Integration Of Information Flow Research Articles

Environmentalism and the multinational corporation: a viewpoint — part I

In this essay, we attempt to apply lateral pressure theory to conceptual thinking on MNC. “Power as capability” is implicit in the rationales firms engage in international production, viz., ownership advantage, location advantage, and internalization advantage. It is argued that issues of control (an internalization advantage) are crucial for the MNC, and the development of a complex mechanism for integrating information flow represents one important aspect of its capability. Part Two of this essay will explore in detail “power as influence” perspective of MNC bargaining power, relocation of production, and the impact of environmentalism in its value chains.

Co-Evolution of Electric & Telecommunications Networks

There are potentially significant societal benefits in co-evolution between electricity and telecommunications in the areas of common infrastructure, accelerated deployment of distributed energy, tighter integration of information flow for energy management and distribution, and improved customer care.

Integrated Cargo Planning Systems for Liner Shipping Services Case Study: System Modelling for Roll-On/Roll-Off Vessels

Marine transport systems are an important link in a whole transportation chain with its multi-operator environment. The main objectives of this paper is modelling of information flow, interfacing, processing and data system integration between users in liner shipping systems with regard to cargo planning on board in the short and medium terms. Development of interlinked vessel cargo planning systems with automated shore-to-ship and shipping company-to-port communication and data exchange system is discussed here. A decision support tool for liner slupping companies and cargo handling in port has been modelled and developed for direct implementation. Therefore, the further purpose of this paper is to describe a computerised cargo planning system for roll-on/roll-off vessels, integrated with global cargo acquisition, information handling, processing and interchange with ports and ships. The system optimisation process is aimed at the best possible vessel capacity utilisation, the lowest transportation costs, and simplifying information flow. The advanced PC- programme described here can be connected to any main frame of computer for storage, processing and data interchange amoung numerous users. The system can process information about cargo acquisition, makes computerised plans for cargo stowage on board and transmits this information to ports and ships.

FORRIDGE - Principles of good practice in material flow

The post World War II Industrial Revolution has driven production away from the old 'economies of scale' to the new 'economies of scope'. Apparently Japanese led, the associated roots of present good practice on material flow can be traced back in the USA to Jay Forrester and in the UK to Jack Burbidge. Specifically, in the supply chain scenario, Forrester exposed the importance of system structure in relating and integrating information flow with material flow. Similarly Burbidge led the way in exploiting cycle time reduction, synchronization of orders throughout the chain, simplified product structures, and streamlined component flows. This paper unites their contributions to material flow engineering and shows how present day system design methodologies incorporate their ideas on best practice. These principles are particularly relevant to the product delivery process (PDP) which governs material flow in supply chains.

Rule-based integration of autonomous multi-agent systems

Abstract A three stage approach to the development of multi-agent systems is proposed involving functional decomposition, agent representation, and information flow integration. The information flow integration stage is discussed in detail. A rule-based agent integration for construction of autonomous subsystems and systems useful in integrated manufacturing is presented. The approach formalizes the integration process that a system analyst solves in an ad hoc manner. The approach presented facilitates the discovery of new integrated manufacturing solutions. It involves generation of a set of autonomous agents for building an overall system. Hierarchically structured subsystems are developed at different levels of abstraction that parallel the approach used by an expert system analyst. The implementation of an integration process in an object-oriented programming environment is also suggested.

Compartmentalization of excitatory amino acid receptors in human striatum.

Division of the mammalian neostriatum into two intermingled compartments called striosomes and matrix has been established by analysis of enzyme activity, neuropeptide distribution, nucleic acid hybridization, and neurotransmitter receptor binding. Striosomes and matrix are distinct with respect to afferent and efferent connections, and these regions provide the potential for modulation and integration of information flow within basal ganglia circuitry. The primary neurotransmitters of corticostriatal afferents are excitatory amino acids, but to date no correlation of excitatory amino acid receptors and striatal compartments has been described. We examined binding to the three pharmacologically distinct ionotropic excitatory amino acid receptors, N-methyl-D-aspartate, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid, and kainate, in human striatum using in vitro receptor autoradiography and compared the binding to striosomes and matrix histochemically defined by acetylcholinesterase activity. Our findings reveal increased binding to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptors in matrix relative to striosomes and increased kainate receptor binding in striosomes relative to matrix. These results suggest that afferent input to the two striatal compartments may be mediated by pharmacologically distinct excitatory amino acid receptor subtypes.

