Improve Product Design Research Articles

It worked there, so it should work here: Sustaining change while improving product development processes

AbstractOrganizations operate under ongoing pressure to conduct product development (PD) in ways that reduce errors, improve product designs, and increase speed and efficiency. Often, managers are expected to respond to this pressure by implementingprocess improvement programs(PIPs) based on best practices elsewhere (e.g., in another part of their organization or in another industrial context). Successful PIP implementation depends on two criteria: (a) demonstrating (symbolic) success by meeting externally imposed deadlines and producing mandated artifacts and (b) sustaining the expected (substantive) changes in their employees' underlying beliefs and practices. Given the mixed success of PIPs in nonmanufacturing contexts, identifying factors that contribute to both symbolic and substantive implementation is important to both researchers and practitioners. We explore this challenge through an in‐depth field study at a PD company (DevCo) that implemented a PIP across its 11 PD projects. We examine DevCo's change message to implement the PIP, how DevCo's engineers experienced it, factors that impeded implementation, and factors that could improve substantive success. Along with this empirical evidence, we leverage organizational change concepts to facilitate effective PIP implementation in new contexts such as PD. We distill our findings into eight propositions that expand theory about effectively transferring PIPs across contexts.

IT Blind Auditions

Enhanced objectivity, improved product design, different thinking approaches, innovation – these are some of the advantages that organisations have seen through encouraging diverse work forces. How does the IT industry do in diversity? Brian Runciman MBCS discusses recent BCS analysis of existing research and looks at the BCS membership view refl ected in our original research.

Do product features actually add value for consumers? A laddering analysis on new luxury products

Purpose of the paper: This paper aims at analyzing product perception, product preferences and purchase motives for obtaining a better understanding of consumer purchasing behavior with regard to new luxury goods. Our objective is to comprehend which attributes drive consumers to purchase new luxury products, and what are the values pushing them to their choices. Methodology: We applied laddering interviewing, which is a technique referring to the means-end theory. By finding linkages between product attributes, user consequences, and final values, this methodology allowed for identifying how consumers perceive self-relevant consequences of new luxury products. The results of the 26 interviews are reported in the Hierarchical Value Map. Findings: We found that people are mostly driven by values of happiness, self-image, self-fulfillment, and social recognition in crystal tableware choice. In particular, the values elicited by respondents fall into two main categories: a) values that are centered around the self (e.g., self-image); b) values connected to or dependent on third parties (e.g., give prominence to my family/guests; social recognition; high status). Those values are sought by respondents in particular attributes of crystal tableware, such as design, brightness, high quality, and brand. Research limits: A limitation of this study is that it analyzes only one market sector. Practical implications: By understanding better the relationship between product attributes and consumers’ choices in new luxury goods consumption, managers can improve product design and advertising campaigns. Originality of the paper: Our analysis allows shedding lights on the means-end chain characterizing consumer behaviors for the purchase of new luxury goods, which is still an overlooked phenomenon from an empirical point of view.

Characterisation of source-separated, rigid plastic waste and evaluation of recycling initiatives: Effects of product design and source-separation system

Recycling of plastic from household waste (HHW) is crucial in the transition towards a circular plastic economy. Plastic from HHW consists of numerous immiscible polymers, product types and product designs (e.g. colour, polymer separability), which often lead to considerable physical losses during sorting, and low-quality recycled plastic. Consequently, recycling initiatives have been proposed to enhance the quantity and quality of plastic recycling from HHW. To quantify the potential effects of such initiatives, a detailed composition of plastic waste is necessary. The aim was to provide such detailed composition of Danish source-separated rigid plastic waste, including information regarding the polymer of the main product component, product type, polymer design and separability as well as colour. The potential effects on recycled quantity and quality from implementing selected recycling initiatives were quantified and recommendations provided. PET, PE and PP made up >90% of the source-separated plastic and both food- and non-food packaging existed in all three polymers. In total, 10–11% of the plastic was black, and around 44% consisted of multiple polymers, of which one-third was non-separable. Initiatives improving product design for recycling will likely result in increased quantity of recycled plastic. By effectively separating food from non-food packaging, e.g. by introducing two bins in the households or politically aligning polymers and product types (all food packaging in PET and PP, all non-food packaging in PE), 39–63% of the waste could potentially be recycled in a closed loop into food-grade quality packaging. The overall highest benefits were reached by combining initiatives.

