Low-carbon energy futures : the impact of the shipbuilding industry on marine renewables

Mestrado em Gestão e Estratégia IndustrialO presente estudo consistiu em um projeto prospetivo que envolveu os principais "stakeholders" do setor das energias renováveis marinhas com o objetivo de explorar cenários preliminares focados na evolução desta indústria. Neste sentido, o estudo pretendeu melhorar o conhecimento geral sobre potenciais sinergias entre as energias renováveis marinhas e a indústria da construção naval, e destacar de forma holística e integrada os aspetos socioeconómicos, políticos, ambientais e tecnológicos. A análise centrou-se no contexto Europeu num horizonte temporal de 15 anos. Para esse fim, foi aplicada a análise morfológica, uma vez que é uma abordagem simples e sistemática para construção e exploração de possíveis futuros. Neste contexto, o software Morphol foi utilizado para obter o esqueleto dos cenários o que permitiu identificar 24 combinações plausíveis, ou cenários para possíveis futuros. Posteriormente, a partir deste conjunto de cenários, foram selecionados apenas 3 com base no método "extreme-world" que consiste em criar mundos extremos, colocando todas as incertezas positivas em um cenário e todas as negativas em outro cenário. Finalmente, obteve-se um cenário, denominado "blue-ocean", onde há uma simbiose perfeita entre as energias renováveis marinhas e a indústria de construção naval. O segundo cenário, denominado "different-worlds", é essencialmente o oposto do primeiro e baseia-se na crença de que o conservadorismo e tradicionalismo associados ao setor da construção naval impedem esta indústria de alargar as suas atividades a novos e mais inovadores campos. Por último, o terceiro cenário, denominado "business-as-usual", reúne algumas características dos dois cenários anteriores e, portanto, reflete uma realidade intermédia.The present study is a prospective joint project with key stakeholders aiming at exploring draft scenarios focused on the renewable energy industry. In this framework, the goal of the study was to improve the general knowledge and understanding on potential synergies between marine renewables and the shipbuilding industry, in a holistic and integrative manner that highlights socio-economic, political, environmental and technological aspects. The analysis is focused on the European context, and is based on a time horizon of 15 years. To this end, the morphological analysis was applied since it is a fairly simple and systematic approach to build and explore possible futures. In this context, the Morphol software was used to obtain the skeleton of the scenarios. Eventually, 24 plausible combinations, or future possible scenarios, were found. Afterwards, from this set of scenarios, three were selected based on the extreme-world method, which consists of creating extreme worlds by putting all the positive uncertainties in one scenario and all the negative in another scenario. Finally, we end up with one scenario, named "blue-ocean", where there is a perfect symbiosis between marine renewables and the shipbuilding industry. Moreover, the second scenario, named "different-worlds", is essentially the opposite of the first one and relies on the belief that the conservatism and reluctance associated to the traditionalism of shipbuilding prevents the industry from extending its activities into new and more innovative fields. Eventually, the last scenario, named "business-as-usual", gathers some characteristics of the two previous scenarios and so it reflects an in-between reality.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An Investigation into the Data Collection Process for the Development of Cost Models

This thesis is the result of many years of research in the field of manufacturing cost modelling. It particularly focuses on the Data Collection Process for the development of manufacturing cost models in the UK Aerospace Industry with no less important contributions from other areas such as construction, process and software development. The importance of adopting an effective model development process is discussed and a new CMD Methodology is proposed. In this respect, little research has considered the development of the cost model from the point of view of a standard and systematic Methodology, which is essential if an optimum process is to be achieved. A Model Scoping 3 Framework, a functional Data Source and Data Collection Library and a referential Data Type Library are the core elements of the proposed Cost Model Development Methodology. The research identified a number of individual data collection methods, along with a comprehensive list of data sources and data types, from which essential data for developing cost models could be collected. A Taxonomy based upon sets of generic characteristics for describing the individual data collection, data sources and data types was developed. The methods, tools and techniques were identified and categorised according to these generic characteristics. This provides information for selecting between alternative methods, tools and techniques. The need to perform frequent iterations of data collection, data identification, data analysis and decision making tasks until an acceptable cost model has been developed has become an inherent feature of the CMDP. It is expected that the proposed model scoping framework will assist cost engineering and estimating practitioners in: defining the features, activities of the process and the attributes of the product for which a cost model is required, and also in identifying the cost model characteristics before the tasks of data identification and collection start. It offers a structured way of looking at the relationship between data sources, cost model characteristics and data collection tools and procedures. The aim was to make the planning process for developing cost models more effective and efficient and consequently reduce the time to generate cost models

Core strength or Achilles’ heel:Organizational competencies and the performance of R&D collaborations

