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30 April 2012, Volume 15 Issue 2 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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general review

Review of Operations and Control of Cluster Tools in Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication Min Yan, Wu Naiqi 2012, 15 (2):  1-15.  Abstract ( 2721 )   Save As integrated and configurable equipment with single wafer processing, cluster tools are increasingly adopted by semiconductor manufacturers. It results in higher yield, shorter cycle time, better utilization of space, and lower fabrication cost. However, with various constraints, it is difficult to effectively operate a cluster tool. Thus, great research attention has been paid for modeling, analyzing, and scheduling of cluster tools. In this paper, research advancement and techniques in modeling, analyzing, and scheduling of cluster tools are reviewed. It analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the existing techniques. Based on the analysis, future research directions are given. References | Related Articles | Metrics

articles

FuzzyReasoningBased Disassembly Sequence Planning under Uncertainty Chen Weida, Yin Wei 2012, 15 (2):  16-21.  Abstract ( 2372 )   Save Before the remanufacturing of a type of products, the buy back products should be disassembled. During the life cycle, the structure of a buy back product and the quality of the components are changed. Thus, the disassembly sequence is uncertain, which complicates the disassembly process. To solve this problem, a fuzzy Petrinet is built to model such a disassembly process such that the effect of uncertainty on the disassembly quality can be described. With this model, the cost resulting from different disassembly sequences can be estimated by using fuzzy reasoning. Then, an algorithm is presented to find the optimal disassembly sequence by minimizing the disassembly cost. An illustrative example is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. References | Related Articles | Metrics

