Browsing by Author "Baxter, David"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 23
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    Collaborate to innovate
    (Cranfield University School of Management, 2011-03-01T00:00:00Z) Goffin, Keith; Baxter, David; Schoeman, Magnus
    Innovation is something that many governments strive to support, in both the private and public sectors. By bridging the two sectors and creating novel partnerships, public sector expenditure can be reduced.
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    Design process knowledge reuse challenges and issues
    (Cad Solutions, 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z) Baxter, David; Gao, X.; Roy, Rajkumar
    Product knowledge support needs are compared in two companies with different production volumes and product complexity. Knowledge support requirements identified include: function, performance data, requirements data, common parts, regulatory guidelines and layout data. A process based data driven knowledge reuse method is evaluated in light of the identified product knowledge needs. The evaluation takes place through developing a pilot case with each company. It is found that the method provides more benefit to the high complexity design domain, in which a significant amount of work takes place at the conceptual design stages, relying on a conceptual product representation. There is not such a clear value proposition in a design environment whose main challenge is layout design and the application of standard parts and features. The method supports the requirement for conceptual product representation but does not fully support a standard parts library.
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    Developing a knowledge management framework for an innovation team
    (Cranfield University, 2008-09) El Enany, Nellie; Baxter, David
    In today’s current business world it is becoming exceedingly difficult not only for organisations to compete but also to sustain competitive advantage. Organisations are realising that the key to this is not only knowing what knowledge resides in the organisation but knowing how to use this knowledge to create an innovative and differentiated product or service. Organisational knowledge provides a platform for innovation and allows individuals across the organisation to share creative ideas and inject these ideas into reinventing existing products and services as well as designing and creating new ones. Innovation is enormously dependent on knowledge and therefore its availability and quality. As part of promoting innovation, organisations are assigning teams of employees to take part in creative and technical thinking meetings to support and promote innovative practices. They key to the success of these meetings, and ultimately the innovative practices they promote, is to ensure that their planning, follow-ups and the actual meeting itself are effectively managed, measured and monitored effectively. This thesis explores an innovation team and the ways in which their activities can be improved or changed through effective knowledge management hence ensuring the continued success and longevity of the organisation. The analysis of the findings highlighted the importance of promoting innovative activities, knowledge management tools and planning and monitoring all stages of a meeting and its outputs. The research carried out enabled a knowledge management framework for an innovation team to be developed highlighting areas were key changes or improvements were required. It is anticipated that the framework will assist innovation teams to appreciate that all the stages of an innovation activity are vital specifically the outputs in both an explicit and tacit form.
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    Development of a Process Based Data Driven Engineering Design Knowledge Reuse System.
    (CAD Solutions (USA), 2006) Baxter, David; Gao, James X.
    This paper will describe the development of the web enabled version of a process based engineering design knowledge reuse system. The rationale for using the design process as a central element of knowledge management will be discussed. The system structure will be described. Evaluation of the prototype showed the most valuable attributes of system. Mapping the design process helped to create the product data model. Workshops were used to validate the system. A small number of product parameters are required for developing the product concept in the early stages. The research showed the importance of multi view validation and iteration in system development. It also showed the importance of graphics in design support. Key issues include: the importance of process capture, data model validation, the use of graphics in the interface, system design and system assessment.
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    An engineering design knowledge reuse methodology using process modelling
    (Springer, 2007-05) Baxter, David; Gao, James X.; Case, Keith; Harding, Jenny; Young, Bob; Cochrane, Sean; Dani, Shilpa
    This paper describes an approach for reusing engineering design knowledge. Many previous design knowledge reuse systems focus exclusively on geometrical data, which is often not applicable in early design stages. The proposed methodology provides an integrated design knowledge reuse framework, bringing together elements of best practice reuse, design rationale capture and knowledge-based support in a single coherent framework. Best practices are reused through the process model. Rationale is supported by product information, which is retrieved through links to design process tasks. Knowledge-based methods are supported by a common design data model, which serves as a single source of design data to support the design process. By using the design process as the basis for knowledge structuring and retrieval, it serves the dual purpose of design process capture and knowledge reuse: capturing and formalising the rationale that underpins the design process, and providing a framework through which design knowledge can be stored, retrieved and applied. The methodology has been tested with an industrial sponsor producing high vacuum pumps for the semiconductor industry.
