Several tools exist for root cause analysis (RCA). Despite this however, many practitioners are not obtaining the quality improvement desired. Those turning to literature for guidance would find most of the information resides in case studies with anecdotal outcomes. Since 5 Whys analysis has been one of the more pervasive tools in use, this study sought to add to the root cause analysis body of knowledge by investigating tool support factors. While studied in conjunction with 5 Whys, the support variables lend themselves to other root cause analysis tools as well. The purpose of the study was to utilize a 2 x 2 factorial design to determine the significance and effect on RCA effectiveness, of using a 5 Whys trained facilitator and action level classification. During the study, problem solving teams at service centers of a North American electric repair company conducted analysis with or without a trained facilitator. Additionally, corrective actions were or were not categorized by defined levels of ability to impact defect prevention. The dependent variable of effectiveness was determined by scoring from a weighted list of best practices for problem solving analysis. Analysis showed trained facilitators had significant effect on problem solving solutions, while classification had minimal

Global supply chain management aims to enhance efficiency and profitability for suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and warehouses. It faces challenges due to the complexity involved. To stay competitive, organizations in the industry are leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies, but some struggle with implementation due to limited expertise. The primary challenge of Global Supply Chain Management now is to integrate Industry 4.0 tools and technologies to maintain high-quality standards and optimized processes. This study focused on identifying the key factors that directly affect the success of integrating Industry 4.0 into the supply chain. It examined both tangible and intangible business resources and investigated the mediating role of work engagement. Despite previous research efforts to develop frameworks and methodologies for Global Supply Chain Management and Industry 4.0, there remains a lack of consensus regarding the factors crucial for successful implementation. The availability of business resources and the level of employees' work engagement are considered vital factors that have contributed to this ongoing debate. To validate the latent constructs, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. The relationship between variables was analyzed using structural equation modeling with AMOS software. The study revealed that physical, financial, human, technological, and organizational resources, along with work engagement, had a positive impact on Industry 4.0 success. Work engagement partially mediated the effects of physical, financial, technological, and organizational resources on Industry 4.0 success. However, the study found that work engagement did not mediate the relationship between human resources and Industry 4.0 success. This study aims to provide a practical roadmap of scalable Industry 4.0 tools that can bring value to supply chain organizations. By transitioning from traditional methods to digitalized approaches, organizations can become more agile, flexible, accurate, and efficient. Ultimately, this transformation can help them gain a competitive advantage in the industry.

Industries have changed over the years and the necessary skills required for a person to obtain a position in industry have become more challenging. This study examined alumni perceptions regarding the Industrial Technology program at Mississippi State University and expanded on the literature that is currently available as there is limited information and literature regarding the perception of how alumni view the transferability of knowledge and skills gained in Industrial Technology programs to industry. Information on alumni perception‟s of their skills and knowledge gained would add pertinent facts to the limited research that is currently being published. There were 35 alumni participants, ranging in age from 23 to 41. The study used several questions to guide the study of alumni perceptions of the Industrial Technology program at Mississippi State University. What are the alumni perceptions of the transferability of the skills acquired from their Industrial Technology program to industry? What are alumni perceptions of the support services provided in the Industrial Technology program? Does a relationship exist between alumni perceptions of the Industrial Technology program and various demographic characteristics? Do differences exist between alumni who have gained employment in the field of Industrial Technology and those who did not gain employment in Industrial Technology related jobs? The research design was a survey that was a questionnaire adapted from Latif and Sutton‟s (2001) questionnaire as well as Zargari and Hayes‟ (2001) questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, simple frequency distribution and percentages were used to analyze data and to interpret the perceptions of the alumni. Overall, the alumni perceptions of the program were positive and their perceptions also showed that the program met their need to obtain and maintain employment. Over 80% of the alumni perceived that the support services met their needs through advisement, instruction and facilities. Based on the results of this research, alumni have been very useful in identifying the perceptions of the Industrial Technology program at Mississippi State University.

Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study explores the success factors of adopting Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) for the Electrical Vehicles (EVs) industry in Saudi Arabia. The study assesses the impact of eight factors on AMT adoption and implementation success. The dimensions include Training & Education, Planning, Management, Technology, Business, Economic, Policies & Regulations, and Social. The study analyzes the sample including people with careers related to advanced manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, either in the public sector, private sector, industrial sector, and academia. Furthermore, an online questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Additionally, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted to analyze the existing literature in addition to the utilization of TAM for data analysis. This study aims to evaluate the readiness of the Saudi industrial sector to adopt EVs manufacturing technologies. Moreover, this study is expected to use a reasonable sample size for analysis purposes which can result in solid conclusions and practical recommendations.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 2001. Graduate Programme in Political Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 498-521). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ66364.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Southern California, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 334-344).

