Yes / Global manufacturing industry mostly depends on new product development and processes to become competitive. The product development process for automotive industry is normally complicated, lengthy, expensive, and risky. Hence, a study of lean manufacturing processes for low volume manufacturing in automotive industry is proposed to overcome this issue by eliminating all wastes in the lengthy process. This paper presents a conceptual design approach to the development of a hybrid Knowledge Based (KB) system for lean process in Low Volume Automotive Manufacturing (LVAM). The research concentrates on the low volume processes by using a hybrid KB system, which is a blend of KB system and Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP). The hybrid KB/GAP system identifies all potential waste elements of low volume process manufacturing. The KB system analyses the difference between the existing and the benchmark standards for lean process for an effective implementation through the GAP analysis technique. The proposed model explores three major lean process components, namely Employee Involvement, Waste Elimination, and Kaizen (continuous improvement). These three components provide valuable information in order for decision makers to design and implement an optimised low volume manufacturing process, but which can be applied in all process manufacturing, including chemical processing.

Yes / The current healthcare systems have numerous gaps that need to be filled to reach the best practice. This paper presents a novel approach to design and validate a hybrid knowledge-based system (KBS) to evaluate QM of healthcare environment (QMHE) using a hybrid system that has not been used before. It will be combined with gauge absence perquisite (GAP) method to sustain a successful operation of the large number of key performance indicators (KPIs) that involved in QMHE and to detect the gap between each KPI and the anticipated point. Out of 354 KB rules answered, the system has categorised 225 as GPs and the remaining 128 as BPs. The 128 bad points are categorised into different problem categories (20 PC-1, 34 PC-2, 34 PC-3, 40 PC-4, and 0 PC-5) where they represent the actions that need to be enhanced to reach the desired level of quality management.

This study evolved because of the researcher’s need to inquire whether visualmotor integration and fine motor coordination contribute to a child’s readiness to acquire handwriting skills. As school-going age is a controversial topic in the South- African context, the researcher set out to compare the readiness to acquire handwriting skills between two groups of Grade 1 children. This study was developed to determine whether a relationship existed between visual-motor integration and fine motor coordination as part of handwriting readiness, and acquiring handwriting skills in two age groups namely five-year-old children and six-year-old children. Initially the characteristics of the two age groups were determined. This was followed by establishing the level of development for visual-motor integration, fine motor coordination and handwriting skills in both age groups as well as comparing the levels of development. The abovementioned was obtained through the Miller Function and Participation Scales en the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. Lastly, the scores for visual-motor integration and fine motor integration were correlated to the six categories of the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. Both age groups presented with overall age appropriate abilities in visual-motor integration and fine motor coordination. The six-year-old group did better on all six of the categories for handwriting in the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment when compared to the five-year-old group. There was a significant difference (p=0.0049) between the visual-motor integration scores between the two age groups. No significant difference between the two age groups was recorded in fine motor coordination. A significant negative correlation was detected between visual-motor integration and the categories of legibility (r=-0.4029), form (r=-0.4300), size (r=-0.4087) and spacing (r=-0.3832) in the five-year-old group. The six-year-old group presented with a strong negative correlation between visual-motor integration and the category of rate (r=-0.3930). When correlating the fine motor coordination score with the categories of the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment, a strong negative correlation was detected with the categories of legibility (r=-0.3850) and spacing (r=-0.4697) in the five-yearold group. The six-year-old group did not present with significant correlations between fine motor coordination and the six categories of the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. This study confirmed that a relationship exists between visual-motor integration, fine motor integration and handwriting skills. This relationship was not always clear and was influenced by different aspects such as age, maturity as well as the assessment instruments used. This study focused on only one district in Tshwane, which limited the data. The two age groups in this study were not matched for gender, ethnicity and handedness. / Dissertation (MOccTher)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Occupational Therapy / unrestricted

