Main difficulties during RFID implementation: an exploratory factor analysis approach

Architecture, application and implementation of a digital twin of the RFID-enabled material flow (DTRMF) in real-time for automotive intralogistics

RFID is used in logistics in the automotive industry to automate processes and optimize material flow. However, the data generated by RFID installations during operation offers more potential for further analyses in order to benefit even more from the technology. Therefore, in this paper the data will be used to generate a digital twin of the RFID-enabled material flow (DTRMF) in real-time and to program various big data analyses. The architecture of the DTRMF has to fulfill various qualitative requirements. Since the big data and digital twin architectures available in literature do not fulfill optimally all of these requirements or are not described in enough detail to be applicable, this paper presents a new digital twin architecture for the RFID-enabled material flow. This architecture consists of the data ingestion layer, data processing and analyses layer, data storage layer, visualization layer and the optional semantic layer. In addition, suitable technologies for the implementation of the architecture are described and the feasibility of the architecture was demonstrated and verified by means of a case study.

An Integrated Success Model of Internet of Things (IoT)-Based Services in Facilities Management for Public Sector

The rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has vigorously affected government by enhancing quality and efficiency of public services. However, the application of IoT-based services in public sectors is slow, despite its benefits to citizens. Research is needed to deepen understanding of the factors that influence the successful implementation of facilities management as the Internet-of-Things-based services in public sectors. An integrated model is developed and validated to extend the DeLone and McLean IS success model by including technology readiness and other identified factors which impact the use of facilities management of IoT-based services in public sectors from the perspective of employees. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed to employees from all local authorities throughout Malaysia, and 187 usable responses were collected. The partial least squares structural equation modelling approach was used to test the model, with 90.8% of the variance in IoT-based services, suggesting an acceptable model fit with seven out of nine hypotheses were supported. Thus, the empirical evidence exerts significant effects of technology readiness towards the success of IoT-based facility management in the public sector.

Development and initial validation of a scale for the situational recognition of the basic psychological needs

Centered on the Basic Psychological Needs Theory, recent theoretical underpinnings were used and initial empirical processes were initiated to conceptualize, develop and validate a new questionnaire about how teachers shape instructional goals. In a first exploratory study, 188 university graduates and 211 in-service teachers from both the general and special education domains were recruited to recognize the basic psychological needs of an adolescent with physical and mild cognitive disability presented in a short video vignette. In the second confirmatory study, the sample consisted of 239 in-service teachers. According to the results, the new instrument demonstrated acceptable psychometric qualities. For instance, the goodness-of-fit indices CFI and NNFI were both good (1.00) in the confirmatory factor analysis. In both studies, the recognition of the basic psychological needs was involved in a series of statistically significant correlations with participants’ intrinsic life goals (R ≥ .34), state empathy (R ≥ .38) and intrinsic instructional goals (R ≥ .51). This preliminary research suggested that participants integrated the new concept in their intrinsic motivational style. Overall, the results highlight the importance of recognizing the basic psychological needs by including this construct both in research and practice.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the COVID Stress Scale

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the Turkish adaptation of the COVID Stress Scale (CSS) on the basis of determining the stress caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and to test its validity and reliability.

METHODS

The English CSS was translated into Turkish using forward and backward translation. Data were collected online from 360 participants. Construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and content validity. Pearson product-moment correlation, Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient, and test-retest methods were used to evaluate reliability.

RESULTS

The Turkish version of the CSS has 36 items consistent with the original scale and has five factors: COVID danger and contamination, socioeconomic consequences of COVID, COVID xenophobia, traumatic stress due to COVID, and compulsive checking for COVID. The construct validity of the Turkish version of the CSS was verified by the adjusted goodness of fit index > .85, and comparative fit index > .95. The content validity index of each item was 91%. The corrected item-total correlations of the scale ranged from .51 to .89. Internal consistency was reliable, with a Cronbach's α of .93.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the CSS is valid and reliable. It can be used as a measurement tool for the assessment of COVID-related stress.

