Agile Characteristics Research Articles

Design for Agile Manufacturing: Product Design Principles that Enhance Agile Manufacturing of Powertrain Systems

While companies in the entire automotive industry deal with increasing volatility and uncertainty, new trends and innovations pressure especially powertrain margins. The concept of agile manufacturing enables companies to remain competitive in such an environment. As some authors declare that the success of agile manufacturing is largely determined by the design of products, this paper investigates how these two phases in the powertrain lifecycle can be linked. A literature review was conducted to identify DFX guidelines that reflect the agile manufacturing characteristics: flexibility, profitability, speed, proactivity and quality. More than 200 design principles were collected and clustered into seven design objectives according to their main purposes. A first questionnaire was conducted at an engineering company having its main business field in powertrain development in order to define the importance of these principles to enhance agile powertrain manufacturing. The results are presented in a design catalogue. Through an additional literature review the required capabilities of manufacturing systems to fulfill the five agile characteristics were identified. The rating of these capabilities was subject of a second questionnaire at several manufacturing companies in the automotive industry. The employment of a domain mapping matrix supports the selection and application of appropriate product design principles aiming to enhance specific agile manufacturing capabilities. Finally, the developed procedure model was evaluated.

INTANGIBLE AWARD SYSTEM IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION UNITS AS A TOOL FOR CREATING AGILITY FEATURES IN EMPLOYEES

Employees and their knowledge are one of the most important resources of any enterprise. Material reward system often does not bring the assumed benefits. In public administration, it is trying to develop effective methods of rewarding employees that would not involve the entity’s financial resources and at the same time improve work efficiency. In this situation, it may be appropriate to introduce solutions used in agile organizations. The non-material reward system in the agile model allows for creating agility features in employees. The article includes an analysis of domestic and foreign literature on the subject and the author’s own research, carried out in two public administration units. In the context of the research gap, the author tried to answer the following research question: Can public administration units, like agile organizations, introduce actions aimed at creating agility characteristics in employees and thus achieve better results? The main goal of the study was to demonstrate the relationship between the introduction of intangible reward systems and the creation of agility in public administration employees. For the purposes of the study, the author formulated a research hypothesis assuming that non-material methods of reward contribute to creating agility features in employees.

Establishing the Foundations to Measure Organizational Agility for Military Organizations

There is an ongoing demand for organizations to become more agile in order to prosper amongst their competitors. Many military organizations have declared a renewed focus towards organizational agility. The goal of this research is to isolate the variables needed to measure organizational agility (OA) in military organizations, allowing for the future development of a suitable method to measure OA without the need to interact with outside organizations. This article begins by providing a suitable and formal definition of organizational agility by exploring and analyzing relevant scholarly literature on the subject. Related terms, such as organizational resiliency, flexibility, robustness, versatility, and adaptability are also explored to examine their definition boundaries and any overlapping areas. Existing methods to measure organizational agility are examined and summarized, and the current limitations to their application are highlighted. Previous studies to find characteristics associated with organizational agility were also examined, and an initial set of 88 organizational agility characteristics was built. Since these included possible redundant or overlapping characteristics, the Q-sort method was employed to discover, analyze, and eliminate redundant items from the dataset, ultimately resulting in 64 unique characteristics. The result is a suitable definition for organization agility applicable to military organizations and a list of potential associated characteristics that summarizes related research to date. This groundwork establishes the foundation to conduct a multi-organization study to further refine the characteristic list and ultimately develop a method to measure organizational agility.

Organisational agility and its perceived benefits from Australian perspectives

Organisational agility helps businesses to sustain their competitive advantage and contributes to business success. It accelerates shared knowledge and learning processes that meet the pace of rapid environmental change. Despite the awareness of agile application, perceived benefits about significant characteristics of organisational agility have not been fully investigated.

