EMPAS 14 (2) 2022

Robotic process automation (RPA) is a recent technology that has recently become increasingly adopted by companies as a solution for employees to focus on higher complexity and more valuable tasks while delegating routine, monotonous and rulebased tasks to their digital colleagues. The increased interest, reflected in the increasing number of articles regarding approaches and test cases, has triggered the necessity for a summary that could extract the more generalisable ideas and concepts about these software robots. This paper used a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to find and synthesise information from articles obtained on this subject. This research identified the most general implementation approaches of successful RPA adoption cases, observed benefits, challenges commonly faced by organisations, characteristics that make processes more suitable for RPA, and research gaps in the current literature. The findings presented in this paper have two purposes. The first is to provide a way for companies and organisations to become more familiar with good practices regarding the adoption of robotic process automation. The second is to foster further research on the subject by complementing the current knowledge and proposing new paths for research.

Keywords:
RPA  robotic process automation  software robot  digital worker  adoption  implementation 

This research aims to propose an effective model for the detection of defective Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) in the output stage of the Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) line. The emphasis is placed on increasing the classification accuracy, reducing the algorithm training time, and a further improvement of the final product quality. This approach combines a feature extraction technique, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and a classification algorithm, the Support Vector Machine (SVM), with previously applied Automated Optical Inspection (AOI). Different types of SVM algorithms (linear, kernels and weighted) were tuned to get the best accuracy of the resulting algorithm for separating good-quality and defective products. A novel automated defect detection approach for the PCB manufacturing process is proposed. The data from the real PCB manufacturing process were used for this experimental study. The resulting PCALWSVM model achieved 100 % accuracy in the PCB defect detection task. This article proposes a potentially unique model for accurate defect detection in the PCB industry. A combination of PCA and LWSVM methods with AOI technology is an original and effective solution. The proposed model can be used in various manufacturing companies as a postprocessing step for an SMT line with AOI, either for accurate defect detection or for preventing false calls.

Keywords:
quality management  defect detection  AOI  PCA  PCB  SVM 

Project completion behind schedule is a struggle for the construction sector, affecting time, cost, and quality. This investigation has been necessitated by the lingering nature of project delay risks despite many extant analyses. This study collated expert opinions from the Thai construction sector on salient construction delay variables and their influence on each other for DEMATEL-SD analysis. The collated data were analysed and found consistent with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.939. Then, the DEMATEL technique was used to establish the influence weight of factors for the System dynamics (SD) analysis. It was discovered that minimising the design error at the preconstruction stage significantly reduces the magnitude of delay. Increasing values of design error and change order increase the rework profile. Besides, the project delivery within the scheduled 232 weeks can be ensured by minimising the threat of design error, design change, change order, rework, productivity problem, and by improving project management. This study adopted a hybrid mathematical system to holistically examine the construction delay risk by comprehensively exploring the dynamics of influencing variables and investigating their impact on the project scheme. The system helps project stakeholders to arrive at an effective decision in overcoming delay risks, thus minimising the cost overrun and improving the project quality.

Keywords:
construction delay  DEMATEL analysis  system dynamics  preconstruction  project management 

Modern construction technologies strongly affect the environment. Therefore, design and building construction should also follow the sustainable development principle. In this case, design and construction work based on the sustainable development principle should aim at creating a safe and healthy living environment, the economical use of natural resources, and the stimulation of economic development to create the welfare for humans and favourable natural conditions. The article proposes a mathematical algorithm as a comprehensive solution for engineering management of the planning construction site, from the calculation of the earthworks to the automated creation of the engineering geological cross-sections. The paper integrates engineering management, mathematical modelling, and BIM technology. The application of the building information model is undoubtedly one of the most advanced technologies used in the engineering management field, whose advantages have been shown by researchers. In the preliminary stage of construction and production management, decisions should be made regarding material and human resources, schedules, and estimates. The main purpose of this article is the optimisation of the excavation. Other issues important to the organisation and management of the construction are the planning of safe work on the construction site, depending on the soil type. Geotechnical sections allow ascertaining the need for additional fortifications and the depth of the fortifications for safe work. The paper describes the principal mathematical model developed by the authors to design a construction site using BIM technologies. It presents the main formulas of a mathematical algorithm aimed at selecting the objects used on the building site and the need for them. It also gives the main principles of engineering management and methods for selecting the mechanisms used on the construction site. Understandably, a specialist’s visit to the construction site will not be avoided, and it is difficult to present the entire current situation only with a review report or photographs. Using a photogrammetric model, the expert has the opportunity not only to visually evaluate the current condition but also to perform measurements (length, width, and volume) directly in the photogrammetric model. Important and new information about the construction site indicates all relevant obstacles, i.e., plants, surrounding constructions, and other objects.

