Managing business risk; Management series

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_guides/1833/thumbnail.jp

Exploiting the power of multiplicity: a holistic survey of network-layer multipath

The Internet is inherently a multipath network: For an underlying network with only a single path, connecting various nodes would have been debilitatingly fragile. Unfortunately, traditional Internet technologies have been designed around the restrictive assumption of a single working path between a source and a destination. The lack of native multipath support constrains network performance even as the underlying network is richly connected and has redundant multiple paths. Computer networks can exploit the power of multiplicity, through which a diverse collection of paths is resource pooled as a single resource, to unlock the inherent redundancy of the Internet. This opens up a new vista of opportunities, promising increased throughput (through concurrent usage of multiple paths) and increased reliability and fault tolerance (through the use of multiple paths in backup/redundant arrangements). There are many emerging trends in networking that signify that the Internet's future will be multipath, including the use of multipath technology in data center computing; the ready availability of multiple heterogeneous radio interfaces in wireless (such as Wi-Fi and cellular) in wireless devices; ubiquity of mobile devices that are multihomed with heterogeneous access networks; and the development and standardization of multipath transport protocols such as multipath TCP. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive survey of the literature on network-layer multipath solutions. We will present a detailed investigation of two important design issues, namely, the control plane problem of how to compute and select the routes and the data plane problem of how to split the flow on the computed paths. The main contribution of this paper is a systematic articulation of the main design issues in network-layer multipath routing along with a broad-ranging survey of the vast literature on network-layer multipathing. We also highlight open issues and identify directions for future work

Multi-domain maturity model for AI and analytic capability in power generation sector: A case study of ABB PAEN Oy

As more smart devices and smart meters are available on the market, industry actors offer AI and analytic suites and platforms where the data streams can be contextualized and leveraged in pre-made industry specific templates and model, together with self-serving machine learning environments. How can a traditional EPC company, use its domain knowledge in offering these AI and analytic suites. The assumption made is that there is no inherent value in the AI and analytics suite without data. How should this assumption be incorporated in projects executed before the operation phase where data from operation is non-existent.This thesis investigate which elements provide a value proposition in the AI and analytic suite and map this against the domain knowledge of the EPC company. The findings is a novel design in where both operational data is integrated into design for new projects. A survey is also conducted on the data utilization in the power generation sector based on the same elements. The findings is that while the granularity is low, the quality is good, with an overall maturity between managed and proactive data utilization, which indicate that there are few automated data streams, but that the data is available structurally and in a defined way

Panel I: Connecting 2nd Law Analysis with Economics, Ecology and Energy Policy

The present paper is a review of several papers from the Proceedings of the Joint European Thermodynamics Conference, held in Brescia, Italy, 1–5 July 2013, namely papers introduced by their authors at Panel I of the conference. Panel I was devoted to applications of the Second Law of Thermodynamics to social issues—economics, ecology, sustainability, and energy policy. The concept called Available Energy which goes back to mid-nineteenth century work of Kelvin, Rankine, Maxwell and Gibbs, is relevant to all of the papers. Various names have been applied to the concept when interactions between the system of interest and an environment are involved. Today, the name exergy is generally accepted. The scope of the papers being reviewed is wide and they complement one another well

Dynamic vehicle routing problems: Three decades and counting

Since the late 70s, much research activity has taken place on the class of dynamic vehicle routing problems (DVRP), with the time period after year 2000 witnessing a real explosion in related papers. Our paper sheds more light into work in this area over more than 3 decades by developing a taxonomy of DVRP papers according to 11 criteria. These are (1) type of problem, (2) logistical context, (3) transportation mode, (4) objective function, (5) fleet size, (6) time constraints, (7) vehicle capacity constraints, (8) the ability to reject customers, (9) the nature of the dynamic element, (10) the nature of the stochasticity (if any), and (11) the solution method. We comment on technological vis-à-vis methodological advances for this class of problems and suggest directions for further research. The latter include alternative objective functions, vehicle speed as decision variable, more explicit linkages of methodology to technological advances and analysis of worst case or average case performance of heuristics.© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

