An investigation into the impact of decision support systems on strategic marketing planning practice

Relatively few companies gain the benefits from marketing planning claimed by prescriptive literature. This results from cognitive, procedural, resource, organisational, cultural and data availability barriers to effective planning. Research in other domains suggests that decision support systems (DSS) could assist in reducing some of these barriers. The research aim was therefore to examine whether and how DSS could be used to improve strategic marketing planning practice. The research method incorporated: iterative development of a DSS named EXN4AR a formative evaluation of the prototype system using a survey and a multiple-case study; and a further multiple-case study of users of other, related systems to explore the extent to which the results from the EXMAR evaluation could be generalised. The study confirms that software can play a valuable role in reducing some of the barriers to effective planning. Systems can assist with the effective application of analytical marketing tools through automated calculations, graphical display and on-line guidance, thus reducing the technical marketing knowledge required. Support for fast iteration allows these tools to be used to facilitate group strategy debates. Endeavours to move planning out of the hands of specialists and into cross-functional teams can be further aided by cross-functional analyses and by automated assistance with managing the complexity of multiple-level plans. The electronic format can support moves towards continuous planning based on a live marketing model of the business, helping the organisation to respond to internal or external changes without the constraints of the annual planning cycle. Other barriers such as cultural problems must, however, be reduced by other means. Various factors contributing to success in system implementation are identified, including top management support, sufficiently wide planning team definition, appropriate definition of planning units, sufficiently flexible planning procedures, ease of use, and a system that is seen as empowering rather than controlling

Power System Operation Planning Considering Dynamic Line Rating Uncertainty

The restructuring of power systems and wider introduction of renewable energy sources in the recent years is placing a greater stress on the transmission system. Yet, transmission system is paramount for the reliable, secure and economic operation of power systems. However, modern transmission systems often have insufficient capacity, leading to bottlenecks, congestions and spillage of renewable energy, while their expansion is generally expensive, complicated and time consuming. As an alternative to the transmission expansion, dynamic line rating technologies allows to utilize latent capacity of transmission lines through the use of measurements or forecasts of weather parameters. However, as the forecasts of the weather parameters are inherently uncertain, the estimates of transmission capacity also become uncertain, and must be addressed accordingly. This thesis investigates the impacts of dynamic line rating forecast uncertainty in power system operational planning problems. Thus, the thesis aims at developing mathematical models for the management of such uncertainty to ensure secure and effective operation of power systems. In order to achieve the above objective, firstly, stochastic models for the dynamic line rating are developed that allow to consider thermal dynamics of the conductor in the presence of uncertain weather forecasts. The models are entirely data-based and provide a risk-averse method of controlling conductor temperature in operational planning problems. Furthermore, the models allow to control both the probability of occurrence and the magnitude of the thermal overloading. Secondly, an analysis of uncertain factors and their interactions in power system operational planning is performed using the coherent risk measure framework. Additionally, a novel modelling approach for the uncertain renewable energy sources in operational planning problems is proposed. Then, coherent reformulations of uncertain constraints are developed and integrated into day-ahead unit commitment problem. Finally, the benefits of managing risk in operational planning problems using coherent risk measures are demonstrated in comprehensive case studies

GIS and genetic algorithm based integrated optimization for rail transit system planning

The planning of a rail transit system is a complex process involving the determination of station locations and the rail line alignments connecting the stations. There are many requirements and constraints to be considered in the planning process, with complex correlations and interactions, necessitating the application of optimization models in order to realize optimal (i.e. reliable and cost-effective) rail transit systems. Although various optimization models have been developed to address the rail transit system planning problem, they focus mainly on the planning of a single rail line and are therefore, not appropriate in the context of a multi-line rail network. In addition, these models largely neglect the complex interactions between station locations and associated rail lines by treating them in separate optimization processes. This thesis addresses these limitations in the current models by developing an optimal planning method for multiple lines, taking into account the relevant influencing factors, in a single integrated process using a geographic information system (GIS) and a genetic algorithm (GA). The new method considers local factors and the multiple planning requirements that arise from passengers, operators and the community, to simultaneously optimize the locations of stations and the associated line network linking them. The new method consists of three main levels of analysis and decision-making. Level I identifies the requirements that must be accounted for in rail transit system planning. This involves the consideration of the passenger level of service, operator productivity and potential benefits for the community. The analysis and decision making process at level II translates these requirements into effective criteria that can be used to evaluate and compare alternative solutions. Level III formulates mathematical functions for these criteria, and incorporates them into a single planning platform within the context of an integrated optimization model to achieve a rail transit system that best fits the desired requirements identified at level I. This is undertaken in two main stages. Firstly, the development of a GIS based algorithm to screen the study area for a set of feasible station locations. Secondly, the use of a heuristic optimization algorithm, based on GA to identify an optimum set of station locations from the pool of feasible stations, and, together with the GIS system, to generate the line network connecting these stations. The optimization algorithm resolves the essential trade-off between an effective rail system that provides high service quality and benefits for both the passenger and the whole community, and an economically efficient system with acceptable capital and operational costs. The proposed integrated optimization model is applied to a real world case study of the City of Leicester in the UK. The results show that it can generate optimal station locations and the related line network alignment that satisfy the various stakeholder requirements and constraints.Open Acces

