Showing papers in "IEEE Engineering Management Review in 2022"

A Blockchain-Based Solution for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Abstract: The COVID-19 vaccine distribution chain faced multiple challenges associated with the lack of production capacity, security issues, and miscommunication between different actors. Blockchain technology has been shown to solve the security and miscommunication issues in other industries. We first identify distribution chain challenges via literature reviews and primary interviews. Case studies that solved these challenges in other industries also served as a source. This information allowed us to devise a blockchain framework for the vaccine distribution chain and evaluate its application feasibility. We present the framework using data flow diagrams. The proposed framework helps minimize the circulation of counterfeit vaccines and vaccination records, improves communication between stakeholders in the distribution chain, increases supply chain security, and simplifies vaccine inventorying and handling processes.

The Impact of Environmental Information Disclosure on Chinese Firms' Environmental and Economic Performance in the 21st Century: A Systematic Review

Abstract: Firms can cause significant environmental and economic problems; thus, they must strengthen their environmental management and information disclosure, which is paramount to improving their economic and environmental performance. Firms must report the consequences of their operations on the environment and economy; however, firms may question the benefits of becoming green and disclosing environmental information. These questions intrigue many scholars. This current systematic review investigates the impact of environmental information disclosure on economic and environmental performance among Chinese firms. A systematic review is employed to identify studies on the impact of environmental information disclosure on firms' economic and environmental performance in China. Studies are identified by searching four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Elsevier/Science Direct) between May 25 and June 2, 2021, for articles published in English spanning 2000 to 2020. In total, 13 articles/studies are included in this review. Most (9, or 69.2%) studies reveal a positive relationship between environmental information disclosure and measured outcome. The review shows that environmental information disclosure practices among firms tremendously increase their productivity and profitability. Furthermore, a healthier environment (in terms of reduced mono oxide emissions) is noticed among cities with strict environmental disclosure adherence.

The Impact of Environmental Information Disclosure on Chinese Firms' Environmental and Economic Performance in the 21st Century: A Systematic Review

Abstract: Firms can cause significant environmental and economic problems; thus, they must strengthen their environmental management and information disclosure, which is paramount to improving their economic and environmental performance. Firms must report the consequences of their operations on the environment and economy; however, firms may question the benefits of becoming green and disclosing environmental information. These questions intrigue many scholars. This current systematic review investigates the impact of environmental information disclosure on economic and environmental performance among Chinese firms. A systematic review is employed to identify studies on the impact of environmental information disclosure on firms' economic and environmental performance in China. Studies are identified by searching four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Elsevier/Science Direct) between May 25 and June 2, 2021, for articles published in English spanning 2000 to 2020. In total, 13 articles/studies are included in this review. Most (9, or 69.2%) studies reveal a positive relationship between environmental information disclosure and measured outcome. The review shows that environmental information disclosure practices among firms tremendously increase their productivity and profitability. Furthermore, a healthier environment (in terms of reduced mono oxide emissions) is noticed among cities with strict environmental disclosure adherence.

Resilience of Cyber-Physical Systems: Role of AI, Digital Twins, and Edge Computing

Abstract: Cyber-physical systems encompass multiple system domains (i.e., water, energy, networking) with heterogeneous goals and complexity of interactions. Existing technologies do not address the disparate time and spatial scales across the many system domains, especially with the latest threats and challenge spaces. New methods to manage resilience of systems, including integrating new computing and sensing strategies, machine learning and artificial intelligence, as well as advanced resilience analytics and prediction, are required to ensure that cyber-physical systems can withstand adverse events. This article summarizes the results of the December 2021 Society for Risk Analysis “Workshop on Resilience Analytics: Methodology and Applications to Cyber-Energy Systems” in which a multidisciplinary team of researchers, policymakers, military, and industry professionals met to identify priorities for research.