The automotive manufacturing facility is extremely complex and expensive system. Managing and understanding the dynamics of automotive manufacturing is a challenging endeavour. In the current era of dynamic global competition, a new concept such as Collaborative Lean Manufacturing Management (CLMM) can be implemented as an alternative for organisations to improve their Lean Manufacturing Management (LMM) processes. All members in the CLMM value chain must work together towards common objectives in order to make the LMM achievable in the collaborative environment. The novel research approach emphasises the use of Knowledge-Based (KB) approach in such activities as planning, designing, assessing and providing recommendations of CLMM implementation, through: a) developing the conceptual CLMM model; b) designing the KBCLMM System structure based on the conceptual model; and c) implementing Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP) analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach in the hybrid KBCLMM. The development of KBCLMM Model is the most detailed part in the research process and consists of five major components in two stages. Stage 1 (Planning stage) consists of Organisation Environment, Collaborative Business and Lean Manufacturing components. Stage 2 (Design stage) consists of Organisation CLMM Capability and Organisation CLMM Alignment components. Each of these components consists of sub-components and activities that represent particular issues in the CLMM development. From the conceptual model, all components were transformed into the KBCLMM System structure, which is embedded with the GAP and AHP techniques, and thus, key areas of potential improvement in the LMM are identified for each activity along with the identification of both qualitative and quantitative aspects for CLMM implementation. In order to address the real situation of CLMM operation, the research validation was conducted for an automotive manufacturer¿s Lean Manufacturing Chain in Malaysia. Published case studies were also used to test several modules for their validity and reliability. This research concludes that the developed KBCLMM System is an appropriate Decision Support System tool to provide the opportunity for academics and industrialists from the fields of industrial engineering, information technology, and operation management to plan, design and implement LMM for a collaborative environment. / Universiti Utara Malaysia and Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia

To improve their services and maintain patients’ satisfaction, healthcare organisations have adopted and applied different quality tools and models in recent times, with some even developing their own quality-based initiatives. For example, the approach of Lean Six Sigma (L6σ) has recently been gradually and slowly implemented in healthcare institutions. However, the nature and complexity of healthcare environment which directly impact on humans require leaders to carefully apply appropriate Quality Management (QM) systems suitable for this critical environment. The aim of this research project is to develop a Knowledge Based System (KBS) to assist healthcare managers and practitioners during decision-making process in the context of achieving excellent benchmark and action plans prioritisation. The system will be built based on a conceptual framework for Quality Management in Healthcare Environment (QMHE) which will be modified into a model. The KBS will be developed from this model with the integration of Gauging Absence of Pre-requisite (GAP) method for benchmarking and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method for prioritisation. The contribution of this research is the use of KBS with GAP and AHP to develop an integrated Knowledge-Based Lean Six Sigma (KB-L6σ) in QMHE. This will accomplish the necessities of investigating quality problems and recommend suitable solutions according to international best practices. It will use a systematic approach that can be applied multiple times, follow defined steps to secure consistency in the approach and integrate different healthcare management levels to maintain strategic decision-making alignment. It consists of 964 KB rules that have been produced via a knowledge acquisition process from the literature and interviewing experts in the field of QM and L6σ in healthcare environment. Feedback from conferences and system testing were used for the verification of the model, whilst validation was carried out through three case studies implementation at three tertiary hospitals in Oman. The analysis of using the KB system in these hospitals has shown clearly that the developed system is a consistent and reliable methodology for assisting decision-makers in designing, planning, and implementing L6σ for QMHE.