The impact of intelligent manufacturing elements on product design towards reducing production waste

With ever-increasing market competition and advances in technology, more and more countries are prioritizing for advanced and intelligent manufacturing technology as a top priority for improving product design and reducing production waste towards promoting economic growth. Consequently, this study empirically tests the set of intelligent manufacturing elements (IMEs) that affect product design towards minimizing production waste at mineral water factories in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The results of this study were based on the data obtained from the mixed methods represented in a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews in the framework of the case study. The questionnaire survey already has been tested. The sample of the study was 269 respondents selected based on a stratified sampling technique. The criteria for choosing the respondents to be part of the study were based on the status of full-time employee of the organization. The findings showed that among the IMEs addressed in this study, each intelligent device and intelligent process had had a strong impact on improving product design, and hence the efficient use of manufacturing resources towards reducing manufacturing waste in the industrial organizations.

Build a Bayesian Network from FMECA in the Production of Automotive Parts: Diagnosis and Prediction

Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) is one of the well-known methods of quality management that is used for continuous improvement in product or process design. This method uses linguistic expressions and has good information about cause-effect chains. However, it lacks probabilistic information. Transforming it into a Bayesian Network (BN) makes it possible to be used in maintenance for both diagnosis and prediction. The purpose of this paper is to develop a method that uses as much information as possible from FMECA, including frequency and detection to precisely make the configuration of the BN. To build a BN’s structure from FMECA, we elaborate a tool to do it systematically. Moreover, we develop an algorithm to set the parameters of a BN obtained. Elicitation methods based on expert knowledge are used when data is not sufficient. A case study of FMECA in the automotive industry is introduced to verify the applicability of the proposed method in an industrial environment.

Is There a Demand for Reverse Mortgages in China? Evidence from Two Online Surveys

Reverse mortgages provide an alternative source of retirement funding by allowing older homeowners to borrow against their home. However, a recent pilot program of reserve mortgage products in several large Chinese cities saw almost no take up. To ascertain the demand for reverse mortgages in China, we conduct and analyze two online surveys that focus respectively on homeowners aged 45-65 as potential purchasers, and on adult children in the 20-49 age group representing children of potential purchasers. We address the reported shortcomings of the pilot reverse mortgage product by testing an improved product design presented in a clear and comprehensive format. In stark contrast, we find that 89% of older Chinese homeowners would be interested in this new reverse mortgage product, and 84% of adult children would recommend such a product to their parents. Participants in both surveys reported that they would use the reverse mortgage payments to fund a more comfortable retirement and to pay for better medical treatments and aged care services. Respondents' interest in reverse mortgages was associated with their familiarity and understanding of the product, and its perceived potential to address liquidity constraints in retirement. Health status, aged care preferences and proxies for intergenerational links were also important. Our results are contrary to the common perception of intergenerational expectations of wealth transfer in China, and provide new evidence in support of the potential development of China's reverse mortgage market.

PENGEMBANGAN WEBTOON UNTUK PEMBELAJARAN IPS (EKONOMI) DI SMP

This study aims to develop webtoon as learning media for learning social studies (economics) in junior high school. The methods of this study is a research and development refers to the development model Sugiyono using five stages, namely the potential and problems, information gathering, product design, design validation and design improvements. Data collection techniques in this research and development using the documentation of records and media development activities currently also using for validation expert qutionnaire.Based on the results of validation by experts, the obtained value of the average score on the media 4.7with the category of Very Good for the placement and selection of colors in the image on the media is appropriate, presentation of the material is appropriate, developed learning media is easy to use by the user. In the material obtained an average score of 3.7 with the category of Good because of the depth of material on the media is enough, the presentation of the material has been understood and it is systematic, the range of material is in conformity with the purpose of learning. On language obtained an average score of 3.57 with the category of Good because of the language used in the media can be understood, writing in the material is appropriate terms, sentences medium used in a simple and straight forward, the language used in accordance with the emotional maturity of learners. In order to obtain the overall average is 4.02 with the category of Good and can be said to be "worth it" as a learning medium..Keyword: Media Education, Comics, webtoon

