{"title":"Tracking and tracing: a structure for development and contemporary practices","authors":"K. V. Dorp","doi":"10.1108/09576050210412648","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/09576050210412648","url":null,"abstract":"Although government and business interest in tracking and tracing has grown enormously over the last decade, a clear and coherent overview of the topic is still lacking and is not found in (logistics) literature. This article presents a structure for development and contemporary practices of tracking and tracing. The development structure is conceptualised by three supply‐chain layers: item coding (the physical layer), information architecture (the information layer); and planning and control (the control layer). On behalf of tracking and tracing, the layers represent different levels of supply‐chain integration. The conceptualisation is derived from similar ideas found in literature on supply‐chain management. From a scientific point of view, the structure provides a coherent and systematic organisation of tracking and tracing concepts. From the viewpoint of business administration, the structure facilitates the determination of the scope of tracking and tracing application(s), which is of management value.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122210897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Finding critical financial ratios for Taiwan’s property development firms in recession","authors":"T. Hsieh, Morris H. L. Wang","doi":"10.1108/EUM0000000006252","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006252","url":null,"abstract":"Ratio analysis is an excellent way of looking into a firm’s financial status. However, in performing the ratio analysis, an often underemphasized task is the selection of ratios for use. In a multi‐criteria decision‐making framework, poor quality of criteria selection, i.e. financial ratios, will consequently undermine the quality of evaluation. Aims at establishing a systematic approach for finding critical financial ratios to assist in financial analysis for the construction industry. As each sector of the industry is intrinsically unique, the set of critical ratios for different sectors will certainly vary. However, the approach for finding useful financial ratios will not distinguish itself with respect to the concerned sector rather than the purpose of analysis. The proposed approach incorporates the concept of multi‐criteria decision making and the entropy method. The approach is demonstrated in a case study in which major property development firms in Taiwan are evaluated.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":" 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132125355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A fuzzy‐based analytic approach to collaborative decision making for construction teams","authors":"Hongmei Yang, C. Anumba, J. Kamara, P. Carrillo","doi":"10.1108/EUM0000000006246","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006246","url":null,"abstract":"Describes a study that exploits the potential of fuzzy systems in construction through the development of a decision support system which is capable of handling fuzziness in the collaborative decision‐making process. The proposed system is intended to provide an objective and rational framework within which collaborative decisions can be made by virtual construction project teams. Given the often linguistic nature of the weightings ascribed by individual disciplines to decision criteria, the proposed system will utilise fuzzy systems theory to rank criteria and recommend an optimal decision alternative. Presents an example to illustrate how the proposed tool works.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":"31 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117226332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Project delivery system selection: a case‐based reasoning framework","authors":"F. L. Ribeiro","doi":"10.1108/EUM0000000006248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006248","url":null,"abstract":"Delivering a building project on time and under budget is still an increasingly complex and risky business. A host of new project delivery methods and management techniques have been promoted to help achieve this. Developing a project delivery strategy and contractual relationships is a particularly complex and large problem domain that requires diverse, highly sophisticated skills, expertise and knowledge. Expert knowledge and lessons learned in the construction phase of a building project hold a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can be often taken for granted. However, this body of knowledge is not systematically incorporated into the procurement phase of subsequent projects. Case‐based reasoning is a technology for problem solving based on recall and reuse of specific experiences; it offers techniques for acquiring, representing and managing the knowledge gained from previous experiences and augmenting a set of specific experiences with generalised knowledge. Outlines how current case‐based reasoning techniques support project delivery method decisions. Presents a case‐based framework for project delivery method selection. Finally, reports the findings of the first phase of the system development cycle.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129348776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improving the reliability of embodied energy methods for project life‐cycle decision making","authors":"G. Treloar, P. Love, O. Faniran","doi":"10.1108/EUM0000000006243","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006243","url":null,"abstract":"Embodied energy is the total amount of energy required to produce a product, and is significant because it occurs immediately and can be equal over the life cycle of a building to the transient requirements for operational energy. Methods for embodied energy analysis include process analysis, input‐output analysis and hybrid analysis. Proposes to improve the reliability of estimating embodied energy based on input‐output models by using an algorithm to extract systematically the most important energy paths for the “other construction” sector from an Australian input‐output model. Demonstrates the application of these energy paths to the embodied energy analysis of an individual commercial building, highlighting improvements in reliability due to the modification of energy paths with process analysis data. Compares materials and elements for the building, and estimates likely ranges of error.