Chemical constituents of fresh-cut potato as affected by cultivar, age, storage, and cooking

Certain changes in phenolics and sugars can occur during the storage of potatoes, where particularly amounts of sugars represent the critical factor as they are involved in potentially harmful acrylamide (AA) formation during frying. This research investigates the impact of cultivars (Birgit and Lady Claire), tuber's age (1, 5, and 9 months), and storage duration (1, 5, and 8 days at 10 °C) on the content of phenolics and sugars in raw, boiled, and fried fresh-cut potato (FCP). The influence of these factors on the formation of AA in fried FCP was also assessed. Significant differences in phenolics and sugars were observed between cultivars (cv. Birgit contained 5.77 mg of phenolics 100 g^-1 of dry weight (DW) and 1.75 g of sugars 100 g^-1 DW, while cv. Lady Claire contained 10.13 mg of phenolics 100 g^-1 DW and 0.65 g of sugars 100 g^-1 DW). The content of phenolics significantly decreased, while sugars increased during tubers' aging. FCP storage time had no significant influence on the content of phenolics and sugars. The phenolics and sugars were the highest in the raw samples and the lowest in the boiled ones. Although the AA level in fried samples was significantly influenced by cultivar (Birgit > Lady Claire) and it increased with FCP storage time, it was below European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regulation's approved maximum value (750 µg kg^-1 FW) in both cultivars. Therefore, cvs. Birgit and Lady Claire could be considered as promising FCP cultivars and for frying purposes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of this research reveal that quantitative changes of chemical constituents occurring during storage and cooking of fresh-cut slices of potato cultivars Birgit and Lady Claire are not a concern. This is of particular importance to fresh-cut producers and customers. Phenolics were reduced during storage, but they were still present in all cooked samples independently of the cooking method. The analysis of sugars showed that tubers as old as 9 months could be used for fresh-cut potato processing, providing safe frying without critical levels of acrylamide.

Blockchain connectivity inhibitors: weaknesses affecting supply chain interaction and resilience

Purpose

The paper aims to further understanding of connectivity from the perspective of blockchain technology (BT) in the supply chain (SC). It presents the weaknesses (inhibitors) of connectivity during technology implementation, focusing on supply chain interaction and resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Restricting the focus to digital connectivity, interaction and supply chain resilience, this paper uses a systematic literature review (SLR) to examine how the literature has addressed, related or flagged connectivity weaknesses affecting supply chain interaction and resilience.

Findings

This study highlights the influence of connectivity for blockchain-technology projects. Technical and organisational influencers that affect the adoption of technology in the SC are presented. These influencers support the factors proposed in this study regarding the weaknesses that negatively affect the interaction between the agents involved and the SC's resilience. The research suggests that the weaknesses are related to technical needs and the relationships between companies arising from functionalities.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is restricted to a review of the theory and the researched material. Although the author was careful to choose the best search terms related to the research objective, some potentially relevant articles may have been excluded.

Practical implications

The study summarises research on blockchain connectivity influencers in the SC, helping managers to anticipate and mitigate some of doubts and concerns in projects of this nature.

Originality/value

This is one of the first articles in the area of operations and SCs that addresses the topic of connectivity, focusing on its restrictive factors (connectivity inhibitors), in the context of blockchain implementation in the SC.

Evaluation of lean practices in warehouses: an analysis of Brazilian reality

Purpose

This article aims to investigate the most applied lean warehouse practices in Brazilian warehouses.

Design/methodology/approach

To perform this research, three phases were conducted: a literature review, a multiple case study, and an analysis of lean warehouses practices implementation by an engineering committee. Thus, both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Additionally, the study has an applied nature, with an exploratory and descriptive character.

Findings

Results showed that regardless of the type of criterion used, the most implanted practices are those that do not involve investments in technology. On the other hand, practices like RFID and Cross Docking systems were not found in any of the operations, which shows numerous possibilities for improvement.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this article is to initiate a debate about the management and productivity of Brazilian warehouses, a theme still little explored by the academic community despite the importance that the logistic scenario represents for Brazil as an emerging country and leader in Latin America, participating actively in several global supply chains.