Modern Machine Learning Solutions for Portfolio Selection

Abstract: The primary goal of any financial investor is to maximize returns and minimize risks. The selection of the right assets and appropriate allocation of principal wealth is highly essential for the same. Investment specialists and portfolio managers have to manually analyze assets, determine potential returns and risks, and adhere to client preferences to create optimal portfolios. It is a complex and grueling process and demands significant skill and relevant experience for success. Like all other sectors in finance, machine learning models have seen tremendous success in the portfolio selection problem as well. In this article, a thorough review of several machine learning portfolio optimization techniques such as clustering based, Support Vector Machines based, genetic algorithm based, and more has been presented. This article, in its entirety, condenses and interprets the numerous approaches and the merits and limitations corresponding to their implementation. The conclusions presented by this review can be utilized to identify the advantages of these papers. This will help future researchers in their study of the domain and ensure the availability of essential data for further analysis in a systematic and comprehensive manner. With the help of this article, researchers will be well placed to identify areas that present scope for improvement and come up with novel or possibly hybrid techniques to achieve near perfection in portfolio selection.

Economic Feasibility Assessment of Reclaiming Waste Sheet Steel From End-of-Life Vehicles

Abstract: In this article, sheet-steel reclaiming is studied, which involves the innovative conversion of the embodied value of waste sheet steel recovered from end-of-life vehicles into added value in the form of mesh sheet steel to be used for metal-forming applications. For the first time, this process is assessed and modeled economically to propose an approach based on economic indicators to evaluate the feasibility of conducting such a sustainable business model globally. The model considers a range of scenarios based on the introduction of a reclaiming unit into existing end-of-life vehicle shredding and sorting plants. The increased economic efficiency of the plants is considered as a criterion of assessment based on the calculated productivity and sales. The calculations showed that waste sheet steel from 960 vehicles/d can be reclaimed, avoiding the production of 265–517 tons of new sheet steel and 413–806 tons of carbon emissions, corresponding to a saving of ∼126 140–246 092 Euro/d in eco-costs. Furthermore, the reclaiming unit can earn the plant an additional 18 230–93 288 Euro/d in sales. Therefore, the proposed process is considered as an economically viable and attractive addition to help increase the profitability of end-of-life vehicle processing while minimizing the environmental impact of the automotive industry.

Driving Electric Vehicles Into the Future With Battery Management Systems

Abstract: Electric vehicles have become a mainstay of today's answers to reducing climate and environmental concerns. Battery management systems and charging infrastructure systems are central to diffusing this technological solution. We establish an interdisciplinary technology-oriented process to monitor battery conditions with predictive analysis and integration of charging infrastructure. This article provides an overview of this project, some outcomes, and potential implications broadly for the industry and market.

FIWARE-Based Telemedicine Apps Modeling for Patients’ Data Management

Abstract: Open-source technologies enable communication channels between web platforms and innovative architectures to provide reliable data distribution, in which healthcare applications can particularly benefit from them. This work presents a communication channel design to improve the user experience about telemedicine apps, especially when patients are in remote locations while assuring their information using an innovative approach. The general purpose is to avoid users having to physically go to medical facilities by the correct data management related to their appointments and medical history. By preventing the attendance to healthcare facilities, patients do not expose themselves unnecessarily to viruses and bacteria. Therefore, this research includes a data communications model based on the FIWARE platform and cloud technologies for reliable user medical information distribution. The prototype is developed based on open-source technologies and registered the evaluation of different performance metrics that included cases scenarios in which administrators of healthcare centers configured options according to the availability of assets and informatics resources. The results show the effectiveness of the communication model under realistic conditions for encouraging the acceptance of telemedicine alternatives, especially when patients and medical staff present limitations regarding mobility.

A Review of the Success and Failure Factors for Change Management

Abstract: In order to stay competitive and relevant in the business environment, companies need to embrace and address internal and external change and understand how to deal with it. It is necessary for them to develop knowledge about the success and failure factors of handling change and how the latter can be resolved. The aim of this article was to identify change management success and failure factors and provide a method dealing with failure factors. In the systematic literature review, 38 success factors and 23 failure factors from 2006 to 2021 were identified. In comparing the frequency of the occurring factors, four main success and three failure factors emerged. The success factors included: communication, create a vision/change message, early active participation of all individuals, and top management commitment. The failure factors included: resistance to change, standardized concepts, and viewing change initiatives as short-term. Complementarity and dependence links between failure factors and success factors were highlighted. Solutions for resolving three failure factors were found using Ishikawa diagrams and applying root cause analysis. Identifying key factors that affect project success is part of handling change. To support any necessary change, a consistent change management framework that is adaptable to individual organizations is also recommended.

