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Incremental sheet forming is a process for the production of sheet metal parts in small batch sizes. Due to the relatively low geometrical accuracy and the lack of precise and fast finite element analysis simulations of the process, industrial use cases are rare. Recently, a vast amount of scientific approaches simulated the process by utilizing machine learning techniques. Their success is limited by the quantity and quality of the used process data. Research institutes are struggling to gather enough data without industrial cooperations. For maximizing the distribution of process data in an experimental series and therefore their applicability for machine learning, the authors present a novel cluster analysis approach to systematically extend an existing database. The whole established process database consisting of 70 forming experiments and their toolpaths and digitizations is published to be used as a foundation for similar research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green technology innovation (GTI) and environmental regulation (ER) hold the key to promoting the transformation of industrial structure. Based on the regional panel data of China, this is the first study to explore the impact of GTI on the optimization of industrial structure (OIS) and rationalization of industrial structure (RIS) under various ERs. The results suggest that the influence of GTI on OIS and RIS features both heterogeneous environmental regulation effects and regional heterogeneity. Furthermore, command-controlled environmental regulation (CER) has a significant inhibitory effect on OIS. The threshold effects of ERs on OIS and RIS turn out to be significantly different when the panel threshold models are introduced, which also shows heterogeneity. Specifically, there are double and single threshold effects of MER and public participation environmental regulation (PER) on OIS, respectively. In comparison, there are single and double threshold effects of GTI on RIS under CER and PER, respectively. The results indicate that OIS and RIS are significantly correlated with GTI and the type and intensity of ERs. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen GTI to promote regional coordination and cooperation for green industrial transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Berliner Journal für Soziologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Under the background of global energy transformation and structural upgrading, the development of solar photovoltaic industry in various countries has been paid attention to, and solar photovoltaic products occupy an important position in the international trade of renewable energy. The signing of the RCEP agreement can create favorable external conditions for the trade and industrial cooperation of solar photovoltaic products, which has attracted global attention. Therefore, based on the background of RCEP, it is of practical significance to analyze the development and export competitiveness of solar energy products in the agreement countries. This paper uses TOPSIS to establish a comprehensive evaluation index system for the international competitiveness of solar photovoltaic products to study the international competitiveness of solar photovoltaic products in China, Japan, and Korea under the context of RCEP. The study shows that (1) China's international competitiveness in solar photovoltaic products is strong and continues to improve, while Japan is declining and Korea is growing slowly. (2) There are significant differences in the components that lead to international competitiveness among different countries. Based on the above findings, this paper proposes corresponding policy recommendations for the three countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are communication conflicts in traditional industrial robot cooperation, the lack unified standards for industrial robot signal to automatic predict. For this purpose, a conflict prediction algorithm for the cooperation of industrial robots is designed. The early signal characteristics of industrial robots conflicts in cooperation are analyzed, the chaotic characteristics before and after the collision are obtained. A fuzzy rule for conflict prediction is designed by taking chaos as feature descriptor. By using the fuzzy feature of chaos change of robot data, combined with fuzzy, the conflicts that may exist in robots cooperation are predicted to ensure that the robots can complete tasks without reducing service availability. Conflict prediction (QPME) tool is used to compare the distribution of conflict types and the prediction of different conflict rates associated with different recovery strategies. The experimental results show that the throughput of robot cooperative task increases to 92%, the response time decreases to 0.11 s, the node utilization rate increases to 80%, and the task loss rate decreases to 5%. It can quantitatively analyze the impact of hardware and software conflicts on robot cooperation performance, and predict the conflicts in robot cooperation without affecting robot cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we are interested in industrial and territorial ecology (ITE), whose aim is to optimize the management of material and energy flows between local economic players by drawing inspiration from the cyclical nature of natural ecosystems. The organizational elements, specifically the forms of coordination between actors, appear to be central in the setting out of these processes. This is why methodological devices promise to respond to the chronic difficulty of implementing local inter-firm relations conducive to cooperation. The work presented here, based on social network analysis, aims to determine their validity through three case studies. First, we examine the need to consider the spatial