Keywords:
BIM  building information modelling  engineering management  building site planning  building site management 

The paper aims to present commercialisation models for advanced technologies and services which can be applied in an R&D organisation. Against the background of the literature review on theoretical and practically verified commercialisation models, and marketing strategies and tools, the authors propose an original model, 7MWwBP, composed of several hybrid submodels. The model is intended to support commercialisation processes carried out at R&D organisations. The model is based on the input criteria (the type of innovation and the character of the innovation related to the market demand scale), and it indicates possible commercialisation paths (sale, licence, provision of a service, or a spin-off) and sets of dedicated marketing tools (BTL). The advantage of the model is that an R&D result (innovation) is its focal point, and the whole commercialisation process depends on it. The model aims to mitigate an empirical and research gap as regards commercialisation models suitable for R&D organisations. Furthermore, the model is distinguished by a holistic approach, which is not common for the commercialisation models described in the literature, as they do not comprehensively consider the relationship between the models and the type and character of a technological solution, commercialisation path, and the marketing tools used for commercialisation of R&D results. All the listed aspects are considered and included in the 7MWwBP model, which makes it suitable for the commercialisation of R&D results originating from research organisations, as presented in and substantiated by the example of an actual commercialisation process concerning R&D results in the field of optomechatronics.

Keywords:
technology management  prototype production and services  R&D organisation  commercialisation models  marketing tools  commercialisation path 

Job performance is an extremely complex factor affecting organisational performance. The literature recognises factors impacting job performance positively and negatively. This article aims to verify the turnover-mitigating effect on the relationship between servant leadership and job performance. The developed moderated mediation model is empirically verified based on the data collected from 263 managers working in Poland’s for-profit organisations. The results were analysed using Macro for IBM SPSS Statistics. It has been shown that employee turnover is a mediator in the job performance model based on turnover-mitigating servant leadership. Additionally, the influence of employees’ dynamic capabilities has been analysed. The study revealed the significance of servant leadership in influencing job performance and the disruptive relationship between employee turnover and the impact of employees’ dynamic capabilities in reducing employee turnover. This research provides practical implications for managers and organisations regarding selecting the right leadership style to improve employee job performance.

Keywords:
servant leadership  employee job performance  employee turnover  employees’ dynamic capabilities  organisational performance 

The growing competition for customers requires constant improvement of service quality, continuously raising the importance of this matter and the significance of the entire service sector. Essentially, service quality concerns not only the private but also the public sector. Service quality in the public sector has already been widely discussed in the literature. Among research themes in the frame of public service quality, the healthcare sector attracts particular attention from researchers. Therefore, this study aimed to identify research topics on the public service quality and healthcare quality discussed in the SCOPUS database from 2012 to 2022. A bibliometric technique and the VOSviewer software were used to analyse over 25 000 articles on public service and healthcare service published over ten years. As a result, a total of ten research themes were set up, five in the healthcare sector and five in the public sector, which were linked using keywords and presented on maps. The identified research themes demonstrate the most popular research directions and indicate research gaps related to the subject.

Keywords:
quality  public service  healthcare service  bibliometric analysis 

Governments of different countries and healthcare organisations working in various areas face enormous challenges when trying to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and protect employees, their families and communities. Workplaces can be high-risk environments in terms of the virus outbreak and transmission. This paper aims to disclose the ways for workplace safety improvement in dentistry in the context of COVID-19. The authors present the theoretical model of workplace safety improvement with regard to COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures. The expectations, fears and tasks of dental employees at their workplace in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated based on the systematic literature review and the qualitative empirical study conducted in Lithuania. The study disclosed that unmet employee expectations could lead to different kinds of fear; the most common sources of anxiety are linked to a higher risk of getting infected, a lack or misuse of protection measures and inadequately performed work. Occupational risks are closely related to the components of a workplace system. Therefore, it is important to apply a holistic approach to improve workplace safety, enhance work performance and minimise the negative effects on an employee, an organisation, a patient and a socjety.

Keywords:
workplace safety; COVID-19 pandemic; dentistry 

The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions in the global economy, and container transport as a predominant means of the goods flow in global supply chains. Different measures employed worldwide to limit the virus spread, such as restrictions and quarantines on border crossings, port staff, container ships, transhipment terminals and the inland transport sector, created a colossal management challenge and caused a domino effect in delays. Consequently, it led to blank sailings and enormous rises in freight transport prices, the lack of supply reliability and shifts between different means of transport. These delays, enhanced by the Suez Canal blockage, exacerbated an already acute problem of the empty container shortage in the market. This paper aims to provide an in-depth overview of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on container transport and underline ways to increase resiliency against future disruptions. The research included a literature overview and formulation of recommendations. The paper contributes to the broad research of container transport management and provides insights for practitioners responsible for transport planning and disruption management.

Keywords:
container transport  pandemic  COVID-19  Suez Canal  empty containers  blank sailing 

Technology assessment and selection problems have gained importance in recent decades as the used technology often determines the enterprises’ competitive advantage. Due to the extensive catalogue of criteria that should be considered and, on the other hand, the extensive catalogue of available technologies and solutions, the decision-making process of choosing a technology becomes a significant challenge for organisations and individuals. This study aims to identify the main research directions and trends in the scientific literature on applying multi-criteria analysis (MCA) in the context of technology assessment and/or technology selection. The author conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The methodology of this study also included identifying the most productive authors, countries, organisations, and journals and analysing the occurrence and co-occurrence of terms. Final analyses included 380 publications retrieved from the Scopus database and 311 documents retrieved from the Web of Science repository. The analysis of the occurrence of terms and keywords allowed distinguishing two main research directions in using MCA methods in assessing and selecting industrial and health and medicine-related technologies. Some sub-areas have also been distinguished within these two areas: energy and renewable energy technologies, waste management, biomedical and medical technologies, and drug production technologies.

Keywords:
technology selection  technology assessment  multi-criteria analysis  bibliometric analysis