Relationship Investigation of Organizational Agility Characteristics and Portfolio Management Maturity

Today’s organizations operate within rapid changes in economy and market conditions. Organizational agility (OA) provides organizations with the ability to adapt rapidly to internal and external changes productively and cost-effectively. Furthermore, the adaptive ability and real-time responsiveness of organizations are generally necessitated for projects and portfolios to reach maturity. While the characteristics of OA and portfolio management maturity (PfMM) have been studied in the existing literature, the relationships between these two variables have not been fully explored. This study employs canonical correlation analysis (CCA) not only to investigate relationships among the characteristics of OA and PfMM but also to present the status quo of the studied variables from Australian perspectives. The results of the analysis are graphically presented to identify the formation of each OA characteristics at different levels of PfMM. The research data was collected from 36 respondents in public and private Australian sectors. The research findings show diverse combinations of the OA characteristics constructed at different levels of PfMM. The results also identify specific OA characteristics that highly contribute to the highest level of PfMM. This allows organizations with limited resources to precisely concentrate on the characteristics that will improve performance and achieve PfMM.

Approach of Agile Methodologies in the Development of Web-Based Software

The current inclusion of agile methodologies in web-oriented projects has been considered on a large-scale by software developers. However, the benefits and limitations go beyond the comforts that project managers delimit when choosing them. Selecting a methodology involves more than only the associated processes or some documentation. Based on the above, we could define as the main concerns the approach with which we identify the methodology, the needs of the company, the size, and qualities of the project, and especially the characteristics of agile development that they possess. However, there are several difficulties in selecting the most appropriate methodology due to the features in common; Will it be suitable for my project? What challenges will be presented in the process? Will my team understand each stage? Will I be able to deliver software that satisfies the client? Project managers create these questions, which seem manageable but have huge effects. This paper presents a systematic literature review based on the analysis of the approaches of six web development methodologies. The aim of the study is to analyze the approaches presented by relevant methodologies, identifying their common agile characteristics and managing to contrast both its benefits and limitations during a project. As a result, we could itemize five common features, which are presented within the processes; (1) flexibility, (2) constant communication of the workgroup, (3) use of UML, (4) the inclusion of the end-user and (5) some documentation.

Research on radar task scheduling with power constraint

Aiming at the task-scheduling problem of phased array radar subject to low probability of intercept (LPI), the radar radiation power constraint and power agility features are analysed. Then, the task-scheduling model with multi-constraints of phased array radar is established. Based on the high solving precision and fast convergent rate characteristics of the particle swarm optimization (PSO), a modified discrete PSO (MDPSO) algorithm is proposed to solve the task-scheduling problem. The proposed method can achieve the task scheduling optimal with the LPI performance guaranteed simultaneously, and agility power between the radar frames decreases effectively. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Agile Product Development: Features Identification and Application in the Electricity Sector

AbstractThe electricity sector is in the midst of a structural change driven by new technologies. In Brazil, the electricity sector regulation has mechanisms to foster innovation, including investments in R&D. Recently, the regulatory agency and the industry have been calling for approaches to increase the rate at which R&D departments generate solutions that end up being adopted. As a result, novel approaches to R&D project management have entered the agenda. In this context, the objective of this paper is to characterise Agile Product Development and its application in a highly regulated sector. The paper presents a systematic literature review with the debates about Agile and new product development. Then, a case study exploring an early adoption of the Agile approach in R&D project management in the Brazilian electricity sector is presented. Results include the identification of the Agile features most frequently mentioned in the literature. Moreover, the case study explores the Agile features that were more easily absorbed in early adoption, such as iterative patterns, and discusses implementation challenges in team structure, feedback loops, and communication.

