1,721,089 research outputs found
Web-application development projects by online communities: which practices favour innovation?
No full textPurpose - The purpose of this paper is to propose an in-depth analysis of online communities of practice that support the innovative development of web applications. The analysis is aimed at understanding the preeminent characteristics of communities of practice that can favour the process of innovation (conceptualisation and realization of a web application) and if these characteristics differ in the diverse phases of a software development project (requirement specification, design, implementation and verification).
Design/methodology/approach - The authors adopted a multiple case study research design, selected 29 communities of practice related to the development of web applications and classified them recognizing the different practices that refer to the different phases of the innovation process of web-applications software development. Finally, the authors focussed on seven communities comparing five important dimensions for each one.
Findings - The results of the empirical analysis show that the best practices are different, considering the different phases of the project, and that these practices can be strategies directed at members to attract them and also, strategies directed at the community to permit collaboration.
Originality/value - The paper proposes an important and new insight into the management of virtual communities of practice (VCoP). The authors supposed that the ways to manage a VCoP could depend on project phases. In particular, the management practices of community should differ according to the different project phases, i.e. requirements specification, design, implementation and verification of the software. Literature in this sense presented only research focussed on the different effects of virtualness on teams depending on the length of team duration and on communication efforts
Selection and Implementation of Additive Manufacturing
No full textPotential AM adopters can recognize the suitability of AM technology to their circumstance through the analysis provided in pervious chapter. This chapter discusses the technology selection and implementation processes. It begins with an analysis of the technology and then attempts to depict the future of AM technology. It describes the future possible beneficiaries of this technology and introduces the process for AM technology selection. It presents appropriate selection criteria and proposes a process for selecting a system from among the different manufacturing technologies available as well as selecting from different AM technologies. The chapter goes on to describe the implementation process for AM technologies in an organization. A detailed discussion on the changes required in an organization, its operations and supply chains is provided. As for the operational changes, the chapter analyzes the design process, production planning and control, quality control, and the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in implementation
What Is Additive Manufacturing? Additive Systems, Processes and Materials
No full textThis chapter introduces the current status of additive technologies. It initially discusses various terminologies used by researchers and practitioners to define this emerging technology, in order to reach the most appropriate phrase
The Value for Operations
No full textThree fundamental processes in manufacturing organizations are new product development, manufacturing (processing of materials) and logistics (material handling). Nevertheless, the effects of the introduction of AM technologies exist outside the company boundaries and influence the whole of the supply chain. This chapter begins by discussing the value for the new product development process, and goes on to explain the new design methodology for AM technologies and the exclusive benefits that AM brings to the design process
Strategic Alignment of Additive Manufacturing
No full textPrevious chapters underlined the value of AM to industry, business and operation strategies, and manufacturing and operations. Regarding the general impacts, our survey results (illustrated in the exhibits) identify and confirm the positive impacts on time, cost, quality, environment and business flexibility performance. It is not feasible to identify a specific factor common to all circumstances, or to generalize all the factors to a specific circumstance. The chapter proposes a framework containing some of the building blocks necessary for the strategic alignment of a company’s business model with the adoption of AM. It discusses business and operations strategies for introducing additive technologies and continues with identifying contingency factors driving AM performance. These factors are categorized as organizational, operational, and products’ characteristics. The chapter ends with an economic analysis providing the detail of break-even analysis to identify economically sustainable production volumes
The Value for Business and Operations Strategy
No full textThis chapter begins with a discussion of the value of AM for business strategies, and describes the impacts it has on a firm’s competitiveness. It then shows how AM can drive creativity and innovation, and the nature of the innovation that may occur thanks to AM. Then, the capability of the technology to offer new online services is explained
Industries and Applications
No full textThis chapter provides details of AM application sectors. It starts with the status of the technology in the global economic market and goes on to discuss three leading application sectors, namely the healthcare, automotive and aerospace industries as well as applications relating to consumer goods. Empirical evidence and the status of AM implementation in these industries is thoroughly described. It also outlines the main advantages to each industry of adopting AM technologies. The chapter discusses other application sectors as well, including building and architecture, food, and pharmaceutical industries along with applications for education and research institutes
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