The impact of electronic procurement on buyer-supplier relationships

Increased globalisation and global sourcing over the past 30 years have made the Internet and information technology (IT) along with the procurement role within companies more and more important. Electronic procurement (e-procurement) and various e-procurement applications have therefore become important both for procurement and communication between buyers and suppliers. While the use of the Internet and IT in the interaction between buyers and suppliers have increased, face-to-face communication between buyers and suppliers has decreased. It is therefore assumed that buyer-supplier relationships may be impacted by using e-procurement. The purpose of this thesis is therefore to investigate how eprocurement impacts buyer-supplier relationships and add to the literature regarding the impact of e-procurement on buyer-supplier relationships. Thus, the main problem statement of this thesis is: How does e-procurement impact buyer-supplier relationships? The research starts with a deductive approach, conducting a literature study. Furtherly, research questions are developed to help answer the main problem statement and fill knowledge gaps revealed by the literature. The following research questions are developed: RQ1) How does e-procurement enhance buyer-supplier relationships? RQ2) How does eprocurement impact the balance of power in buyer-supplier relationships? RQ3) How does information sharing through IT impact trust in buyer-supplier relationships? Qualitative interviews are then conducted to find possible answers to the research questions and to elaborate on the research gaps. The research then proceeds inductively by drawing conclusions based on an analysis of the interview data. To increase validity, the findings from the interview data were furtherly compared to the literature study. In addition, the findings that are most relevant to the research questions are also critically assessed by adding counterarguments. It can therefore be argued that the research is finalised with a deductive approach, by testing its findings against the literature. It is found that e-procurement can be used to build stronger buyer-supplier relationships by speeding up raw data transmission and by sharing information with suppliers based on knowledge gathered using e-procurement. In addition, e-procurement enables the development of a strong buyer-supplier relationship by freeing up resources which may be used for supplier development and cost reduction. By providing the buyer access to information and knowledge, it was furtherly found that e-procurement may increase the power of the buying company by increasing competence to make the right decisions. In addition, it was found that e-procurement can increase the power of the buyer through e-auctions. This is because e-auctions increase supply availability and can reveal current market prices (Smart & Harrison, 2003). Moreover, the findings show how information sharing using IT, in some cases, may not have any impact on trust while it in other cases can improve or even reduce trust. The reason why information sharing using IT may not impact trust is that it is mostly faceless. This is also why only communicating with suppliers using IT may decrease trust, along with reducing information richness sometimes. Information sharing using IT may also decrease trust if the e-procurement system that a supplier uses to share information is not well designed. If the tool functions well, the buyer’s trust in the supplier may increase, however. Furthermore, it is found that sharing information with the supplier using IT, based on knowledge gathered through e-procurement may also improve the supplier’s trust in the buyer as it indicates “good faith” from the buyer’s side (Eckerd & Hill, 2012). If the supplier’s trust toward the buyer is high, the supplier may share valuable information that the buyer didn’t know about (Li & Lin, 2006), which improves the buyer’s trust in the supplier

A study of the application of computer technology in retail stores

Thesis. 1975. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Alfred P. Sloan School of Management.Bibliography: leaves 134-138.by Robert L. Klimm and James J. Montgomery.M.S

Joustavaan energianhallintaan ja aurinkoenergiaan liittyvät liiketoimintamahdollisuudet suomalaisille kotitalouksille