On Revenue Sharing Contract in Loss Aversion Supply Chain under Shi Guohong1，Zeng Yuefeng1, Chen Jingxian2 2012, 15 (2):  22-26.  Abstract ( 2657 )   Save A two stage supply chain composed of a risk neutral supplier and a loss aversion retailer is discussed in this paper. With revenue sharing contract as coordination means, the supply chain coordinate problem under sudden disruptions is studied. By using the loss averse model to describe the loss aversion level of the retailer, the profit of the supply chain is analyzed under both decentralized and centralized control modes. Results show that, by using revenue sharing contract, such a supply chain can be coordinated. To do so, the range of the contract parameter value increases as the level of the lossaversion of the retailer increases. A numerical example is used to verify the results obtained in this paper. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Supply Chain Coordination with Strategic Consumer s Risk Preference Considered Liu Mingyan, Qi Ershi, Liu Liang 2012, 15 (2):  27-32.  Abstract ( 2908 )   Save Based on the newsvendor model for traditional strategic consumers, the effect of consumers risk preference on supply chain coordination is addressed in this paper. By introducing the risk preference coefficient, it is shown that consumers  risk preference results in the decrease of seller’s optimal price and the optimal order quantity as well, thereby reduces the supply chain benefits. To solve this problem, a twopart tariff strategy is put forward in considering consumers  risk preference. By this new strategy, with the same risk preference, the optimal price decreases as the order quantity increases. In this way, while the consumers gain more surplus value, the profit of the whole supply chain is increased. The results obtained are verified by an example. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Firms Market Performance Analysis under Different Government R&D Subsidy Policies Fang Haiyan1,2, Da Qingli2, Zhu Changlin1 2012, 15 (2):  33-40.  Abstract ( 2444 )   Save Aiming at the analysis of the effect of government research and development (R&D) subsidy policies on the firm’s performance in a duopoly market, a three stage game model is established. The first stage is for the government R&D subsidy situation, including: 1) the government gives the subsidy for the R&D investment of a firm; (2) the government gives the subsidy to encourage a firm for R&D in product innovation. They are called the first and second subsidy policies. In this stage, the government determines the R&D subsidy rate to maximize the total social welfare. The second stage models the R&D cooperation between enterprises and the enterprises determine the R&D level to maximize the total profit. The third stage is for product competition and the enterprises determine the output level to maximize their profit. Based on the model, by means of backward induction, the CournotNash equilibrium solutions under R&D cartel strategy are acquired. It shows that, when the cartel R&D strategy is applied, the government subsidy rate resulting from the second policy is much greater than that resulting from the first policy. Thus, the second R&D subsidy policy is superior to the first one, for it makes the firms to invest less but create more output, profit, and social total welfare. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Technical Efficiency Evaluation of Listed Logistics Companies by Using Stochastic Frontier Analysis Jing Baofeng, Zhou Xia, Hu Aiyuan 2012, 15 (2):  41-47.  Abstract ( 2320 )   Save By using the stochastic frontier analysis model, dynamic technical efficiency is analyzed for eighteen listed logistics companies located in Shenzhen and Shanghai for the period from 2003 to 2009. Results show that the capital and management factors inputs, especially the capital have significant influence on output, which shows the effect of economies of scale. However, the impact of investment in human resources is rather weak and not statistically significant. In general, the overall technical efficiency of the 18 companies is fairly low and has a decreasing trend with a small rate. It also shows that the efficiency of transportation companies is obviously greater than those whose business is in the ports. Another finding is that the logistics companies technical efficiency is affected not only by regional economic factors, but also by their own management level. Based on the results, suggestions are given for technical efficiency improvement. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Product Family Derivation Decision for Profit Gain Liu Wei1, Luo Chunjun1, Yi Huiyong2 2012, 15 (2):  48-53.  Abstract ( 2200 )   Save Based on the Hotellings model, the cost of product derivation is introduced by using the cost features of product family. Then, for both monopoly and duopoly cases, the derivation condition of product family and the influence direction of factors that have effect on the product derivation are analyzed. For the monopoly case, it shows that: 1) the derivation conditions are dependent on different markets; 2) customer preferences in various conditions result in different influence directions; 3) cost is an inhibition factor for product derivation; and 4) the difference between the variable costs of different products creates different influence direction. For duopoly case, if one gets product derivation, the other will follow. Also, in this case, the influence direction of factors shows interval under the condition of perfect information game. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Study on the Modes of Comprehensive Integrated Logistics for Industrial Clusters Yao Guanxin， Dai Yongli 2012, 15 (2):  54-58.  Abstract ( 2297 )   Save Industrial clusters, as an important cornerstone of Chinas economy development, have been unprecedentedly developed. However, the development of their logistics support system is relatively slow. One of the important reasons is that ther logistics firms for the clusters have only single function. Furthermore, the quality of service cannot keep up the pace of development of the clusters. In other words, the logistics is unable to provide a comprehensive integrated logistics service. In this paper,by analyzing the history of Chinas logistics enterprises and the current development, three organizational modes of integrated logistics for the clusters are proposed based on Williamsons transaction cost theory. Then, the comprehensive integrated logistics for the clusters is analyzed from three aspects of transactions, i.e. asset specificity, asset indeterminacy, and frequency of transactions. The results obtained are helpful for establishing integrated logistics system for the clusters. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Influencing Mechanism Analysis of IT Capability on Competitiveness: The Mediating Effect of Manufacturing Flexibility Xie Weihong1，Wang Yongjian2，Cheng Xiaochao3 2012, 15 (2):  59-64.  Abstract ( 2582 )   Save The influencing mechanism of IT capability on the competitiveness for manufacturing enterprises is addressed in this paper. With manufacturing flexibility as a mediating variable, a structure equation model is developed to describe the problem. Based on the model, analysis is carried out by using 381 samples from the manufacturing enterprises in Pearl River Delta. Results show that IT capability has a significant positive effect on manufacturing flexibility which, in return, has significant impact on the competitiveness. In addition, the manufacturing flexibility mediates the relationship between the IT capability and competitiveness such that the manufacturing flexibility contributes about 44.3% increase of competitiveness. References | Related Articles | Metrics