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    A framework to integrate design knowledge reuse and requirements management in engineering design
    (Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam., 2008-08-13T00:00:00Z) Baxter, David; Gao, James X.; Case, K.; Harding, J.; Young, R.; Cochrane, Sean; Dani, S.
    This paper presents a framework to integrate requirements management and design knowledge reuse. The research approach begins with a literature review in design reuse and requirements management to identify appropriate methods within each domain. A framework is proposed based on the identified requirements. The framework is then demonstrated using a case study example: vacuum pump design. Requirements are presented as a component of the integrated design knowledge framework. The proposed framework enables the application of requirements management as a dynamic process, including capture, analysis and recording of requirements. It takes account of the evolving requirements and the dynamic nature of the interaction between requirements and product structure through the various stages of product development. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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    How to enable ambidexterity in safety-critical software development
    (Taylor & Francis, 2024-02-28) Turner, Neil; Baxter, David
    In a competitive environment, continually improving new products and services requires new knowledge and novel solutions. Managing projects also requires the careful control of resources for effective delivery. Ambidexterity, the simultaneous achievement of novelty through exploration and efficiency through exploitation, is challenging to achieve in practice. The ways in which companies can achieve ambidexterity are context dependent. It is especially hard to promote new and uncertain concepts in situations where lives are at stake. This article reports on a case study of a safety-critical IT development project that successfully achieved ambidexterity. Leadership behaviors that support ambidexterity in this setting are critical. We highlight four leadership behaviors key to developing an environment where creative solutions can flourish.
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    Investigating innovation practices in design: creative problem solving and knowledge management
    (Cranfield University, 2009-03-31) Baxter, David; El Enany, N.; Varia, K.; Ferris, I.; Shipway, B.; Rajkumar Roy; Essam Shehab
    This paper describes a case study investigating two key aspects of innovation practice in an engineering company: creative problem solving (CPS) and knowledge management (KM). CPS methods offer benefit to organisations in developing novel solutions and improving operations. This research identified the key factors in applying CPS methods from the literature, and compared the creative practices of one engineering organisation with three creative organisations. KM practices can support the sharing and reuse of innovative practices and creative outcomes. A central conflict in adopting KM is codification vs. personalisation. This issue is discussed with reference to a KM framework proposal.
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    A knowledge management framework to support product-service systems design
    (Taylor & Francis, 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z) Baxter, David; Roy, Rajkumar; Doultsinou, Athanasia; Gao, James X.; Kalta, M.
    This paper presents a framework for knowledge reuse in a Product-Service Systems design scenario. The project aim is to develop a methodology to capture, represent and reuse knowledge to support product development in a collaborative enterprise context. The three core elements are: design knowledge, manufacturing capability knowledge, and service knowledge. There are three principal components of the proposed methodology. The first is a process based design model: defining design according to specific tasks, and associating previous knowledge with those tasks. The second is manufacturing capability knowledge: supporting feature based design and manufacture through representing machining features, best practices in machining and inspection, and machining capability. The third component is service knowledge: ensuring that design takes account of the service requirement. The developing paradigm of Product-Service Systems and the requirement for co-design of products and services has influenced the structure of the knowledge base, as well as outlining specific service related requirements. This paper presents the proposed knowledge base structure along with a detailed case study in which the proposal was developed and validated.
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    A life cycle model for Product-Service Systems design
    (Publibook, 2008-10-22) Baxter, David; Doultsinou, Athanasia; Roy, Rajkumar; Gao, James X.
