Conceptual Framework for Non-hierarchical Business Networks for Complex Products Design and Manufacturing

The effective creation and management of business networks is more and more an important contribution for the competitiveness and sustainability of European SMEs. In Non-hierarchical networks SMEs join their competencies and resources to grab profitablebusiness opportunities. In these networks SMEs take the leading role and control the business instead of being subcontracted bylarge companies and traditional supply chains. This paper presents a conceptual framework, including methodological approach, best practices and reference processes aiming at supporting SMEs in creating and managing non-hierarchical networks for complexproducts design and manufacturing. The framework high level structure and the most specific processes are presented, including:capacity management, collaborative operations planning, risk and event management and performance management. The framework was validated in three pilot networks, from the textile, footwear and machine tools industries.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Comparisons & analyses of U.S. & global economic data & trends

Issued as final reportSRI Internationa

A Decision-Support Tool for the Choice of Fabrication Routes in the Context of Mass Personalization

In the saturated competitive markets of today, Mass Personalization (MP) is getting more and more attention. MP refers to the affordable fabrication of personalized products where the customer is involved from the beginning of product life-cycle (design phase). In order to keep personalized products affordable, it is important to select the most cost-effective fabrication route for each individualized order. To do so, this study proposes a Web-based Personalized Manufacturing Consulting System (WebPMCS) towards selecting the most cost-effective processes/resources for mass personalization in the on-demand manufacturing context. The proposed tool includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI), a cost estimation model, and a relational database. In this document, we explain the steps towards WebPMCS design and development. Then, we adapt WebPMCS to Spark Assisted Chemical Engraving (SACE). By the aid of this case-study, we validate the tool, and determine the most cost-effective fabrication routes for several personalized orders. Finally, we suggest using multi-head machines for SACE personalized fabrication and prove its benefits using WebPMCS. The proposed tool acts as an advanced calculator and a process/resource selector, and is aimed to be used as an enabling module for industry 4.0 manufacturing philosophy

Open source building alliance ecology : the Internet framework for consumer driven participative design

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 2007.Pages 146 and 147 blank.Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-137).Open Source strategies have become powerful tools for the development of innovative products in various industries (Von Hippel, 2006). Success stories in computer and clothing manufacturing signify that the adoption of Open Source practices may improve service standards and productivity (Clayton, 2001; Thomle & Von Hippel, 2002). Although Open Source strategies have been adapted in many design industries for satisfying customer demands in customized products, no one has successfully implemented an effective process for integrating Open Source into the building industries (Herbert, 1981, Larson et al., 2004). In an attempt to overcome many of the same barriers to product maturity such ineffective collaboration, lack of data management (Shah, 2003; Rothfuss, 2002), and limitations of product distribution channels, a new participative Open Source platform for transforming building design processes and economics is suggested (Larson et al., 2004). This thesis reexamines the basic assumptions of how building products are distributed through the Open Source environment.(cont.) By analyzing the impact of e-Business and Internet technology driving community participation, the integration of (1) four online Business models: Dell, Open Source, iTunes, and eBay, and (2) the advent of mass- customization through the revolution of Internet technology, Computer Aided Design (CAD), and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) for architecture and architectural product design and development will be established. The results of this evaluation identify the effective factors for the Internet augmentation framework to achieve the usability of Open Source for the design-build housing industry, and reinforce the changing relationship between homebuyers, architects, and manufacturers prior to making a final housing product.by Kalaya Kovidvisith.S.M

An aesthetic for sustainable interactions in product-service systems?

Copyright @ 2012 Greenleaf PublishingEco-efficient Product-Service System (PSS) innovations represent a promising approach to sustainability. However the application of this concept is still very limited because its implementation and diffusion is hindered by several barriers (cultural, corporate and regulative ones). The paper investigates the barriers that affect the attractiveness and acceptation of eco-efficient PSS alternatives, and opens the debate on the aesthetic of eco-efficient PSS, and the way in which aesthetic could enhance some specific inner qualities of this kinds of innovations. Integrating insights from semiotics, the paper outlines some first research hypothesis on how the aesthetic elements of an eco-efficient PSS could facilitate user attraction, acceptation and satisfaction

The Business of Modularity and the Modularity of Business

Matthijs Wolters was born on June 4 1972 in Dronten, the Netherlands. He studied Econometrics at the University of Groningen, with a specialization in Operations Research and Statistics. During his study he was involved in a number of research investigations, varying from forecasting the outcome of tennis matches to a viewers inquiry for a popularscientific television program. He graduated in 1996 on a thesis that dealt with the development and testing of algorithms and heuristics for efficient orderpicking in warehouses. Since October 1996 he has been working at the Erasmus University Rotterdam as a Ph.D. candidate on modularity, mass-customization, dynamic networking and ICT. His research was published in several newspapers, books and journals and he presented his work at international conferences. He also supervised a number of graduation students with their master's project. In 1998 he organized an international conference "Electronic Commerce: Crossing Boundaries". Recently, he has started his own company Ludens Research and Consultancy in which he continues his work on customer-oriented organizing and modularity.This thesis deals with the concept of modularity, which is used in many different fields of research and applications. The objective of this dissertation is to investigate how and to what extent business networks can use modularity to become more customer-responsive and flexible. For this purpose, a theoretical framework on modularity has been developed, which focuses on three dimensions of doing business: designing products, business processes and supply chains. The central proposition is that a concurrent, modular design in these three dimensions increases the performance of inter-organizational business networks in general and a mass-customization strategy in particular. This proposition was validated in a number of empirical settings. First, the applicability of a business modeling approach, called Modular Network Design, was validated in the air cargo industry. Second, it was investigated how the Dutch building industry applies modularity in order to mass-customize newly built houses. Third, a survey was held among numerous customizing organizations, dispersed all over the world, which led to more understanding about the relationship between business modularity and organizational performance

Fashion Industry

Fashion is a lot more than providing an answer to primary needs. It is a way of communication, of distinction, of proclaiming a unique taste and expressing the belonging to a group. Sometimes to an exclusive group. Currently, the fashion industry is moving towards hyperspace, to a multidimensional world that is springing from the integration of smart textiles and wearable technologies. It is far beyond aesthetics. New properties of smart textiles let designers experiment with astonishing forms and expressions. There are also surprising contrasts and challenges: a new life for natural fibers, sustainable fabrics and dyeing techniques, rediscovered by eco-fashion, and "artificial apparel," made of wearable electronic components. How is this revolution affecting the strategies of the fashion industry