Capital markets and e-fraud: policy note and concept paper for future study

The technological dependency of securities exchanges on internet-based (IP) platforms has dramatically increased the industry's exposure to reputation, market, and operational risks. In addition, the convergence of several innovations in the market are adding stress to these systems. These innovations affect everything from software to system design and architecture. These include the use of XML (extensible markup language) as the industry IP language, STP or straight through processing of data, pervasive or diffuse computing and grid computing, as well as the increased use of Internet and wireless. The fraud is not new, rather, the magnitude and speed by which fraud can be committed has grown exponentially due to the convergence of once private networks on-line. It is imperative that senior management of securities markets and brokerage houses be properly informed of the negative externalities associated with e-brokerage and the possible critical points of failure that exist in today's digitized financial sector as they grow into tomorrow's exchanges. The overwhelming issue regarding e-finance is to determine the true level of understanding that senior management has about on-line platforms, including the inherent risks and the depth of the need to use it wisely. Kellermann and McNevin attempt to highlight the various risks that have been magnified by the increasing digitalization of processes within the brokerage arena and explain the need for concerted research and analysis of these as well as the profound consequences that may entail without proper planning. An effective legal, regulatory, and enforcement framework is essential for creating the right incentive structure for market participants. The legal and regulatory framework should focus on the improvement of internal monitoring of risks and vulnerabilities, greater information sharing about these risks and vulnerabilities, education and training on the care and use of these technologies, and better reporting of risks and responses. Public/private partnerships and collaborations also are needed to create an electronic commerce (e-commerce) environment that is safe and sound.Environmental Economics&Policies,Insurance&Risk Mitigation,Financial Intermediation,ICT Policy and Strategies,Banks&Banking Reform

Reliability/cost evaluation of a wind power delivery system

Renewable energy policies, such as the Renewable Portfolio Standard, arising from increasing environmental concerns have set very ambitious targets for wind power penetration in electric power systems throughout the world. In many cases, the geographical locations with good wind resources are not close to the main load centers. It becomes extremely important to assess adequate transmission facility to deliver wind power to the power grid. Wind is a highly variable energy source, and therefore, transmission system planning for wind delivery is very different from conventional transmission planning. Most electric power utilities use a deterministic ‘n-1’ criterion in transmission system planning. Deterministic methods cannot recognize the random nature of wind variation that dictates the power generated from wind power sources. This thesis presents probabilistic method to evaluate the contribution of a wind power delivery system to the overall system reliability. The effects of site-specific wind regime, system load, transmission line unavailability, and redundancy on system reliability were studied using a basic system model. The developed method responds to the various system parameters and is capable of assessing the actual system risks. Modern power system aims to provide reliable as well as cost effective power supply to its consumers. Reliability benefits, environmental benefits and operating cost savings from wind power integration should be compared with the associated investment costs in order to determine optimum transmission facility for wind power delivery. This thesis presents the reliability/cost techniques for determining appropriate transmission line capacity to connect a wind farm to a power grid. The effect of transmission system cost, line length, wind regime, wind penetration and customer interruption cost on the optimum transmission line sizing were studied using a basic system model. The methodology and results presented in this thesis should be useful in transmission system planning for delivering wind power to a power system