ChoquetFuzzyIntegralBased SVM Ensemble Method and Its Empirical Study Ni Yuan1 ，Lin Jian2 2012, 15 (2):  66-70.  Abstract ( 2492 )   Save In order to improve the classification performance of the support vector machine (SVM) ensemble methods, a modified SVM ensemble method is put forward by using Choquet fuzzy integral other than Sugeno integral. The proposed method takes the output of every SVM component into account such that it overcomes the drawback of the existing SVM ensemble methods that neglect the secondary information. As an example, based on the data collected in Shandong Province, the proposed method is used to evaluate the performance of social service made by the colleges in the Province. Simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms the existing SVM ensemble methods in the sense of classification performance. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Multicollinearity Analysis of MahalanobisTaguchi System Method in Multidimensional System Optimization Han Yajuan1, He Zhen2, Song Guofang1 2012, 15 (2):  71-77.  Abstract ( 2777 )   Save After the effect of multicollinearity on the existing MahalanobisTaguchi system (MTS) methods in multidimensional system optimization is analyzed, a new method called MoorePenrose (MP) generalized inverse matrix method of MTS is put forward. Then, comparison is made between the new method and the existing ones. It shows that the new method outperforms the existing ones in three ways: 1) it guarantees the existence of a solution; 2) the solution obtained is unique; and 3) the solution is a generic one. Thus, it is more effective than the existing ones in multidimensional system optimization. As a case study, the new method is used for the optimization of a bloodviscositydiagnose system and the results obtained in this paper are verified. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Fuzzy EPQ Model by Using ActivityBased Costing Method He Li, Zeng Ling 2012, 15 (2):  78-83.  Abstract ( 2470 )   Save In the existing economic production quantity (EPQ) models, there are unrealistic assumptions such that it is not applicable in practice. To overcome this drawback, the problem of EPQ is studied by using the activitybased costing method. In considering repairable imperfect items under the storage capacity limitation, an inventory cost control model is developed with fuzzy parameters. Then, the optimal production quantity and shortage quantity are found. An example is given to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. References | Related Articles | Metrics

