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Publications

Publications by CESE

2024

Toward Digital Twin Conceptualization in Complex Operations Environments

Authors
Ghanbarifard, R; Almeida, AH; Luz, AG; Azevedo, A;

Publication
FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION AND INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING: MANUFACTURING INNOVATION AND PREPAREDNESS FOR THE CHANGING WORLD ORDER, FAIM 2024, VOL 1

Abstract
This paper advocates for Digital Twin (DT) technology as a pivotal solution to address the complexities of Complex Operations Environments (COEs). Recognizing the need for a thorough understanding of COEs and their DTs, a methodology is introduced to bridge existing gaps. Given the lack of a universal definition, the approach leverages the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to extract insights, facilitating the development of a comprehensive definition for COE and DT. The methodology integrates Ontology and Systems Modelling Language (SysML) to provide a semantic and conceptual model of COE and DT. Ontology enriches the semantic understanding, exploring existence and entity relationships, while SysML ensures clear and concise communication through standardized graphical representation. This paper aims to present a methodology to achieve a precise understanding of COEs and their corresponding DTs, providing a robust foundation for addressing operational complexities in dynamic environments.

2024

FIRMa: A Framework to Support the Requirements Management Process Based on Information Management Tools

Authors
Fagundes, PB; de Macedo, DDJ; Soares, AL;

Publication
MOBILE NETWORKS & APPLICATIONS

Abstract
Some of the fundamental activities of the software development process relate to the discipline of Requirements Engineering. Their objectives are to discover, analyze, document, verify and manage the requirements that will be part of the software. The requirements are the system's characteristics, which are identified based on information provided by users or experts in the field. The effective management of this information is essential to ensure that the system meets the needs of those who will use it. Considering that the requirements are information, we carried out research to propose a framework contemplating a set of tools used by the information management to assist the requirements management process's activities. This article aims to present the FIRMa - Framework based on Information Management to Requirements Management, and the results of an evaluation carried out by a group of eighteen specialists in Requirements Engineering, who gave their opinion about the tools contemplated by the framework, as well as defined steps and the guidelines elaborated for its use. The evaluation results showed that FIRMa could contribute to the requirements management process's activities and increase the project's chances of success.

2024

Application of Augmented Reality to Support Manufacturing Resilience

Authors
Ramalho, FR; Moreno, T; Soares, AL; Almeida, AH; Oliveira, M;

Publication
FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION AND INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING: ESTABLISHING BRIDGES FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, FAIM 2023, VOL 2

Abstract
European industrial value chains and manufacturing companies have recently faced critical challenges imposed by disruptive events related to the pandemic and associated social/political problems. Many European manufacturing industries have already recognized the importance of digitalization to increase manufacturing systems' autonomy and, consequently, become more resilient to adapt to new contexts and environments. Augmented reality (AR) is one of the emerging technologies associated with the European Industry 5.0 initiative, responsible for increasing human-machine interactions, promoting resilience through decision-making, and flexibility to deal with variability and unexpected events. However, the application and benefits of AR in increasing manufacturing resilience are still poorly perceived by academia and by European Manufacturing companies. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to the state of the art by relating the application of AR with current industrial processes towards manufacturing systems resilience. In order to cope with this objective, the industrial resilience and augmented human worker concepts are first presented. Then, through an exploratory study involving different manufacturing companies, a list of relevant disruptive events is compiled, as well as a proposal with specific ideas and functionalities on how AR can be applied to address them. In conclusion, this research work highlights the importance of AR in coping mainly with disruptive events related to Human Workforce Management and Market/Sales Management. The AR application ideas shared a common thread of availability and delivery of information to the worker at the right time, place, and format, acting on the standardization and flexibility of the work to support manufacturing resilience.

2024

Enabling Technologies to Support Supply Chain Logistics 5.0

Authors
Andres, B; Diaz-Madroñero, M; Soares, AL; Poler, R;

Publication
IEEE ACCESS

Abstract
Industry 5.0 complements the Industry 4.0 approach by enabling the transition of industry digitization to a sustainable, human-centered and resilient paradigm. This paper delves into the exploration of enabling technologies that facilitate both Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 in the context of supporting supply chain (SC) logistics. The paper defines the principles of Logistics 5.0, which focuses on smart logistics systems for customized distribution, transportation, inventory management and warehousing by emphasizing interconnectivity, digitization, and optimization across SC operations. The traditional logistics framework requires innovative solutions grounded in emerging Industry 5.0 technologies capable of capturing and processing extensive datasets to empower decision-making based on information and knowledge. A comprehensive research has enabled to critically analyze enabling Industry 5.0 technologies by assessing their application status through real-case scenarios within SC Logistics 5.0. Furthermore, the paper identifies research gaps in the reviewed technologies by outlining promising areas for each Industry 4.0 technology. This guidance aims to direct future studies toward the practical application of technologies in supporting Logistics 5.0.

2024

Integrating AI in Supply Chain Management: Using a Socio-Technical Chart to Navigate Unknown Transformations

Authors
Soares, AL; Gomes, J; Zimmermann, R; Rhodes, D; Dorner, V;

Publication
NAVIGATING UNPREDICTABILITY: COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS IN NON-LINEAR WORLDS, PRO-VE 2024, PT I

Abstract
For decades, the collaborative networks community has studied supply chains, focusing on trust, visibility, collaboration, and innovation, with emergent technologies being a key area of research. The rise of digital technologies has led to extensive studies on supply chain digital transformation. With the surge of AI-based technologies, there is an increasing body of research on AI's human and social impact on Supply Chain Management (SCM). However, while Socio-Technical Systems (STS) thinking has been applied to digital transformations, it has not yet addressed AI-induced changes in supply chains. This paper synthesises recent research on AI integration in SCM and the use of STS thinking in AI systems design. We propose a mapping approach for profiling AI-induced supply chain transformations for strategic design. We also present the Supply Chain Socio-Technical AI (SC-STAI) profiling tool in practice, demonstrating how it maps supply chain participants' current and desired states regarding AI integration.

2024

Canvas as Tools for Digital Platform Design: Analysis, Comparison and Evolution

Authors
Silva, HD; Soares, AL;

Publication
NAVIGATING UNPREDICTABILITY: COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS IN NON-LINEAR WORLDS, PRO-VE 2024, PT II

Abstract
Canvas have for long been embraced as a popular design tool. Initially aimed towards, business model development, the model of a one page, visual and collaborative tool has spread to the design of many different artifacts. Digital platforms, with its conjugation of business, technical, and social facets have benefited from the canvas model for its design practices, from both scholars and practitioners. Nonetheless, the recent push for more industry-specific and holistic digital platform research agenda is bound to have an impact in the tools used for platform design. In this paper, we apply a literature review method to examine existing canvas, inspired by the Business Model Canvas, as tools for the design of digital platforms. Using conceptual platform design research as a frame of reference, we review eight canvas specific for digital platform design, highlighting four critical limitations in their application regarding (1) adopted broad platform conceptualizations; (2) a restricted focus on business elements; (3) a lack of focus on platform evolution; and (4) a lack of guidance in the translation of canvas to explicit platform design propositions and requirements. By addressing these limitations, we set a path for the evolution of canvas as collaborative tools that can better support the more comprehensive and nuanced approaches required for the design of digital platforms acting in an evermore non-linear, volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environments.

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