    Western manufacturing companies are developing innovative ways of delivering value that competes with the low cost paradigm. One such strategy is to deliver not only products, but systems that are closely aligned with the customer value proposition. These systems are comprised of integrated products and services, and are referred to as Product-Service Systems (PSS). A key challenge in PSS is supporting the design activity. In one sense, PSS design is a further extension of concurrent engineering that requires front-end input from the additional downstream sources of product service and maintenance. However, simply developing products and service packages is not sufficient: the new design challenge is the integrated system. This paper describes the development of a PSS data structure that can support this integrated design activity. The data structure is implemented in a knowledge base using the Protégé knowledge base editor.
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    Managing knowledge within the manufacturing enterprise: An overview
    (Inderscience, 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z) Baxter, David; Roy, Rajkumar; Gao, James X.
    This paper examines the literature relating to manufacturing knowledge and describes how it contributes to the manufacturing enterprise. The review shows that there is a strong emphasis on design in the manufacturing knowledge research domain, and that detailed design is the main focus for current research. An analysis is carried out according to publication date and consequently trends are identified. The design focus is increasing, and the trends show that the domain is driven by industrial applications. The contribution to fundamental research in areas such as knowledge modelling is increasing. Areas that currently have little work in this domain include conceptual design and service.
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    Manufacturing knowledge verification in design support systems
    (Taylor & Francis, 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z) Cochrane, Sean; Young, R.; Case, K.; Harding, J.; Gao, James X.; Dani, S.; Baxter, David
    This paper identifies the need for a verification methodology for manufacturing knowledge in design support systems; and proposes a suitable methodology based on the concept of ontological commitment and the PSL ontology (ISO/CD18629). The use of the verification procedures within an overall system development methodology is examined, and an understanding of how various categories of manufacturing knowledge (typical to design support systems) map onto the PSL ontology is developed. This work is also supported by case study material from industrial situations, including: the casting and machining of metallic components. The PSL ontology was found to support the verification of most categories of manufacturing knowledge, and was shown to be particularly suited to process planning representations. Additional concepts and verification procedures were however needed to verify relationships between products and manufacturing processes. Suitable representational concepts and verification procedures were therefore developed, and integrated into the proposed knowledge verification methodology.
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    A process-based approach to engineering design knowledge reuse
    (2007-06) Baxter, David; Gao, James X.
    Manufacturing enterprises are under increasing pressure to produce products of higher quality at lower cost in shorter time frames if they are to remain competitive. Engineering design support methods can help companies to achieve these goals. One such approach is ,,design knowledge reuse. Industrial requirements have been identified as (i) the ability to rapidly create product variants; (ii) the ability to capture and re-use design knowledge, and; (iii) the capability to support the design effort across a distributed enterprise. The research aim is developed to assist the manufacturing enterprise in meeting the industrial requirements in the following way: a design solution to a new product requirement can be supported using an application package that is developed for a specific product domain. The application package consists of knowledge about previous products and projects, and procedures for using the knowledge to achieve a new solution. An initial investigation showed that design reuse in practice is lacking in specific areas: access to relevant and contextualised captured design knowledge; the relationship between design reuse and the product development process; integrated engineering and business objectives. Literature gaps were also identified. They include: (i) knowledge reuse for the whole product life cycle (particularly early design); (ii) integrated product and design process models; (iii) a 'how-to' element of the product design process. The aim of this research is to provide a method for reusing engineering design knowledge. The research method is 'interview case study', which supports a flexible approach and enables the research to develop according to the findings. The research was carried out with four companies, one of which took part in a detailed case study, providing case data to develop, populate and validate the proposed system. The outcome of the research is a proposal for a process based engineering design reuse method. The method consists, of a combination of product, process and task knowledge to support the design process. Product knowledge is represented using a product ontology. Process knowledge is represented using the Design Roadmap method. Task knowledge is represented using a template developed to record the critical aspects of the task, including 'how-to' knowledge. Case studies are used to validate the proposed framework and the developed prototype system. The proposed design knowledge reuse framework is applicable to a range of industries in which mature, complex products are developed.
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    A process-based approach to engineering design knowledge reuse
    (Cranfield University, 2007-06) Baxter, David; Gao, James X.
