Implementation of just-in-time in a small company: A case study

This paper deals with the implementation of JIT in a small company in Taiwan that produces different kinds of automobile lamps such as rear combination lamps and front turn signal lamps. JIT systems have tremendous effects on all operations of a firm, including design, accounting, finance, marketing, distribution, etc., and thus are of interest to all levels of a firm's management. Realizing the success of JIT, large-scale manufacturing companies all over the world have implemented JIT in their production systems with the objective of improving their competitiveness. Nevertheless, small and medium enterprises SMEs play a major role in the national economy. However, JIT has not received serious attention from SMEs. Realising the importance of improving the performance of SMEs, a case study is presented to motivate practitioners to implement JIT in their SMEs. In addition, future research directions in the areas of implementing JIT in SMEs are presented.     

基于计划评审技术MCS模型的工期风险分析

运用PERT网络计划对工期风险进行分析，从宏观和微观两个角度分别进行进度风险分析。在宏观上，通过PERT的蒙特卡洛仿真（MCS）模型，得到总工期的统计分布及特征值，并在一定的风险水平上计算工程项目的完工概率；在微观上，通过活动关键概率ACP和活动关键指标ACl分析各个活动持续时间的不确定性与工期风险之间的联系。采用Maflab语言给出了进度风险MCS分析通用程序。     

Processing in a multi-machine batch manufacturing system with sequence dependent cost

Many workcells in batch manufacturing systems are populated with multiple, nonidentical machines that perform similar tasks. Because of the size of a batch when a job arrives, it may be uneconomical to set up two or more machines to process the same job simultaneously. An economic decision has to be made as regards which machine in the cell to assign the job. Likewise, many multi-operation jobs can be processed using one of several feasible operation sequences that may lead to different total manufacturing costs. The cost differences are the result of several factors, among which are processing time and cost dependencies between operations, fixturing requirements, and material handling requirements. When the workcell machine selection decision is considered along with the operation sequencing decision, determination of the best machine in a cell and the best operation sequence for the batch is a non-trivial task. In this paper, we address the problem of selecting the best machine within a cell and the best operation sequence for a batch when operation cost is machine and sequence dependent. The problem is modeled mathematically and solved using a heuristic algorithm. The performance of the algorithm is compared with that of an exact solution procedure.     

Using activity sensitivity and network topology information to monitor project time performance

The interest in activity sensitivity from both the academics and the practitioners lies in the need to focus a project manager's attention on those activities that influence the performance of the project. When management has a certain feeling of the relative sensitivity of the various parts (activities) on the project objective, a better management's focus and a more accurate response during project tracking should positively contribute to the overall performance of the project.     

An Assessment of How Length of Study-Abroad Programs Influences Cross-Cultural Adaptation

Utilizing the integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation, the present study sought to examine the extent to which the length of study-abroad programs affects individuals' ethnic and cultural identification, willingness to engage in intercultural communication, intercultural communication competence, and cultural adaptation. The results of the study indicate that while length of study-abroad programs was not correlated to cultural adaptation, length of program was associated with changes in cultural and ethnic identification. Moreover, willingness to communicate with members of the host culture was associated with cultural identification as well as intercultural communication competence.     

An Application of the Chi-Squared Goodness-of-Fit Test to Discrete Common Stock Returns

This article presents the “centered” method for establishing cell boundaries in the X ² goodness-of-fit test, which when applied to common stock returns significantly reduces the high bias of the test statistic associated with the traditional Mann–Wald equiprobable approach. A modified null hypothesis is proposed to incorporate explicitly the usually implicit assumption that the observed discrete returns are “approximated” by the hypothesized continuous density. Simulation results indicate extremely biased X ² values resulting from the traditional approach, particularly for low-priced and low volatile stocks. Daily stock returns for 114 firms are tested to determine whether they are approximated by a normal or one of several normal mixture densities. Results indicate a significantly higher degree of fit than that reported elsewhere to date.     

Report of the ASA Technical Panel on the Census Undercount

A new model is proposed for the joint distribution of paired survival times generated from clinical trials and certain reliability settings. The new model can be considered an extension to the bivariate exponential models studied in the literature. Here, a more flexible bivariate Weibull model will be derived, and two exact parametric tests for testing the equality of marginal survival distributions are developed.     

Multipartnered Fertility and Depression among Fragile Families

We used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine the association between multipartnered fertility (MPF)-when parents have children with more than one partner-and depression. Random effects models suggested that MPF is associated with a greater likelihood of depression, net of family structure and other covariates. However, these associations disappeared in more conservative fixed effects models that estimated changes in MPF as a function of changes in depression. Results also suggested that social selection may account for the link between MPF and depression for fathers (but not mothers), as depressed fathers with no MPF were more likely to have a child by a new partner four years later. Ultimately, MPF and depression may be reciprocally related and part of broader processes of social disadvantage.     

An analytic hierarchy process based simulation model for entry mode decision regarding foreign direct investment

A methodology is developed for ranking entry mode alternatives encountered by individual firms considering foreign direct investment (FDI). The methodology deals with the risks and uncertainties related to FDI. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to solve the multiple criteria decision-making problem using input from a firm's management. A simulation approach is incorporated into the AHP to handle the uncertainty considerations encountered in an FDI environment. The uncertainties include: (1) uncertainty regarding the future characteristics of the FDI decision making environment, (2) uncertainty associated with the decision maker's judgment regarding pairwise comparisons necessitated by the AHP.     

Understanding the Hastings Algorithm

The Hastings algorithm is a key tool in computational science. While mathematically justified by detailed balance, it can be conceptually difficult to grasp. Here, we present two complementary and intuitive ways to derive and understand the algorithm. In our framework, it is straightforward to see that the celebrated Metropolis–Hastings algorithm has the highest acceptance probability of all Hastings algorithms.