CERES :: Browsing by Author "Al-Ashaab, Ahmed"

Browsing by Author "Al-Ashaab, Ahmed"

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Open Access
4 Developing a framework to improve leadership performance in healthcare organisations: the case of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(BMJ, 2018-10-31) Algarni, Namshan; McLaughlin, Patrick; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
In order to improve leadership performance and enhance effective leadership in the healthcare sector organisations in general and the KSA in particular, this study proposes a theoretical framework to address the way in which leadership competency strengthens the relationship between leaders and followers. This research uses a constructive-interpretive philosophical approach, applying a qualitative strategy to achieve its objectives. The study aimed to identify the factors that related to performance level, including enablers and inhibitors of performance improvement. This helped to build an initial understanding about the context of the project and hence, address the critical factors and aspects that could be influencing leadership performance improvement in the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia in order to develop a framework with suggested interventions to improve the productivity in this vital sector. Sampling of this study is the Health affairs of the Ministry of the Saudi National Guard. NGHA has also become well known internationally, especially in successful conjoined twins separations.
Open Access
A3 thinking approach to enhance a complaints handling process in the airline sector
(Cranfield University, 2019-07) Alshahrani, Bader Mohammed; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; McLaughlin, Patrick
A prescription for the business success is a matter of concern for company management, researchers and policy makers. There is an ongoing debate regarding the key tools which can increase business efficiency. For example, one stream of research argued that focusing on short-term goals is enough to boost up business performance. On the other hand, another stream argued that companies should focus on long-term performance by emphasising the importance of continuous improvement to assure the delivery of business sustainability. From this point of view, researchers proposed that problem solving is the key for achieving continuous improvement. Problem solving approaches are essential for maintaining the customer service quality as high as possible given the fact that they (problem solving approaches) focus on preventing the reoccurrence of complaints from customers. However, researcher did not reach a consensus regarding the effectiveness of the ‘traditional’ approaches of problem solving (e.g. the 5 whys). As a result, this study develops an A3 Thinking approach for problem-solving in order to enhance the complaints handling process in the airline sector. This approach is validated by using case studies of Saudi Airlines. One of the main advantages of developing such an approach is that it enables the capture of subsequent provision of useful knowledge gained from each complaint, thus enabling the prevention of the reoccurrence of problems, and supporting decision- making. This study provided a valid evidence on the importance of handling customer complaints in different touchpoints during customer journey (pre-flight, on board and post-flight phases). This study found that breaking down customer journey to touchpoints help company management prevent the reoccurrence of customer complaints by increasing the efficiency of responding to customer complaints. The research contributes to the literature by providing a detailed explanation of the journey encountered by airline customers, and it contributes towards enhanced practitioner outcomes by developing a customised A3 Thinking approach for problem-solving in the airline sector based on a learning cycle.
Open Access
A3 thinking approach to support knowledge-driven design
(Springer, 2013-03-01) Mohd Saad, Norhairin; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Maksimovic, Maksim; Zhu, L.; Shehab, Essam; Ewers, P.; Kassam, A.
Problem solving is a crucial skill in product development. Any lack of effective decision making at an early design stage will affect productivity and increase costs and the lead time for the other stages of the product development life cycle. This could be improved by the use of a simple and informative approach which allows the designers and engineers to make decisions in product design by providing useful knowledge. This paper presents a novel A3 thinking approach to problem solving in product design, and provides a new A3 template which is structured from a combination of customised elements (e.g. the 8 Disciplines approach) and reflection practice. This approach was validated using a case study in the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) design issue for an automotive electrical sub-assembly product. The main advantage of the developed approach is to create and capture the useful knowledge in a simple manner. Moreover, the approach provides a reflection section allowing the designers to turn their experience of design problem solving into proper learning and to represent their understanding of the design solution. These will be systematically structured (e.g. as a design checklist) to be circulated and shared as a reference for future design projects. Thus, the recurrence of similar design problems will be prevented and will aid the designers in adopting the expected EMC test results.
Open Access
A3 thinking approach to support lean product and process development
(Cranfield University, 2013-03) Mohd Saad, Norhairin; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Shehab, Essam
This research project aims to develop a novel A3 thinking approach to support knowledge driven design that aids the generation of decision making within a Lean Product and Process Development (LeanPPD) environment. This research comprises the development of a new A3 template as a technique of problem solving in product design, the adoption of a reflection practice structured in a new A3 template for knowledge capture and sharing, and the generation of the process of using the A3 thinking approach for effective implementation. Providing useful knowledge as a design reference to generate decision making at the initial stages of product development in product design helps the designers to prevent recurrence of the same problem, eliminate design mistakes and enhance design decision. In order to achieve a novel A3 thinking approach, a research methodology consisting of four phases was developed. The first phase synthesises the A3 best practice through literature and documentation reviews. The gap analysis and results from the reviews have identified several problem-solving approaches and learning cycles that have to be considered in the research. The second phase is to evaluate the approaches and their impacts and applications in product design. In order to complete this, several research methods are selected and performed (e.g. focus group and semistructured interview) within the collaborative companies. The third phase is to develop the A3 thinking approach by utilising the LAMDA learning cycle, developing a new A3 template or so-called A3LAMDA, adopting the reflection practice and generating the process of using the new A3 thinking approach. Finally, the validation of the new A3 thinking approach through industrial case studies and expert judgements have been performed. This approach has been implemented in the automotive sector and was applied to four industrial case studies and six A3LAMDA reports were collected. As a result of the findings of this research, the utilisation of the A3 thinking approach aided the generation of knowledge driven design in product design by integrating the knowledge management capabilities; knowledge creation, capture and sharing.
Open Access
An analysis of methods to achieve robustness towards a lean product development process
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2012-06-18) Cabello, Alan; Flores, Karina; Flores, Myrna; Khan, Muhammad; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
Since Taguchi’s introduction to robustness much has been researched about it, particularly into the field of new product development. Despite the attention given to the subject by academia, recent research has found that industry has yet to fully grasp its benefits. Among the main attributed factors, lie the complexity of the proposed statistical tools and a general misconception of the concept and its implementation. Based on Toyota’s Product Development System, the term Conceptual Robustness is broadly defined based on three forms of variation: physical, design and market. Parting from the this definition and as part of the LeanPPD Project, the objective of this paper’s contribution is threefold: 1), to present the state of the art on research in the area of robustness, 2) propose a taxonomy in order to understand the different scopes of available resources and 3) finally identifying the possibilities to achieve conceptual robustness (that of Sobek et al., 1999) with the available resources presented to the industry by academic research.
Open Access
The application of set-based concurrent engineering to enhance the design performance of surface jet pump
(World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society (WSEAS), 2016-12-31) Mohd Maulana, Muhd Ikmal; Flisiak, Jakub Wiktor; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Araci, Zehra Canan; Lasisz, Piotr Wojciech; Beg, Najam; Rehman, Abdullah
Set-Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) is an approach that has the capability to improve the efficiencies of the product development process. SBCE provides an environment where design space is explored thoroughly which lead to enhance innovation. This is achieved by considering an alternative set of solutions after gaining the right knowledge to support decision to narrow down the set of solutions until the single optimal design solution is reached. This paper presents a novel application SBCE in order to generate alternative design to enhance the efficiency of the Surface Jet Pump (SJP) in term of its productivity and performance of producing the oil and gas in oil and gas well.
Open Access
Applying trade-off curve to support set-based design application in an aerospace company
(Institut Agama Islam Negeri, 2020-12-01) Mohsin, Esraa M.; Abdulateef, Osamah F.; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
Companies compete greatly with each other today, so they need to focus on innovation to develop their products and make them competitive. Lean product development is the ideal way to develop product, foster innovation, maximize value, and reduce time. Set-Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) is an approved lean product improvement mechanism that builds on the creation of a number of alternative designs at the subsystem level. These designs are simultaneously improved and tested, and the weaker choices are removed gradually until the optimum solution is reached finally. SBCE implementations have been extensively performed in the automotive industry and there are a few case studies in the aerospace industry. This research describe the use of trade-off curve as a lean tool to support SBCE process model in CONGA project, using NASA simulation software version 1.7c and CONGA demonstration program (DEMO program) to help designers and engineers to extract the design solution where it exists according to the customer requirement and to extract alternative nearest solutions from the previous project that meet customer requirement to achieve low noise engine at an aerospace company and also extract the infeasible region where the designers cannot make any prototype in this region before manufacturing process begin, that will lead to reducing rework, time and cost.