The three essays collected in this dissertation advance our understanding of how organizational competencies and R&D objectives are related with partner selection and R&D performance at the project level. The first essay shows how the organizational competencies and R&D prime objective of the focal firm are related with who is seen as the most important partner in the R&D project. The second essay examines how organizational competencies affect the innovation performance of companies when collaborating with an external R&D organization. The third essay focuses on the relationship of absorptive capacity and knowledge distance with new product development performance

Automotive component product development enhancement through multi-attribute system design optimization in an integrated concurrent engineering framework

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design & Management Program, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-218).Automotive industry is facing a tough period. Production overcapacity and high fixed costs constrain companies' profits and challenge the very same existence of some corporations. Strangulated by the reduced cash availability and petrified by the organizational and products' complexity, companies find themselves more and more inadequate to stay in synch with the pace and the rate of change of consumers' and regulations' demands. To boost profits, nearly everyone pursue cost cutting. However, aggressive cost cutting as the sole approach to fattening margins results invariably in a reduction of operational capabilities which is likely to result in a decline in sales volume that leads to further cost reductions in a continuous death spiral. Long-term profitable growth requires, instead, a continuous flow of innovative products and processes. The focus should be, therefore, shifted from cost reduction to increased throughput. Automotive companies need to change their business model, morphing into new organizational entities based on systems thinking and change, which are agile and can swiftly adapt to the new business environment. The advancement of technology and the relentless increase in computing power will provide the necessary means for this radical transformation. This transformation cannot happen if the Product Development Process (PDP) does not break the iron gate of cycle time-product cost-development expenses-reduced product performance that constrains it. A new approach to PD should be applied to the early phases, where the leverage is higher, and should be targeted to dramatic reduction of the time taken to perform design iterations, which, by taking 50-70% of the total development time, are a burden of today's practice. Multi-disciplinary Design(cont.) Analysis and Optimization, enabled by an Integrated Concurrent Engineering virtual product development framework has the required characteristics and the potential to respond to today's and tomorrow's automotive challenges. In this new framework, the product or system is not defined by a rigid CAD model which is then manipulated by product team engineers, but by a parametric flexible architecture handled by optimization and analysis software, with limited user interaction. In this environment, design engineers govern computer programs, which automatically select appropriately combinations of geometry parameters and drive seamlessly the analyses software programs (structural, fluid dynamic, costing, etc) to compute the system's performance attributes. Optimization algorithms explore the design space, identifying the Pareto optimal set of designs that satisfy the multiple simultaneous objectives they are given and at the same time the problem's constraints. Examples of application of the MDO approach to automotive systems are multiplying. However, the number of disciplines and engineering aspects considered is still limited to few (two or three) thus not exploiting the full potential the approach deriving from multi-disciplinarity. In the present work, a prototype of an Enhanced Development Framework has been set up for a particular automotive subsystem: a maniverter (a combination of exhaust manifold and catalytic converter) for internal combustion engines ...by Massimo Usan.S.M

Water use and nutritional water productivity of selected major and underutilised grain legumes.

Doctor of Philosophy in Crop Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2018.Grain legumes have potential to alleviate the prevalence of food and nutrition security in water scarce areas. There is need to promote underutilised grain legumes to diversify crop production and build resilience. This requires knowledge on their water use (ET), environmental adaptation and nutritional content (NC) in comparison to major legumes. The study benchmarked underutilised grain legumes [bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)] to major grain legumes [groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)] with respect to ET, water productivity (WP), NC and nutritional water productivity (NWP). Field experiments were conducted during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 summer seasons under varying water regimes [optimum irrigation (OI), deficit irrigation (DI) and rainfed (RF)] and environmental conditions (Ukulinga, Fountainhill and Umbumbulu) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data collected included stomatal conductance, leaf area index, timing of key phenological stages and yield. Water use was calculated as a residual of the soil water balance. Water productivity was calculated as the quotient of grain yield and ET. Grain was analysed for protein, fat, Ca, Fe and Zn. Yield, ET and NC were used to compute NWP. Results from the field trials were used calibrate and test the performance of AquaCrop model for groundnut and dry bean. Under varying water regimes, crops adapted to limited soil water through stomatal regulation and reduction in canopy size and duration. Yield, yield components and WP varied significantly (P < 0.05) among crop species. During 2015/16, groundnut had the highest yield and WP under DI (10 540 kg ha-1 and 0.99 kg m-3, respectively). During 2016/17, the highest yield and WP were observed in dry bean under DI (2 911 kg ha-1 and 0.75 kg m-3, respectively). For both seasons, dry bean had the lowest ET across all water treatments (143 – 268 mm). Dry bean and groundnut out–performed bambara groundnut with respect to yield, harvest index and WP. Yield varied significantly (P < 0.05) across environments and seasons. Cowpea was the most stable species. Results of NWP were significant among crops (P < 0.05). Yield instability caused fluctuations in NWP. Groundnut had the highest NWPfat (46 – 406 g m-3). Groundnut and dry bean had the highest NWPprotein (29 – 314 g m-3). For NWPFe, Zn and Ca, dry bean and cowpea were more productive. Overall, the AquaCrop model was successfully calibrated for groundnut and dry beans. Model testing showed AquaCrop’s potential for simulating growth, yield and ET of groundnut and dry bean under semi-arid conditions. Underutilised grain legumes need to undergo crop improvement for successful promotion. There is need to improve adaptation of grain legumes to different environments and resilience to extreme weather events. Future studies should consider benchmarking more underutilised grain legumes to major grain legumes