No description available.

The fields of virtual reality and gesture-based input devices are growing and becoming more popular. In order for the two technologies to be implemented together, an understanding of gestures in relation to virtual objects and users' expectations of those gestures needs to be understood. Specifically, this thesis focuses on arm gestures for the rotation of virtual objects. Participants in the study were first asked to freely perform an arm gesture they felt should execute a task. Next, participants were asked to perform specific rotation tasks with pre- configured arm gestures on four objects. There were two types of objects: those that could only be rotated on one axis and those that could be rotated on two axes. Each object type was represented by a familiar small and large object: combination lock, water wheel, baseball and beach ball. Data on how quickly they could complete the rotation tasks was collected. After performing the tasks on each of the four objects, participants were asked to rate the intuitiveness of each gesture as well as their preferred gesture for the specific task. The captured data showed that when users were presented with virtual representations of familiar physical objects, most of them expected to rotate the objects with the same gestures they would use on the actual physical objects. Considering 1-axis objects, an arm-based twist gesture outperformed other arm-based gestures in both intuitiveness and efficiency. Also with 2-axis objects, an arm-based horizontal/vertical gesture outperformed others in both intuitiveness and efficiency. Interestingly, those gestures were most efficient for each object type regardless of the size of the object being rotated. This would indicate that users are able to mentally separate the physical and virtual experiences. Larger objects require different rotation gestures than smaller objects in the physical world, but that requirement is non-existent in a virtual world. However, while the mind can separate between the physical and virtual worlds, there is still an expected connection. This is based on the fact that the gestures most preferred for the rotation tasks are the same gestures used for similar physical tasks.

This study examines the use of one finishing electrode to finish multiple dies without remachining the electrode. The multiple-use electrode finishing experiment in this study addresses technology in the die-forging industry. Methods of manufacturing spherical straight bevel forge gear dies have relied on die-sinking Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) practices that showed great potential for advancement. The focus of this study is solely on the improvements of electrode use in EDM finishing-processes. The surface finish quality itself is not an area of concern other than maintaining that it does not diminish. The focused concern is maximizing the process by using one electrode unmodified for multiple-finishing operations. The objective for improvement is utilization of one finishing electrode used multiple times rather than only one finishing electrode per die. Utilizing a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), the inspection of specific locations on the finishing electrode reveals the repeatability and accuracy of use for one finishing electrode for six gear forging-dies. Initial experimentation validates the capabilities to finish four dies accurately in two separate die configurations with one electrode. To accomplish finishing the four initial dies, a die-sinking EDM machine that possesses a large enough working envelope was included in the process. The transition of using graphite electrode materials in place of brass for finishing multiple dies aids in reducing what was a total eight-hour process time into a four-hour process time.A machine with a working envelope large enough for only setting up one die to be EDM machined generated the eight-hour process time. The researcher achieved the eight-hour process time by replacing brass electrodes in the roughing stages with graphite electrodes. The extent to which one finish electrode can finish a sample set of six complete dies with one electrode is studied. Data is extrapolated from the deviation of absolute locations on a three-dimensional solid model compared to the multiple-use finishing electrode. Specific locations inspected on the electrode conclude the study efforts with results revealing that the maximum repeated use of an electrode is seven uses.

ABSTRACT Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) launched technology development program in 1979 in order to develop industrial innovation technology and satisfy domestic economic development. In the Age of Knowledge Based Economics, the key factors of continuing growing up of nations are the energy of research and development (R&D) and innovation. From 1997, MOEA made technology development program open to companies, it is Industrial Technology Development Program (ITDP). In order to encourage private sector R&D and innovative activities, MOEA subsidizes companies reduce the risk and the cost of R&D and innovation. From the beginning of ITDP, it has made plenty of R&D outputs, but we have to evaluate the efficiency of R&D. In order to allocate government funds more efficient, we pay much attention to the performance of R&D projects. In order to understand government subsides industries, this thesis is trying to research the object of ITDP of MOEA. The research methodology applied to this thesis includes: the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure the R&D efficiency; model from Charnes, Cooper & Rhodes (1978) to measure the over-efficiency; model from the Banker, Charnes & Cooper (1984) to measure the technical efficiency, input/output slacks method to analyze the extent for which non-efficiency unit could be improved by decreasing the amount of inputs or increasing the amount of outputs, and sensitivity analysis to measure the key factors of ITDP R&D Projects. According to this thesis, we can evaluate the Decision Making Units (DMUs) and suggest the information to improve performance. Using these analyses as a reference to those project executives and administrators for controlling and management the performance of R&D projects.