Distinguishing between the concepts of supply chain agility and resilience

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to add clarity to the multidimensional concepts of agility and resilience. In addition, this paper seeks to clarify the differences and similarities between the two concepts by integrating the distinct bodies of knowledge on agility and resilience.Design/methodology/approachA multidisciplinary systematic literature review is conducted. The concept of agility is explored through a review of the sports science, manufacturing, organizational, information systems and information systems development and supply chain literature bases. The concept of resilience is investigated through a review of the psychological and psychopathological, ecological, economic, organizational and supply chain literature bases.FindingsExamining the complex relationship between the two constructs led to the emergence of six major dimensions to capture the concept of agility (i.e. ability to quickly change direction, speed/accelerate operations, scan the environment/anticipate, empower the customer/customize, adjust tactics and operations (flexibility), and integrate processes within and across firms). Similarly, six dimensions were uncovered for resilience (i.e. ability to resist/survive disruptions, avoid the shock altogether, recover/return to original form following disruption, speed/accelerate operations, adjust tactics and operations (flexibility) and scan the environment/anticipate). Agility and resilience were found to share three common dimensions (i.e. ability to adjust tactics and operations (flexibility), speed/accelerate operations and scan the environment/anticipate).Practical implicationsThe identification of the common characteristics of agility and resilience carries important managerial implications from a resource allocation perspective. Allocating resources to the development of the common characteristics of agility and resilience can help firms maximize the impact of such investments. That is, by investing in the common characteristics of both they can improve supply chain agility and supply chain resilience. If firms approach the development or improvement of supply chain agility or resilience independent from one another, without an awareness of the common characteristics, they could be duplicating their investments resulting in supply chain redundancies and inefficiencies.Originality/valueNot having a clear and comprehensive understanding of the similarities and differences between agility and resilience is problematic from a theoretical perspective. A clear understanding of what each construct represents provides a platform for building generalizable theory by helping researchers operationalize these constructs in a consistent manner. Further, providing a generalizable, comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective on agility and resilience within supply chain management literature can help increase the visibility of the field of supply chain management across other disciplines as scholars outside the field of supply chain management can utilize the results of this research effort.

Comparison of Anaerobic Performance and Agility Characteristics Between American Football and Indoor Soccer Players

Anaerobic energy metabolism and agility are significant determinants of performance within the game actions of team sports such as Indoor Soccer (IS) and American Football (AF) where physical activities labeled as explosive power take place intensively (Beam & Adam, 2011). In the study, the agility skills of male participants of Indoor soccer players (ISP; n10) and American Football players (AFP; n10) have been measured by T-test, Illinois agility test and 505 agility tests and the anaerobic energy metabolism, anaerobic capacity (AC) and anaerobic power (AP) has been measured by Wingate anaerobic power test (WAnT) Monark E894 bicycle ergometer. According to the findings of agility and WAnT measurements, ISP has a significant superiority at AP evaluations although AC averages of two groups are similar (p˂0,05). ISP have better scores than AFP at agility tests T-test 23.7% (p<0,05), Illinois agility test 9.6% (p<0,05), 505 test 8.9% (p>0,05). AFP has 9.2% more BMI averages than ISP. Considering the negative effect of BMI on agility skill, this situation is thought to affect the agility skill of AFP negatively. WAnT measurements have enabled us to evaluate the lower extremity power output of the participants of AFP and ISP. It has been recommended to determine the upper extremity power output in order to understand the differences and the anaerobic energy metabolism between two groups better.

Effect of a 22-Week Strength- and Endurance-Based Physical Education Programme on Students’ Development

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a physical education(PE) programme targeting strength and endurance development, in which the main activities were rope climbing, pull-ups, an obstacle course, 3000-m running and kickboxing, implemented over a 22-week period and for 260 minutes per week, on the physical development of students. A total of 477 students aged 19-21 (M= 20.1 ± 0.8) took part in the study, during which an intensive strength- and endurance-based physical training programme was carried out with the students by experienced physical training instructors over a period of 22 weeks. In order to assess the students’ physical development, weight measurement, hand grip, bent arm hang, push-up, sit-up, agility and 20-m shuttle run tests were carried out respectively as pretest and posttest. The tests were completed in two days. The obtained data were examined with paired samples t-test. The varied strength- and endurance-based activities (kickboxing, crossing obstacles, etc.) carried out with a certain intensity and over a specific period by the students made a positive contribution to the development of their strength, endurance (Vo2 Max) and agility characteristics.