Automated NDT inspection for large and complex geometries of composite materials

Large components with complex geometries, made of composite materials, have become very common in modern structures. To cope with future demand projections, it is necessary to overcome the current non-destructive testing (NDT) bottlenecks encountered during the inspection phase of manufacture. This thesis investigates several aspects of the introduction of automation within the inspection process of complex parts. The use of six-axis robots for product inspection and non-destructive testing systems is the central investigation of this thesis. The challenges embraced by the research include the development of a novel controlling approach for robotic manipulators and of novel path-planning strategies. The integration of robot manipulators and NDT data acquisition instruments is optimized. An effective and reliable way to encode the NDT data through the interpolated robot feedback positions is implemented. The viability of the new external control method is evaluated experimentally. The observed maximum position and orientation errors are respectively within 2mm and within 1 degree, over an operating envelope of 3m³. A new software toolbox (RoboNDT), aimed at NDT technicians, has been developed during this work. RoboNDT is intended to transform the robot path-planning problem into an easy step of the inspection process. The software incorporates the novel path-planning algorithms developed during this research and is shaped to overcome practical limitations of current OLP software. The software has been experimentally validated using scans on real high value aerospace components. RoboNDT delivers tool-path errors that are lower than the errors given by commercial off-line path-planning software. For example the variability of the standoff is within 10 mm for the tool-paths created with the commercial software and within 4.5 mm for the RoboNDT tool-paths, over a scanned area of 1.6m². The output of this research was used to support a 3-year industrial project, called IntACom and led by TWI on behalf of major aerospace sponsors. The result is a demonstrator system, currently in use at TWI Technology Centre, which is capable of inspecting complex geometries with high throughput. The IntACom system can scan real components 2.8 times faster than traditional 3-DoF scanners deploying phased-array inspection and 6.7 times faster than commercial gantry systems deploying traditional single-element inspection.Large components with complex geometries, made of composite materials, have become very common in modern structures. To cope with future demand projections, it is necessary to overcome the current non-destructive testing (NDT) bottlenecks encountered during the inspection phase of manufacture. This thesis investigates several aspects of the introduction of automation within the inspection process of complex parts. The use of six-axis robots for product inspection and non-destructive testing systems is the central investigation of this thesis. The challenges embraced by the research include the development of a novel controlling approach for robotic manipulators and of novel path-planning strategies. The integration of robot manipulators and NDT data acquisition instruments is optimized. An effective and reliable way to encode the NDT data through the interpolated robot feedback positions is implemented. The viability of the new external control method is evaluated experimentally. The observed maximum position and orientation errors are respectively within 2mm and within 1 degree, over an operating envelope of 3m³. A new software toolbox (RoboNDT), aimed at NDT technicians, has been developed during this work. RoboNDT is intended to transform the robot path-planning problem into an easy step of the inspection process. The software incorporates the novel path-planning algorithms developed during this research and is shaped to overcome practical limitations of current OLP software. The software has been experimentally validated using scans on real high value aerospace components. RoboNDT delivers tool-path errors that are lower than the errors given by commercial off-line path-planning software. For example the variability of the standoff is within 10 mm for the tool-paths created with the commercial software and within 4.5 mm for the RoboNDT tool-paths, over a scanned area of 1.6m². The output of this research was used to support a 3-year industrial project, called IntACom and led by TWI on behalf of major aerospace sponsors. The result is a demonstrator system, currently in use at TWI Technology Centre, which is capable of inspecting complex geometries with high throughput. The IntACom system can scan real components 2.8 times faster than traditional 3-DoF scanners deploying phased-array inspection and 6.7 times faster than commercial gantry systems deploying traditional single-element inspection

Urban Green Network Design: Defining green network from an urban planning perspective

From the theoretical context of Smart City various studies have emerged that adopt an analytical approach and description of urban phenomena based on the principles of “network design”; this line of research uses the network systems theory to define the principles that regulate the relationships among the various elements of urban sub-systems in order to optimize their functionality. From the same theoretical basis, urban greenspaces have also been studied as networks, by means of the creation of models capable of measuring the performance of the system in its entirety, posing the basis of a new multy-disciplinary research field called green network. This paper presents the results of research aimed at clarifying the meaning of green network from an urban planning perspective through a lexical analysis applied to a textual corpus of more than 300 abstracts of research papers that have dealt with this topic over the last twenty years. The results show that the concept of green network appears still fuzzy and unclear, due to the different meaning given to the term “green” and to an incorrect use of the term “network”, often referred to as a generic set of natural areas present in a city, without any reference to the network system theory or to the basic rules linking these elements together. For this reason, the paper proposes a unique definition of green network from an urban planning perspective that takes into account the contribution of other research areas to effective green infrastructure planning. This is the concept of “urban green network design” defined as “an urban planning practice, supported by decision support tools able to model green infrastructure as network, composed by natural and semi-natural areas, whose connections are modelled according to specific variables, in order to deliver an equal distribution of public services for enhancing the quality of life as well as a wide range of ecosystem services”

Evaluation of key value drivers as a decision support tool for strategy implementation in BHP Billiton Manganese