The automotive manufacturing facility is extremely complex and expensive system. Managing and understanding the dynamics of automotive manufacturing is a challenging endeavour. In the current era of dynamic global competition, a new concept such as Collaborative Lean Manufacturing Management (CLMM) can be implemented as an alternative for organisations to improve their Lean Manufacturing Management (LMM) processes. All members in the CLMM value chain must work together towards common objectives in order to make the LMM achievable in the collaborative environment. The novel research approach emphasises the use of Knowledge-Based (KB) approach in such activities as planning, designing, assessing and providing recommendations of CLMM implementation, through: a) developing the conceptual CLMM model; b) designing the KBCLMM System structure based on the conceptual model; and c) implementing Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP) analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach in the hybrid KBCLMM. The development of KBCLMM Model is the most detailed part in the research process and consists of five major components in two stages. Stage 1 (Planning stage) consists of Organisation Environment, Collaborative Business and Lean Manufacturing components. Stage 2 (Design stage) consists of Organisation CLMM Capability and Organisation CLMM Alignment components. Each of these components consists of sub-components and activities that represent particular issues in the CLMM development. From the conceptual model, all components were transformed into the KBCLMM System structure, which is embedded with the GAP and AHP techniques, and thus, key areas of potential improvement in the LMM are identified for each activity along with the identification of both qualitative and quantitative aspects for CLMM implementation. In order to address the real situation of CLMM operation, the research validation was conducted for an automotive manufacturer's Lean Manufacturing Chain in Malaysia. Published case studies were also used to test several modules for their validity and reliability. This research concludes that the developed KBCLMM System is an appropriate Decision Support System tool to provide the opportunity for academics and industrialists from the fields of industrial engineering, information technology, and operation management to plan, design and implement LMM for a collaborative environment.

The product development process for the automotive industry is normally complicated, lengthy, expensive, and risky. Hence, a study on a new concept for Low Volume Automotive Manufacturing (LVAM), used for niche car models manufacturing, is proposed to overcome this issue. The development of a hybrid Knowledge Based (KB) System, which is a blend of KB System, Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP), and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is proposed for LVAM research. The hybrid KB/GAP/AHP System identifies all potential elements of LVAM issues throughout the development of this system. The KB System used in the LVAM analyses the gap between the existing and the benchmark organisations for an effective implementation. The novelty and differences in the current research approach emphasises the use of Knowledge Based (KB) System in the planning and designing stages by suggesting recommendations of LVAM implementation, through: a) developing the conceptual LVAM model; b) designing the KBLVAM System structure based on the conceptual LVAM model; and c) embedding Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP) analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach in the hybrid KBLVAM System. The KBLVAM Model explores five major perspectives in two stages. Planning Stage (Stage 1) consists of Manufacturer Environment Perspective (Level 0), LVAM Manufacturer Business Perspective (Level 1), and LVAM Manufacturer Resource Perspective (Level 2). Design Stage (Stage 2) consists of LVAM Manufacturer Capability - Car Body Part Manufacturing Perspective (Level 3), LVAM Manufacturer Capability - Competitive Priorities Perspective (Level 4), and LVAM Manufacturer Capability - Lean Process Optimisation Perspective (Level 5). Each of these perspectives consists of modules and sub-modules that represent specific subjects in the LVAM development. Based on the conceptual LVAM model, all perspectives were transformed into the KBLVAM System structure, which is embedded with the GAP and AHP techniques, hence, key areas of potential improvement are recommended for each activity for LVAM implementation. In order to be able to address the real situation of LVAM environment, the research verification was conducted for two automotive manufacturers in Malaysia. Some published case studies were also used to check several modules for their validity and reliability. This research concludes that the developed KBLVAM System provides valuable decision making information and knowledge to assist LVAM practitioners to plan, design and implement LVAM in terms of business organisation, manufacturing aspects and practices.

