4,982 research outputs found

    Operational risk management in high-mix, low-volume production

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    Abstract. The objective of this Master’s thesis is to study operational risk management in High-Mix, Low-Volume production, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. This objective is achieved through answering three research questions regarding previous literature, current state in a case company, and improving practises in the case company. This thesis is conducted as a qualitative research utilizing a literature review and a single case study. The literature review is utilized to form the theoretical foundation for the thesis, and to answer the first research question, providing the state of previous literature. The case study is utilized to obtain the current state in the case company, which answers the second research question. Case study data includes documentary data, observations, and interviews. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the observations were obtained with participatory observing. The third research question is answered by comparing the empirical study and literature to provide improvement recommendations to the case company. The findings of this study include the empirical results of operational risk management in a single case example, as well as the proposed improvements for the case company. The empirical observations are described in detail, and guidance for future studies is given. The development proposals are directly applicable to the case company and are expected to result in a higher operational risk management capability. The literature review and empirical observations may be useful to other researchers or organizations, but the recommendations have limited generalizability outside the case company. However, some of the recommendations might be applicable to a company with similar practises or organizational context.Operatiivisten riskien hallinta korkean vaihtuvuuden ja matalan volyymin tuotantoympäristöissä. Tiivistelmä. Tämän diplomityön tavoitteena on tutkia operatiivisten riskien hallintaa korkean vaihtuvuuden ja matalan volyymin (High-Mix, Low-Volume) tuotantoympäristöissä, pienissä ja keskisuurissa yrityksissä. Työn tavoite saavutetaan vastaamalla kolmeen tutkimuskysymykseen liittyen aiempaan kirjallisuuteen, case-yrityksen nykytilaan ja case-yrityksen toiminnan parantamiseen. Diplomityö toteutetaan laadullisena tutkimuksena, jossa hyödynnetään kirjallisuuskatsausta ja case-tutkimusta. Kirjallisuuskatsaus muodostaa tutkimuksen teoreettisen viitekehyksen ja vastaa ensimmäiseen tutkimuskysymykseen esittelemällä aiempaa tutkimusta. Case-tutkimusta hyödynnetään case-yrityksen nykytilan kuvaamiseen, mikä antaa vastauksen toiseen tutkimuskysymykseen. Case-tutkimuksen aineisto koostuu case-yrityksen riskienhallintaan liittyvistä dokumenteista, havainnoista ja haastatteluista. Tutkimuksen osana suoritettiin kolme puolistrukturoitua haastattelua ja havainnot kerättiin osallistuvalla havainnoinnilla. Kolmanteen tutkimuskysymykseen vastataan empiirisen tutkimuksen ja kirjallisuuden vertailulla, jonka tuloksena saadaan ehdotuksia case-yrityksen toiminnan parantamiseen. Tutkimuksen tuloksia ovat empiiriset havainnot yksittäisestä case-yrityksestä sekä parannusehdotukset case-yrityksen operatiivisten riskien hallintaan. Tarkkaan kuvattujen empiiristen havaintojen lisäksi työssä ohjeistetaan aiheeseen liittyvää jatkotutkimusta. Annetut parannusehdotukset ovat suoraan sovellettavissa case-yritykseen ja niiden odotetaan johtavan korkeampaan operatiivisten riskien hallinnan kyvykkyyteen. Toiset organisaatiot ja tutkimukset voivat hyötyä kirjallisuuskatsauksesta ja empiirisistä havainnoista, mutta parannusehdotuksilla on rajallinen yleistettävyys case-yrityksen ulkopuolelle. Jotkin parannusehdotukset voivat kuitenkin olla sovellettavissa yrityksiin, joilla on samankaltaisia käytänteitä tai piirteitä

    Identifying opportunities for developing CSP and PV-CSP hybrid projects under current tender conditions and market perspectives in MENA – benchmarking with PV-CCGT

