Optimizing the Total Production and Maintenance Cost of an Integrated Multi-Product Process and Maintenance Planning (IPPMP) Model

Today, a competitive manufacturing environment imposes further production cost reduction on modern companies. Seeking proper recommendations in production and maintenance planning are the two essential cornerstones of effective production organizations. In the current research, we have considered the problem of integrated multi-product process and maintenance planning on a capacitated machine that is susceptible to random breakdown. Maintenance processes comprise general perfect repair (non-cyclical) as preventive maintenance (PM) in the early stages and minimal repair as corrective maintenance for the occurrence of machine breakdown. Furthermore, a rational presumption is reflected in the problem statement in which the time and cost of PM are pertinent to the interval between the prior perfect repair and current PM. The purpose served by this paper is to minimize the cost of production accompanying PM, and the expected corrective repair, consequently, a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model has been constructed to pave the way. The model investigated under two circumstances of the machine age effect and its absence. The outcome depicted that the presence of the machine age effect led to an accurate and lessen total cost calculation.Comment: This paper has been accepted by IEEE ISSE2020 6th IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineerin

Robustness of maintenance support service networks : attributes, evaluation and improvement

Maintenance support service network (MSSN) is used to provide maintenance services and maintain the operational status of equipment. However, the performance of MSSN has been significantly influenced by inevitable disturbance, which makes it vital to maintain its robustness. Existing research on robustness of MSSN mainly focuses on single-layer rather than two-layer network, which imposes constraints on the disturbances and limits its application. To solve these issues, this study develops a two-layer MSSN, consisting of a directed entity-layer and an undirected cyber-layer focusing on supporting maintenance service. A definition of robustness for two-layer MSSN is proposed, and effect propagation models are established to evaluate its robustness of MSSN, followed by its improvement strategies. In particular, two strategies applied in the single-layer MSSN are modified to adapt to the two-layer MSSN, and a novel greedy partnership building approach is proposed to find an optimal strategy under cascading failure, to maintain the robustness of MSSN from a complex network perspective. Finally, numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach

Forest Land Ownership Change in United Kingdom

Publisher PD

Low-income tenants’ housing accessibility and affordable housing provision barriers. The case of Kigali, Rwanda

