System Design of a Vehicle Based on the Matrix Approach Using Functional Analysis of the Maintenance

The use of extended standard functional analysis of maintenance in the design phase of vehicle structure analysis is presented for the first time, where a matrix of the degree of importance of modules or parts, a matrix size between costs and benefits (costs–benefits), and a logistic support matrix (support index and repair time) are used. The use of these methods allows a designer to be able to determine, in the very early phase of the construction process, the important factors (structure, component price, reliability, repair costs, response time, logistic supportability) that have a major impact on vehicle maintenance. Extended functional analysis also allows us to define critical structures in the project specification of vehicles. A crucial issue in functional analysis is the very extensive implementation of research, drawing conclusions and findings with the basic goal of determining a set of indicators for the verification of assumptions and hypotheses.

Group bargaining in supply chains

We consider a vertical supply chain in which a monopoly retailer produces a good by assembling a number of essential components each of which is owned by a monopoly. Rather than making the common assumption that the component price is set in the same way for each owner, we investigate the possibility that the retailer may profit by bargaining with some owners in a group, whilst others set their component price to maximize own profit. Furthermore, component owners can self-select into one of these groups, and the retailer can affect group formation by adjusting the order of negotiations. We present conditions under which the retailer can encourage the formation of a bargaining group, and thereby improve its own and industry profit.

Microscopic Understanding of Cross-Responses Between Stocks: A Two-Component Price Impact Model

We construct a price impact model between stocks in a correlated market. For the price change of a given stock induced by the short-term liquidity of this stock itself and of the information about other stocks, we introduce a self- and a cross-impact function of the time lag. We model the average cross-response functions for individual stocks employing the impact functions of the time lag, the impact functions of traded volumes and the trade-sign correlators. We further quantify and interpret the price impacts of time lag in terms of temporary and permanent components. To support our model, we also analyze empirical data, in particular the memory properties of the sign self- and average cross-correlators. The relation between the average cross-responses and the traded volumes which are smaller than their average is of power-law form.

Bringing them back to spend more: student foodservice experiences to satisfy their taste buds

Purpose – This study aims to examine student’s foodservice experience and its effect on satisfaction, dining frequency and expenditures. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 674 samples collected at a large Malaysian private university were used for data analysis. Structural equation modelling based on partial least squares method was conducted. Findings – Results confirm that student foodservice experience significantly influences satisfaction, dining frequency and dining expenditure. Furthermore, four first-order constructs (product component, service component, price component and healthy component) are also validated on the designated second-order construct (customer foodservice experience). Research limitations/implications – These findings indicate that on-campus foodservice operators should focus on student experience and satisfaction to increase visits and expenditures. Originality/value – This study would enable on-campus foodservice operators to have a better understanding of various dimensions of foodservice experience which will lead to students’ satisfaction and encourage the development of their visits and expenditure.

Robust Design by Tolerance Allocation Considering Quality and Manufacturing Cost

Involving customer values in the design process is necessary to improve the total quality of a product. The purpose of this work is to establish a theoretical base for tolerance allocation which allows both quality and manufacturing cost to be considered. The paper addresses functional tolerance chains, i.e. tolerance chains that involve a dimension important for the function of the product or component. The total loss to customer is determined as the sum of two tolerance dependent properties; the functionality loss and the component price. The functionality loss represents the customer’s economical loss due to poor functionality. The optimal tolerance limits are found by minimizing the total loss to customer. These are the limits that represent the best trade-off between cost and quality, from the customer’s point of view. This work specially emphasizes a method for treating asymmetrical functionality loss, i.e. when the design is more sensitive to a deviation of a critical parameter in one direction than in the other. By moving the manufacturing target in a direction away from the most sensitive part, the total loss to customer can be reduced. This paper describes how the optimal manufacturing target and corresponding symmetrical tolerance band are found. This method thus increases the robustness of the design. The method may be used for single tolerances or any resulting tolerance of a tolerance chain.