Abstract Framework This paper explores how a qualitative systematic literature review (SLR) can contribute to our understanding of the trends in upper-limb wearable devices. These devices are pieces of electronic equipment that can be worn as accessories, such as watches, or embedded in clothing, including gloves and sleeves, and could play an essential role in subjects' quality of life after any occurrence that affects their possibility to perform basic activities autonomously. Moreover, these devices can be used to improve manual performance tasks like surgical or precision tasks, and even more so when performed under extreme ambient temperature conditions. Goals and Methods: A SLR on upper-limb embedded devices was conducted based on scientific documents retrieved from the Scopus database. Two research questions were outlined: "How has this technology been evolving?" and "What is the trend according to the fields of application?". The combination of keywords (upper-limb* AND wearable* AND device*) was used in the title, abstract, and keywords fields. Results: A total of 555 documents were obtained. Descriptive statistical and bibliometric analyses were conducted, identifying trends, knowledge gaps, and the future direction of research. The free software VOSviewer was used to construct data visualization bibliometric maps of the co-authorship and co-citation network. A subset of 26 documents was considered for the critical qualitative synthesis. This step facilitated the visualization and exploration of the interconnectedness among authors and the citation patterns within the literature. Combining the information gathered enables addressing the extent and the emerging trends in upper-limb embedded devices' development according to the field they are applied. Final considerations: With this research, a starting point in developing a proof of concept of a novel device aimed at improving dexterity in challenging environments is established.

Abstract Paper aims This paper presents teachers and students perspectives of integration Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses contents into the first year of Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) program through Project-Based Learning (PBL). Originality These perspectives provide strategies that IEM teachers could use to challenge students to apply STEM contents to design a product and its production system by developing a semester interdisciplinary project. Research method Grounded on project deliveries and an on-line questionnaire, the teachers and students’ work and perceptions were analysed in order to understand and to evaluate the effectiveness of such strategies. Main findings Results pointed out a general satisfaction of the teachers with the way teams integrate the STEM contents to design the production system and the product and students proud of their projects. Implications for theory and practice PBL is recognized as an active learning methodology that engages students in their own learning process and allows them to realize the relevance of all courses and the role of each to design a product/production system. Nevertheless, is fundamental a good knowledge of the PBL process to achieve this.

O objectivo deste trabalho é perceber de uma forma individual a necessidade de mudança e as suas causas, num estudo de caso na Indústria Têxtil e do Vestuário. Para atingir este objetivo, foram realizadas várias entrevistas semiestruturadas a chefias de nível hierárquico médio/alto da empresa. Foi possível perceber como os trabalhadores pretendem intervir na mudança bem como as suas atitudes nessa mudança. Para além destes tópicos, as estratégias usadas para participar na mudança, o porquê e como fazer essa mudança, alternativas e ganhos previstos foram também discutidos. Os resultados deste trabalho revelam uma consciencialização dos trabalhadores à necessidade da mudança e fatores como motivação, envolvimento, informação adaptação, foram identificados como importantes para a mudança. Risco e instabilidade foram fatores identificados como os mais negativos. É esta necessidade de mudança indispensável para a implementação de uma estratégia Lean Production bem-sucedida na empresa.

The objective of this research is to study individual understandings regarding the need for change and its causes in a Textile and Clothing Industry (TCI) case study. To achieve this objective, semi-structured interviews with managers of medium/high hierarchical company’s level were conducted. The results reveal how workers intend to intervene in the change and their attitudes on that change. Topics as characterization of the working population; awareness of the need for change and its causes; strategies used to participate on the change; why and how to make the change; expected outcomes/results, were also addressed. The findings of this study reveal an awareness of workers to the need for change and factors such as motivation, involvement, information, and adaptation were identified as important to the change. Instability and risk were identified as the most negative factors. This need to change it is essential to successfully implement a Lean Production strategy in a company.