dimension of ITE approaches to understand the conditions for the emergence of inter-firm cooperation and sustainable development, and we present the methodological elements of our work. Then, we proceed to the case studies and identify inter-firm relations and study their evolution over time. We conclude with an assessment of the devices studied, the intermediary role of facilitators, and the difficulty of perpetuating these types of cooperative relations, which raises serious questions about the modalities of the implementation of sustainable territorial development processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safety-critical systems manufacturers have the duty of care, i.e., they should take correct steps while performing acts that could foreseeably harm others. Commonly, industry standards prescribe reasonable steps in their process requirements, which regulatory bodies trust. Manufacturers perform careful documentation of compliance with each requirement to show that they act under acceptable criteria. To facilitate this task, a safety-centered planning-time framework, called ACCEPT, has been proposed. Based on compliance-by-design, ACCEPT capabilities (i.e., processes and standards modeling, and automatic compliance checking) permit to design Compliance-aware Engineering Process Plans (CaEPP), which are able to show the planning-time allocation of standard demands, i.e., if the elements set down by the standard requirements are present at given points in the engineering process plan. In this paper, we perform a case study to understand if the ACCEPT produced models could support the planning of space software engineering processes. Space software is safety and mission-critical, and it is often the result of industrial cooperation. Such cooperation is coordinated through compliance with relevant standards. In the European context, ECSS-E-ST-40C is the de-facto standard for space software production. The planning of processes in compliance with project-specific ECSS-E-ST-40C applicable requirements is mandatory during contractual agreements. Our analysis is based on qualitative criteria targeting the effort dictated by task demands required to create a CaEPP for software development with ACCEPT. Initial observations show that the effort required to model compliance and processes artifacts is significant. However, such an effort pays off in the long term since models are, to some extend, reusable and flexible. The coverage level of the models is also analyzed based on design decisions. In our opinion, such a level is adequate since it responds to the information needs required by the ECSS-E-ST-40C framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a CAD integrated method is proposed for automatic recognition of potential weld locations in large assembly structures predominantly comprised of weld joints. The intention is to reduce the total man-hours spent on manually locating, assigning, and maintaining weld-related information throughout the product life cycle. The method utilizes spatial analysis of extracted stereolithographic data in combination with available CAD functions to determine whether the accessibility surrounding a given intersection edge is sufficient for welding. To demonstrate the method, a system is developed in Siemens NX using their NXOpen Python API. The paper presents the application of the method to real-life use cases in varying complexity in cooperation with industrial partners. The system is able to correctly recognize almost all weld lines for the parts considered within a few minutes. Some exceptions are known for particular intersection lines located deep within notched joints and geometries weldable through sequential assembly, which are left as a subject to further works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the problems associated with the tasks of increasing the efficiency of production organization. Historically, in Russia there was no toolkit for the development of horizontal links, industrial cooperation, or market redistribution of economic resources. In the 20th century, this was due to the specifics of the first planned economy, and then corporate governance. The lack of this toolkit hinders technical creativity, innovative development, and hinders economic growth. To eliminate constraining factors, it is proposed to create a new development institution at the structural level—an information technology infrastructure for organizing and supporting production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In reaction to growing critics regarding ecological and ethical aspects of intensive animal husbandry, different initiatives of ethical poultry production try to establish alternative food supply chains on the market. To be able to stabilise these niche innovations parallel to the mainstream regime, new forms of cooperation along the value added chain and with the consumers play an important role. Based on a case study of integrated egg and meat production from a dual-purpose breed by small multifunctional farms in Northeast of Germany, the paper exemplifies the challenges for the different partners of the food supply chain and cooperation management. Empirical data were obtained via nine qualitative interviews with actors along the value chain and via participatory observation of workshops and meetings. The research was embedded in a transdisciplinary project, where different measures to meet the existing challenges were taken and evaluated. Analysing the existing cooperation reveals possibilities for improving cooperation management by e.g. clarifying the goals of the cooperation, including the points of sale as part of the food supply chain and communication of the ethical and sustainability qualities of the product to the consumers. However, the analysis also shows the limits of cooperation in an environment dominated by