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121000249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Overcoming information opacity in construction: a commentary","authors":"D M Jaggar, A. Ross, P. Love, Jim Smith","doi":"10.1108/EUM0000000006253","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006253","url":null,"abstract":"Provides an overview on the development of information production in construction. It is suggested that there is a need for the professional organisations to re‐think the way they produce project information so that the opacity in current project information is replaced by transparency so that all the stakeholders in the procurement process can move from their adversarial/bargaining positions to one that encourages a team problem‐solving approach.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127998773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Risk analysis in cost planning and its effect on efficiency in capital cost budgeting","authors":"David H. Picken, S. Mak","doi":"10.1108/EUM0000000006244","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006244","url":null,"abstract":"Builds on earlier work which reported on the experience of the Hong Kong Government in using risk analysis techniques in capital cost estimating. In 1993 the Hong Kong Government implemented a methodology for capital cost estimating using risk analysis (ERA) in its public works planning. This calculated amount replaces the pre‐1993 contingency allowance, which was merely a percentage addition on top of the base estimate of a project. Adopts a team approach to identify, classify and cost the uncertainties associated with a project. The sum of the average risk allowance for the identified risk events thus becomes the contingency. A study of the effect of ERA was carried out to compare the variability and consistency of the contingency estimates between non‐ERA and ERA projects. The preliminary results of a survey showed a highly significant difference in variation and consistency between these groups. This analysis indicates the successful use of the ERA method for public works projects to reduce unnecessary and exaggerated allowance for risk. However, the contingency allowance for ERA projects was also considered high. Adds data from the UK with descriptions of 41 private sector projects which fall into the non‐ERA category and reflect better performance in the determining of contingency allowances.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":"69 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134068638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A multi‐agent system for distributed collaborative design","authors":"C. Anumba, O. Ugwu, L. Newnham, A. Thorpe","doi":"10.1108/EUM0000000006247","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006247","url":null,"abstract":"Presents a multi‐agent system (MAS) for collaborative design in the construction sector. The system is intended to form a basis for integrating the often distributed cross‐functional activities that characterise collaborative design in construction. The MAS supports interaction and negotiation between the different agents that represent various participants that are usually engaged in a typical collaborative project design. The system is composed of different agents that provide services within the MAS environment. While some of the support services are provided by the agent platform, task agents that represent various functional disciplines undertake the real design activities. Describes details of the MAS, which simulates and demonstrates peer‐to‐peer interaction, communication and negotiation between the design agents in a collaborative design space. Also highlights important issues in MAS development and makes recommendations on how to improve collaborative design in construction using the MAS paradigm.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":"67 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130004478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Similarity assessment in a case‐based reasoning framework for building envelope design","authors":"S. Iliescu, P. Fazio, K. Gowri","doi":"10.1108/EUM0000000006249","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006249","url":null,"abstract":"An important part of the knowledge required for designing the envelope of a new building is based on experience. Confronted with a building envelope design problem, a human expert adds to well‐established domain knowledge his/her own experience or the experience of others, to support his/her reasoning process, and to guide him/her in stereotypical situations. Based on that observation, we can conclude that the building envelope design fits well the description associated with the so‐called “weak theory domains”, and is a prime candidate for adopting a case‐based reasoning (CBR) approach. Proposes strategies to encode, organize, and compare prototypical building envelope cases within a CBR framework for selecting the construction alternatives during the preliminary stage of the building envelope design. The methodology presented aims to find the most suitable design alternative for a new building envelope from a library of prototypical building cases.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":"140 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124414326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intelligent multimedia for expertise‐intensive training in construction","authors":"Q. Shen, Heng Li, Z. Deng","doi":"10.1108/EUM0000000006250","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006250","url":null,"abstract":"Knowledge‐based systems (KBS) and multimedia technology (MMT) have been widely used in many industries for years to solve complicated problems. The integration of KBS and MMT, which leads to intelligent multimedia, provides a powerful tool for expertise‐intensive training. Although many tasks in construction demand extensive expertise and years of experience, the use of intelligent multimedia for training on these tasks has, however, hardly been documented in the literature. Aims to demonstrate the feasibility and potential benefits of using intelligent multimedia for expertise‐intensive training in construction. By referring to a case study in strategic cost estimate for building projects, illustrates the facilities that can be offered by the integrated systems. Since strategic cost estimate for a building project at early design stages is an extremely complex task, trainees have to go through a long period of learning before they can be competent in conducting such tasks. Introduces an intelligent multimedia system as a solution to the above problem. Reveals that intelligent multimedia can be deployed to meet the challenges of accurately representing the highly complex expertise in the knowledge base, and facilitating the learning process of the trainees through the highly interactive and non‐linear access to the explicit and transparent expertise.","PeriodicalId":296825,"journal":{"name":"Logistics Information Management","volume":"50 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116316405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}