Ficção científica e medicina: elaborando uma framework para auxiliar o desenvolvimento de artefactos médicos

With technological advances, the human being becomes more and more reliant on technology. We use technology to work, to improve our social experiences, to learn, among many other activities. Medicine is no exception to this. It is common to hear about concepts originated on Science Fiction coming to life in areas such as spatial exploration or even communication. It is important to realise how Science Fiction helps teams working in those domains, as well as understand what consumers expect for the future. However, we rarely hear about Science Fiction directly influencing Medicine. Has this field also benefited from Science Fiction to create new or enhanced existing artifacts? This literary and cinematic genre pushes the boundaries of what is thought "possible" by idealizing artifacts that go beyond what is conceivable in their time. It is an outlet for those who want to imagine what the future might hold, without forgetting to distinguish the possible or plausible from the fantastical. In this dissertation, we go through how Science Fiction can be used as a guide to developing Medical Artifacts, as well as devise a framework that has the potential to help their developers make more informed decisions about the characteristics of those artifacts. MADIS - Medical Artifact Design Inspired by Science Fiction - is a framework that incorporates the knowledge acquired during the research and interviews with medical professionals to create a tool which supports the development of Medical Artifacts through the lens of Science Fiction.Com o avanço tecnológico, o ser humano torna-se cada vez mais dependente da tecnologia. Usamo-la para trabalhar, para melhorar a nossa experiência social, para aprender, etc. e a medicina não é uma exceção. É comum ouvirmos falar de conceitos originários da Ficção Científica ganharem vida em áreas como a exploração espacial ou até a comunicação, e ver como ajuda as equipas a saber o que os consumidores esperam do futuro. No entanto, raramente ouvimos falar da sua influência nas tecnologias que nos mantêm vivos. Terá sido a medicina também beneficiado dos mundos de Ficção Científica na criação ou aperfeiçoamento dos seus artefactos? Este género literário e cinematográfico supera as barreiras do que é pensado como “possível” ao idealizar artefactos que vão para além do que é concebível no seu tempo. É um escape para aqueles que querem imaginar o que o futuro nos espera, sem esquecer de distinguir o possível ou plausível do fantástico. Nesta dissertação, vamos ver como a Ficção Científica pode ser usada como um guia para desenvolver artefactos médicos, bem como elaborar uma framework para ajudar os seus criadores a tomar decisões mais informadas. MADIS - Design de Artefactos Médicos Inspirados pela Ficção-científica - é uma framework que incorpora o conhecimento adquirido durante a pesquisa e as entrevistas feitas a profissionais médicos para criar uma ferramenta que suporta o desenvolvimento de Artefactos Médicos através da Ficção Científica.Mestrado em Comunicação Multimédi

Non-traditional growth in large, established firms

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design & Management Program, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-99).Firms must continuously strive to grow through the creation of new sources of competitive advantage. The challenges to growth are more severe for large, established firms that derive a predominant amount of their present revenue from technology that is mature and that faces imminent substitution through the marketplace emergence of a disruptive technology. In such circumstances, non-traditional growth, through new business opportunities outside of the direct purview of established Strategic Business Units, becomes an imperative. The primary hypothesis of this study is that problems in achieving growth predominantly stem from the inherent rigidities of large, established firms and, in order to successfully grow, these firms will have to pay particular attention to the structures and processes associated with teams tasked with growth. Accordingly, a theoretical framework for classifying non-traditional growth opportunities is developed. The study is motivated using three examples of non-traditional growth projects in a large, established firm. These examples are used to develop three key dimensions for characterizing such opportunities--technology, market, and organization. The proposed framework builds upon structural contingency theories to develop two independent factors for each dimension--uncertainty and interdependence. A vector mapping applicable to all non-traditional growth opportunities is developed using the two factors and three dimensions. The vector mapping is used to propose a linkage between growth opportunity and organizational form. A survey administered to 24 project leaders/managers of non-traditional growth projects in a single, large firm is used to test the applicability of the framework developed here. A statistical(cont.) analysis of the survey results corroborates the significance of market and technology factors. Organizational factors appear to be less significant, but this may be due to artifacts in the data. Finally, a concept explored in this study is that organizations must become more ambidextrous in their ability to use multiple organizational forms, simultaneously, to exploit non-traditional growth opportunities. Implementation considerations relevant to the recommended organizational forms are discussed within the specific product development process framework in a single, large firm.by Suresh Sunderrajan.S.M