Energy Consumption in Commercial Buildings in a Post-COVID-19 World

Abstract: The ripple effects of the pandemic have resulted in an unprecedented shift in sectoral energy consumption as the workforce predominantly stays and works from home. Quantifying the impact of these restrictions on energy consumption offers a new direction toward intelligent energy services in a post-coronavirus (post-COVID-19) world, especially for commercial buildings. Thus, utilizing actual power consumption data, the study evaluates how energy usage in commercial buildings can change in a post-COVID-19 world, while examining the impact of digitalization to identify potential new opportunities. The article analyzes the changes in energy demand with occupancy rate based on data from 126 commercial businesses with varied classes across Manchester, U.K. The results show that the reduction in energy demand is not proportionate to the occupancy level, resulting in high energy costs. For instance, an average footfall for February 2021 is 10% of 2020, while the costs of electricity only fall to 80% of 2020. Although most of the energy demand is from appliances, the absence of energy efficiency increases energy consumption, highlighting the urgent need for optimized energy efficiency measures to include the time of use and scheduled use of energy across people and processes.

Driving Electric Vehicles Into the Future With Battery Management Systems

Abstract: Electric vehicles have become a mainstay of today's answers to reducing climate and environmental concerns. Battery management systems and charging infrastructure systems are central to diffusing this technological solution. We establish an interdisciplinary technology-oriented process to monitor battery conditions with predictive analysis and integration of charging infrastructure. This article provides an overview of this project, some outcomes, and potential implications broadly for the industry and market.

How Technical Market Segmentation Can Help Build Products Your Customers Really Need

Abstract: We present an anonymized case of a campervan to illustrate how companies sometimes develop products that do not meet market requirements. Drawing from years of experience and case work, we demonstrate how using technical market segmentation at the beginning of the product development process helps to understand the basic market requirements necessary for building a successful modular product architecture.

Reflecting Coronavirus Outbreak in the Risk Management of the Apparel Supply Chain

Abstract: The Coronavirus outbreak has instigated demand and supply interruption risks that influence supply chain (SC) management, implying an inevitability to foster the agility to ease the risks. The article investigates the complex and systemic effects of the Coronavirus outbreak on the global apparel SCs from the perspective of risk management in multinational business. This article proposes risk management in the global apparel SCs during the Coronavirus outbreak using four steps based on an in-depth literature review. Despite several SC management (SCM) approaches, this article emphasizes equalling the lean SCM versus the agile SCM (with a little about risk-hedging SCM and responsive SCM) as these are the foremost SCM styles that the apparel industry adopts the most. Furthermore, this article exposed the inadequacy of the lean-SCM framework caused by the absence of the SC transparency due to the increase in demand unpredictability identified even before the Coronavirus epidemic. On the other hand, the agile-SCM framework tackles this problem through augmenting the supplier–buyer connections for better information swap, but it also involves a linked upsurge in inventory cost and business stock. Thus, this article delivers several approaches that businesses can apply to alleviate the risks and discover key areas for upcoming works, considering downstream and upstream stakeholders in the apparel SC.

Decarbonizing Industrial Logistics

Abstract: Transport decarbonization is a major climate change mitigation challenge. Transportation is an industry that takes significant effort to change. It is the basis of every person's daily life. People's mobility and freedom are central to their quality of life. Global goods transport also ensures that the supply chains can source raw materials, intermediate, and end products. Freight transport is a complex interaction between multiple actors and stakeholders. Using interviewed expert insights, we provide insights for managers and organizations on factors influencing the decarbonization of transportation and industrial logistic. We map the interrelationships of those factors and create factors and enabler interrelationships visualizing the complex dependencies among them. We identify two major propositions on how to decarbonize industrial logistics on a broad scale—with the goal of future proofing this decarbonization.

