International Journal of Internet Manufacturing and Services (8 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• SOA-based distributed fault prognostic and diagnosis framework: An application for preheater cement cyclones  
  by Chouhal Ouahiba 
  Abstract: Complex engineering manufacturing systems require efficient on-line fault diagnosis methodologies to improve safety and reduce maintenance costs. Traditionally, diagnosis and prognosis approaches are centralized, but these solutions are difficult to implement on increasingly prevalent distributed, networked embedded systems; whereas a distributed approach of multiple diagnosis and prognosis agents can offer a solution. Also, having the capability to control and observe process plant of a manufacturing system from a remote location has several benefits including the ability to track and to assist in solving a problem that might arise. This paper presents a distributed and over prognosis and diagnosis approach for physical systems basing on multi agent system and Service-Oriented Architecture. Specifics prognostic and diagnostic procedures and key modules of the architecture for Web Service-based Distributed Fault Prognostic and Diagnosis framework are detailed and developed for the preheater cement cyclones in the workshop of SCIMAT clinker. The experimental case study, reported in the present paper, shows encouraging results and fosters industrial technology transfer.
  Keywords: Iintelligent Fault Diagnosis; E-diagnosis; Remote Fault Prognosis; Web Services; SOA; Preheater cement cyclone; SMA.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIMS.2020.10021808
   
  
• IMROBOT: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR NEW MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION  
  by Vicky Hanqi Lu, Ray Y. Zhong 
  Abstract: This paper reports on an approach for new media and communication by using some cutting-edge technologies which are integrated in an intelligent robot. Intelligent media robot (iMRobot) is designed and developed for facilitating the media operations in the context of Media 4.0 where advanced technologies are used to upgrade and transform the traditional media industry into a smart generation. Some cutting-edge technologies are used for building the iMRobot which is specifically suitable for media sector. A demonstrative implementation case is illustrated to show the feasibility and streamlined processes in Media 4.0 by using iMRobot full functionalities. The ideas are significant to improve the modernization of Media 4.0 in the future.
  Keywords: New Media; Robot; Media 4.0; Communication; Artificial Intelligence; Information System.
  
  
• Role of Recent IoT Technologies in Agricultural Applications: A Review  
  by Sameera Kuppam, Swarnalatha Purushotham 
  Abstract: Abstract: For the past few years, there has been a great need for the development of agricultural sector as the population has been increasing leading to food crisis. This sector is being rationalized day-by-day with the use of various technological solutions offered by the Internet of Things (IoT). Ever since IoT boomed in the 1990s, many researchers have been trying to incorporate IoT technologies in the agriculture industry. IoT makes use of other in-demand Information Technology (IT) paradigms like Cloud Computing for a better management of the voluminous data produced by the IoT devices. The term big datais semantically conflicted which leads to its different definitions from different people. Some researchers suggest that it could refer to any dataset where you need to develop specific software to analyse it. The continual interpretation and evaluation of this IoT Big Datacan be of great use in future predictions, automation of operations and advancement of numerous activities. The influence of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technologies on the agriculture industry is beyond imaginable and the same is expected from IoT as well. In this paper, we have presented the review of a few IoT techniques proposed by researchers in the past few years, with a survey of some recent IoT technologies, their impact on the agriculture industry, their assistance to farmers and some of the challenges faced by IoT in this field.
  Keywords: IoT; smart agriculture; IoT in agriculture; agricultural applications.
  
  
• A discrete teachinglearning based optimization (TLBO) approach for e-commerce product image placing and inventory planning  
  by Yi-Ming Li, Yan-Kwang Chen 
  Abstract: The visual-attention-dependent demand (VADD) model with genetic algorithms has been proposed for the product placement and inventory management problem of e-commerce websites. In the face of e-commerce environment with continual changes in potential products, customer needs and competitors, this study proposes a method that modifies traditional continuous TLBO algorithm with a discrete-continuous conversion technique to solve the VADD model. To verify the usability and efficiency of the proposed method for the VADD model, this research compares the proposed method with the exhaustive search and the genetic algorithm (GA) for large-, medium-, and small- scale problems. In order to enhance the efficiency of methods, the values of their control parameters are set by Taguchi method, respectively. Results show that both of the GA and proposed methods have excellent performance in the approximation ratio, but the proposed method spends less time than the GA method, particularly for large-scale problems. Thus, the proposed method could help e-commerce merchants rapidly making decisions on the product placement and inventory management to increase the sales of goods.
  Keywords: Product image placing; inventory planning; discrete teaching–learning based optimization; e-commerce.
  