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    Concentrating solar power (CSP) is one of the promising renewable energy technologies provided the fact that it is equipped with a cost-efficient storage system, thermal energy storage (TES). This solves the issue of intermittency of other renewable energy technologies and gives the advantage of achieving higher capacity factors and lower levelized costs of electricity (LCOE). This is the main reason why solar tower power plants (STPP) with molten salts and integrated TES are considered one of the most promising CSP technologies in the short term [1]. On the other hand, solar photovoltaic (PV) is a technology whose costs have been decreasing and are expected to continue doing so thus providing competitive LCOE values, but with relatively low capacity factors as electrical storage systems remain not cost-effective. Combining advantages and eliminating drawbacks of both technologies (CSP and PV), Hybridized PV-CSP power plants can be deemed as a competitive economic solution to offer firm output power when CSP is operated smartly so that its load is regulated in response to the PV output. Indeed previous works, have identified that it would allow achieving lower LCOEs than stand-alone CSP plants by means of allowing it to better utilize the solar field for storing energy during the daytime while PV is used [1]. On the fossil-based generation side, the gas turbine combined cycle (CCGT) occupies an outstanding position among power generation technologies. This is due to the fact that it is considered the most efficient fossil fuel-to-electricity converter, in addition to the maturity of such technology, high flexibility, and the generally low LCOE, which is largely dominated by fuel cost and varies depending on the natural gas price at a specific location. Obviously, the main drawback is the generated carbon emissions. In countries rich in natural gas resources and with vast potential for renewable energies implementation, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), abandoning a low LCOE technology with competitively low emissions – compared to coal or oil - and heading to costly pure renewable generation, seems like an aggressive plan. Therefore, hybridizing CCGT with renewable generation can be considered an attractive option for reducing emissions at reasonable costs. This is the case of the UAE with vast resources of both natural gas and solar energy. Previous work have shown the advantages of hybrid PV-CCGT and hybrid PV-CSP plants separately [1][2]. In this thesis, CSP and the two hybrid systems are compared on the basis of LCOE and CO2 emissions for a same firm-power capacity factor when considering a location in the UAE. The results are compared against each other to highlight the benefits of each technology from both environmental and economic standpoints and provide recommendations for future work in the field. The techno-economic analysis of CSP (STPP with TES), PV-CSP(STPP with TES) and PV-CCGT power plants have been performed by DYESOPT, an in-house tool developed in KTH, which runs techno-economic performance evaluation of power plants through multi-objective optimization for specific locations[1]. For this thesis, a convenient location in the UAE was chosen for simulating the performance of the plants. The UAE is endowed by the seventh-largest proven natural gas reserves and average to high global horizontal irradiation (GHI) and direct normal irradiation (DNI) values all year round, values considered to be lower than other countries in the MENA region due to its high aerosol concentrations and sand storms. The plants were designed to provide firm power in two cases, first as baseload, and second as intermediate load of 15 hours from 6:00 until 21:00. The hours of production were selected based on a typical average daily load profile. CSP and PV-CSP model previously developed by [3][1] were used. Ideally in the PV-CSP model, during daytime hours the PV generation is used for electricity production, covering the desired load, while CSP is used partly for electricity production and the rest for storing energy in the TES. Energy in the TES system is then used to supply firm power during both periods of low Irradiance and night hours or according to need. A PV-CCGT model has been developed which operates simultaneously, prioritizing the availability of PV while the CCGT fulfils the remaining requirement. There is a minimum loading for the CCGT plant which is determined by the minimum possible partial loading of the gas turbine restricted by the emission constraints. Accordingly, in some cases during operation PV is chosen to be curtailed due to this limitation. The main results of the techno-economic analysis are concluded in the comparative analysis of the 3 proposed power plant configurations, where the PV-CCGT plant is the most economic with minimum LCOE of 86 USD/MWh, yet, the least preferable option in terms of carbon emissions. CSP and PV-CSP provided higher LCOE, while the PV-CSP plant configuration met the same capacity factor with 11% reduction in LCOE, compared to CSP

    Space mission risk, sustainability and supply chain: review, multi-objective optimization model and practical approach

