• International Journal of Quality Innovation
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.1-21
• /
• 2008

A Purpose. As organizations become more team oriented, research on teams continues to increase especially involving how teams contribute to organizational performance and effectiveness. Although there has been existing research on Kaizen teams in the private sector, very little research has included Kaizen teams in the public sector. In this paper, we present a method to study Kaizen teams in a local Spanish government that have been using Kaizen teams for more than ten years. Design/methodology/approach. Quantitative research was adopted for this study. Twenty teams participated in the study by filling out the Team Learning and Development Inventory (TLI) proposed by Lingham (2004). In addition, we interviewed members of the teams in order to clarify and assure our quantitative results. Findings Based on the findings, we propose that Kaizen teams should practice both Continuous (CI) and Process Improvements (PI) in their projects. We also propose that Kaizen teams should not be teams skilled only at developing better improvement processes (both CI and PI) for the organization but that such teams should also be skilled at engaging in team development using both CI and PI processes internally-a Kaizen within Kaizen teams approach. Research limitations. Its based in one case study. However, it is working paper and the research project still is developing. Practical Implications (if possible). Serve as a guide to practitioners (Public managers) who desire to understand how their Kaizen teams involves both internal (conversational spaces) and external (methodology) perspectives that would contribute to both team and organizational effectiveness. In this paper, we focus on the Internal Processes (both CI and PI) using the TLI as an effective method for Kaizen teams to engage in the Kaizen process. Originality/value. This study is one of the first to look at team's performance using Team Learning and Development Inventory in Spain's public sector. It is also the first to mention about the relationship of the team's performance and the implementation of process improvement methodologies in Spain local government environment.

• The Journal of Korean Association of Computer Education
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.71-83
• /
• 2008

The recent advances of the information technology have motivated lots of research efforts to develop new computer-aided teaching and learning methodologies on various computer science topics, such as data structures, operating system, computer networks, and computer architecture. However, there have been only few studies to educate the database subject although it is one of the most important topics in the computer science. Specifically, among the various issues in the database subject, a learner often suffers to understand the mechanism of the concurrency control and recovery of database transaction in the database because it highly interacts with other functions in the database. Obviously, an intelligent visualization tool can help a learner to understand the process of the concurrency control and the recovery of database transaction. The purpose of this study is to develop an efficient visualization tool which can help users understand the two phase locking protocol (2PLP)-based concurrency control. Specifically, this visualization tool is designed to encourage a users' participation and raise their interest by visualizing the process of transactions and allowing users to specify and manipulate their own transactions.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartD
• /
• v.10D no.2
• /
• pp.317-326
• /
• 2003

The possession rate of residential telephones tend to decrease as mobile phones are widely spread. There is also a decrease in the access rate of the qualified respondents due to the low rate of phone book registration and that of house owner's presence at home. Such a change in telephone survey environment calls for another survey-channel which makes good use of new telecommunication services. In this paper, a mobile survey system was designed and performed by the use of SMS (Short Message Service) which is a kind of mobile data communication service. The system draws the sample by using random digit sampling based on 'quota allocation', and sends the SMS to the sample according to the arranged scheduler. Then, the survey-panel which received the SMS connects to the responding server by pressing the 'send' button (which is connected by the callback number), responding to the question. As a result, the responding value is stored in the database and is analyzed in real-time. This system is distinguished from other research methodologies for its simplicity in data collection, its inexpensive research price, and the innovatively low research time.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.11-24
• /
• 2012

Recently, BIM (Building Information Modeling) technique is being considered as a critical delivery condition for the public projects according to the increase of best practices by practical application of BIM. However, since existing BIM studies are focused on the design and construction phases, those results are not considering the life cycle of a construction project. Therefore, this study suggests an integrated BIM operation process that enables an application of BIM for each phase of a construction project from planning to maintenance phases and develops an integrated BIM system based on the suggested methodologies. This study developed basic BIM functions and its application process by analyzing information systems in each project phase for a bridge construction project. Besides, this study performed case study and survey analysis for construction managers to verify a practical applicability of the developed system. Therefore, it is expected that the integrated BIM system is going to be utilized as a 3D-based integrated information management system considering life cycle of construction projects.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 2008

Purpose: To analyze characteristics and trend of articles published in Journal of East-West Nursing Research. Methods: The 133 articles published from 1997-2008 were reviewed using a structured form. The form included items on the topics, subjects, study designs, sample size calculation, ethical consideration, and research funds. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: Oriental studies accounted for 42.9% of the 133 articles. The subjects were general population (32.3%), chronically-ill patients (17.3%), and nurses (12%). The most common design was survey (57.2%). Of the 32 experimental studies, 65.6% were associated with oriental nursing intervention. Many studies (66.2%) collected data using questionnaire. However, only two articles reported sample size calculation and 15.8% were performed after receiving written consent from the study participants. About 7% were studies were conducted with acquired research funds. Conclusions: Journal of East-West Nursing Research has appropriately published the studies about both oriental and Western nursing. However, application of scientific and rigorous research methodologies needs to be emphasized.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.34 no.8
• /
• pp.989-996
• /
• 2010