  
• Research on the Mechanism Strategy of Revenue Sharing Contract under Recall Mode  
  by Shun Zhang, Haiju Hu, Chen Zhao, Ying Wang, Qianwen Liu 
  Abstract: Revenue-Sharing Contract provides applicable strategy for supply chain cooperation and has been widely put into practice. Is it possible to integrate it into the supply chain system under recall mode? And how to ensure the overall benefit of the supply chain? These are spirited issues to be resolved. Under no preference consuming market, this paper mainly discusses the recalling supply chain system, consisted of single supplier and single retailer, with the application of benefit sharing contract. Considering the way in which the supplier entrusted the retailer to recall, analyzed the entire process from sales to recall, this paper conducts research on the optimization of revenue-sharing contract in the supply chain. Under different price situations, this paper focuses on the study of the effect of the proportion of supply chain division on the profit maximization strategy of suppliers and retailers, and solves the problem of distribution of profits for decentralized decision-making under non-consumer preference markets.
  Keywords: Recall Supply Chain; Revenue Optimization; Sharing Contact.
  
  
• Investigating the Impact of the Internet of Thing on the Performance of Knowledge Areas of Project Management  
  by Seyedamirhesam Khalafi, Mohammad Khalilzadeh, Shervin Razaghi, Ehsan Vaezi 
  Abstract: The application of Internet of things (IoT) is widespread in diverse areas such as transportation, manufacturing, security, supply chain management, health care management, etc. It has brought evolutionary advantage in these areas through advanced tracking, identification, authentication, and real-time information. However, an application of IoT in project management has not reported. Giving a reason for this problem is that project management professionals may not have been educated on its potentials thoroughly. This paper presents numerous impact of IoT in project management. The research commences from a summary of the latest improvements, challenges, and application of IoT in different industries. The study based on a questionnaire administered to a sample of project managers from the construction, software and telecommunication industries. The response data were analyzed with Friedmans test, TOPSIS and SAW method as well as prioritizing with the Borda technique in order to find the value of IoT technology in project management.
  Keywords: Internet of Things; project management; Computer applications; smart objects; Borda technique.
  
  
• Internet of Things (IoT) in transportation: exploring vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) feasibility  
  by Adrian Coronado Mondragon, Christian Coronado Mondragon, Etienne Coronado 
  Abstract: Vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) represent a significant IoT technological development that can support transportation management. This research investigates the feasibility of deploying VANETs using the principles of clusters in an industry scenario comprising haulage operations in a confined geographic location. We use simulation to model a VANET solution to enable data traffic associated with the exchange of messages between the vehicles and road side units. The proposed solution designed and dimensioned to reduce queuing delays demonstrated the suitability of VANETs as a solution that can support transportation operations associated to logistics. The results are associated to the characteristics of an industry scenario comprising haulage operations in seaport operations. By using a cluster configuration in IoT-VANETs, requests from members of the cluster are channelled through the cluster head, this eliminates the need for each mobile node to communicate directly to the road side nodes which prevents overwhelming the network with individual requests.
  Keywords: Internet of Things (IoT) and vehicles; transportation management; vehicular ad-hoc networks; clustering principles; port logistics.
  
  
• Natural Experiments in Corporate Social Responsibility Research: A Literature Review  
  by Chushi Yu, Tong CHE 
  Abstract: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) research provides guidance and helps for corporate activities. However, researchers may face endogenous problems that can interfere with the research results of CSR research. The natural experimental method is a research method that can solve this problem, and the number of articles on CSR research using such methods in FT50 journals has increased in the past decade. Therefore, summarizing these studies and providing guidance for CSR researchers is essential. We summarize the general process of designing natural experiments in CSR studies through a review of CSR-related studies that used natural experimental methods. The specific steps of designing natural experiments in CSR research include the following: selecting research topics and hypotheses, determining independent and dependent variables, selecting appropriate interventions, and using corresponding data analysis methods. Besides, this study discusses the strengths and limitations of natural experiments in CSR research and proposes future research directions.
  Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility; Natural Experiments; Literature Review;.