The complexity of sustainable building maintenance environment requires managers to define and implement appropriate quality benchmark system suitable for this function. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is one of the most effective process improvement and optimization philosophy that maintenance organisations can implement in their environment. However, literature review has shown that 90% of failures in LSS implementations are due to lack of readiness to change, the unawareness of the required benchmark organisation capabilities, and improper control of priorities. The contribution of the current research approach is in developing a hybrid Knowledge-Based (KB)/GAP/AHP System, consisting of three stages (Planning, Designing and Implementation) and containing over 2500 KB rules. The KB System can assist the decision-makers in identifying the obstacles behind the organisation readiness to change into a benchmark LSS maintenance environment. Thus the KB System will be used to achieve benchmark standards by determining the gap existing between the current environment and the benchmark goal, and then suggest a detailed plan to overcome these hurdles in a prioritised and structured manner, thus achieving cost benefits. To ensure its consistency and reliability, the KB System was validated in three Oman-based maintenance organisations, and one published case study for a UK-based organisation. The results from the validation were positive with the System output suggesting list of top priorities and action plans for achieving benchmark LSS standards for these organisations. The research concludes that the developed KB System is a consistent and reliable methodology for assisting decision-makers in designing, planning, and implementing LSS for benchmark sustainable building maintenance.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:30:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4730.pdf: 5462519 bytes, checksum: cd2a52f2234bea99e7f5b85f60a90f50 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-09-17 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Since its dawn, Behavior Analysis stood out in the search for ways of teaching complex repertoires to persons with intellectual retardation. Procedures built on stimulus equivalence have proved highly effective and economical, especially with regard to academic and symbolic skills. In Brazil, there is a tradition of successful research concerning the teaching of reading and spelling skills for children with learning disabilities. One of these computer presented procedures has recently been adapted for application to children with intellectual retardation, with excellent results, similar to those encountered by previous studies with other populations. However, to initiate the training in reading, based upon arbitrary MTS and CRMTS tasks, those children had to show a series of prerequisites skills, skills which commonly are to be found missing on people with higher levels of intellectual disabilities. It is urgent, then, to insert the teaching of those skills in the programs, so that more children can benefit from the reading instruction. The objectives of this study were: to identify which prerequisite skills are necessary for teaching reading based on a behavior network; to verify which strategies would be needed to teach such skills to students witch deficits in those repertoires, and finally, to build as a final product a comprehensive education program, to meet the difficulties of the largest possible number of students with intellectual disabilities. Four consecutive studies were designed, pursuing these goals. The first study investigated the possibility of building such a teaching program for prerequisites based on the strategies used by the regular reading program (CRMTS and MTS), and its results showed a relative success to the four participants. Study 2, attempting to expand the strategies to teach prerequisites skills, enrolled three other students in a new learning program, now using techniques such as Observing Response and Fading, and a new strategy, called Dragging-to-Sample. Its data showed higher rates of success, supporting the decision to introduce the new strategies, although flaws in the programming show a possible lack of control. Thus, Study 3 was implemented aiming to correct those flaws, in addition to program the teaching of new skills to the same three children from Study 2 and two other new students. Their positive results showed that the teaching programs successful taught the prerequisites for all but one student. Finally, Study 4 gathered all students who had finished the procedures from previous Studies, and its goal was to enroll them on the reading program, to thus verify the effectiveness and adequacy of the prerequisite programs built here. Their positive results indicated that the teaching programs actually taught the necessary prerequisites for students to enroll on a reading program. The data also clearly show the superiority of the last teaching program (Study 3) when compared to the first program (Study 1), corroborating both the prerequisite skills and support strategies chosen. The final product of the four studies was a prerequisite teaching program which could effectively help children with intellectual disabilities to achieve higher levels of reading comprehension. / A Análise do Comportamento, há muito, tem se destacado na busca por modos de ensinar repertórios complexos a pessoas com deficiência intelectual. Metodologias com base em equivalência de estímulos em particular têm se mostrado altamente eficazes e econômicas, especialmente com relação a conteúdos acadêmicos e habilidades simbólicas. No Brasil, uma tradição de pesquisas tem alcançado muito sucesso no ensino de leitura e escrita para crianças com fracasso escolar e dificuldades de aprendizagem. Um destes programas de