Advanced swarm robots addressing innovative tasks such as assembly, search, rescue, mapping, communication, aerial and other original applications

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-412
Author(s):  
Richard Bloss
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Swarm Robots ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Robot Technology ◽  
Swarm Robot ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review some of the various worldwide projects to develop and apply innovative swarm-type robots to many challenging applications. Design/methodology/approach – An in-depth review of published information and interviews with researchers and developers of swarm robot technology were conducted. Findings – Swarm robots continue to be developed to match an ever-increasing number of interesting and innovative applications. Practical implications – Readers may be very surprised at the tasks that autonomous swarm robots can address and the developments that are underway to further extend the abilities of swarm robots. Originality/value – This paper is a review of a wide range of the latest swarm robot developments, innovations and applications.

scholarly journals Mapping post-diagnostic dementia care in England: an e-survey

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Frost ◽  
Kate Walters ◽  
Jane Wilcock ◽  
Louise Robinson ◽  
Karen Harrison Dening ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Mailing Lists ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Pathways Of Care

PurposePost-diagnostic dementia care is often fragmented in the United Kingdom, with great variation in provision. Recent policies suggest moving towards better community-based care for dementia; however, little is known on how this care is delivered. This study aimed to map the post-diagnostic dementia support provided in England a decade after the introduction of a National Dementia Strategy.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods e-survey (open Nov 2018–Mar 2019) of dementia commissioners in England recruited through mailing lists of relevant organisations was conducted. The authors descriptively summarised quantitative data and carried out thematic analysis of open-ended survey responses.Findings52 completed responses were received, which covered 82 commissioning bodies, with representation from each region in England. Respondents reported great variation in the types of services provided. Information, caregiver assessments and dementia navigation were commonly reported and usually delivered by the voluntary sector or local authorities. Integrated pathways of care were seen as important to avoid overlap or gaps in service coverage. Despite an increasingly diverse population, few areas reported providing dementia health services specifically for BME populations. Over half of providers planned to change services further within five years.Practical implicationsThere is a need for greater availability of and consistency in services in post-diagnostic dementia care across England.Originality/valuePost-diagnostic dementia care remains fragmented and provided by a wide range of providers in England.

scholarly journals A biopsychosocial framework for recovery from COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 1021-1039
Author(s):  
Kaz Stuart ◽  
Mark A. Faghy ◽  
Elaine Bidmead ◽  
Ruth Browning ◽  
Catriona Roberts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper proposes a biopsychosocial (BPS) analysis of COVID-19 experiences which enhances understanding of complex and interrelated factors and leads to the proposition of a BPS recovery framework.Design/methodology/approachOnline narrative research was used to explore people's experiences of COVID-19 and was conducted over a four-month period. The call was distributed via a short open-ended qualitative online survey advertised on social media platforms and 305 responses came from across England.FindingsThe findings illustrate people with a narrow range of BPS characteristics experienced over a wide range of BPS impacts which are nuanced, complex and dynamic. Left unaddressed these may create future adverse BPS characteristics. An integrated BPS framework for recovery is proposed to avoid such further negative outcomes from the pandemic.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample contained a bias in age, gender and living arrangements.Practical implicationsThe paper offers a clear framework to enable integrated holistic recovery/regrowth planning.Social implicationsUsing the framework would reduce social and health inequities which have been recently deepened by COVID-19 in the long-term.Originality/valueThe paper is original in its use of a BPS analytical framework.

Lasers sensors very accurately measure both speed and length in real time

Sensor Review ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bloss
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Laser Measurement ◽  
Quality Cost ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Laser Sensors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Length Measurements ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – Review of the advancements in non-contact laser sensors for much more accurate real time speed as well as length measurements. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In-depth review of a number of applications of laser sensors. Findings – A wide range of manufacturers in the converting industries have solved measurement problems and realized major improvements in product quality, cost of production and productivity by applying laser measurement as well as reduction in scrap. Practical implications – Others with the need to make very accurate measurements of speed and length in real time may find that laser sensors may provide the answer. Originality/value – An expert insight into how to solve real time speed and length measurement problems.

Colleague curriculum wins bronze for Barclays

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-16
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Describes a blended-learning program at Barclays bank that won bronze in the 2015 Learning Awards. Design/methodology/approach – Examines the reasons for the program, the form it takes and the results it is achieving. Findings – Explains that the program, named Colleague Curriculum, is designed to create a learner-led blend of learning for more than 135,000 Barclays employees. Practical implications – Highlights the program’s flexibility, which helps to ensure that it is suitable for a wide range of employee skills and cultures. Social implications – Sites the learning program in the context of Barclays’ Transform program, a long-term journey of change which aims to make the bank the partner of choice for all its stakeholders. Originality/value – Reveals how technology can help to transform an organization’s learning.