the paradigm of specialisation, economies of scale and cost reduction, which is also characteristic for parts of the organic sector. The paper discusses if the challenges of establishing this radical niche innovation can be met without a fundamental change of framework conditions as e.g. regulation on animal husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intertwined nature of social, economic, and environmental problems has led to an increase in cross-sector partnerships to create collaborative value. Intermediary organizations can enable these partnerships, but the context shapes what is needed. There is a need to understand how different contexts shape how intermediaries create value. This study fills this gap by focusing on intermediaries in Johannesburg, South Africa. We find there is significant unrealized collaborative value in the context studied. This is due to the coexistence of a limited state combined with a strong incumbent political party. While the existing scholarship on intermediaries is relevant, two particular capabilities are especially important in such a context. First, intermediaries need to focus on seizing opportunities to generate short-term value in order to build trust among partners. Second, they need to strengthen the capacity of the state through lateral influence. Weak and limited states combined with strong political regimes are common in many nations, especially those in transition. In addition, there are a variety of contemporary global political pressures that emphasize greater state autonomy. These contextual pressures make these findings particularly relevant to partnership scholars and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable and enduring cooperative relationships among people are primarily based on mutual trust. However, little evidence exists about the effects of mutual trust between supervisor and subordinate on work outcomes. To understand better the dynamics of trust in supervisor-subordinate relationships, we examined how mutual trust between supervisor and subordinate is associated with work outcomes. Based on a sample of 247 subordinate-supervisor pairs, multilevel analyses revealed a positive effect of perceived mutual trust on task performance and interpersonal facilitation after controlling for trust in leader and felt trust. In addition, task performance and interpersonal facilitation increased as trust in leader and felt trust or trust in subordinate both increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper studies the connections between philosophical action theory and planning methods in artificial intelligence. It proposes a method of cooperative planning in which agents select actions using a combination of planning and team reasoning. Whereas several standard approaches to multi-agent planning start from individuals' plans and try to combine them into a group plan, the proposed method starts from constructing a group plan from which the individuals derive their sub-plans. The former method is labelled I-mode planning and the latter we-mode planning. The basic idea of the proposed we-mode planning method is that the agents conceive themselves as a group agent that selects the best plan specifying the actions of all individual agents who then carry out their parts in the group plan. We-mode planning is suited for human-robot cooperation in situations in which the participants have a shared goal and a shared plan evaluation function, and can observe each others' actions. The method is expected to lead in some cases to more human-like robot behaviour and more efficient execution of joint actions in human-robot teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joint Ph.D. projects are a prominent form of research collaboration, connecting universities to firms and public research organizations. When entering into such collaborations, partners need to make choices regarding a project's governance. This paper investigates how a university and its partners govern such projects, including decision-making, daily management and disclosure policies. Earlier studies show that shared governance modes have had a higher success rate than centralized governance modes. Nevertheless, more than two thirds of the 191 joint Ph.D. projects we investigated opted for centralized rather than shared governance. Our findings show that: (1) geographical and/or cognitive distance render the adoption of a shared governance mode less likely; (2) the partner controlling critical resources tends to centralize governance, and (3) partnering firms are more likely to put restrictions on publication output than public research organizations. We therefore recommend that universities and their partners take these aspects into account when selecting such projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I try to assess the likely impact of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) on eurozone banking markets. I start by analysing the predictions made by economists and policy-makers with regard to the deeper integration of financial markets which may derive from the Banking Union. I then try to identify the regulatory weaknesses that may throw uncertainty on the benefits commonly expected from the Banking Union. Firstly, I highlight the limits of EU supervisory centralisation as shaped by the reforms enacted after the 2008 financial crisis. Secondly, I analyse the limits of the SSM, which, to some extent, is still grounded on supervisory cooperation despite the fact that the ECB has powers of direction and substitution with respect to national supervisors. I argue, in particular, that the SSM represents a system of semi-strong centralisation, which may still give rise to agency problems, particularly in the relationships with supervisors of non-euro area countries that are still governed by the EU system of enhanced cooperation. Thirdly, I