    Manufacturing enterprises are under increasing pressure to produce products of higher quality at lower cost in shorter time frames if they are to remain competitive. Engineering design support methods can help companies to achieve these goals. One such approach is design knowledge reuse. Industrial requirements have been identified as (i) the ability to rapidly create product variants; (ii) the ability to capture and re-use design knowledge, and; (iii) the capability to support the design effort across a distributed enterprise. The research aim is developed to assist the manufacturing enterprise in meeting the industrial requirements in the following way: a design solution to a new product requirement can be supported using an application package that is developed for a specific product domain. The application package consists of knowledge about previous products and projects, and procedures for using the knowledge to achieve a new solution. An initial investigation showed that design reuse in practice is lacking in specific areas: access to relevant and contextualised captured design knowledge; the relationship between design reuse and the product development process; integrated engineering and business objectives. Literature gaps were also identified. They include: (i) knowledge reuse for the whole product life cycle (particularly early design); (ii) integrated product and design process models; (iii) a ‘how-to’ element of the product design process. The aim of this research is to provide a method for reusing engineering design knowledge. The research method is ‘interview case study’, which supports a flexible approach and enables the research to develop according to the findings. The research was carried out with four companies, one of which took part in a detailed case study, providing case data to develop, populate and validate the proposed system. The outcome of the research is a proposal for a process based engineering design reuse method. The method consists of a combination of product, process and task knowledge to support the design process. Product knowledge is represented using a product ontology. Process knowledge is represented using the Design Roadmap method. Task knowledge is represented using a template developed to record the critical aspects of the task, including ‘how-to’ knowledge. Case studies are used to validate the proposed framework and the developed prototype system. The proposed design knowledge reuse framework is applicable to a range of industries in which mature, complex products are developed.
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    Public sector innovation : The role of commercial partnerships
    (Cranfield University School of Management, 2010-10) Baxter, David; Schoeman, Magnus; Goffin, Keith; Micheli, Pietro
    The global economic situation is putting increasing pressure on public sector funding and so innovation is now being recognised as an essential mechanism for maintaining the quality and scope of services whilst reducing costs. This report describes new research into a specific type of public sector innovation – commercialisation: partnerships between the public sector and commercial organisations which enable new or enhanced services to be developed. A crucial aspect of such partnerships is that they can lead to the development of new services which create new value. This enables financial and other benefits for both the public sector and commercial partners. The research conducted for this report consisted of a survey of civil servants’ views on commercialisation and two case studies of successful innovation—the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation (PSBA) in Wales and the Met Office Healthy Outlook ® service. The survey enabled barriers to commercialisation to be identified, such as lack of guidance and support, lack of clarity in the remit of the public sector, and inadequate awareness of the opportunities. The two case studies enabled the key characteristics of commercialisation to be determined, particularly the need to start early discussions with potential commercial partners, to gain board level sponsorship for projects, and to ensure that the value of the innovation is shared. Contrasting the results of our research to the way innovation is managed in the private sector, allows us to make four main recommendations on maximising the value of commercial partnerships: - The focus of public sector innovation must go beyond service efficiency, and the exploitation of internally generated ideas. To gain the maximum value from public sector assets, suitable discussions need to be held with potential commercial partners. - Discussions with the commercial sector have the potential to create innovative ideas for new services. The public sector will need to become adept at conducting early stage discussions with commercial organisations, if it is to gain the maximum value from public assets. Suitable partners need to be identified, where the capabilities of the commercial sector complement the unique expertise and assets of the public sector. Making such partnerships work will require trust on both sides and sharing of the value generated from the innovation developed. - Managers in the public sector urgently require more guidance and support on how to apply the concept of commercialisation and achieve the benefits. - Public sector innovation is very different from innovation in the commercial sector. Therefore, although there are some points to be learned from the commercial sector, appropriate tools need to be developed for the public sector and these need to be disseminated to civil servants.