Increasing Value Capture by Enhancing Manufacturer Commitment—Designing a Value Cocreation System

Abstract: Designing a value cocreation system in the manufacturing industry has seen significant interest in the past two decades. The importance of a value cocreation system has increased along with the social expectations related to increasing resource efficiency and the emergence of enablers such as digitalization. In this article, I take this opportunity to disseminate some findings to industry and managers. Specifically, a review of product/service systems (PSSs) where a manufacturer—taking responsibility for and control of larger ranges in a value network—integrates their products and services to cocreate and capture higher value. PSS design implications and how to implement PSS design are discussed. Insights into designing a PSS in manufacturing practice are highlighted largely based on collaborative experience with large global manufacturers. Strategic management of design activities to avoid design fixation and service design trap is key to the successful design of PSSs.

Embedding Sustainability in Small and Medium-Size Enterprises: Experiences From Sweden

Abstract: Most research on corporate sustainability has focused on large companies’ sustainability efforts; however, research on a holistic approach on small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) addressing the sustainability dimensions and the system elements is still limited. The aim of this article is to assess how SMEs embed sustainability into their systems. A survey was developed and sent to 261 SMEs, from which 72 complete responses were obtained from SMEs in Sweden. The results show that there could be a better operationalization of the priorities and aligning them with the company's impacts, particularly by focusing more on environmental issues. The results show that 1) SMEs have been embedding sustainability through technocentric and managerial approaches; 2) the focus has been on systems elements that tend to be less connected to others (e.g., products, and operations and production) and not on those with highest influence (e.g., governance and change management); and 3) employees tend to be informed about sustainability issues, but they could receive better training and be better engaged in sustainability efforts. SMEs should take a more holistic perspective when embedding sustainability into their system, and better address governance and change management issues to complement their technocentric and managerial approaches.

A Survey on Information Communication Technologies in Modern Demand Side Management for Smart Grids: Challenges, Solutions, and Opportunities

Abstract: The energy transition-revolution paradigm is coming with a new vision of interaction models to smartly manage the energy and data exchanged between all participants in the whole power system with solid regard to sustainability, resilience, cybersecurity and privacy. Added to the switching from fossil to renewable power sources the Demand-Side Management (DSM) which is a mix of software and hardware models with data analytics capabilities, is a crucial enabler of the energy transaction. More than the demand-Response (DR) functionalities, the DSM includes the overall management of the grid infrastructure while minimizing consumers’ discomfort and maximizing the grid stability with respect to environmental commitments. This paper reviews the application of several methodologies for DSM within the context of modern power grids. Existing DSM approaches are described and categorized while offering informative discussions to help reason through all considered studies. Future research avenues are pointed by suggesting DSM improvements for the context of the global trends in data analysis/cybersecurity for liberalizing electricity markets based on energy transactions and DSM-based communities, especially for Smart Cities. The standardization, the regulations, the data privacy, the cybersecurity issues, and their contributions to the energy system were reviewed as open issues in the context of a modern DSM.

A Literature Review on Blockchain Technology: Risk in Supply Chain Management

Abstract: As blockchain technology is continuously evolving, questions arise regarding the possible risk of implementing blockchain technology in supply chain management (SCM). Prominent among these concerns is the risk that may negatively influence SCM and consider the potential solution to managing the risk. This study adopts an integrative review method. An online search is performed by considering relevant keywords related to “blockchain technology risks” closely connected with the SCM context within the period of 2017 until 2021. Several major risks are identified—privacy, regulatory, financial, technological, fraud, and operational risk. This article adopts an integrative literature review method to select relevant literature related to blockchain technology implementation in the supply chain. The integrative literature review method is suitable for this study since the risk of implementing blockchain technology is often shadowed by the benefits of implementing blockchain technology in SCM. The findings are highlighted by categorizing the potential risk that must be recognized in SCM to accompany the blockchain technology and the importance of rectifying the risk according to the organization's capacity and resources.

Decarbonizing Industrial Logistics

Abstract: Transport decarbonization is a major climate change mitigation challenge. Transportation is an industry that takes significant effort to change. It is the basis of every person's daily life. People's mobility and freedom are central to their quality of life. Global goods transport also ensures that the supply chains can source raw materials, intermediate, and end products. Freight transport is a complex interaction between multiple actors and stakeholders. Using interviewed expert insights, we provide insights for managers and organizations on factors influencing the decarbonization of transportation and industrial logistic. We map the interrelationships of those factors and create factors and enabler interrelationships visualizing the complex dependencies among them. We identify two major propositions on how to decarbonize industrial logistics on a broad scale—with the goal of future proofing this decarbonization.