Simulating the service lifetimes and storage phases of consumer electronics in Europe with a cascade stock and flow model

Durability of products and lifetime extension through improvements in product design, repair, reuse and refurbishment are integral components of the circular economy concept. Extended service lifetimes reduce the demand for new resource intensive products and hence contribute to an increase in resource efficiency and resource conservation. However, the use of a consumer product does not only depend on its functioning. Particularly consumer electronics such as smartphones are often only used for comparatively short periods of time before they are replaced by new devices. Even though these used electronics may still have significant value and could be resold as secondhand products, they often remain in households (compartments, shelves, cellars) for long periods of time. When analyzing the effects of technical improvements for lifetime extensions of consumer products, these storage times, which are also referred to as hibernation, need to be taken into account. Hibernation counteracts efforts towards increasing the service lifetimes of consumer electronics and should therefore more strongly be addressed in the discussion about lifetime extension and higher durability. In this paper, we present a dynamic cascade stock and flow model to simulate different use and storage phases of consumer electronics in Europe. This model enables a detailed analysis of modifications in service lifetimes and storage phases. The simulation results emphasize the significant proportion of unused but functioning electronic devices when regarding overall product stocks in society. Based on the simulation results, we show that particularly for small consumer electronics such as smartphones, the systematic implementation of a cascade use system avoiding storage phases could significantly reduce total product demand and the associated resource use. Subsequently, we discuss potential measures that could lead to a reduction of storage time of unused consumer electronics in typical households.

Creativity and productivity in product design for additive manufacturing: Mechanisms and platform outcomes of remixing

AbstractThe present study explores the phenomenon of remixing in product design for additive manufacturing (AM). In contrast to other manufacturing techniques, AM offers unprecedented flexibility in adapting existing product designs to changing requirements. However, in order to benefit from this potential, structured design procedures and tools are indispensable. As a possible solution, online platforms for collaborative 3D model creation are increasingly implementing features for remixing, a concept describing the creation of new models on the foundation of existing design elements. Against this backdrop, the objective of this research is to provide evidence for the value of remixing as an organizational intervention for improving product design processes. To this end, we present a mixed methods approach using data from Thingiverse, the world's largest AM‐related online community. In a first step, we investigate qualitative data from 81 individual remix‐based designs to identify the underlying mechanisms of remixing. We identify six such mechanisms that can further be grouped by the intended outcome of the respective process (creativity‐oriented: inspiration, play, learning;productivity‐oriented: speed, improvement, empowerment). In a second step, we turn to a quantitative analysis of platform data, which indicates that remixing may lead to better design process outcomes in terms of quantity and diversity of designs. Furthermore, we find that designs created by remixing designers are significantly more often printed by community members suggesting that remixing helps ensure manufacturing compatibility akin to continuous process improvement. Our research has several implications for individual designers and organizations engaging with product design for AM.

The Role of Market and Technical Information Generation in New Product Development

Firms are investing an increasing amount of time and resources to gather information about market and technology in new product development (NPD). Yet there is a lack of consistent understanding of whether such costly information generation activities can improve product outcomes. More importantly, it is unclear how the benefit of market information and technical information generation may differ and how they may jointly impact new product performance. This study examines the role of market and technical information generation in NPD in three ways: (1) It contrasts the effects of market and technical information generation on product outcomes; (2) it identifies conditions that moderate the effects of market and technical information generation and further investigates how the moderating effects differ for these two types of activities; and (3) it examines the joint effect of market and technical information generation to understand potential synergies between them. Using survey data at the NPD project level, we find that market information generation has an inverted U‐shaped effect on new product advantage, whereas the effect of technical information generation follows a U‐shape. Furthermore, these effects are moderated differently by two conditions: a firm’s R&D intensity that influences NPD projects’ need for different types of information, and the use of multidisciplinary teams that affects the degree to which information can be shared and utilized to improve product design. The findings provide important implications for organizational learning and shed light on how to manage information generation activities to achieve NPD success.