examine the decoupling of supervision from regulation, which derives from the fact that the ECB lacks sufficient regulatory powers when acting as a supervisor of the eurozone banking systems. The separation of regulation-which is harmonised (often with excessive detail) at EU level-and supervision-which is centralised in the euro area-may create problems to the extent that the single supervisor cannot create a prudential rulebook for the eurozone but is subject to EU prudential regulation and national law provisions, often unduly limiting its supervisory discretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the factors that affect firms' propensity to engage in R&D cooperation using a CIS-3 sample of innovative firms located in seven European countries. It performs the analysis separately for the manufacturing and the service sectors in order to examine whether there are specific features that shape the service firms' R&D cooperative behaviour in particular ways. Differences between the manufacturing and the service sectors in the cooperative behaviour of firms become much more evident once an appropriate structure of endogeneity is determined. We compare different countries because, so far, the empirical evidence produced comes from single countries or countries that are all quite homogeneous in terms of industrial structure. Instead, we consider also countries, such as transition economies, that have not been analyzed so far. We find that public subsidies positively affect firms' propensity to engage in R&D cooperation in all countries, but they seem particularly important to enhance firms' cooperativeness in the service sector. Implications for innovation policy are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We define globalization as the geographical dispersion of multinational enterprises (MNEs)' value chain, in combination with increased inter-regional coordination, and use detailed firm-level data to show that 12 of Sweden's 17 largest manufacturing companies indeed are global. By developing a Globalization Process Model we theoretically argue, in contrast to much of the existing literature, that globalization may evolve to a more general phenomenon. The globalization process is tortuous as MNEs have to develop dynamic capabilities which make them gradually more competitive and able to cope with varying institutional contexts. Empirical testing on globalization of MNEs originating from other home countries is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does formal contracting foster cooperation in a buyer-supplier relationship? In line with the literature, we find that a renegotiable contract with relationship-specific joint investments does not make it possible to reach the first-best. However, we show that a renegotiable contract may induce more cooperation than an informal arrangement can. This result may help to understand how cooperation emerges in Japanese procurement practices, which typically involve relationship-specific joint investments and renegotiable contracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the use of multiagent cooperation for solving global optimization problems through the introduction of a new multiagent environment, MANGO. The strength of the environment lays in its flexible structure based on communicating software agents that attempt to solve a problem cooperatively. This structure allows the execution of a wide range of global optimization algorithms described as a set of interacting operations. At one extreme, MANGO welcomes an individual non-cooperating agent, which is basically the traditional way of solving a global optimization problem. At the other extreme, autonomous agents existing in the environment cooperate as they see fit during run time. We explain the development and communication tools provided in the environment as well as examples of agent realizations and cooperation scenarios. We also show how the multiagent structure is more effective than having a single nonlinear optimization algorithm with randomly selected initial points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the problem of partnership dissolution in the context of asymmetric information. Past work shows that the initial share allocation, interdependence of partners' valuations, and asymmetric control all affect the possibility of efficient dissolution. In this paper, I show, in a novel class of 'cooperative' partnerships characterized by ex ante interdependence of valuations, that effectiveness is significantly more important than the initial share allocation. Intuitively, as the effectiveness of cooperation between partners (and thus partnership value) increases, the gains from dissolving decrease but the informational rents remain constant, so efficient dissolution is more difficult to achieve. For sufficiently high effectiveness, efficient dissolution is impossible for any initial share allocation. For sufficiently low effectiveness, however, efficient dissolution is possible for all initial share allocations. The possibility of efficient bargaining depends on the initial share allocation only for moderately effective partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to highlight the effect of irreversibility in partner choice in inter-firm collaborations. In an environment where firms are binded by contractual constraints regarding the duration of partnerships, how does the tacitness and complexity influence the overall knowledge in the industry? Through an agent based simulation model, we compare the knowledge generation in irreversible and reversible systems in two regimes as tacit and codified. The emerging network structures are also analysed. The results reveal that, in tacit regimes irreversible systems generate more knowledge only when product complexity is at an intermediate level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)