Methodology for the Design of Agile Product Development Networks

Agile practices are increasingly introduced in R&D departments of manufacturing companies, with the aim of simultaneously improve the development speed and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions. At the same time, growing product complexity is addressed through an increasing number of collaborations in so-called product development networks. However, there is no systematic approach in scientific literature that combines these two trends and relates the organizational characteristics of agile product development with the design of a product development network. Therefore, this paper presents a methodology for the design of product development networks in order to increase organizational agility. The construct of agility is characterized by a set of agile attributes (AA), while the network design is described by network features (NF). To connect these dimensions, a Quality Function Deployment (QFD) model with two related Houses of Quality (HOQ) is developed. The first HOQ determines the importance of each AA based on the strategy-specific competitive bases (CB) of the company applying the methodology. The second HOQ relates the weighted AA with the NF. Thus, transparency about relations between attributes of organizational agility and network design features is generated. The methodology supports a company in the following two dimensions. First, it provides information about which NF represent the most auspicious levers for optimization measures to allow an efficient prioritization in network management. Second, it indicates the direction of optimization for each NF depending on the actual status of the network.

Agility in small sized pump manufacturing companies - an exploration in an Indian scenario

Today, companies are required to imbibe agility characteristics. Agility of a company refers to its capability in producing innovative products by reacting quickly in accordance with the dynamic demands of the customers. In this paper, a research has been reported in which the agility level prevailing in three small size pump manufacturing companies located in India was measured by using a model called 20 criteria agile manufacturing measurement model. By using this model, the agility of these companies was measured by using a measure called agility index. The agility index of one of them was found to be higher than that of the other two. Further, it was explored to identify the weak agility criteria practiced in the three small size pump manufacturing companies. This exploration indicated that poor adoption of technology prevents the small sized pump manufacturing companies from speeding up of the agile manufacturing journey in an Indian scenario.

Agility in small sized pump manufacturing companies - an exploration in an Indian scenario

Today, companies are required to imbibe agility characteristics. Agility of a company refers to its capability in producing innovative products by reacting quickly in accordance with the dynamic de...

The role of organisational learning in creating an agile workforce in Dubai

Today's business environment, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is better described as being volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. The present study adopts a qualitative multiple-case study design by interviewing seven HR managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across different industries in Dubai, namely, maintenance, digital services, security, retail, insurance, and technology. Workforce agility characteristics have been analysed against eight indicators conceptualised across the western context. This paper contributes to the current literature by testing organisational learning (OL) and understanding the concept of OL in particular in the UAE. Furthermore, organisational learning practices and their role in workforce agility development have been investigated. The study reveals a significant consistency between the western standards of agile attributes and those required among Dubai SMEs. Also, the findings show that SMEs in Dubai incorporate learning interventions without a targeted focus on agile attribute developments.

An Assessment Model Study for Lean and Agile (Leagile) Index by Using Fuzzy AHP

Lean and agile supply chains are the most important and valid supply chain strategies that are accepted in today’s World. They can be used separately or together in business processes. However, some of these companies cannot use lean and agile manufacturing characteristics as it should be due to lack of knowledge or mis-directioning. As a result of this they are not able to come to competitive levels. This study was done for the aim of supporting companies to analyze their current situation, understand the missing and set a course for improvements in the direction of lean and agile criteria. Especially for small-scale manufacturing industry, it is thought to contribute with regards to understand very well what the lean / agile criteria’s are, notice where missing’s are in processes, take an action against them and be competitive by keeping dynamic the cycle of improvement and rendering this process continuously in order to be more efficient and competitive.

Characteristics of Muscle Power and Agility in Top-Level Junior Soft Tennis Players

This study examined the characteristics, such as muscle power and agility, of top-level junior soft tennis players. 36Japanese top-level junior (under-14) boys soft tennis players (age 13.4 ± 0.8 years，height 165.0 ± 9.7cm，andweight 53.9 ± 11.1 kg) with experience in international meet participation and 25 junior boys soft tennis players(age 13.1 ± 0.7 years，height 158.2 ± 9.5cm，weight 47.0 ± 8.2 kg) with experience in prefectural meetparticipation were the subjects of this study. Medicine ball (2 kg) throws to the right or left by trunk rotation andforward and backward by trunk extension (exercises recommended by Japan’s soft tennis association) were selectedto evaluate the muscle power of the subjects. Side step, spider, and front–back shuttle run tests (used by an Americantennis association) were selected to test the agility of the subjects. The top-level athletes were significantly superiorto the other junior players in the forward medicine ball throw, side step, and spider tests. These results suggest thatmuscle power in the forward direction and agility when moving to the right, left or diagonal direction are moredeveloped in top-level soft tennis players than in other players.

An agile approach for managing requirements change to improve learning and adaptability

Abstract Nowadays agile development has become a mainstream development methodology. Yet agile is still lacking in how in-depth it deals with Requirement Engineering (RE) compared to the other development stages. There have been attempts to apply agile RE techniques to traditional development and conversely to apply traditional RE techniques to agile development. But the biggest problem is that it is difficult to maintain the essence of agile which is to “collaborate”, “(iterative and frequent) inspect and adapt”, and “deliver customer value”. In this paper, we define six criteria for an agile requirement management approach and propose a lightweight agile approach that maintains the characteristics of agile while combining the RE techniques of academia, business analyst, and agile & lean community. Furthermore, we show an industrial case study which we've applied our approach.

Differences in expression profiles of circular RNA between luminal breast cancer cells and normal breast cells

To investigate the differences in the expression profiles of circular RNA (circRNA) between luminal breast cancer cells and normal breast cells. Total RNA extracted from luminal breast cancer cells MCF7 and normal breast cells MCF10A was digested with Rnase R to remove linear RNAs and enrich circRNAs. The enriched circRNAs were amplified and transcribed into fluorescent cRNAs using a random priming method, and were hybridized onto the circRNA hybridization array. The circRNA expression profiles of MCF7 and MCF10A cells were analyzed using Agilent Feature Extraction software. Quantile normalization and subsequent data processing were performed, and volcano plot filtering and hierarchical clustering were utilized to analyze the circRNA expression patterns. The expressions of 3 circRNAs with significant log fold changes were validated using qPCR. The hybridization array data revealed significant differences in the circRNA expression profiles between MCF7 and MCF10A cells. Compared with those of MCF10A cells, the 12910 circRNAs expressed in MCF7 cells showed 5964 up-regulated, 81 consistently regulated, and 6865 down-regulated circRNAs; 343 circRNAs showed a log fold change by more than 2 folds, among which 213 circRNAs were up-regulated and 130 were down-regulated. Nine circRNAs showed differential expressions by more than 2 folds, including 8 up-regulated ones, namely hsa_circRNA_061260 (6.02 folds), hsa_circRNA_103933 (5.96 folds), hsa_circRNA_005239 (5.84 folds), hsa_circRNA_100689 (5.69 folds), hsa_circRNA_004087 (5.60 folds), hsa_circRNA_104420 (5.25 folds), hsa_circRNA_104421 (5.13 folds) and hsa_circRNA_101222 (5.03 folds); only one circRNA was down-regulated, namely hsa_circRNA_104864 (5.09 folds). The expressions of hsa_circRNA_100689, hsa_circRNA_005239 and hsa_circRNA_104864 were further validated by qPCR, which yielded consistent results with the microarray data. The circRNA expression profiles differ significantly between luminal breast cancer cells and normal breast cells. These differentially expressed circRNAs may serve as potential novel targets for the diagnosis of luminal breast cancer.

Measuring Leanness and Agility of Job Shops: A Rating Scale Based on Expert Consensus

The importance for job shops in manufacturing spectrum is increasing as the market requires low volume, high quality, custom and specific products. With global competition towards customization, job shops are striving to streamline their operations for better yield and exceed customer expectations by shorter speed to market and maintaining budgetary confinements of customer. In that scenario, both lean and agile manufacturing strategies are important to job shops for improving efficiencies and responding to rapidly changing customer needs. This paper presents a rapid assessment tool for job shops to determine where they stand in terms of exhibiting lean and agile characteristics.