The user as relational entity

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sampsa Hyysalo ◽  
Mikael Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Strategic Positioning ◽  
Human Centered Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relational Term ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Integrate Research

Purpose – “User” is the lingua franca term used across IT design, often critiqued for giving a reductionist portrayal of the human relationship with technologies. The purpose of this paper is to argue that equating “user” with flesh and blood “people out there” is naïve. Not only that, it closes important options in conducting human-centered design. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conceptually elaborate a relational understanding of the user and integrate research findings on user representations found at the intersection of human-centered design and social studies of technology. Findings – The user is best understood as a relational term that bridges between people out there and renditions of them relevant for design. A distinction between “user representations” and “engaged use” is a key distinction to clarify this further. Research to date demonstrates that R & D organizations have a wide range of user representations and positioning human-centered design to these would advance its likely yield. Research limitations/implications – The strategic positioning of user studies and other human-centered design within R & D organizations is a growing research area that merits further research. Practical implications – Descriptions of users would benefit from being more strategic in order to become viable amidst other design concerns. This can be aided by, for instance, visualizing the “users” that different fractions in the company rely on and compare these to the users indicated by human-centered design. Originality/value – The paper makes an original reconceptualization of the user and integrates literature on user representations to open new options for conducting human-centered design.

Blockchain for business

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohith P. George ◽  
Brad L. Peterson ◽  
Oliver Yaros ◽  
David L. Beam ◽  
Julian M. Dibbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Use Cases ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Practical Guidance ◽  
The Right ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose To introduce blockchain in simple terms for business lawyers to be able to spot the right issues and ask the right questions. Design/methodology/approach This article provides an overview of blockchain, identifies two example use cases, and highlights some of the most pressing legal issues, including issues to address in on-chain programming, off-chain agreements and other issues when determining whether to implement a blockchain solution. Findings This article concludes that there has been a significant growth in investment and interest in blockchain. Numerous companies across different sectors have developed blockchain proof-of-concepts, with some heading towards production deployments. At this point, commercial blockchain is largely in the pilot or proof-of-concept stage across a wide range of use cases, with payments and supply chain being two of the most promising use cases. This article also identifies possible legal issues associated with blockchain. Practical implications Despite the growing interest in blockchain, it is still a novel topic to many business lawyers. It is very important that lawyers are able to identify the right issues and ask the right questions. Originality/value Practical guidance from experienced lawyers in the Technology Transactions and Financial Services Regulatory & Enforcement practices.

Determinants of best HR practices in Chinese SMEs

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Newman ◽  
Abdullah Z. Sheikh
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hr Practices ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Strategic Relationships ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors which determine the adoption of best HR practices in Chinese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach – Regression analysis was utilized to analyse survey data obtained from 345 enterprises operating across China in a wide range of industrial sectors. Findings – Enterprises with greater resources in terms of their size, their relationships with external organizations, their cooperation with foreign partners and the human capital of their CEO were found to be more likely to adopt best HR practices. Contrary to the findings of the existing literature no relationship was found of a relationship between family ownership and the use of best HR practices. Research limitations/implications – The cross-sectional design is an obvious limitation of the study. Other limitations relate to the generalizability of the study findings outside the context in which the research was undertaken, and the use of convenience sampling. Practical implications – Enterprises should consider building strategic relationships with external organizations and developing cooperation with foreign partners as a way of leveraging human resource expertise at a limited cost. Originality/value – This is the first study to examine how differences in the resource endowments of Chinese SMEs influence their adoption of best HR practices.

Deloitte University develops the leaders of the future

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-6 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Future ◽  
Future Leaders ◽  
Global Company ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to observes how global financial consultancy Deloitte is training its future leaders. Design/methodology/approach – The background to the various programs, the form they take and the results they are achieving have been explained. Findings – This study describes the functioning of Deloitte University in Texas, USA, and explains that a similar institution recently opened in Belgium for prospective Deloitte managers from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition, it reveals how coaching works at Deloitte and details a number of programs aimed at increasing the chances of women and people from ethnic and other minorities to reach the top jobs. Practical implications – The fact that competition for talent in the coming years will be challenging has been emphasized and that Deloitte University helps the organization to attract and retain talent by distinguishing the company from its competitors. Social implications – This study reveals that Deloitte is keen to develop leaders of the future from a wide range of backgrounds. Originality/value – A range of leadership development initiatives at a key global company has been detailed.

Robots have come to architecture to model, construct, fabricate and offer new approaches to create innovative designs, elements and structures

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 403-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bloss
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Architecture Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Architectural Innovation ◽  
Ann Arbor ◽  
The Many ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the dramatic entry of robotics into the field of architecture and construction. Design/methodology/approach – Discussions with worldwide researchers in the field of applying robotics to architecture applications and attendance at the 2014 Rob-Arch Conference at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Findings – Robots are enabling many new and innovative methodologies for architecture design and implementation, as well as construction. Practical implications – Readers may be very surprised at the many tasks that robots are already tackling in enabling innovation to reach out to architectural design and implementation. Originality/value – A review of a wide range of the applications of robots worldwide to architectural innovation.

Barclays blazes a trail on apprentices

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-13
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Young People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Career Options ◽  
University Degree ◽  
And Training ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Considers the new Trailblazer apprenticeships being offered by Barclays and Santander. Design/methodology/approach – Examines the reasons for the programs and the results they are expected to achieve. Findings – Explains that the three-year Trailblazer qualification enables young people to achieve the sixth-level apprenticeship, equivalent to a university degree. Practical implications – Demonstrates the wide range of career options open to successful candidates. Social implications – Highlights a useful route into training and employment for young people, some of whom have spurned conventional higher education and training. Originality/value – Shows how two banks are implementing the government’s Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme.

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