•Understanding properties of resilience metrics is crucial for their proper application.•Literature review was used to select metrics for networked infrastructure systems.•Strengths and weaknesses of ...metrics are compared, enhancements proposed.•DMCI simulation of a large transportation network is used to assess the properties of metrics.•Five parameters are used to specify the properties of selected metrics.
Critical infrastructure (CI) plays a crucial role in our daily life and CI resilience is nowadays a priority for policymakers and a strategic objective for operators. This trend prompted a considerable research effort on measuring resilience, which proposed several different metrics aiming to capture resilience properties of a CI system, both generic and problem-specific. Selecting the appropriate metric for a given application, based on properties, major strengths, or weaknesses of existing metrics, is not trivial. To this end, this paper first performs a systematic literature review of resilience metrics suitable for application to networked infrastructure systems, where a representative subset of different types of metrics is selected. We advance the state-of-the-art by defining a few new metrics to partly cover the gaps in the extant literature. The final set of resilience metrics is rigorously compared by looking at their behaviour when the properties of the system vary. In particular, we evaluate the ability of each metric to assess the influence of the system's structural and operational conditions on its resilience profile. The proposed and implemented evaluation procedure uses the DMCI tool (Dynamic Functional Modelling of Vulnerability and Interdependencies of CIs) to simulate the dynamics of an interdependent networked infrastructure system. A large portion of the transportation network connecting Italy and Switzerland is used as the empirical setting.
Surgery has changed significantly in recent years due to the introduction of advanced technologies, resulting in increased system complexity at the technical, human and organisational levels, which ...may lead to higher variability of patient outcome due to new error pathways. Current approaches towards a safer surgery are largely based on ex-post analysis of events and process monitoring (e.g. root cause analysis, safety checklists, safety audits). However, adopting a proactive approach enables the prior identification of critical factors and the design of safer sociotechnical systems, thanks to a multi-level (or mesoergnomics) perspective. In this paper, a methodology for performing mesoergonomics analysis of surgical procedures is proposed. It is a methodology for Dynamic Human Reliability Analysis in Robotic Surgery based on a modified version of human error assessment and reduction technique (HEART) integrated with a method for incorporating uncertainties related to the influence of personal and organisational factors on the execution of a surgical procedure. The pilot application involves a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy procedure, and the results reveal that team-related factors have the greatest impact on patient outcome variability.
•A methodology for mesoergonomics investigation in surgery is proposed.•A modified HEART procedure is coupled with the DET modelling of the surgical procedure.•Monte Carlo method is used to assess the impact of Error Modes and Influencing Factors.•Uncertainty on patient outcome in Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy is evaluated.•Team related factors are found to have the highest impact on patient outcome uncertainty.
Abstract Introduction The radiation oncology process along with its unique therapeutic properties is also potentially dangerous for the patient, and thus it should be delivered under a systematic ...risk control. To this aim incident reporting and analysis are not sufficient for assuring patient safety and proactive risk assessment should also be implemented. The paper accounts for some methodological solutions, lessons learned and opportunities for improvement, starting from the systematic application of the failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) technique to the radiotherapy process of an Italian hospital. Materials and methods The analysis, performed by a working group made of experts of the radiotherapy unit, was organised into the following steps: (1) complete and detailed analysis of the process (integration definition for function modelling); (2) identification of possible failure modes (FM) of the process, representing sources of adverse events for the patient; (3) qualitative risk assessment of FMs, aimed at identifying priorities of intervention; (4) identification and planning of corrective actions. Results Organisational and procedural corrective measures were implemented; a set of safety indexes for the process was integrated within the traditional quality assurance indicators measured by the unit. A strong commitment of all the professionals involved was observed and the study revealed to be a powerful “tool” for dissemination of patient safety culture. Conclusion The feasibility of FMECA in fostering radiotherapy safety was proven; nevertheless, some lessons learned as well as weaknesses of current practices in risk management open to future research for the integration of retrospective methods (e.g. incident reporting or root cause analysis) and risk assessment.
•A validated ad hoc taxonomy of 21 Influencing Factors for HRA in surgery.•IFs influence estimated by eliciting surgeons’ perception.•Rude talk and disrespectful behaviours impact surgical ...performance the most.•Some IFs show higher influence in mini-invasive surgery compered to open surgery.•• No statistical correlation between the influence of IFs and surgeon’s proficiency.
Several authors encouraged the application of Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) to patient care, recognising the benefits it brought to high-risk industries in terms of human errors reduction, thanks to its anticipative approach. However, the literature on HRA in healthcare is still scanty, and shows significant gaps at methodological level. Only a very limited number of HRA studies implemented Influencing Factors (IFs) analysis in the quantification of the Human Error Probability, despite it represents a peculiar component and a well-established step in several HRA techniques. Furthermore, the need for a deep adaptation and translation of existing HRA techniques to the healthcare domain is emphasised by several authors. This paper aims at designing a taxonomy of Influencing Factors for HRA studies in surgery, and assessing their influence on surgeons’ technical performance by means of structured elicitation of experts’ judgement. An ad hoc taxonomy of 21 IFs has been validated through focus group and individual interviews, in Denmark and Italy; 215 questionnaires from expert surgeons in open and mini-invasive surgeries were then used for the quantification of the impact of each IF on surgeons’ performance. An investigation on the possible influence of different surgical techniques revealed that only two out of the twenty-one IFs show different probability density functions (pdf) when considered in open or mini-invasive surgeries. The study offers an original and relevant contribution to the development of domain-specific knowledge and, as such, to fostering the diffusion of HRA studies in healthcare, and in surgery in particular.
This literature-grounded research contributes to a deeper understanding of modularization as a system life cycle management strategy, by providing a comprehensive view of its key barriers, drivers, ...possible mechanisms of implementation and impact. This comprehensive view, arranged into a decision-making–driven ontology, enables a decision maker to systematically identify modularization implementation opportunities in different industrial and service domains. The proposed ontology transforms modularization into a fully operationalizable strategy and contributes to a paradigm shift in the understanding of modularization, from a pure design option (i.e. modularity) to a fully strategic choice that, by nature, impacts on many of the system’s life cycle phases and involves a number of stakeholders.
Complexity and dynamism are considered intrinsic features of engineer-to-order (ETO) business environment; it is, therefore, important to understand and manage them better. Based on empirical ...investigation into two case companies, this paper expands the existing literature on how and why complexity and dynamism context factors constitute not only external business environment issues but also subfactors within the boundary of the firm. It argues that most of the subfactors for complexity and dynamism identified for repetitive manufacturing are relevant for the high uncertainty capital goods manufacturing ETO with some exceptions such as short product life cycle and technological turbulence. A framework of configuration (on implementation of lean practices), and moderation (on the lean-operations performance relation) forms of influence from dynamism and complexity is proposed. Further arguments to be verified in future large-scale research include: (1) dynamism bears challenges, and complexity provides opportunities to foster implementation of relevant lean practices in ETO, (2) both complexity and dynamism positively mediate better operations performance and enriched value from implemented lean practices.
New industrial dynamics are disrupting the space sector. New stakeholders bringing in capital, technologies, and knowledge from other industries are developing next-generation space infrastructures ...and services. Both commercial and institutional space projects have to be valuable for a wider set of end-users, asking not only for economic returns but also social and environmental benefits. Space organizations urge understanding and fostering value in the New Space Economy ecosystem. Indeed, end-users are still struggling to enact the expected value of satellite data and solutions for their business. This paper aims to investigate the expected value and the level of adoption (enacted value) of satellite data and satellite-based solutions in the New Space Economy ecosystem from end-users’ perspective. We interviewed 21 managers from end-user organizations in different sectors (i.e., Insurance & Finance, Energy & Utility, Transportation & Logistics). Value is deeply discussed in general management literature, and we identify Value Theory as the theoretical lens with the most explanatory power for the phenomenon under examination. From the end-users’ perspective, we frame the expected value and the enacted value in taking strategic and tactical decisions regarding their activities, services and products, laying the foundations for further studies of value mechanisms in the New Space ecosystem. Our research set a theoretical and conceptual foundation on value in the New Space ecosystem. It also delineates the blurred boundaries of the New Space ecosystem, the main stakeholders involved, and their perception of value. Insights and implications for strategic and innovation management are also provided. Practitioners may exploit our research results and leverage the end-users-oriented framework to develop next-generation space projects in the New Space ecosystem. We also discuss the limitations and further developments of this research.
•We study the value perception of satellite data from the end-users’ perspective.•We show how and why end-users adopt satellite data in tactical and strategic choice.•Satellite data are mostly adopted in tactical decisions rather than strategic ones.•End-users face high transaction costs and a lack of literacy about satellite data.•Data providers should focus on providing competencies (not only data) to end-users.
•Interdependencies are studied at service level.•The approach is generic and sector agnostic.•Service demand levels are considered to identify infrastructure inoperability.•Demand shift to ...infrastructures providing similar services is considered.•DMCI can be federated with sector specific models.
The adequate functioning of critical infrastructures is crucial for sustaining the development of today’s societies and economies. It is a priority, therefore, to foster our understanding of such systems and ability to assess interdependencies, vulnerabilities, and resilience. Starting from the DMCI (Dynamic functional Modelling of vulnerability and interoperability of Critical Infrastructure systems) framework proposed in 1, in this paper we present an evolved formalism (DMCI-e). This introduces novel modeling features and enhances applicability while keeping the original focus on a dynamic and network-centric characterization of disservice. A key objective is to respond to the need, expressed by policy-makers and critical infrastructure regulators, for sector-agnostic and multi-granular infrastructure models for the estimation of service supply capabilities and response during and after disruptive events.
The management of emergencies affecting interdependent critical infrastructure (CI) systems is a complex issue of increasing concern. The existence of multiple cascading effects, limited situational ...awareness, and the need for coordination between several actors are factors that justify the conceptualisation of CI as a complex adaptive system (CAS). Although the capability concept has been extensively adopted in emergency management (EM) literature, proper classification and modelling of CI systems is lacking. This study aims to adopt a capability-based approach for EM to improve the adaptability to the prevailing and unpredictable circumstances, based on a combination of literature review and field research. It proposes a classification and modelling framework for the analysis of the intra- and inter-organisational capabilities using a pilot application involving the Italy–Switzerland cross-border transport infrastructure. This framework is suitable for modelling the EM capabilities under different operational contexts and emergency scenarios. Moreover, it enables the representation and description of a CI system through elementary components that capture the main features of a CAS. The obtained results indicate that the proposed framework can foster public–private collaboration in the development of CI protection and resilience programmes.
PDF