Autonomous Mobile Clinics: Empowering Affordable Anywhere, Anytime Healthcare Access

Abstract: Autonomous mobile clinics (AMCs) solve the healthcare access problem by bringing healthcare services to the patient by the order of the patient's fingertips. Nevertheless, to enable a universal AMC network, a three-stage technical roadmap needs to be achieved. In stage one, we focus on solving the inequity challenge in the existing healthcare system by combining autonomous mobility and telemedicine. In stage two, we develop an artificial intelligence (AI) doctor for primary care, which we foster from infancy to adulthood with clean healthcare data. With the AI doctor, we can solve the inefficiency problem. In stage three, after we have proven that the AMC network can truly solve the target clinical use cases, we shall open up the platform for all medical verticals, thus enabling universal healthcare through this whole new system.

There Is Strength in Numbers: Seven Principles to Contain and Reduce Error and Mitigate Rework in Transport Mega-Projects

Abstract: Errors cannot be always prevented as they are a normal part of any work routine. Performing rework due to an error can significantly increase construction costs in transport mega-projects. Moreover, rework results in productivity loss, schedule delays, injuries and accidents, pollution, and contamination in projects and tarnish an organization's reputation. Drawing on our empirical research examining error culture and rework, we suggest that developing an error mastery mindset based on seven fundamental principles provides the much-needed ingredients to contain (i.e., enhance detection and recovery from errors as well as minimize adverse consequences) and reduce (i.e., limit is occurrence) error and build resilience in mega-transport projects.

Simulation Analysis of Dynamic Feedback Correlation Between Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and Product Innovation Performance

Abstract: Based on the method of system dynamics, analyzing the causal relationship among variables in the “advanced manufacturing technology (AMT)–product innovation” system, this article constructs the system dynamics model of dynamic evolution between AMT and product innovation and uses Vensim Personal Learing Edition (PLE) for simulation. The simulation analysis provided four major conclusions. First, the impact of AMT on the product innovation performance is characterized by dynamic changes. The initial implementation of AMT exerts a short-term inhibiting effect; however, it provides medium- and long-term benefits that occur 50-plus months after adoption. Second, the enhancement of the single dimension of design, manufacturing, and administrative AMT exerts a positive impact on knowledge absorptive capacity and product innovation performance; however, the impact of design AMT is the most noticeable. Third, the design, manufacturing, and administrative AMTs are complementary, and the product innovation benefit of combining multidimensional AMT is most apparent; the synergistic effect produced by it can markedly enhance the product innovation performance compared with one-dimensional AMT. Finally, prior technical level and organizational learning willingness positively moderate the correlation between AMT and product innovation. However, compared with the prior technical level, organizational learning willingness exerts a more notable moderating effect on the product innovation performance.

Navigating the Marketing Technology Landscape

Abstract: Rapid technology advancements have changed the way customers research products and make purchases. This has led to an almost immeasurable increase in the number of customer touchpoints along the customer journey and a corresponding need for a richer set of digital tools that find and engage people on a global scale. The result has been a plethora of options that overwhelm most marketing teams. It is time for us to more carefully consider our approach to the tech frameworks we are creating in marketing.

Blockchain Impacts on Global Supply Chain Operational and Managerial Business Value Processes

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to investigate the impact of blockchain on global supply chain operational and managerial processes. This article reviews and classifies the existing empirical evidence of blockchain applications in the global suppbly chain. We utilize the Mooney et al. framework to organize this evidence into operational and managerial business value processes and the effects—automational, informational, and transformational. Our findings indicate that blockchain is not following the Mooney et al. stage model proposed in 1996 since the empirical evidence is evenly spread between the three effect categories. In addition, we have identified possible reasons why blockchain is not following the Mooney et al. stage model. Our study concludes with nine propositions as a guide on how to facilitate blockchain deployment and future research. Limitations of this article concerning blockchain are the lack of consistency and understanding of standards and the lack of information on blockchain implementation, which is referred to as the “grey space.” Blockchain today is where radio-frequency identification (RFID) was in 2002 and the bar code was in 1980. Therefore, future research work could be expanded to investigate case studies of blockchain implementations as they become available across the global supply chain. For practitioners, the empirical evidence presented in this article can help identify applications and implementation steps for building the business case where blockchain can have a greater impact on the organization. This article fills a void in the literature by providing practitioners and academics with a better understanding of blockchain and its applications for implementation.