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    Service and manufacturing knowledge in product-service systems: a case study
    (Cranfield University Press, 2009-04-01) Doultsinou, Athanasia; Baxter, David; Roy, Rajkumar; Gao, James X.; Mann, A.; Rajkumar Roy; Essam Shehab
    In the developing Product-Service Systems (PSS) field, an emerging research challenge is supporting the PSS design activity. This paper presents a case study in which manufacturing and service knowledge is captured and classified in order to support the design activity. A knowledge capture exercise took place to identify manufacturing and service knowledge applied in the design process. A design knowledge capture exercise led to the creation of a design process model. The case study reports on the proposed structure for the application of manufacturing and service knowledge to a conceptual and a detailed design task. The knowledge framework is implemented using the Protégé knowledge base editor. PSS design requires an integrated system level approach to design, and therefore a system level knowledge structure is required. The detailed case study indicates where manufacturing and service knowledge is applied in the design activity, which is divided into ‘conceptual’ and ‘detailed’ stages.
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    Specifying a manufacturing knowledge reuse framework
    (Taylor and Francis, 2007-09-19) Baxter, David; Roy, Rajkumar; Gao, Xiaoyu
    This paper presents the first part of a design life cycle knowledge reuse framework: manufacturing knowledge reuse for design. The results of a manufacturing knowledge capture and classification exercise are presented. The research methodology applies the critical incident technique for the interviews. Interview notes were analysed using qualitative content analysis, identifying themes through coding. The interview content from which themes are identified are then analysed to identify the knowledge content. Both the themes and the knowledge content are cross referenced to any identify differences according to knowledge applied by role. A knowledge structure and ontology framework is proposed to support the storage and reuse of knowledge relating to manufacturing in the design process.
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    A study of accountability in two organizational learning frameworks: why accountability for learning is critical
    (Wiley, 2017-03-16) Baxter, David; Colledge, Thomas; Turner, Neil
    In this paper we examine the complex relationship between accountability and organizational learning through a case study with the UK Royal Air Force (RAF). Accountability is a complex and contradictory construct that has both positive and negative implications for organizational learning. Within the same organization we observed positive effects of accountability in one organizational learning system, and negative effects of accountability in another. This case study adds to the organizational learning and accountability literatures, showing that accountability to hierarchy, rather than preventing learning, can actually promote effective learning, making it more likely that people will report problems quickly and accurately and take follow-up action. This only applies if the learning objectives align with the broader accountability framework, and if reporting on failures will enhance individual reputation. If not, then people will tend to avoid reporting negative events in order to avoid punishment and reputation damage. Accountability to hierarchy is only negative if it conflicts with the learning objectives.
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    Tacit knowledge and situated practice in NPD : an in-depth case study
    (2010-06-13T00:00:00Z) Baxter, David; Goffin, Keith; Szwejczewski, Marek; Koners, Ursula
    This paper describes a study of knowledge and learning in NPD. For the empirical data collection, one organization took part in an in-depth case study. Multiple sources of data were used, including interviews, repertory grids, and company documentation. In addition, we participated in a post-project review. As a result of our analysis, some key themes are identified, each of which has a significant impact on knowledge flow at the task level. Our analysis of a project shows that the top lessons learnt are complex; they relate to several key themes. This detailed investigation of situated practice highlights important implications for managing tacit knowledge and improving knowledge flow in NPD.
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    Tacit knowledge development in a new product development teaching simulation
    (2010-06-13T00:00:00Z) Goffin, Keith; Baxter, David; Szwejczewski, Marek; Cousens, Alan; van der Hoven, Christopher
    This paper describes our evaluation of whether participants perceive that they have developed new tacit knowledge during a New Product Development simulation. We assess this by asking the participants their key lessons learnt during the exercise, followed by the perceived level of ‘tacitness' of those lessons. We find that participants do not perceive these lessons learnt to be tacit. A second questionnaire finds that participants believe that the practical experience gained during the simulation would improve the performance of a subsequent project, but that extended classroom teaching would not. This discrepancy is thought to highlight the lack of a suitable measure for tacitness. Future studies should focus on experience variables rather than codification variables when assessing the development of tacit knowledge in teaching activitie