Open Access
Assessing the leanness of a supply chain using multi-grade fuzzy logic: a health-care case study
(Emerald, 2018-07-20) Almutairi, Abdulaziz Marzouq; Salonitis, Konstantinos; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
Purpose Numerous and diverse organizations have implemented lean principles and practices, which concentrate on improving the efficiency of business processes by reducing cost, waste, consumptions and effort. However, previous assessments have not focused on the leanness of the supply chain in a health-care setting. This paper aims to introduce a method for assessing the successful implementation of lean principles and tools in a supply chain. Furthermore, this paper validates the method in a health-care organization. Design/methodology/approach This paper starts with an extensive literature review on assessing leanness and using multi-grade fuzzy logic. Then, a conceptual model was developed to measure leanness. The conceptual model was validated by discussing the initial version with select academic experts, especially those who deal with leanness in health-care organizations. After responding to the experts’ valuable comments, the health-care organization that is the focus of this case study was chosen based on two criteria. The first criterion was the organization’s ability to participate in the study, and the second was the organization’s commitment to implementing lean principles. These criteria were important to ensure the organization had the necessary foundation for implementing change initiatives such as lean process improvements. Next, a multi-grade (multi-attributes) fuzzy logic was used for leanness measurement. A leanness index was calculated, and the results were validated using experts from the case study organization. Finally, the weaker areas of the organization’s processes were identified to point the way for further improvements. Findings The assessment indicated that the case study organization is not lean. The organization’s weaker attributes were identified, and improvements have been suggested. Research limitations/implications This study focused on a single health-care organization, which was selected from a limited pool of potential organizations, namely, organizations which are accredited by both the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions and the Joint Commission International. The scope of future research should be extended to multi-case studies to enhance the findings presented in this paper. This paper’s findings can be used to help decision-makers at health-care providers to implement lean thinking in supply chain processes. Practical implications This research may be interest to practicing supply chain managers, as it proposes what enablers, factors and attributes should be emphasized in lean implementation. The proposed model can work as an assessment tool to identify the gap between the present level of leanness and the desired leanness state so the health-care organization can identify what can be improved. This model enables decision-makers in hospital supply chain to take suitable actions for improving lean implementation level. Originality/value This study makes an original contribution to the body of research concerning lean principles; the study developed a conceptual model for leanness assessment that can be applied to the supply chain of health-care organizations. Indeed, the conceptual model is likely to be useful for assessing leanness outside of the health-care field, which suggests avenues for future research.
Open Access
A balanced scorecard for measuring the impact of industry–university collaboration
(Taylor and Francis, 2011-07) Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Flores, Myrna; Doultsinou, Athanasia; Magyar, Andrea
The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) can be considered as a strategic measurement tool. Many companies have applied it to measure four key aspects of their organisations’ performance: financial, customer, internal business process and learning and growth. Although it is widely used in the business arena, this original BSC was not developed to assess the impact of collaborative research projects under an open innovation strategy, where the outputs of research and development developed by collaborative projects undertaken by industry and universities should be measured in a different way. Therefore, this article will propose a scorecard to measure the outcomes of collaborative research and present two case studies of how companies are using this tool to measure the outcomes. It is important to recall that this scorecard has been developed during a collaborative research project by CEMEX Research Group AG (Switzerland) and Cranfield University (UK). During such project, a survey was developed to carry out interviews in a sample of 10 companies in UK, where it was confirmed that a collaborative BSC is a very useful tool to measure, track and improve the impact of conducting collaborative projects with universities. This article is an extended version of the one presented at the PRO-VE’09 conference (Flores et al. 2009. A balanced scorecard for measuring the impact of industry-university collaboration. In: Leveraging knowledge for innovation in collaborative networks, 10th IFIP WG 5.5 working conference on virtual enterprises, PRO-VE 2009, 7–9 October 2009, Thessaloniki, Greece, 23–32).
Open Access
Benchmark pre-production practice in manufacturing engineering
(IOS Press, 2017-12-31) Shehab, Essam; Rao, Yogeesh; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Beadle, Chris; Sarfraz, Shoaib
Prototyping stage is a very important phase of new product development, where many decisions need to be taken to get high quality, zero defect products at the right time with minimum cost. Therefore, any value added improvements or best practices in the prototyping stage will support competitiveness of manufacturing companies. This research aims to benchmark the best practices in prototype part manufacture to support early stages of product introduction. A set of of best practices in the prototype component manufacture, along with validated four step prototyping strategy model and best practice prototype journey path model were developed. Research findings provide insight about prototyping trends, best practices and optimum ways of doing prototyping in the manufacturing companies around the globe. Manufacturing companies can use the developed models and best practices to make better prototype strategy in their new product introduction system to achieve their business objectives.
Open Access
A benchmark study of the independent quality validation techniques of product design and development
(Cranfield University, 2009-09) Adeniji, Moyosore; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
As we move ahead in the 21st century, quality validation techniques need to be based on principles of long term safety as consumers are now more aware of safety issues surrounding product design and development and globalisation has brought about competition within the manufacturing industry. Quality is seen as a reality for all manufacturing organisations and if quality standards are ever compromised, the immediate benefits in terms of cost savings, efficiencies and enhanced profitability are often lost. The study aims to capture and analyse the industrial best practices of independent quality techniques to evaluate and validate product design and development. The project introduces various techniques used in testing hardware components of products and what the pros and cons of these testing techniques are. Due to the information that was to be gathered during the research process, an inductive approach was taken. This approach consisted mainly of five major phases; the literature and industrial research, data collection & analysis at the sponsor company, the benchmark study, the final proposal and validation of the project by experts at the sponsor company. Academic literature and various online resources were consulted and reviewed to identify the various hardware testing techniques and for overall insight into the common issues and challenges faced by manufacturing organisations involved in the use of the identified testing techniques. Comparisons were made between academic literature and reality in industry. The results revealed that the sponsor company was operating within the best practices of the manufacturing industry and conclusions were drawn from the entire study stating that although the sponsor company was operating within the best practices, there was room for improvement. The documented benefits of the testing techniques will provide factual information to the senior management team enabling them make strategic decisions on the new techniques that could be implemented into their hardware testing plan.
Open Access
Capturing the industrial requirements of set-based design for CONGA framework - Final
(Cranfield University Press, 2013-09-19) Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Golob, Matic; Noriega, Paula; Torriani, Filippo; Alvarez, Pedro; Beltran, Ana; Busachi, Alessandro; Ex-Ignotis, Lambert; Rigatti, Carlotta; Sharma, Sanjiv
The Configuration Optimisation of Next-Generation Aircraft (CONGA) is a proposed framework in a response industrial need to enhance the aerospace capability in the UK. In order to successfully address this challenge, a need to develop a true multi-disciplinary Set-Based Design (SBD) capability that could deploy new technologies on novel configurations more quickly and with greater confidence was identified. This paper presents the first step towards the development of the SBD capabilities which is to elicit the industrial requirement of the SBD process for the key aerospace industrial partners involved in this CONGA approach.
Open Access
Capturing the Industrial Requirements of Set-Based Design for the CONGA Framework
(2013-09-19T00:00:00Z) Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Golob, Matic; Noriega, Paula; Torriani, Filippo; Alvarez, Pedro; Beltran, Ana; Busachi, Alessandro; Ex-Ignotis, Lambert; Rigatti, Carlotta; Sharma, Sanjiv; Shehab, Essam; Ball, Peter; Tjahjono, Benny
The Configuration Optimisation of Next-Generation Aircraft (CONGA) is a proposed framework in a response to industrial need to enhance the aerospace capability in the UK. In order to successfully address this challenge, a need to develop a true multi-disciplinary Set-Based Design (SBD) capability that could deploy new technologies on novel configurations more quickly and with greater confidence was identified. This paper presents the first step towards the development of the SBD capabilities which is to elicit the industrial requirement of the SBD process for the key aerospace industrial partners involved in this CONGA approach.
Open Access
Challenges of model-based definition for high-value manufacturing
(IOS, 2019-09-12) Goher, Kamran; Shehab, Essam; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
Manufacturing Industry is moving towards adoption of 3D models as the ultimate authoritative source for complete product definition replacing 2D drawings, which is called “Model-Based Definition”. Starting its journey from geometric information on design, manufacturing, and inspection, the targets are to achieve the ultimate goal of lifecycle model based enterprise, requiring MBD to be more comprehensive and challenging structure of information instead of just a geometric model. The industry has not yet fully achieved implementation of MBD to whole product lifecycle. This journey is long and tough, and we are still at an early stage, but it will be a decisive factor in gaining competitive advantage by the early adopters, especially in high-value manufacturing. Complete adoption of MBD has several issues and challenges that need to be addressed. This paper presents a review of current literature, intending to cover present state of knowledge, issues, challenges, and future research directions, in the development and adoption of MBD.
Open Access
The Conceptual LeanPPD Model
(2012-06-30) Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Shehab, Essam; Alam, Rahman; Sopelanad, Amaia; Sorli, Mikel; Flores, Myrna; Taisch, Marco; Stokic, Dragan; James-Moore, Mike; Jerzy, Pokojski; Shuichi, Fukada; Jozef, Salwinski
This paper is presenting the conceptual Lean Product and Process Development (LeanPPD) model which is a project funded by the EU-PF7. The project is addressing the needs of European manufacturing companies of a new model that goes beyond lean manufacturing, to ensure the transformation of the enterprise into lean environment. This is a respond to the market demand of value creation, incorporating sustainability and customisation as well as ensuring business growth through the development of high quality products in a cost effective manner at the shortest time. The authors believe that significant change in enterprise performance can be achieved through the adoption of lean thinking throughout the product life cycle. The paper presents the LeanPPD enablers which represent the building block of the model.
Open Access
The construction of a model for lean product development
(Cranfield University, 2012-08) Khan, Muhammad Sharjeel; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Shehab, Essam
‘Lean’ or ‘lean thinking’ refers to an improvement philosophy which focuses on the fulfilment of customer value and the reduction of waste. This philosophy is credited with the extraordinary rise of Toyota, one of the largest and most profitable automotive companies in the world. This thesis presents a pioneering study investigating how lean thinking should be applied to product development (PD). The aim of the research was to construct an innovative model which supports the implementation of lean thinking in PD. This was achieved through progressive collaboration with practitioners from European manufacturing companies. The model provides a process for the conceptual development of an engineering project, and is composed of phases and activities for which methodologies have been defined. The construction of the lean PD model was preceded by a systematic literature review and an industrial field study, wherein 36 semi-structured interviews were conducted in five manufacturing companies in Europe. The constructed model was later implemented on two real-life case studies via action research. The two conducted case studies involved the product architecture design for a car audio head unit and the development of a helicopter engine. It was concluded that the lean PD model addresses various industrial challenges including customer value, communication, and innovation. Furthermore, by focusing on conceptual design, the lean PD model is expected to reduce design rework. As a result of the positive effects of the model, one of the companies involved intends to implement the lean PD model further, and wishes to extend the model to the rest of the organisation. This research makes four main contributions: (1) a novel lean PD model; (2) a number of tools developed to support the model; (3) a framework for lean PD enablers; and (4) a categorisation of challenges faced by PD in industry used to verify the relevance of the lean PD model.
Open Access
Creating knowledge environment during lean product development process of jet engine
(Science and Information (SAI) Organization, 2020-05-31) Araci, Zehra Canan; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Tariq, Muhammad Usman; Braasch, Jan H.; Emre Simsekler, M. C.
Organizations invest intense resources in their product development processes. This paper aims to create a knowledge environment using trade-off curves during the early stages of the set-based concurrent engineering (SBCE) process of an aircraft jet engine for a reduced noise level at takeoff. Data is collected from a range of products in the same family as the jet engine. Knowledge-based trade-off curves are used as a methodology to create and visualize knowledge from the collected data. Findings showed that this method provides designers with enough confidence to identify a set of design solutions during the SBCE applications
Open Access
A decision-making framework for purchasing product-service systems
(Cranfield University, 2016-01) Alotaibi, Sati Fehaid; Tjahjono, Benny; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed
As technologies become more complex and competition becomes tougher than ever before, manufacturers in the developed world acknowledge the significance of a competitive strategy in increasing sales to their customers. These strategies not only include offering the products, but also offering service contracts and integrated bundles of products and services, where the supplier is responsible for the required engineering services, typically for a relatively long period of time. This is also known as Product-Service Systems (PSS). For many commercial and governmental organisations, purchasing PSS remains challenging. Despite the considerable work that has been conducted to investigate and improve the methodological applications of the concept of PSS from PSS providers’ perspective, purchasing PSS positions the PSS customers halfway between PSS providers’ strategies and the PSS customer traditional strategies. Little effort in the literature describing how to assist PSS customers in the selection and evaluation of the PSS offerings has been observed. Consequently, this research attempts to satisfy the gap in the body of knowledge by proposing a decision-making framework to enable PSS customer to evaluate and select from the various PSS offers. The research began by reviewing the state-of-art of PSS, followed by the identification of the most likely characteristics exhibited by PSS customers. Then, the research investigates the existing PSS frameworks and analyses it to identify its appropriateness for use by PSS customers. The basis of the PSS framework is initially structured on the findings from the literature review, then modified by the result obtained from the field study in Saudi Arabia. The PSS framework is refined through expert feedback. Then, a computerised software tool was developed for the purpose of validation. Finally, the proposed PSS framework is validated by conducting five case studies. The proposed framework can guide purchasing practitioners through a step by step process, from evaluation to selection the most suitable PSS offers, by considering the degree of fitness between the PSS offerings and customer’s characteristics. This research has satisfied the industrial need and filled the gap in the literature, and has made a significant contribution to the knowledge on PSS customers to overcome the challenge of purchasing PSS.
Open Access
Design and implementation of multi-configuration rolling machine
(Al-Khwarizmi Engineering Journal, 2024-09-01) Mustafa, FF; Al-Musawi, SQ; A. Mahdi, Hussain; Salloomi, KN; Reda, SD; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Al-Jumaily, Adel
For decades, metal corrugated sheets have usually been manufactured using conventional roll-forming machines with lower and upper rollers or a die and a press as the main shaping elements. However, these machines and their related processes present economic disadvantages because of additional expenses required to improve and manage forming tools. To overcome these drawbacks, reconfigurable machines, such as dedicated and flexible manufacturing systems, were used as alternatives; they possess high flexibility for accomplishing forming processes. Reconfigurable machines are designed around a particular family of manufactured outcomes, allowing for high system flexibility. In light of the latest developments in reconfigurable machine design, this study proposes a new sheet metal forming roller called the discrete multi disk roller (MDR) as an alternative to the traditional roller design. Unlike existing processes, the MDR minimises production costs associated with material loss and effectively decreases forming errors. Furthermore, it utilises multi-disk as reconfigurable rollers. The technique and applicable procedure of the MDR are described, and wavy sheets with different dimensions and shapes are formed to verify the applicability of the reconfigurable roller, a critical component in the forming process. Thirteen parts with different configuration profiles were produced using the proposed MDR machine.
Open Access
Design Rework Prediction in Concurrent Design Environment: Current Trends and Future Research Directions
(Cranfield University Press, 2009-03-31) Arundachawat, Panumas; Roy, Rajkumar; Al-Ashaab, Ahmed; Shehab, Essam; Rajkumar Roy; Essam Shehab
This paper aims to present state-of-the-art and formulate future research areas on design rework in concurrent design environment. Related literatures are analysed to extract the key factors which impact design rework. Design rework occurs due to changes from upstream design activities and/or by feedbacks from downstream design activities. Design rework is considered as negative iteration; therefore, value in design activities will be increased if design rework is reduced. Set-based concurrent engineering is proposed as an alternative design approach to mitigate design rework risk, however, duplication effort for designing set of artefacts are still needed to consider before selecting set-based concurrent engineering in design activities.