Fair sharing and eco-efficiency in green responsibility and green marketing policy

Recent regulations often mandate the recycling of scrap products, especially electrical wastes. This study demonstrates how this end-of-pipe enforcement can be converted to an effective policy tool in improving product design towards green product. We show that collective recycling can enhance producer responsibility whilst being affordable for coalition participants by adopting the proposed two-part allocation scheme, which is a particular solution of the underlying cooperative game and is closer to the nucleolus than the Owen set. Practically, our scheme is easier to implement than other core solutions. This scheme can establish institutional trust and promote environmental quality for companies participating in a recycling coalition. The goal of promoting green market is achieved through the implicit cooperation of participating companies.

Sustainability in the Product Design: A Review of Recent Development Based on LCA

In order to achieve sustainable product design process, aspects such of environmental, economic and social should be balanced. This paper discussed on sustainability of product design, conceptual basis of life cycle assessment (LCA), review of LCA at several product design, methodology of proposed framework and discussion on strengths and limitations of LCA. This paper proposed to develop a framework for improving the product design process based on LCA tool. The aims is to calculate potential impact of environment, economic and social aspects during product design process. For environmental aspects, LCA tool will be used. For economic and social considerations, life cycle costing (LCC) and social life cycle assessment will be applied respectively. At the end, proposed framework are able to help designers to improve product design by considering all sustainability aspects.

Do safety engineered devices reduce needlestick injuries?

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are one of the most common health hazards facing healthcare workers (HCWs) across the globe. Needles with safety engineered devices (SEDs) have been developed to minimize the risk of exposure to blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus, associated with NSIs. To assess the effect of the introduction of SEDs in preventing NSIs among HCWs at Jeroen Bosch Hospital, the Netherlands. The incidence rates of reported NSIs before and after the introduction of SEDs were compared. All HCWs who reported an NSI with an SED were interviewed in order to understand the underlying causes of the NSIs. Despite the introduction of SEDs, the incidence of NSIs increased from 1.9 per 100 HCWs before the introduction of SEDs to 2.2 per 100 HCWs after the introduction of SEDs. The registration of reported SED-related NSIs showed a significant decrease in the number of NSIs related to injection needles and blood sugar needles, while an unexpected significant increase in NSIs with nadroparin calcium needles and infusion needles was found. The most common causes reported for NSIs were unsafe disposal of the needles and problems with the safety feature. The application of SEDs has not led to a reduction in NSIs. The majority of NSIs caused by a needle with an SED can be prevented by stimulation of safe needle disposal, proper use of SEDs, and provision of feedback to manufacturers to keep improving product design.

Genital burns in the United States: Disproportionate prevalence in the pediatric population

Introduction and objectivesTo describe the epidemiology of genital burns in the U.S. and investigate the underlying etiology. MethodsThe National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for individuals who sustained genital burns from 2000 to 2016. We collected data on age, gender, injury diagnosis, disposition, and causative agents. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictors of hospitalization. ResultsWe estimate 17,026 (95% CI 16,649–17,404) cases of genital burns presented to emergency departments nationally. Genital burns occurred more in males than females (12,295 vs 4,731). Scalding (57.9%) was the most common mechanism of injury and hot water (35.7%) the most common causative agent. Significant predictors of hospitalization on multivariate analysis were multi-surface (OR 4.4), scalding (OR 11.5) and thermal burns (OR 27.9).Children ages 0–2 had the highest prevalence of genital burns, and children ages 0–12 comprised 37.1% of the study. For children <5years of age, majority of the burns were caused by hot water in the bathroom. In age group 6–12, the most common causes of genital burns were cooking-related scalds due to hot foods and water. ConclusionsChildren sustain genital burns at a higher rate than adults and many appear to have a preventable mechanism. Improved product design for safety and educating caregivers about potential hazardous situations are needed.

Does a culture of innovation drive business results?

