Volume 3 Issue 1
Authors: Abbas Namdar Aliabadi; Mehrdad Madhoushi
Abstract: The aim of this research is to explain Knowledge Management Enablers’ effects on Value Creation Processes in Iranian cooperation firms, using an empirical examination. Innovation aspect of this study is considered in indirect effects of Knowledge Management Enablers’ variables on Value Creation Processes in addition to those direct effects and based on this effect a structural equation model will be presented. To prove the effects of Knowledge Management Enablers on value Creation Processes, a survey questionnaire was conducted on 250 active cooperation firms in Iran. As a result, the structural equation model showed that what of the variables of knowledge management enablers had more effects on value creation in Iranian firms. Managers can use the structural equations of value Creation Processes to measure the potentials of their cooperation firms for the value creation and to find the ability of their cooperation firms. Then, the statistical method will show a new path for further research.
Keywords: Knowledge Management; Knowledge Management Enablers; Value Creation Process; Iranian Cooperation Firms
Authors: Maedeh Sedaghat; Ali Mirzaei Baboli; Hasanali Aghajani; Zeinolabedin Akbarzade; Zeinab Elyasi
Abstract: There is no doubt that world class manufacturing offers a vast variety of economic development opportunities and plays a vital role in rapid economic changes, productivity improvement and international competitiveness enhancement for developing of countries. In this paper, primary data are collected via structured interviews with Kalleh specialists using the standard questionnaire developed by Shingo. Data analysis shows that according to five areas of Shingo’s model, Kalleh is placed as a world class manufacturer only in result areas, i.e. quality, cost and delivery, and profitability and customer satisfaction. Kalleh hasn’t gained the minimum required points in leadership and empowerment, system integration and manufacturing strategy, and non-manufacturing support functions. Overall, Kalleh hasn’t obtained enough scores to be considered as a world class manufacturer. To become a world class manufacturer, Kalleh needs to focus more on improving its performance in leadership and empowerment, system integration and manufacturing strategy, and non-manufacturing support functions.
Keywords: Evaluation - world class manufacturing - Meat Products Industry - Shingo’s model
Authors: Chie Ishio; Kazuhiro Takeyasu
Abstract: Consumers often buy higher ranked brand after they are bored using current brand goods. This may be analysed utilizing matrix. Suppose past purchasing data are set input and current purchasing data are set output, then transition matrix is identified using past and current data. If all brand selections are composed by the upper shifts, then the transition matrix becomes an upper triangular matrix. Utilizing jewelry/accessory purchasing history record of on-line shopping (especially we focus on pierced earrings, ring, bracelet/bangle) over three years, above structure is investigated and confirmed. Comparison with our previous research is also executed. Some interesting results are obtained.
Keywords: Brand Selection; Matrix Structure; Brand Position; Jewelry; Accessory
Authors: Alan Atalah
Abstract: In 1997, the Ohio senate passed Senate Bill 102 which established the Ohio School Facilities Commission as a separate agency to oversee the rebuilding projects of the public schools in Ohio. To lower the construction cost, the bill exempted construction contractors from paying prevailing wages on these projects based on the hypothesis that this exemption would save the Ohio tax payer 10.7%. Many other studies concluded that these savings would range from 1.5 to 26%. The purpose of this research was to investigate this hypothesis through the statistical analysis of 8093 bids received for the schools’ construction from the years 2000 through 2007. Union contractors-who paid their workers union wages-and non-union contractors-who did not pay prevailing wages bid these projects. By comparing the bids/SF from both groups (union and nonunion), the hypothesis was tested. The research indicated that there was no significant difference between the bids/SF for union contractors and the bids/SF for non-union contractors.
Keywords: Prevailing Wages; Union; Non-Union; Construction Bids
Authors: Alan Atalah
Abstract: Waikiki Public Bath Force Main Replacement Project consists of 1,037 m of 400 mm force main that carries the wastewater from the Public Bath pump station to a gravity sewer on the Kuhio Avenue. This force main transports wastewater underneath Kalakaua Ave, very close to some of the most expensive real state in the world. This area is the heart of Waikiki beach, and it is full of beach resorts, five star hotels, shopping, etc. The soil strata can be described as 2.50 to 3.00 m deep of beach sand on top of half a meter of a very hard coral ledge on top of a lagoon deposit layer (very soft gray fat clay). The NSPT values in this lagoon deposit layer range from zero to eight. The specified construction method for this project was microtunneling of 700 mm of Permalok steel casing with a 400 mm PVC carrier pipe inside the casing. The annular space between the two pipes was grouted with low density grout. Many problems were encountered during the construction phase of this project. This paper is a retrospective review of the project from the contractor’s point of view. It covers the design and construction aspects of this project in addition to the encountered problems and the lessons learned from that project.
Keywords: Microtunneling; Soft soils, Grouting