ensino, computadorizado, foi recentemente adaptado para aplicação a crianças com deficiência intelectual, alcançando, também, altos resultados, similares aos verificados pelos estudos anteriores, com outras populações. Entretanto, para dar início ao treino em leitura, composto primariamente por tarefas de MTS e CRMTS arbitrário, fazia-se necessário que as crianças apresentassem uma série de pré-requisitos, comumente em falta no repertório de pessoas com níveis mais comprometidos de deficiência. A inclusão, nestes programas, de tarefas que ensinem tais habilidades para que mais crianças possam se beneficiar da instrução de leitura se faz, portanto, imperativa. Os objetivos deste estudo foram, então: identificar quais seriam as habilidades de pré-requisito necessárias para o ensino de leitura com base em uma rede de relações comportamentais; verificar que estratégias seriam necessárias para ensinar tais habilidades a alunos que apresentassem déficits nestes repertórios; e finalmente, construir como produto final um programa de ensino amplo, capaz de atender às dificuldades do maior número possível de alunos com tal perfil. Quatro estudos consecutivos foram delineados, perseguindo tais metas. O primeiro estudo verificou a possibilidade de construir tal programa de ensino de pré-requisitos a partir das estratégias empregadas pelo programa de leitura regular (basicamente MTS e CRMTS), e seus resultados mostraram sucesso relativo para seus quatro alunos. O Estudo 2, na tentativa de expandir as estratégias empregadas para o ensino de pré-requisitos, expôs outros três alunos a um novo programa de ensino, agora utilizando técnicas consagradas na Literatura como Fading e Resposta de observação, além de uma nova estratégia construída, o Dragging-to-Sample. Seus dados mostraram maiores índices de sucesso, corroborando a decisão de introduzir as novas estratégias; porém uma falha na programação deixou um possível controle espúrio se desenvolver. Assim, o Estudo 3 foi implementado, com o objetivo de corrigir as falhas encontradas no estudo anterior, além de programar o ensino de novas habilidades, para as três crianças provenientes do Estudo 2 e outros dois alunos novos. Seus resultados mostraram alto sucesso do programa de ensino de pré-requisitos, para todos menos um aluno. O Estudo 4, por fim, teve por participantes os alunos que terminassem os estudos anteriores, e seu objetivo era aplicar o programa de leitura a eles, verificando, assim, a eficácia e suficiência dos programas de pré-requisito aqui construídos. Seus resultados positivos indicaram que os programas de ensino de fato ensinaram os pré-requisitos necessários para que os alunos pudessem realizar um programa de leitura. Os dados ainda mostram claramente a superioridade do último programa de ensino (Estudo 3) com relação ao primeiro (Estudo 1), e corroboram para a escolha tanto das habilidades de pré-requisito quanto das estratégias de apoio inseridas. O produto final dos quatro estudos foi um programa de ensino de pré-requisitos eficaz para guiar as crianças com deficiência intelectual a alcançar níveis mais elevados de compreensão da leitura.

The product development process for the automotive industry is normally complicated, lengthy, expensive, and risky. Hence, a study on a new concept for Low Volume Automotive Manufacturing (LVAM), used for niche car models manufacturing, is proposed to overcome this issue. The development of a hybrid Knowledge Based (KB) System, which is a blend of KB System, Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP), and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is proposed for LVAM research. The hybrid KB/GAP/AHP System identifies all potential elements of LVAM issues throughout the development of this system. The KB System used in the LVAM analyses the gap between the existing and the benchmark organisations for an effective implementation. The novelty and differences in the current research approach emphasises the use of Knowledge Based (KB) System in the planning and designing stages by suggesting recommendations of LVAM implementation, through: a) developing the conceptual LVAM model; b) designing the KBLVAM System structure based on the conceptual LVAM model; and c) embedding Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP) analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach in the hybrid KBLVAM System. The KBLVAM Model explores five major perspectives in two stages. Planning Stage (Stage 1) consists of Manufacturer Environment Perspective (Level 0), LVAM Manufacturer Business Perspective (Level 1), and LVAM Manufacturer Resource Perspective (Level 2). Design Stage (Stage 2) consists of LVAM Manufacturer Capability ¿ Car Body Part Manufacturing Perspective (Level 3), LVAM Manufacturer Capability ¿ Competitive Priorities Perspective (Level 4), and LVAM Manufacturer Capability ¿ Lean Process Optimisation Perspective (Level 5). Each of these perspectives consists of modules and sub-modules that represent specific subjects in the LVAM development. Based on the conceptual LVAM model, all perspectives were transformed into the KBLVAM System structure, which is embedded with the GAP and AHP techniques, hence, key areas of potential improvement are recommended for each activity for LVAM implementation. In order to be able to address the real situation of LVAM environment, the research verification was conducted for two automotive manufacturers in Malaysia. Some published case studies were also used to check several modules for their validity and reliability. This research concludes that the developed KBLVAM System provides valuable decision making information and knowledge to assist LVAM practitioners to plan, design and implement LVAM in terms of business organisation, manufacturing aspects and practices. / Universiti Malaysia Pahang and Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia