State of the Industry 4.0 in the Andalusian food sector

The food industry is a key issue in the economic structure of Andalusia, due to both the weight and position of this industry in the economy and its advantages and potentials. The term Industry 4.0 carries many meanings. It seeks to describe the intelligent factory, with all the processes interconnected by Internet of things (IOT). Early advances in this field have involved the incorporation of greater flexibility and individualization of the manufacturing processes. The implementation of the framework proposed by Industry 4.0. is a need for the industry in general, and for Andalusian food industry in particular, and should be seen as a great opportunity of progress for the sector. It is expected that, along with others, the food and beverage industry will be pioneer in the adoption of flexible and individualized manufacturing processes. This work constitutes the state of the art, through bibliographic review, of the application of the proposed paradigm by the Industry 4.0. to the food industry.Telefónica, through the “Cátedra de Telefónica Inteligencia en la Red”Paloma Luna Garrid

A comparison of processing techniques for producing prototype injection moulding inserts.

This project involves the investigation of processing techniques for producing low-cost moulding inserts used in the particulate injection moulding (PIM) process. Prototype moulds were made from both additive and subtractive processes as well as a combination of the two. The general motivation for this was to reduce the entry cost of users when considering PIM. PIM cavity inserts were first made by conventional machining from a polymer block using the pocket NC desktop mill. PIM cavity inserts were also made by fused filament deposition modelling using the Tiertime UP plus 3D printer. The injection moulding trials manifested in surface finish and part removal defects. The feedstock was a titanium metal blend which is brittle in comparison to commodity polymers. That in combination with the mesoscale features, small cross-sections and complex geometries were considered the main problems. For both processing methods, fixes were identified and made to test the theory. These consisted of a blended approach that saw a combination of both the additive and subtractive processes being used. The parts produced from the three processing methods are investigated and their respective merits and issues are discussed

Reducing risk in pre-production investigations through undergraduate engineering projects.

This poster is the culmination of final year Bachelor of Engineering Technology (B.Eng.Tech) student projects in 2017 and 2018. The B.Eng.Tech is a level seven qualification that aligns with the Sydney accord for a three-year engineering degree and hence is internationally benchmarked. The enabling mechanism of these projects is the industry connectivity that creates real-world projects and highlights the benefits of the investigation of process at the technologist level. The methodologies we use are basic and transparent, with enough depth of technical knowledge to ensure the industry partners gain from the collaboration process. The process we use minimizes the disconnect between the student and the industry supervisor while maintaining the academic freedom of the student and the commercial sensitivities of the supervisor. The general motivation for this approach is the reduction of the entry cost of the industry to enable consideration of new technologies and thereby reducing risk to core business and shareholder profits. The poster presents several images and interpretive dialogue to explain the positive and negative aspects of the student process

New Trends in Development of Services in the Modern Economy

The services sector strategic development unites a multitude of economic and managerial aspects and is one of the most important problems of economic management. Many researches devoted to this industry study are available. Most of them are performed in the traditional aspect of the voluminous calendar approach to strategic management, characteristic of the national scientific school. Such an approach seems archaic, forming false strategic benchmarks. The services sector is of special scientific interest in this context due to the fact that the social production structure to the services development model attraction in many countries suggests transition to postindustrial economy type where the services sector is a system-supporting sector of the economy. Actively influencing the economy, the services sector in the developed countries dominates in the GDP formation, primary capital accumulation, labor, households final consumption and, finally, citizens comfort of living. However, a clear understanding of the services sector as a hyper-sector permeating all spheres of human activity has not yet been fully developed, although interest in this issue continues to grow among many authors. Target of strategic management of the industry development setting requires substantive content and the services sector target value assessment

Contextual impacts on industrial processes brought by the digital transformation of manufacturing: a systematic review

The digital transformation of manufacturing (a phenomenon also known as "Industry 4.0" or "Smart Manufacturing") is finding a growing interest both at practitioner and academic levels, but is still in its infancy and needs deeper investigation. Even though current and potential advantages of digital manufacturing are remarkable, in terms of improved efficiency, sustainability, customization, and flexibility, only a limited number of companies has already developed ad hoc strategies necessary to achieve a superior performance. Through a systematic review, this study aims at assessing the current state of the art of the academic literature regarding the paradigm shift occurring in the manufacturing settings, in order to provide definitions as well as point out recurring patterns and gaps to be addressed by future research. For the literature search, the most representative keywords, strict criteria, and classification schemes based on authoritative reference studies were used. The final sample of 156 primary publications was analyzed through a systematic coding process to identify theoretical and methodological approaches, together with other significant elements. This analysis allowed a mapping of the literature based on clusters of critical themes to synthesize the developments of different research streams and provide the most representative picture of its current state. Research areas, insights, and gaps resulting from this analysis contributed to create a schematic research agenda, which clearly indicates the space for future evolutions of the state of knowledge in this field

Re-reengineering the dream: agility as competitive adaptability

Organizational adaptation and transformative change management in technology-based organizations is explored in the context of collaborative alliances. A Re-reengineering approach is outlined in which a new Competitive Adaptability Five-Influences Analysis approach under conditions of collaborative alliance, is described as an alternative to Porter’s Five-Forces Competitive Rivalry Analysis model. Whilst continuous change in technology and the associated effects of technology shock (Dedola & Neri, 2006; Christiano, Eichenbaum & Vigfusson, 2003) are not new constructs, the reality of the industrial age was and is a continuing reduction in timeline for relevance and lifetime for a specific technology and the related skills and expertise base required for its effective implementation. This, combined with increasing pressures for innovation (Tidd & Bessant, 2013) and at times severe impacts from both local and global economic environments (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2011) raises serious challenges for contemporary management teams seeking to strategically position a company and its technology base advantageously, relative to its suppliers, competitors and customers, as well as in predictive readiness for future technological change and opportunistic adaptation. In effect, the life-cycle of a technology has become typically one of disruptive change and rapid adjustment, followed by a plateau as a particular technology or process captures and holds its position against minor challenges, eventually to be displaced by yet another alternative (Bower & Christensen, 1995)

Simoldes : the impact of additive manufacturing : 3D printing technology

This case study provides an overview of the automobile industry, Simoldes and the emergence of additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing. The goal of this master’s degree dissertation is to conduct a strategic analysis of Simoldes taking into account the implications of incorporating additive manufacturing technology into the company´s value chain. Understanding what advantages additive manufacturing can bring to Simoldes strategy is fundamental. Different management approaches regarding this technology are provided at the end of the case. Should Simoldes not adopt this technology, or should they proactively incorporate additive manufacturing into its manufacturing process? This is the main subject to the discussed on this master’s dissertation thesis. In the teaching notes section, there is a set of questions with a proposed resolution. From this analysis, it is possible to see several benefits that additive manufacturing can bring to Simoldes. Efficiencies in time and costs are the main potential advantages. Incorporation of this technology into Simoldes manufacturing processes is the recommended outcome of this case study.Este caso de estudo mostra uma visão geral da indústria automóvel, da empresa Simoldes e do surgimento da tecnologia de fabricação aditiva, também conhecida como a impressão 3D . O objetivo desta dissertação de mestrado é a da realização de uma análise estratégica da empresa Simoldes tendo em conta as implicações da incorporação da tecnologia de fabricação aditiva na sua cadeia de valor. Entender as vantagens que esta tecnologia pode trazer para a Simoldes é um dos aspectos fundamentais. Diferentes abordagens em relação a esta tecnologia são fornecidos no final do caso. Deverá a Simoldes não adotar essa tecnologia , ou deverá incorporar de forma proactiva a fabricação aditiva nos seus processos de produção ? Este é o principal aspecto a ser discutido nesta dissertação de mestrado. Na secção de notas de ensino , há um conjunto de perguntas com uma proposta de resolução. A partir desta análise , é possível observar vários benefícios que a fabricação aditiva pode trazer para a Simoldes. Ganhos de eficiência no tempo e nos custos são as principais e potenciais vantagens. A incorporação desta tecnologia em processos de fabricação Simoldes é o resultado recomendado deste caso de estudo

Kuinka soveltaa teknologiaan, tietoon ja tuotantoon liittyvän päätöksenteon malleja strategisesti kestävään resurssien allokointiin?