Statistical regression and/or interpolation models have been used for data analysis and response prediction using the results of the physical experiments and/or computer simulations in structural engineering fields. These models have been employed during the last decade to develop a variety of design methodologies. However, these models only handled responses with respect to space variables such as size and shape of structures and cannot handle time-variant dynamic responses, i.e. response varying with time. In this research, statistical space-time metamodels based on multiple response approach that can handle responses with respect to both space variables and a time variable are proposed. Regression and interpolation models such as the response surface model (RSM) and kriging model were developed for handling time-variant dynamic responses of structural engineering. We evaluate the accuracies of the responses predicted by the two statistical space-time metamodels by comparing them with the responses obtained by the physical experiments and/or computer simulations.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.137-150
• /
• 2014

In the marine industry although there has been significant growth towards safety, security and risk assessments or risk-based strategies such as marine insurance and regulations to avoid the risks of damage to properties and the environment or the prospect of premature death caused by accidents etc, the moves toward managing the risks which are linked directly to the business functions and decision making processes have been very slow. Furthermore in the marine industry most perceptions, methodologies and frameworks of dealing with hazards, risks, safety and security issues are for their assessment rather than their management. This trend reveals the fact that in different marine industry sectors such as logistics and shipping there is a lack of coherent risk management framework or methodology from which to understand the risk-based decisions especially for the purpose of design, construction, operation, management and even decommissioning of the marine related applications. On the other hand risk management is not yet viewed holistically in the marine industry in order to, for example, assign a right person, i.e. risk manager, who can act as a coordinator and advisor with responsibilities that are only specific to risk management. As a result this paper, by examining the present physical borders and risk-based activities in the marine industry, aims to propose an appropriate risk management methodology in addition to the emergent role of risk managers which will enable the industry users initially to become familiar with the concept of risk management at its holistic level. In the later stages this eventually can lead to development of risk management capabilities at an exclusive level and its integration into the marine industry functions in future.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.85-94
• /
• 2003

The asynchronous design methods proved to have the higher performance in power consumption and execution speed than synchronous ones because it just needs to activate the required module without feeding clock in the system. Despite the advantage of CISC machine providing the variable addressing modes and instructions, its execution scheme is hardly suited for a synchronous Pipeline architecture and incurs a lot of overhead. This paper proposes a novel asynchronous pipeline architecture, A80sl, whose instruction set is fully compatible with that of Intel 80C51, an embedded micro controller. We classify the instructions into the group keeping the same execution scheme for the asynchronous pipeline and optimize it eliminating the bubble stage that comes from the overhead of the multi-cycle execution. The new methodologies for branch and various instruction lengths are suggested to minimize the number of states required for instructions execution and to increase its parallelism. The proposed A80C51 architecture is synthesized with 0.35${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ CMOS standard cell library. The simulation results show higher speed than that of Intel 80C51 with 36 MHz and other asynchronous counterparts by 24 times.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2015

PURPOSES : Although signalized intersections have been considered the best way to control traffic volume in urban areas for several decades, roundabouts are currently being discussed as an alternative way to control traffic volume, especially when traffic is light. Because a roundabout's efficiency depends on the load geometry as well as the traffic volume, design guidelines for roundabouts are recommended only if the incoming traffic volume is very low. It is rare to substitute a roundabout for an existing signalized intersection in urban areas. This study aims to estimate the benefits from the transformation of an existing signalized intersection into a roundabout in an urban area. When there is a more moderate volume of traffic, roundabouts can be effectively used by optimizing signals located at an approaching roadway. METHODS : The methodologies of this paper are as follows: First, a signalized intersection was analyzed to determine the traffic characteristics. Second, the signalized intersection was transformed into a roundabout using VISSIM microscopic traffic simulation. Then, we estimated and analyzed the effects and the performance of the roundabout. In addition, we adjusted a method to improve the benefits of the transformation via the optimization of signals located at an approaching road to control the incoming traffic volume. RESULTS : The results of this research are as follows: The signal-optimized roundabout improved delays compared with the signalized intersection during the morning peak hour, non-peak hour, and evening peak hour by 1.78%, 12.45%, and 12.72%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS : According to the simulation results of each scenarios, the signal-optimized roundabout had less delay time than the signalized intersection. If optimized signal control algorithms are installed in roundabouts in the future, this will lead to more efficient traffic management.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.24
• /
• pp.10683-10690
• /
• 2015

The big gap between efficacy of population level prevention and expectations due to heterogeneity and complexity of cancer etiologic factors calls for selective yet personalized interventions based on effective risk assessment. This paper documents our research protocol aimed at refining and validating a two-stage and web-based cancer risk assessment tool, from a tentative one in use by an ongoing project, capable of identifying individuals at elevated risk for one or more types of the 80% leading cancers in rural China with adequate sensitivity and specificity and featuring low cost, easy application and cultural and technical sensitivity for farmers and village doctors. The protocol adopted a modified population-based case control design using 72, 000 non-patients as controls, 2, 200 cancer patients as cases, and another 600 patients as cases for external validation. Factors taken into account comprised 8 domains including diet and nutrition, risk behaviors, family history, precancerous diseases, related medical procedures, exposure to environment hazards, mood and feelings, physical activities and anthropologic and biologic factors. Modeling stresses explored various methodologies like empirical analysis, logistic regression, neuro-network analysis, decision theory and both internal and external validation using concordance statistics, predictive values, etc..