This study evaluated the use of Key Value Drivers as a decision support tool for strategy implementation in BHP Billiton Manganese. The evaluation methods used in this study were subjective and were based on perception data collected from BHP Billiton Manganese Management. Three data collection methods were used, namely, survey questionnaire, archival search and interviews. The results obtained indicated that BHP Billiton Manganese managers perceive Key Value Drivers to be an effective decision support tool for strategy implementation, however the current Microsoft Excel model that has evolved over the past decade is perceived to be difficult to maintain with respect to data management and the support that is offered to users in the form of training material and on-line help is limited. The study indicated that Key Value Drivers as currently used in BHP Billiton Manganese, are an important integrator for a number of business processes such as Planning, Performance Management, Business Improvement and Management Information Systems. At a practical level, the study provided a method for identification and ranking of Key Value Drivers and a subjective evaluation process that can be used to get user input in design and implementation of management information systems. At a theoretical level, the study has shown that the relevance of Decision Support Systems and Value Based Management approaches still persists in contemporary managerial decision-making and that there is potential to use modern technologies such as Business Intelligence platforms to support these legacy systems. The empirical findings of this study were in general supportive of what could be expected based on the literature review covering Decision Support Systems, Key Value Drivers, Business Intelligence and Information Systems’ Evaluation Approaches. The Business Intelligence implementation project that is currently underway will benefit from the feedback generated by this study, particularly by ensuring that the two key shortcomings of the current KVD model are addressed. The study was a cross-sectional study limited to BHP Billiton Manganese. The study can be replicated in other Customer Sector Groups or repeated in BHP Billiton Manganese to create a longitudinal profil

Use of automatically collected data for the preliminary impact analysis of the East London Line extension

Thesis (S.M. in Transportation)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2011.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-154).Data from public transport automated data collection (ADC) systems are now widely used in academic research and are beginning to be used for planning purposes. ADC systems provide ubiquitous and inexpensive, if limited, data streams for planning purposes. Since ADC data systems have been around for some time and are deployed by many large public transport agencies, the resulting data can be used for before and after impact analyses of changes in the transportation system. This research explores the use of automatically collected data to understand the impacts of a major public transport infrastructure investment on a complex existing network. The research presents the methods, using automatically collected data, to determine the impacts on multiple modes of transportation and the preliminary results of the impact of the introduction of the East London Line Extension. The East London Line is still in the early stages of growth and first and second order impacts continue to develop. The line is carrying an average of approximately 70,000 passengers per day and ridership continues to increase monthly. The East London Line is an important public transport crossing of the Thames River and a crucial role as a distributer to and from intersecting rail lines. It was estimated that between 28 to 32 percent of the daily weekday passenger journeys are new journeys to the public transport system. There is a change in ridership on many bus routes that run through the area served by the East London line. A more detailed analysis on four bus routes that run parallel to the East London Line and two bus routes that act as feeder routes show mixed results by route, direction, and time period. The mixed results lead us to believe that based on this preliminary impact analysis, the East London line can have a positive and negative impact on bus ridership but the impacts are most likely route, route segment, time of day, and direction specific. Analysis of disaggregate data showed that journey frequency of East London Line patrons increased at a higher rate than for the control panel. It is clear that ADC system data provides a cost effective means to capture a breath and depth of data suitable for impact analyses.by Albert Ng.S.M.in Transportatio

Computational Facilities and Web-Resources: Case Study of Large Private University with Fast-Growing Clients

Speed, space and judicious sharing web-related resources are the key indicators of successful management of the computing-facilities and other web-resources of any progressive organisation. Such a case becomes much more demanding for any professional academic institution, where the majority stake-holders, that is the young student-users of web-resources, are heavily dependent on web-based learning and personal communications. Other stake holders, like administrative staff, teaching and research community of universities have web-dependence, mostly for known resources. Fast growing dependence of different categories of stake-holders of such large institutes warrants a case-study research, so as to study the present pattern of uses of web-resources, including the timing and pockets of users, and then to have a sustainable strategic planning for a better resource-management of web-resources for future. The present paper is a case study of a leading private university of Odisha (in India) with over 65,000 users of ‘university web-network' and over 7500 fixed-systems, which analyses users' time-series data of last quarter and suggests a futuristic model for optimal and effective use of - ˜Institute Web-Resources and computing facilities'. It studies both fixed-line load and load-management of wireless (Wi Fi) connections, across the 25 campuses of the Institute, scattered and geographically located within 15 sq. km