The importance and meaning of innovation are a matter of perspective. Improvements in product design and manufacturing efficiency often hinge on innovation being applied as a tactical tool. To develop a company that elevates innovation to an integrated and motivational management tool across the enterprise, innovation must become part of the firm’s culture. A culture of innovation is an attitude toward cultivating growth opportunities no matter where they exist in the company. It is a piece of the vast corporate ecosystem that drives the value of corporations without always being fully understood and seldom managed for value creation. It is part of a class of internally grown intangible assets not accounted for on the balance sheet, but which can yield decisive competitive advantages and enormous value. Innovation comes in many different forms, but a culture of innovation reflects on the company as a whole and can be measured, valued and managed for value creation.

The analysis of export commodity competitiveness in Central Java Province at period 2011-2015

This study aims to determine the competitiveness of furniture export in Central Java Province Indonesia in terms of comparative and competitive advantages and to formulate the strategies to enhance the competitiveness of furniture export in Central Java Province. Descriptive analytic method was used for this research. Data used in this research are primary and secondary data. Data were analyzed using RCA (Revealed Comparative Advantage), TSI (Trade Specialization Index) and SOAR (Strength, Opportunity, Aspiration, Result). The results showed that furniture commodity in Central Java Province had strong comparative competitiveness with the value of RCA>1 and had strong competitiveness with positive index values in the range of 0 to 1. Based on SOAR analysis, strategy measures can be formulated, namely maintaining the existing and expanding targeted markets, improving product designs (innovations) and improving raw materials efficiency.

A Framework for the Development of Automatic DFA Method to Minimize the Number of Components and Assembly Reorientations

Assembly is a part of manufacturing processes that must be considered at the product design stage. Design for Assembly (DFA) is a method to evaluate product design in order to make it simpler, easier and quicker to assemble, so that assembly cost is reduced. This article discusses a framework for developing a computer-based DFA method. The method is expected to aid product designer to extract data, evaluate assembly process, and provide recommendation for the product design improvement. These three things are desirable to be performed without interactive process or user intervention, so product design evaluation process could be done automatically. Input for the proposed framework is a 3D solid engineering drawing. Product design evaluation is performed by: minimizing the number of components; generating assembly sequence alternatives; selecting the best assembly sequence based on the minimum number of assembly reorientations; and providing suggestion for design improvement.

Exploring How Usage-Focused Business Models Enable Circular Economy through Digital Technologies

Recent studies advocate that digital technologies are key enabling factors for the introduction of servitized business models. At the same time, these technologies support the implementation of the circular economy (CE) paradigm into businesses. Despite this general agreement, the literature still overlooks how digital technologies enable such a CE transition. To fill the gap, this paper develops a conceptual framework, based on the literature and a case study of a company implementing a usage-focused servitized business model in the household appliance industry. This study focuses on the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and analytics, and identifies eight specific functionalities enabled by such technologies (improving product design, attracting target customers, monitoring and tracking product activity, providing technical support, providing preventive and predictive maintenance, optimizing the product usage, upgrading the product, enhancing renovation and end-of-life activities). By investigating how these functionalities affect three CE value drivers (increasing resource efficiency, extending lifespan, and closing the loop), the conceptual framework developed in this paper advances knowledge about the role of digital technologies as an enabler of the CE within usage-focused business models. Finally, this study shows how digital technologies help overcome the drawback of usage-focused business models for the adoption of CE pointed out by previous literature.

A scalable product configuration model and algorithm

The application of product configuration model is an effective way to improve product design and manufacturing efficiency. The traditional product configuration model has a single configuration result, and the configuration model is difficult to be expanded. In order to solve the existing problem, a scalable product configuration model is established based on polychromatic sets theory and corresponding algorithm is proposed. Firstly, product modules are clustered according to function types to establish function block, which is the solving unit of product configuration model. At the same time, multilayer polychromatic set contour-comprising matrices are respectively established from the point of view of needs, product, performance and module. According to actual demand of product configuration, the unified color reasoning algorithm is proposed. And scalable product configuration model and algorithm are proposed based on relative works. Then, the scalability of proposed model is studied from the point of view of needs change and modules change. Finally, the configuration of a special vehicle is introduced to verify the presented model and algorithm, and the results confirmed the effectiveness and rationality of the method.