While most cities in the developing world are undergoing a rapid urbanisation process, they are confronted with a heightened challenge to meet the housing needs of low-income populations. In these cities, millions of urban households are compelled to live in precarious conditions and sub-standard housing structures since they can hardly find better alternative housing that is decent and affordable. In Kigali in Rwanda, the scarcity of affordable housing has turned into a persistent crisis for income-constrained households. This thesis aims to find out how the affordable housing problem is addressed and why responses have been slow even if the government has portrayed the issue as a priority. The literature has mainly focused on describing the local housing needs or establishing links between urbanization trends and housing unaffordability. As a result, this dissertation applies a holistic approach to the affordable housing sector to examine the perspectives of key actors directly affected by the lack of or those involved in affordable housing responses. This way, the specific objectives for the study are to: (1) explore how housing affordability for tenant family households has evolved in recent years in Kigali city, (2) examine key actors in the affordable housing sector and how the underlying institutional framework supports their interests, objectives and strategies for affordable housing provision, and (3) identify institutional constraints hindering key affordable housing providers given the institutional environment. An institutionalist approach was adopted to guide the empirical study. More precisely, the New Institutional Economics conceptual tools of institutions and transaction costs form the theoretical basis for the study. Given the nature of the study and the research questions it raises, a case study research design was suitable. Kigali city in Rwanda was selected as a holistic single case study to investigate the phenomenon. Empirical data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with key actors in the affordable housing industry, documents and secondary data consisting of two household surveys. For research objective one, the changes in housing affordability for tenant family households between the 2010 and 2017 periods are analysed. The study found that the share of family households able to afford a standard two-bedroom house unit decreased by 1.1% during the same period considering a 30% rent-to-income affordability ratio. Besides this, the study also found that the share of tenant family households living in overcrowding conditions increased by 9.4% during the same period. Drawing on tenants’ perspectives, the difficulties to secure affordable housing are low income and informal employment conditions, regulatory challenges, and inability to afford and access houses provided under the state-funded affordable housing program. Concerning research objective two, the key actors, institutions and rules governing affordable housing provision were identified and analysed. The study found that the affordable housing sector attracts multiple actors aligned to the public, private and third sectors. The public sector ensures the industry’s coordination and regulation. In contrast, the private sector leads the building of affordable housing, which is in light of policies postulating the sector as an area with investment potential, yet hardly exploited. However, the state retains a strong influence on decisions thanks to hierarchical governance structures in place. Although policy acknowledges different strategies to deliver affordable housing, private sector-led housing remains the favourite approach by which the government is persuaded to achieve the best possible outcomes. Nevertheless, the disjuncture between policy and reality does not lure sufficient private investments, further undermines some fringe actors and, more importantly, diminishes the prospects of some strategies to have more impact and new solutions to emerge. Thirdly, the institutional constraints hindering interventions of the key affordable housing providers are examined. On the one hand, formal institutions-related constraints stem from legislations and policies that are either stringent, ambiguous or absent. These affect the smooth running of the housing building process, from registering housing cooperatives, land acquisition, acquiring building permits, and post-construction management. As a result of the above constraints, housing providers encounter different forms of transaction costs during the housing development process, namely: negotiation costs, information costs and enforcement costs that affect private developers, cooperatives, and public and private housing providers, respectively. On the other hand, informal institutions in the form of values and practices held in connection with house building negatively impact the marketability of developer-built houses. In this way, the alienation to single-family detached housing, susceptibility to unfamiliar construction materials, and prevalence of the self-building practice undermine developers’ endeavours in affordable housing provision. Overall, this thesis offers a fresh perspective about local institutional difficulties in responding to a global challenge of meeting the affordable housing needs of low-income populations. Applying a case study approach with mixed methods in Kigali city, the dissertation aims to contribute recommendations on how affordable housing policy and practice can be improved in other contexts with similar urban experiences and to the scholarly debates on the affordable housing institutions nexus.:Figures viii Tables ix Abbreviations xi Abstract xiii 1 INTRODUCTION AND PROBLEM STATEMENT 1 1.1 Background to the research problem 1 1.2 Problem statement and justification 3 1.3 Research questions, objectives and propositions 12 1.4 Thesis structure 14 2 AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVISION: A LITERATURE REVIEW 17 2.1 Introduction 17 2.2 Defining affordability and affordable housing 17 2.3 Importance of housing affordability 21 2.4 Factors influencing the affordable housing challenge 23 2.5 Key strategies for affordable housing provision 26 2.6 Summary 42 3 CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 43 3.1 Introduction 43 3.2 Theoretical approaches for housing analysis 43 3.3 Theoretical choice for the study: New Institutional Economics (NIE) 47 3.4 Operationalization of the conceptual framework in Kigali (Rwanda) context 51 3.5 Summary 54 4 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 55 4.1 Introduction 55 4.2 Ontology and epistemological stances of the study 55 4.3 Research design 58 4.4 Data collection and analysis methods 67 4.5 Ethical considerations 73 4.6 Summary 74 5 HOUSING AFFORDABILITY SITUATION FOR LOW-INCOME TENANTS 75 5.1 Introduction 75 5.2 Changes in rental affordability between 2010/2011 and 2016/2017 75 5.3 Perceptions about constraints to secure affordable housing 77 5.4 Discussion 97 5.5 Summary 99 6 ACTORS, INSTITUTIONS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVISION STRATEGIES 100 6.1 Introduction 100 6.2 Key actors engaged in the affordable housing sector 101 6.3 Institutional framework for affordable housing provision 127 6.4 Affordable housing provision in policy versus the practice 141 6.5 Discussion 161 6.6 Summary 163 7 INSTITUTIONAL CONSTRAINTS FOR KEY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS 164 7.1 Introduction 164 7.2 Constraints related to formal institutions 165 7.3 Constraints related to informal institutions 187 7.4 Perspectives on conditions to enable affordable housing delivery 191 7.5 Discussion 194 7.6 Summary 196 8 CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS 197 8.1 Introduction 197 8.2 Results summary 198 8.3 Research contribution 202 8.4 Implications of the study 205 Bibliography 208 APPENDICES 23

The design and management of diverse affiliations : an exploration of international hotel chains

The simultaneous use of different market entry methods by international service firms is creating complex and compound organisations that operate within and across organisational boundaries. These organisations face variable risks related to control, resource commitment, flexibility and dissemination across their diversely affiliated portfolios. This research seeks to explore how these risks are managed within these diverse affiliations through an investigation of organisational and inter-organisational design. This study draws on three fields of literature; international market entry, alliance and networks, and organisation design. A number of gaps have been identified in this literature relating to 'how' international service firms, inter-organisational alliances, diverse affiliations and international hotel chains are designed and managed. Using international hotel chains for the primary investigation, a qualitative case study approach was adopted for this study. The research was conducted in three phases; the first served to verify the extent of the phenomenon under study, the second provided insight into organisation design within firm boundaries and the third revealed a detailed picture of inter-organisational design. A major contribution of this study is the identification of communities of design within diversely affiliated organisations. These communities are created through the different structures and processes employed across portfolios and reinforced by the perceptions of organisation members. Barriers can develop between the communities that limit the degrees of control and flexibility achieved and inhibit organisational potential. A further contribution of this study is the development of a relational-process framework that can be used to build bridges across these communities, break down barriers and enhance relational ties, but only if supported by appropriate control procedures. Managers are recommended to consider the impact of formal mechanistic structures within and across organisational boundaries and the impact of inter-organisational processes on relational ties in designs that cross organisational boundaries in order to enhance the potential of diverse affiliations

The economic and technological development of the slate quarrying industry in the Nantlle Valley, Gwynedd

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN020916 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

A strategic turnaround model for distressed properties

The importance of commercial real estate is clearly shown by the role it plays, worldwide, in the sustainability of economic activities, with a substantial global impact when measured in monetary terms. This study responds to an important gap in the built environment and turnaround literature relating to the likelihood of a successful distressed commercial property financial recovery. The present research effort addressed the absence of empirical evidence by identifying a number of important factors that influence the likelihood of a successful distressed, commercial property financial recovery. Once the important factors that increase the likelihood of recovery have been determined, the results can be used as a basis for turnaround strategies concerning property investors who invest in distressed opportunities. A theoretical turnaround model concerning properties in distress, would be of interest to ‘opportunistic investing’ yield-hungry investors targeting real estate transactions involving ‘turnaround’ potential. Against this background, the main research problem investigated in the present research effort was as follows: Determine the important factors that would increase the likelihood of a successful distressed commercial property financial recovery. A proposed theoretical model was constructed and empirically tested through a questionnaire distributed physically and electronically to a sample of real estate practitioners from across the globe, and who had all been involved, directly or indirectly, with reviving distressed properties. An explanation was provided to respondents of how the questionnaire was developed and how it would be administered. The demographic information pertaining to the 391 respondents was analysed and summarised. The statistical analysis performed to ensure the validity and reliability of the results, was explained to respondents, together with a detailed description of the covariance structural equation modelling method used to verify the proposed theoretical conceptual model. vi The independent variables of the present research effort comprised; Obsolescence Identification, Capital Improvements Feasibility, Tenant Mix, Triple Net Leases, Concessions, Property Management, Contracts, Business Analysis, Debt Renegotiation, Cost-Cutting, Market Analysis, Strategic Planning and Demography, while the dependent variable was The Perceived Likelihood of a Distressed Commercial Property Financial Recovery. After analysis of the findings, a revised model was then proposed and assessed. Both validity and reliability were assessed and resulted in the following factors that potentially influence the dependent variables; Strategy, Concessions, Tenant Mix, Debt Restructuring, Demography, Analyse Alternatives, Capital Improvements Feasibility, Property Management and Net Leases while, after analysis, the dependent variable was replaced by two dependent variables; The Likelihood of a Distressed Property Turnaround and The Likelihood of a Distressed Property Financial Recovery. The results showed that Strategy (comprising of items from Strategic Planning, Business Analysis, Obsolescence Identification and Property Management) and Concessions (comprising of items from Concessions and Triple Net Leases) had a positive influence on both the dependent variables. Property Management (comprising of items from Business Analysis, Property Management, Capital Improvements Feasibility and Tenant Mix) had a positive influence on Financial Turnaround variable while Capital Improvements Feasibility (comprising of items from Capital Improvements Feasibility, Obsolescence Identification and Property Management) had a negative influence on both. Demography (comprising of items only from Demography) had a negative influence on the Financial Recovery variable. The balance of the relationships were depicted as non-significant. The present research effort presents important actions that can be used to influence the turnaround and recovery of distressed real estate. The literature had indicated reasons to recover distressed properties as having wide-ranging economic consequences for the broader communities and the countries in which they reside. The turnaround of distressed properties will not only present financial rewards for opportunistic investors but will have positive effects on the greater community and economy and, thus, social and economic stability. Vii With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, issues with climate change and sustainability, global demographic shifts, changing user requirements, shifts in technology, the threat of obsolescence, urbanisation, globalisation, geo-political tensions, shifting global order, new trends and different generational expectations, it is becoming more apparent that the threat of distressed, abandoned and derelict properties is here to stay, and which will present future opportunities for turnaround, distressed property owners, as well as future worries for urban authorities and municipalities dealing with urban decay. The study concluded with an examination of the perceived limitations of the study as well as presenting a comprehensive range of suggestions for further research.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the built Environment, 202

A strategic turnaround model for distressed properties

The importance of commercial real estate is clearly shown by the role it plays, worldwide, in the sustainability of economic activities, with a substantial global impact when measured in monetary terms. This study responds to an important gap in the built environment and turnaround literature relating to the likelihood of a successful distressed commercial property financial recovery. The present research effort addressed the absence of empirical evidence by identifying a number of important factors that influence the likelihood of a successful distressed, commercial property financial recovery. Once the important factors that increase the likelihood of recovery have been determined, the results can be used as a basis for turnaround strategies concerning property investors who invest in distressed opportunities. A theoretical turnaround model concerning properties in distress, would be of interest to ‘opportunistic investing’ yield-hungry investors targeting real estate transactions involving ‘turnaround’ potential. Against this background, the main research problem investigated in the present research effort was as follows: Determine the important factors that would increase the likelihood of a successful distressed commercial property financial recovery. A proposed theoretical model was constructed and empirically tested through a questionnaire distributed physically and electronically to a sample of real estate practitioners from across the globe, and who had all been involved, directly or indirectly, with reviving distressed properties. An explanation was provided to respondents of how the questionnaire was developed and how it would be administered. The demographic information pertaining to the 391 respondents was analysed and summarised. The statistical analysis performed to ensure the validity and reliability of the results, was explained to respondents, together with a detailed description of the covariance structural equation modelling method used to verify the proposed theoretical conceptual model. vi The independent variables of the present research effort comprised; Obsolescence Identification, Capital Improvements Feasibility, Tenant Mix, Triple Net Leases, Concessions, Property Management, Contracts, Business Analysis, Debt Renegotiation, Cost-Cutting, Market Analysis, Strategic Planning and Demography, while the dependent variable was The Perceived Likelihood of a Distressed Commercial Property Financial Recovery. After analysis of the findings, a revised model was then proposed and assessed. Both validity and reliability were assessed and resulted in the following factors that potentially influence the dependent variables; Strategy, Concessions, Tenant Mix, Debt Restructuring, Demography, Analyse Alternatives, Capital Improvements Feasibility, Property Management and Net Leases while, after analysis, the dependent variable was replaced by two dependent variables; The Likelihood of a Distressed Property Turnaround and The Likelihood of a Distressed Property Financial Recovery. The results showed that Strategy (comprising of items from Strategic Planning, Business Analysis, Obsolescence Identification and Property Management) and Concessions (comprising of items from Concessions and Triple Net Leases) had a positive influence on both the dependent variables. Property Management (comprising of items from Business Analysis, Property Management, Capital Improvements Feasibility and Tenant Mix) had a positive influence on Financial Turnaround variable while Capital Improvements Feasibility (comprising of items from Capital Improvements Feasibility, Obsolescence Identification and Property Management) had a negative influence on both. Demography (comprising of items only from Demography) had a negative influence on the Financial Recovery variable. The balance of the relationships were depicted as non-significant. The present research effort presents important actions that can be used to influence the turnaround and recovery of distressed real estate. The literature had indicated reasons to recover distressed properties as having wide-ranging economic consequences for the broader communities and the countries in which they reside. The turnaround of distressed properties will not only present financial rewards for opportunistic investors but will have positive effects on the greater community and economy and, thus, social and economic stability. Vii With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, issues with climate change and sustainability, global demographic shifts, changing user requirements, shifts in technology, the threat of obsolescence, urbanisation, globalisation, geo-political tensions, shifting global order, new trends and different generational expectations, it is becoming more apparent that the threat of distressed, abandoned and derelict properties is here to stay, and which will present future opportunities for turnaround, distressed property owners, as well as future worries for urban authorities and municipalities dealing with urban decay. The study concluded with an examination of the perceived limitations of the study as well as presenting a comprehensive range of suggestions for further research.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the built Environment, 202