The global cumulative solar power generation capacity based on photovoltaic (PV) technology has grown between 2003 and 2013 from 2,82 GW to nearly 137 GW. This equals a stunning, circa fiftyfold, growth in a mere decade. At the same time, the demand for power companies’ electricity sales is expected to be reduced by 14–18 % during the next five years due to the growth of self- generated solar power, while the need for grid balancing services is increasing. This study aims to increase the understanding of the flexible energy management related business models and opportunities for households in Finland, at the same time implementing solar power generation into the equation. The primary focus will be on the hourly consumption, demand response capabilities, and solar production analysis of households in Finland, but other Southern European countries are also covered for comparison. Fundamentals of different models are studied, after which investment and sensitivity analysis are conducted with a selection of realistic scenarios. Business opportunities for households do exist in Finland, however, not yet with attractive returns. Base case analysis showed internal rates of return between -3,0 % and -1,6 % without demand response benefits, and internal rates of return between -0,8 % and 0,3 % with them. Thus, demand response had a significant positive impact on the returns of an investment through regulation trading activities and solar production self-consumption maximization. However, sensitivity analysis showed that high solar system prices coupled with low electricity prices in Finland have a huge impact on the profitability of all scenarios studied. For mature solar markets, Germany and Italy for instance, the returns for similar setups result in internal rates of return between 5,9 % and 11,7 %, which represent attractive returns compared to any other options available for household investments. In fact, a possible best case scenario for Finland also returned an appealing annual return rate of 8,6 %. In future research, actual pilot programs should be conducted and some of the models and results presented in this study should be tested for verification. Additionally, an evaluation for both technical and psychological aspects of the demand response activities should be performed.Maailmanlaajuinen aurinkosähkön kumulatiivinen määrä on kasvanut vuosien 2003 ja 2013 välillä 2,82 GW:sta lähes 137 GW:iin. Tämä vastaa lähes viisikymmenkertaista kasvua ainoastaan vuosikymmenen aikana. Samanaikaisesti voimayhtiöiden sähkönkysynnän odotetaan laskevan 14– 18 % seuraavan viiden vuoden aikana ja verkon balansointitarpeen kasvavan, pääasiassa laajamittaisen ja kasvavan aurinkosähkön itsetuotannon vuoksi. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena on kasvattaa suomalaisten kotitalouksien joustavaan energianhallintaan ja aurinkoenergiaan liittyvien liiketoimintamahdollisuuksien ymmärrystä. Olennaisimmat tutkimuskohteet ovat suomalaisten kotitalouksien tunnittaisen kulutuksen, kulutusjoustopotentiaalin, sekä aurinkosähkön tuotannon analysointi, mutta myös joitakin eteläisen Euroopan maita käsitellään vertailun vuoksi. Eri mallien pohjana oleva tutkimusdata käsitellään tässä työssä, minkä jälkeen suoritetaan monelle eri realistiselle skenaariolle sekä investointi- että herkkyysanalyysi. Tutkimuksessa löytyi suomalaisille kotitalouksille liiketoimintamahdollisuuksia, jotka eivät kuitenkaan vielä nykyisillä muuttujilla tuota tyydyttäviä voittoja. Perusskenaariot tuottivat -3,0 % ja -1,6 % välillä olevia sisäisiä korkoja investoinneille ilman kulutusjoustoa, sekä välillä -0,8 % ja 0,3 % kulutusjouston kanssa. Näin ollen kulutusjoustolla on merkittävä vaikutus investoinnin houkuttelevuuteen suomalaiselle kotitaloudelle lähinnä säätösähkömarkkinoilla toimimisen ja aurinkoenergian itsekulutuksen maksimoinnin tuottamien hyötyjen vuoksi. Herkkyysanalyysi osoitti, että Suomen korkeilla aurinkosysteemihinnoilla ja alhaisilla sähkön hinnoilla on hyvin suuri vaikutus laskettujen skenaarioiden tuottoihin. Esimerkiksi Saksan ja Italian kehittyneillä aurinkomarkkinoilla, samankaltaiset skenaariot tuottivat 5,9–11,7 % tuottoa investoinnille. Herkkyysanalyysin kaikki positiiviset elementit yhdistävä skenaario tuotti Suomessa parhaimmillaan 8,6 % sisäisen koron investoinnille. Tulevaisuuden tutkimuksissa tulisi toteuttaa käytännön pilottiohjelmia tässä tutkimuksessa esitettyjen mallien ja tuloksien vahvistamiseksi. Lisäksi tulisi arvioida ja todentaa kulutusjoustoon liittyviä sekä teknisiä että psykologisia haasteita ja ratkaisuja