation systems behave regarding different levels of asset monitoring. Findings – This research indicates that DES discerns varying levels of complexity of maintenance operations but that more sophisticated asset monitoring levels will not necessarily result in a higher asset performance. The paper shows that it is possible to assess the impact of monitoring levels as well as make other changes to system operation that may be more or less effective. Practical implications – The proposed tool supports the maintenance operations decision makers to select the appropriate asset monitoring level that suits their operational needs. Originality/value – A novel DES approach was developed to assess asset monitoring levels for maintenance operations. In applying this quantitative approach, it was demonstrated that higher asset monitoring levels do not necessarily result in higher asset availability. The work provides a means of evaluating the constraints in the system that an asset is part of rather than focusing on the asset in isolation.

Adaptive response prediction for aerodynamic shape optimization

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 1485-1500
Author(s):  
Leifur Leifsson ◽  
Slawomir Koziel
Keyword(s):  
Shape Optimization ◽  
Adaptive Response ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Response Prediction ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
High Fidelity Simulation ◽  
Aerodynamic Shape Optimization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aerodynamic Shape ◽  
Fidelity Model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reduce the overall computational time of aerodynamic shape optimization that involves accurate high-fidelity simulation models. Design/methodology/approach The proposed approach is based on the surrogate-based optimization paradigm. In particular, multi-fidelity surrogate models are used in the optimization process in place of the computationally expensive high-fidelity model. The multi-fidelity surrogate is constructed using physics-based low-fidelity models and a proper correction. This work introduces a novel correction methodology – referred to as the adaptive response prediction (ARP). The ARP technique corrects the low-fidelity model response, represented by the airfoil pressure distribution, through suitable horizontal and vertical adjustments. Findings Numerical investigations show the feasibility of solving real-world problems involving optimization of transonic airfoil shapes and accurate computational fluid dynamics simulation models of such surfaces. The results show that the proposed approach outperforms traditional surrogate-based approaches. Originality/value The proposed aerodynamic design optimization algorithm is novel and holistic. In particular, the ARP correction technique is original. The algorithm is useful for fast design of aerodynamic surfaces using high-fidelity simulation data in moderately sized search spaces, which is challenging using conventional methods because of excessive computational costs.

Public administration approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 495-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jurgita Rudžionienė ◽  
Jaroslav Dvorak
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Economic Aspects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evaluation Functions ◽  
Services Evaluation ◽  
Library Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Measurement

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to define the problem and to initiate discussion on library evaluation as significant part of institutional evidence-based management from public administration approach. Design/methodology/approach – In order to fulfilling the purpose, special attention to present the concepts of valuing information, library performance evaluation, measurement, etc. is drawn, main evaluation functions are analysed. Economic aspects of information services vs intellectual ones are discussed. Consistent patterns and principles of public administration as well as possibilities of public administration influence in creation of systematic base of library performance evaluation as well as of information services impact to the user are analysed. Findings – The paper provides insights about different aspects of information services evaluation. Results of analysis of economic aspects of information services vs intellectual ones are presented, consistent patterns and principles of public administration, possibilities of public administration influence in creation of systematic base of library performance evaluation as well as of information services impact to the user possibilities are presented. Originality/value – The paper fulfills need to study how public administration could involve library evaluation as tool for evidence-based decision making.

Effective customer selection for marketing campaigns based on net scores

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
René Michel ◽  
Igor Schnakenburg ◽  
Tobias von Martens
Keyword(s):  
Decision Trees ◽  
Direct Marketing ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Scoring Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Selection ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Response Modeling

Purpose This paper aims to address the effective selection of customers for direct marketing campaigns. It introduces a new method to forecast campaign-related uplifts (also known as incremental response modeling or net scoring). By means of these uplifts, only the most responsive customers are targeted by a campaign. This paper also aims at calculating the financial impact of the new approach compared to the classical (gross) scoring methods. Design/methodology/approach First, gross and net scoring approaches to customer selection for direct marketing campaigns are compared. After that, it is shown how net scoring can be applied in practice with regard to different strategical objectives. Then, a new statistic for net scoring based on decision trees is developed. Finally, a business case based on real data from the financial sector is calculated to compare gross and net scoring approaches. Findings Whereas gross scoring focuses on customers with a high probability of purchase, regardless of being targeted by a campaign, net scoring identifies those customers who are most responsive to campaigns. A common scoring procedure – decision trees – can be enhanced by the new statistic to forecast those campaign-related uplifts. The business case shows that the selected scoring method has a relevant impact on economical indicators. Practical implications The contribution of net scoring to campaign effectiveness and efficiency is shown by the business case. Furthermore, this paper suggests a framework for customer selection, given strategical objectives, e.g. minimizing costs or maximizing (gross or lift)-added value, and presents a new statistic that can be applied to common scoring procedures. Originality/value Despite its lever on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, only few contributions address net scores up to now. The new χ2-statistic is a straightforward approach to the enhancement of decision trees for net scoring. Furthermore, this paper is the first to the application of net scoring with regard to different strategical objectives.

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