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    This paper investigates the convergence of risk, sustainability, and supply chain in space missions, including a review of fundamental concepts, the introduction of a multi-objective conceptual optimization model, and the presentation of a practical approach. Risks associated with space missions include technical, human, launch, space environment, mission design, budgetary, and political risks. Sustainability considerations must be incorporated into mission planning and execution to ensure the long-term viability of space exploration. The study emphasizes the importance of considering environmental sustainability, resource use, ethical concerns, long-term planning, international collaboration, and public outreach in space missions. It emphasizes the significance of reducing negative environmental consequences, increasing resource use efficiency, and making responsible and ethical actions. The paper offers a multi-objective optimization conceptual model that may be used to evaluate and choose sustainable space mission tactics. This approach considers a variety of elements, including environmental effects, resource utilization, mission cost, and advantages for society. It provides a systematic decision-making approach that examines trade-offs between different criteria and identifies optimal conceptual model solutions that balance risk, sustainability, and supply chain objectives. A practical approach is also offered to demonstrate the use of the multi-criteria optimization conceptual model in a space mission scenario. The practical approach demonstrates how the model can aid in the development of mission strategies that minimize risks, maximize resource consumption, and fit with sustainability goals. Overall, this paper delivers a multi-criteria optimization conceptual model and provides a space mission planning practical approach, as well as an overview of the interaction between risk, sustainability, and supply chain in space mission organization, planning, and execution.This research was partially supported by the AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland (16.16.200.396) and the financial aid of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNISW) grants (N N519 405934; 6459/B/T02/2011/40) and the Polish National Science Centre (NCN) research grant (DEC-2013/11/B/ST8/04458). Moreover, I appreciate the support of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (RED2018-102642-T; RED2022-134703-T; PID2019-111100RB-C22/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). Additionally, I acknowledge the support from the Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain and the University of California at Berkeley, USA. The research was also partially supported by the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Marie-Skłodowska Curie, No: 101034285

    Integrative analytical assessment: A hybrid method for facilitating negotiation

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    Integrative Analytical Assessment: A Hybrid Method for Facilitating Negotiation

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    Also PCMA Working Paper #10.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/51122/1/354.pd

    Comprehensive assessment of socio-economic impacts of agricultural water uses: concepts, approaches and analytical tools

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    Water use / Irrigation water / Cost benefit analysis / Pricing / Economic aspects / Agricultural production / Hydroelectric schemes / Fisheries

    Research Evaluation as a Policy Design Tool: Mapping Approaches across a Set of Case Studies

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    This paper provides an overview of research evaluation practices across countries. The main aim is to investigate whether research assessment is implemented and to see to what extent its results are used to revise policy strategies, identify new research priorities, allocate financial resources or enhance public understanding of R&D. The paper addresses a set of cases studies, four within Europe (UK, Finland, Italy, and Spain) and two outside (US and Japan). Each case study provides an outline of the strategies devised to improve the domestic science system; offers a map of the main actors of science policy and introduces the main performers of research assessment. A short overview of how evaluation is approached at European level is also given. The study shows that approaches vary significantly from case to case and that it is not always possible to identify a clear research evaluation framework. In some cases, new strategies have been devised to improve the research system and the process of renovation has affected the structure and the role of research assessment. Overall, official documents across countries emphasise that research evaluation is not a means in itself, and call on its use as a policy design tool. However, very few cases of “management by results” can be identified. The success of research evaluation practice is always tied to strong cultural support and it is where research assessment meets with reluctance and mistrust that it yields no fruit. The absence of an “evaluative culture” is the main obstacle to an efficient research evaluation system.Research Evaluation Systems, Management by Results, Evaluative Culture, Research Policy, Policy Planning

    Performance Management and Performance Measurement in the Education Sector

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    The paper examines several outstanding issues on the interface between the measurement of performance in primary and secondary education and the management of improved performance in this nationally important sector. These issues relate to the clarification of the objectives of the education system, the impact of performance reward systems, such as Performance Related Pay, t he role of resources in influencing educational outcomes, the reliability of existing methods of assessing educational performance, such as Data Envelopment Analysis and multivariate regression, and the need for an improved national comparative database if progress is to be made in several of these directions.Performance management; performance measurement; education; data envelopment analysis; quality control; knowledge management.
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