The 5-th Generation Stage-Gate Idea-to-Launch Process

Abstract: If your organization faces new-product challenges—development projects taking too long, new products not hitting sales targets, or an overloaded development pipeline—then it is time to move to a fifth-generation system. In the 40 years since Stage-Gate was introduced, leading firms have made major improvements to their NPD gating systems; some changes are relatively simple in concepts, such as using Value Steam Mapping to remove bureaucracy and waste, or adopting concurrency and parallel processing. Iterations can be built in throughout the development process, a series of build-and-test steps to get both feedback from customers and technical validation. Another major improvement is more focus on the development pipeline by toughening the gates—making them gates with teeth or investment decision points. Finally, integrating Agile into your gating system is a major step, far larger than simply introducing some new methods and tools but has yielded very positive results for some physical-product firms.

Just-in-Time to Just-in-Case

Abstract: We propose that companies should carefully examine the just-in-time philosophy from the supply chains. The risks in uncertain times can be greater than the benefits. We provide some insight into when just-in-case might be a better strategy.

Complexity Leadership: On Time, On Budget

Abstract: In complex organizations, such as large international engineering firms, practicing managers may possess administrative, enabling, and adaptive leadership styles. Each of these leadership styles must be balanced, but key performance indicators can drive imbalance in engineering management projects. We provide practicing managers with some insights to these leadership styles and their interaction to understand their benefits and challenges that may be overcome. Furthermore, we present a “balance check” that outlines symptoms of leadership imbalance to keep things from going awry.

The Business Case for Infrastructure-Vehicle Cooperative Autonomous Driving

Abstract: This article is the first to discuss the business case for infrastructure-vehicle cooperative autonomous driving (IVCAD), or the utilization of infrastructure-side sensing and computing capabilities to empower autonomous vehicles to be smarter and to make the whole transportation system more efficient. IVCAD is a rising technology area under immense debate, with most of the criticism around the economic rationality of infrastructure investments. In this article, through our real-world deployment experiences, we establish the business case for IVCAD and discuss why IVCAD is more economical and efficient compared to the on-vehicle only autonomous driving approach.

Knowledge Transfers and Absorptive Capacities as Determinants of Competitive Advantages: The Mexican Case

Abstract: Using a quantitative methodology and in different stages, a linear regression model is applied to measure the capacity of knowledge transfer processes and knowledge absorption capabilities to generate competitive advantages in companies. The main objective is to determine the extent to which efficient knowledge transfer and absorption processes could determine the generation of competitive advantages. A data collection instrument is applied. It is concluded that the companies that generate the most significant competitive advantages are the manufacture of lighting accessories, the tobacco industry, and the manufacture of synthetic resins and rubber. Finally, it is concluded that knowledge transfers and the capacity to absorb knowledge explain 69.9% of the capacity of the companies to generate competitive advantages.

The 5-th Generation Stage-Gate Idea-to-Launch Process

Abstract: If your organization faces new-product challenges—development projects taking too long, new products not hitting sales targets, or an overloaded development pipeline—then it is time to move to a fifth-generation system. In the 40 years since Stage-Gate was introduced, leading firms have made major improvements to their NPD gating systems; some changes are relatively simple in concepts, such as using Value Steam Mapping to remove bureaucracy and waste, or adopting concurrency and parallel processing. Iterations can be built in throughout the development process, a series of build-and-test steps to get both feedback from customers and technical validation. Another major improvement is more focus on the development pipeline by toughening the gates—making them gates with teeth or investment decision points . Finally, integrating Agile into your gating system is a major step, far larger than simply introducing some new methods and tools but has yielded very positive results for some physical-product firms.