Economic Models for Single Sample Acceptance Sampling Plans,No Inspection,and 100 Percent Inspection

Once a process is stabilized using control charts, it is necessary to determine whether this process is capable of producing die desired quality, as determined by the specifications, without the use of some additional inspection procedure such as 100 percent inspection or acceptance sampling. One common method of making this determination is the use of process capability ratios. However, this approach may lead to erroneous decisions due to the omission of economic information. This paper attempts to remedy this situation by developing economic models to examine the profitability of different inspection policies. These models employ the quadratic loss function to represent the economic cost of quality from external failures, which is commonly omitted or overlooked. Moreover, assuming a normal distribution for the quality characteristic allows the use of simplified formulas that are provided. Thus the calculations can be made using standard normal tables and a calculator. Additionally, these economic models may be used to determine if additional inspection procedures should be reinstated if the quality of the process was to decline, to make capital budgeting decisions involving new equipment that produces parts of a higher quality, and to determine the preferred 100 percent inspection plan or acceptance sampling plan.     

Child well-being before and after the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns in three Australian states

This paper reports on changes in the social-emotional well-being of 6- to 12-year-old children tested before the COVID-19 pandemic and during 2020 and 2021. Well-being was assessed using a video game that empowers children to report their own well-being, including school attachment, social and emotional well-being, behavioural conformity and family support. We compared well-being over time for two groups of children in government schools in Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. The treatment group of 580 children were tested in 2019 (Time 1) and a second time in mid-late 2020 and early 2021 (Time 2). The comparison group of 841 children were tested twice before the pandemic. Results showed that children in the treatment group reported significantly lower family support at Time 2 than those in the comparison group. This reduction in perceived family support was stronger for girls. In addition, children in the treatment group who reported lower levels of family support at Time 1 reported a steeper decline in family support by Time 2. Finally, boys in the treatment group reported significantly better behavioural conformity and emotional well-being relative to girls over time. Results highlight the varied impacts of the pandemic lockdowns and the need to provide continued support to vulnerable families.     

Virtual Teams versus Face-to-Face Teams: An Exploratory Study of a Web-based Conference System*

Many organizations are forming “virtual teams” of geographically distributed knowledge workers to collaborate on a variety of workplace tasks. But how effective are these virtual teams compared to traditional face-to-face groups? Do they create similar teamwork and is information exchanged as effectively? An exploratory study of a World Wide Web-based asynchronous computer conference system known as Meeting Web™ is presented and discussed. It was found that teams using this computer-mediated communication system (CMCS) could not outperform traditional (face-to-face) teams under otherwise comparable circumstances. Further, relational links among team members were found to be a significant contributor to the effectiveness of information exchange. Though virtual and face-to-face teams exhibit similar levels of communication effectiveness, face-to-face team members report higher levels of satisfaction. Therefore, the paper presents steps that can be taken to improve the interaction experience of virtual teams. Finally, guidelines for creating and managing virtual teams are suggested, based on the findings of this research and other authoritative sources.