Trends in computer-integrated manufacturing

The development of CIM systems has to be seen as an evolutionary process that builds on separate subsystems and proceeds stepwise to higher levels of integration of technical information flow. Nowadays CIM components and structures are often already implemented in large scale companies with mass or serial production whereas in small and medium size enterprises with customer or small series production the integration is not very proceeded. Due to the lack of know-how within these companies external organizations like CIM-centers should support the introduction of new solutions for the realization of CIM and carry out the necessary transfer of knowledge. Another aspect for the realization of CIM is the standardization of interfaces. The concept of technical interfaces is characterized by the MAP and TOP efforts which have already lead to practical results. In the future the importance of the standardization of ‘organizational interfaces’, which can be characterized by decision integration, will increase. The solution of this problem could be the building of general CIM-models like CIM-OSA or the GRAI-Grid which cover the organizational dimension of CIM and which can be used for many companies. The next step in the complete integration of companies seems to be the consideration and integration of administrative areas characterized by the term ‘Computer-Integrated Office (CIO' and moreover the consideration of the logistical aspects. The combination of CIM and CIO and the realization of the complete logistical chain will be the challenge of the future.

Development of a factory level CIM model

Abstract There is a critical need for establishing CIM at the factory level. This would complement the research already done in manufacturing automation-which, thus far, has concentrated on flexible manufacturing cells, robotics, and other material handling devices at the shop floor level. In a generic fashion, this paper identifies the application modules that clearly lend themselves to an integrated information flow in a controlled manner: computer aided design, computer aided process planning, and manufacturing resource planning. The first two consist of the product and process design centers of the proposed system, respectively. Manufacturing resource planning involves the management of production plans to satisfy the market demand. The functional design of the system is derived from expertise in manufacturing management. It can be based on any given company policy, expressed in a series of rules that control the information flow between these application modules. The modeling of the rule base and the analysis of the system are formalized with the use of generalized Petri nets. Extension of this work include the incorporation of a shop floor control module, to interface with the factory level.

A knowledge-based prototype of a factory level CIM system

This paper identifies the application modules that clearly lend themselves to integrated information flow in a controlled manner. The modelling and analysis are formalized with the use of generalized Petri-nets. The implementation strategy recognizes the existence of application tools whose characteristics must be retained and subjected to synergism. Hence, a Prolog-based database interoperability language enabled the authors to construct the knowledge base that controls the system.

IMPROVING MANAGERIAL APPROACHES TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Advances in information technology should be viewed by management not only as inherently desirable in themselves, but also as sources of potentially valuable improvements in planning, operations, control and performance evaluation. Hence, it is appropriate that all such proposals should be evaluated in terms of their expected yields of faster, more complete, more accurate and more effectively integrated information flows. In addition, however, primary emphasis should also be given to the magnitude of resulting contributions to the competitiveness, profitability and growth of the firm relative to the time, investments and costs involved.

Integration of information and material flow in a pilot plant — Development and experiences

Integration of information and material flow in a pilot plant — Development and experiences

Integrated material logistics and continuous flow manufacturing

Integrated material logistics is the integration of both materials and information flow into an effective and efficient total system. Continuous flow manufacturing (CFM) is a philosophy that concentrates on the elimination of waste, total quality control and total work-force involvement as a means of achieving and sustaining manufacturing competitiveness. This paper reports on the approach to the design and implementation of integrated material logistics with continuous flow manufacturing at IBM Havant Plant, The adoption of a competitive logistics strategy led to a fundamental re-appraisal of the role of logistics in discrete manufacturing. The later development and implementation of a blueprint required a focused cross-disciplinary team supported by more robust controls. Opportunities for work re-organization and devolution of responsibility were taken. With major investment in education and training, new processes and new measurements of process efficiency, a radical change in the culture of the facility was effected. The CFM paradigm continues to exert a profound influence for improvement throughout every aspect of the logistics process.

Design of expert systems for integrated production automation

Abstract An approach to the design of expert systems for integrated production automation is presented. The major components in an integrated manufacturing system consist of corporate planning, marketing planning, research and development, engineering design, production planning, manufacturing, warehousing, and product distribution. These components are linked by management information flow, technology information flow, as well as materials flow. An intelligent computer is used to integrate information flow and to control materials flow. This paper discusses characteristics of the future factory, elements of knowledge based systems, and the design of computer based expert systems for production planning, for engineering design, and for integrated manufacturing.