Technology is a primary source of competitive advantage that can help a firm to outperform its competitors if the firm’s technology strategy is aligned with its overall business strategy. Because firms’ resources are limited and technology is usually a resource-intensive investment, finding suitable technology in which to invest is of paramount concern to strategists. This doctoral thesis focuses on tackling this prioritization problem. This dissertation is the combination of four publications that examine the topic above. The outcome of this dissertation is the proposal of a technique that facilitates the technology and knowledge decision-making process in operations management, with consideration given to the notion of competitive advantage. The proposed technique considers both external factors (e.g., product life cycle) and internal factors (e.g., firms’ resources) that affect technology decisions. The research considers three types of technology in firms based on different phases of the product life cycle: basic, core and spearhead. This research applies the sand cone approach to technology development and investment. This dissertation extends existing knowledge of the resource-based view, competitive advantage and the sand cone model, all of which serve as the foundation of the studies featured in the dissertation. The findings of this dissertation help managers in the following areas: (1) to find the right choice of technology in which to invest, (2) to outsource the technology and knowledge requirement, (3) to detect the potential development areas regarding their firms’ competitive priorities and (4) to evaluate the potential of advanced technology in bringing competitive advantage and in changing the rules of competition.Teknologia tuo kilpailuetua, joka voi auttaa yritystä menestymään kilpailijoitaan paremmin, jos yrityksen teknologiastrategia on yhdenmukainen sen yleisen liiketoimintastrategian kanssa. Koska yritysten resurssit ovat rajalliset ja teknologia on yleensä resursseja vaativa investointi, on sopivan teknologian löytäminen ensisijaista strategisessa päätöksenteossa. Väitöskirja keskittyykin tämän priorisointiongelman ratkaisemiseen. Väitöstutkimus on yhdistelmä neljästä edellä aihetta tarkastelevasta julkaisusta. Väitöskirjan tuloksena on ehdotus tekniikasta, joka helpottaa teknologiaan ja osaamiseen liittyvää päätöksentekoprosessia toiminnan johtamisessa ottaen huomioon myös kilpailuedun. Ehdotetussa tekniikassa otetaan huomioon sekä ulkoiset tekijät (kuten tuotteen elinkaari) että sisäiset tekijät (esimerkiksi yritysten resurssit), jotka vaikuttavat teknologiapäätöksiin. Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan kolmea erityyppistä teknologiaa yrityksissä. Ne perustuvat tuotteen elinkaaren eri vaiheisiin: perusteknologia, ydinteknologia ja keihäänkärkiteknologia. Tämä tutkimus soveltaa hiekkakakun nimellä tunnettua pyramidimallia teknologian kehittämiseen ja investointeihin. Väitöskirja laajentaa aiempaa tietämystä resurssipohjaisesta tarkastelusta, kilpailuedusta ja hiekkakakkumallista, jotka luovat perustan kaikille väitöskirjan tutkimuksille. Väitöskirjan tulokset auttavat johtajia seuraavilla alueilla: (1) investoitavan teknologian löytäminen (2) teknologian ja vaadittavan osaamisen ostopäätös (3) yritysten kilpailuetuihin liittyvien mahdollisten kehitysalueiden löytäminen (4) sen arvioiminen, millaisia mahdollisuuksia edistyneellä teknologialla on tuottaa kilpailuetua ja muuttaa kilpailun sääntöjä.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed