A dynamic model of competition

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2009.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-78).The Lotka-Volterra competition model has been extensively used in the study of technology interaction. It looks at the growth rate of a certain parameter of the interacting technologies through coupled nonlinear differential equations. The interaction is then modeled as a competition with a constant competition coefficient that adversely affects the growth rate. Various studies, however, have suggested that the interaction is not only pure competition and that other interactions are possible. These suggestions have remained mostly conceptual and descriptive - lacking a definite mathematical form of the interaction that can accommodate the suggested variations and the specific implication of those variations. This thesis presents a specific form of the competition coefficient that depends on the cost and benefit of the competition to a particular technology. The cost and benefit functions are patterned after density-dependent (size) interactions in ecology. The resulting competition coefficient is not a constant but varies as the density of the competing technologies changes. Based on the variable coefficient, we extracted steady states and derived conditions of stability to analyze the dynamics of the competition. Results show that the model can provide a richer set of possibilities compared to the constant coefficient. It accommodates different modes of interactions such as symbiosis and predator-prey aside from pure competition in the steady state coexistence between technologies. It allows for shifts from one mode to another during the evolution of the technologies. Lastly, it provides modifications to strategies meant to achieve "winner-take-all" scenario coveted in business.by Matthew George Escobido.S.M

Negotiating the Rapids: Transitional Moments of the Filipino and Karen Diasporas in Regional Victoria, Australia

The established Filipino and the newly emerging Karen/Karenni communities, although satisfied with their immigration journey, perceive forms and processes of closure in the socio-economic and cultural spheres of the Australian society. The resettlement of hundreds of Karen/Karennis into the regional City of Geelong, Victoria, coincides with rapid socio-economic changes and wide-ranging ramifications due to globalisation. Forms and processes of social closure coupled with the local resistance to the processes of globalisation are deployed by those who control, maintain, and dispense forms of power by ensuring that these ‘Third World-looking’ immigrants do not pose a threat to the competition of scarce desirable opportunities in the labour market. In what could be considered times of turbulence and uncertainties, this study examines the lived experiences of the established Filipino and the newly emerging Karen/Karenni communities in the Geelong region. It addresses issues of difference hounding members of these diasporic communities, their engagement with access and equity, and relative positioning within the social inclusion/exclusion arena. By employing the Weberian theory of social closure in exploring the lived settlement and resettlement experiences of two immigrant communities, I aim to investigate the contemporary situation of members of these communities in regards to their positioning in the labour market relative to their qualifications and social capital, and the way they are included and excluded in many spheres of the mainstream of the host society

A system study on the production of swan collection armchair of Pacific Arts and Decor International, Incorporated

The Pacific Arts and Decor International, Inc. is a manufacturer and exporter of rattan and wicker furniture. It\u27s head office is located at 3rd Floor-Atara Building 473 Alabang-Zapote Road, Almanza, Las Piñas. It\u27s factory and showroom is operating at Bo. Mataas na Sampaloc, Salawag, Dasmariñas, Cavite with 18500 square meter land area. PADI, Inc. is owned and operated by Mr. Emmanuel P. Padiernos. The company is a member of Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines. The company operates on a job order basis, wherein the production is determined by the quantity of orders receive. This means the company cannot forecast its demand for subsequent orders, they do not have any control as to how much, when, and what products to produce. The company does not need to produce for inventory. The proponents of this study determined the problem of PADI, Inc. which is not being able to serve 5% of ordered Swan Collection Armchair by PIER 1 IMPORTS. This was determined with the use of the WOT-SURG analysis. After thorough investigations and careful analysis of gathered data, the scheduling system and monitoring system were the found causes of the problem. This was analyzed with the use of the Stream Diagram. The causes were further analyzed with work sampling on the workers in all of the sections of the Production Department. With the work sampling conducted, it was proven that most of the time the workers in each section are either idle or working on other product lines. Time study on all the processes involved in the production of Swan Collection Armchair was also done. This time study was used to determine the standard time of producing a Swan Collection Armchair and to determine the capacity of the worker in each section. Through this, the total plant capacity was computed. The group found out that the workers are underutilized or optimal plant capacity was not achieved. This means the unserved orders should not have happened and opportunity cost should not have been incurred. The group used the K-T Analysis in comparing and selecting the best alternative solution. In selecting among the alternative solution, the group set the the musts criteria and wants criteria. The musts criteria must have a scheduling and monitoring systems. The wants criteria include the availability of the resources such as manpower, computer, etc it should be easy to implement and lastly the cost less than P 100,000.00 The group\u27s solutions are scheduling system, monitoring system and optimal assignment of workers in the Sections of the Production Area. The scheduling system is Microsoft Excel based. It automatically computes the Required Output. The monitoring system composed of Q.A. Personnel having additional responsibility of supervising the workers in their respective section. The group reassigned 17 workers to other product lines. With these solutions, the company can now schedule its received orders properly and can minimize or eliminate the problem of not serving 5.98% of ordered Swan Armchair Collection