practice & application

Decision Model of Disabled Task Accommodation and Applications Fu Yan1， Chen Zhenguo2， Li Shiqi1 2012, 15 (2):  84-88.  Abstract ( 2393 )   Save Aiming at cost minimization, a study is conducted on disabled task accommodation in manufacturing by using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The accommodation is classified into two categories: soft and hard ones. By using the motion analysis method designed for the disabled, a jobcapacity margin model is developed. Based on this model, hard and soft accommodation costs can be calculated such that the task accommodation decision can be made in a hierarchical way. An example is presented to validate the proposed method and good results are obtained. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Innovative Concepts and Design Principles of Screen Magnifier for Mobile Phones Zhang Ting1， Liu Ying2， Pan Xiaobin 1， Rau Peiluen 1， Liu jun 1 2012, 15 (2):  89-93.  Abstract ( 2865 )   Save The functional requirements and design of mobile phone screen magnifier is discussed in this paper. Investigation is made with older and those whose vision capability is bad as subjects. With a series of interviews in groups, the users daily life experience and their requirements are acquired. Then, a set of critical design principles for mobile screen magnifier is developed. Based on the principles, two conceptual models are designed to address users requirements and design principles. In order to test and verify those principles, various types of prototypes (paper prototype, flash demo, and video demo) are developed and evaluated by a group of experts in the fields of human computer interaction and usability testing. Consequently, both models are recognized by the experts and seven of the design principles are selected as design guide. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Vehicle Routing with Time Windows in Material Delivery for Automobile General Assembly Line Wang Nan，Li Shiqi，Wang Junfeng 2012, 15 (2):  94-99.  Abstract ( 2421 )   Save The status of material delivery for an existing automobile general assembly line is analyzed. Because the materials should be delivered to the line in a given time interval, a vehicle routing problem with time windows (VRPTW) model is developed for the problem of material delivery. Then, an improved genetic algorithm (GA) is presented to solve it. By this algorithm, new chromosome coding and crossover methods are proposed. Also, to overcome the disadvantage of the traditional roulette selection, a new roulette selection method is proposed to increase the number of random number generated. It also keeps the strategy to select the best individuals. The experimental results validate the proposed method. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Capacity Requirement Analysis of Material Handling System under JIT Philosophy Zhang Wei, Wu Di 2012, 15 (2):  100-104.  Abstract ( 2308 )   Save A study is conducted to analyze the organization and process of the feeding systems for an assembly line under the JIT philosophy. By using the field study method for an auto factory, the workflow analysis method is adopted to analyze the pattern of equipment and workforce needed in the material handling system. Based on the production planning, demands, packaging volume, and process analysis, a mathematic model is developed to quantify the labor intensity and estimate the capacity of equipment and workforce for each process in the multi model assembly line feeding systems. An example is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed method. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Value Engineering Based Target Cost Allocation in Civil Aircraft Maintenance Bi Cuixia1, Xu Jun1,2, Wei Fa jie1 2012, 15 (2):  105-108.  Abstract ( 2527 )   Save In order to reduce the civil aircraft maintenance cost, the issue of target cost allocation is discussed in this paper. Based on the value engineering, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is proposed to analyze the value of each functional system or component of a civil aircraft. Then, the maintenance cost coefficient of each functional system or component is determined. In this way, a maintenance cost is allocated to each functional system or component as the target cost so as to reduce the maintenance cost for the entire aircraft. An industrial example is used to show the application of the proposed method. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A New FMECA Method for Risk Analysis of Medical Device Employment Wang Zhu1, Liu Long2, Ma Shuai1 2012, 15 (2):  109-114.  Abstract ( 2408 )   Save  For effective control of risk, risk analysis of medical device employment is addressed by using failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) in this paper. After the properties of medical device employment is analyzed, based on fuzzy mathematics and grey relational theory, an improved FMECA method for the problem is presented. Compared with the existing FMECA methods, the proposed method has the advantage of having the ability to deal with uncertainty. As an example, the proposed method is used to analyze the operation of a C arm X ray machine. Result shows that it can obtain the risk priority of the failure modes and select its most safe operation policy. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Heuristic for the Balancing of Electric Control Board Assembly Line Chen Jian guo，Lei Yi hua，Liu Pu ai, Chen Yong zhao, Wen De gang 2012, 15 (2):  115-120.  Abstract ( 2372 )   Save Often, because of inappropriate work design, an assembly is unbalanced. As a case problem, a study is conducted to balance an electric control board assembly line in a plant. After an investigation for the line, the line balancing problem is formulated as an optimization model. Then, by analyzing the model, the constraints in the model are transferred into a set of rules. Based on these rules, a heuristic is developed to solve the problem. Consequently, the line balancing is significantly improved and the productivity is increased. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Psychological Ownership, Organizational Identification and Organizational Citizenship Behavior——An Empirical Research in Chinese Context Chen Hao 2012, 15 (2):  121-127.  Abstract ( 2439 )   Save By using 544 questionnaire samples, the mechanism of psychological ownership that has impact on organizational citizenship behavior is analyzed. Special attention is paid to the mediating effect of organizational identification and the moderating effect of the Chinese traditionality. Results indicate that: 1) the psychological ownership has a significant impact on organizational citizenship behavior (the correlation coefficient is 0421, P＜0000); and 2) organizational identification fully mediates the relationship between them, or it is through organizational identification that the psychological ownership affects the organizational citizenship behavior. By using moderated multiple regression, it shows that the Chinese traditionality moderates the relationships between the organizational identification and organizational citizenship behavior. In other words, for the staffs with lower traditionality, the relationship is positive, while for the staffs with higher traditionality, they are not significant related. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Research on Influencing Factors of Colliery Flood Based on System Dynamics Zhang Zhi qiang，Feng Li jie，Wang Jin feng 2012, 15 (2):  128-133.  Abstract ( 2513 )   Save In order to reduce the loss that results from colliery flood, a system dynamics model is established to describe the security level of colliery flood. Based on the model, simulation analysis is carried out under multiple factors. In this way, system dynamic evolution mechanism of colliery flood is revealed. Also, sensitivity analysis is made with respect to the key parameters of the model. Results show that to improve the security level of colliery flood is a long term process. It also finds that, to improve the security level of colliery flood, effort should be made to strengthen the safety management and improve the personnel security level. The proposed method is helpful for safety decision of colliery flood. References | Related Articles | Metrics