Análise de requisitos e proposta para estruturação de um sistema de projeto de fixações modulares assistido por computador-CAF

Este trabalho analisa os requisitos para a estruturação de um sistema computacional para especificação de fixações de peças para usinagem. O sistema proposto relaciona-se com o desenvolvimento de ferramentas para atuação concomitante com sistemas de Planejamento de Processos por Computador (CAPP) e Fabricação Integrada por Computador (CIM)- sendo este um sistema de Computer-Aided Fixturing (CAF). O CAF deverá operar sobre a seleção e o posicionamento de elementos de fixação modulares. É suposto que o projeto das peças seja elaborado num sistema de Projeto Assistido por Computador baseado na Tecnologia das Features

ASSESSING THE DEGREE OF PROMPTNESS OF A SERVICE INDUSTRY TO ADOPT LEAN THINKING

This paper describes the development and implementation of an index able to assess the degree of promptness of a service industry to carry out procedures towards lean thinking. According to the measurements theory and multivariate statistics, an approach to modelling lean thinking is developed. Starting with a theoretical review of concepts, one is able to devise a model making use of appropriate techniques for assessing manifested variables with questionnaires. The application of the model is expected to lead to a treelike structure representing the phenomenon with unitary prediction coefficients linearly combined. The Crombach´s alpha is employed in testing the reliability of the measurements. Non-linear or circular structures are out of the scope of this paper. The model is then applied to the public transportation industry of the City of Porto Alegre, Brazil, where the degree of promptness to adopt lean thinking in the industry as a whole and in the fifteen member companies has been assessed. The results are discussed and suggestions for pursuing the research are presented

An Exploratory Investigation on the Challenges to the New Brazilian Automotive Suppliers

This paper analyzes the B2B (business-to-business) relationships between big and small or medium-sized enterprises in the automotive sector in Brazil to tentatively identify the challenges that hinder the insertion of SMEs (small and medium-sized nterprises) in this supply chain. This multiple case study analyzed the largest car part manufacturers and the largest car assembly plants located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This was followed by studies of small and medium-sized businesses that had been indicated by the executives of the large companies studied. The objective was to answer the question: why are very few SMEs successful in their attempts at inserting themselves in the automotive supply chain. As identified, the main challenges faced by SMEs that do not operate in the auto chain are: the differences in the organizational objectives and the little know-how about the reality of B2B transactions in this sector

Revisão teórica que fundamenta pesquisa sobre a complexidade observada em arranjos e operações interorganizacionais

This paper presents the theoretical review that will be the foundation of future research in search of a method for assessment and eventual control for complexity in interorganizational arrays, like supply-chain and networks. According to a complexity indicator, the management can decide about increasing, reducing or even sustain it, in a strategic perspective. The paper describes and contextualizes the complex thinking in the organizational environment and review perspectives, like the non-linear causation, systemic theory, self-organized systems, information theory, cybernetics, chaos, autopoiesis and dissipative structures. At the end, we present directions for future research in the field.Este artigo apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica que formará o marco teórico de futuras pesquisas em busca de um método para a avaliação e eventual controle da complexidade em operações produtivas realizadas em arranjos organizacionais, tais como cadeias de suprimentos e redes de cooperação. Havendo um indicador que informe a complexidade do arranjo, um gestor poderá decidir se a aumenta, reduz ou mantém, em uma lógica de controle estratégico. O artigo descreve e contextualiza o pensamento complexo no ambiente organizacional e revisa antecedentes, tais como a causação não-linear, a teoria dos sistemas, a teoria da informação, a auto-organização, a cibernética, a teoria do caos, a autopoiese e as estruturas dissipativas. Ao fim, são apresentadas direções para futura pesquisa

Methodology for the collaboration in supply chains with a focus on continuous improvement

A collaborative relationship between companies in a supply chain makes it possible to improve both the performance and the results of the companies and of the supply chain. Several studies have analyzed supply chains, but few studies have proposed the application of tools for continuous improvement in a collaborative manner within the supply chain. The objective of this work is to present a methodology for the collaboration in a supply chain with a focus on continuous improvement. Three case studies were conducted with Brazilian multinational focal companies that manufacture technology-based products. It was seen that relationships, trust, the exchange of information, and the sharing of gains and risks sustains collaborative practices focused on continuous improvement. The proposed methodology considers the need for supplier development, for the monitoring of the supplies, and for the development of a partnership for problem solving through the application of tools for continuous improvement.Una relación de colaboración entre una cadena de suministro permite a las empresas mejorar el rendimiento y los resultados de las empresas y de la cadena de suministro. Hay varios estudios que se ocupan de las cadenas de suministro, pero son pocos los estudios que apuntan a la aplicación de herramientas colaborativas para lograr una mejora continua en la cadena de suministro. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar una metodología para la colaboración en la cadena de suministro, enfocado en una mejora continua. Se realizaron tres estudios de caso en empresas multinacionales brasileñas que fabrican productos de base tecnológica. Se observó que las relaciones, la confianza, el intercambio de información, y la participación conjunta en riesgos y beneficios sustentan las prácticas colaborativas enfocadas hacia una mejora continua. La metodología propuesta considera la necesidad del desarrollo de proveedores, la supervisión de los suministros, y la colaboración en la solución de problemas a través de la aplicación de herramientas de mejora continua

Drivers, opportunities and barriers for a retailer in the pursuit of more sustainable packaging redesign

Redesign can reduce the environmental impact generated by product packaging. The literature presents the elements to be observed in a packaging redesign, as well as the important role of the retailer in delivering more sustainable outcomes through consideration of product packaging. However, the literature is almost silent on the motivations, opportunities and barriers faced by the retailers that try to improve the packaging of the items sold in their stores. To fill this gap, a case study approach was adopted which investigated a global supermarket chain through interviews with senior management and participant observation. Findings suggest that the greatest motivation to the packaging redesign seems to be the economic gains (for the supermarket and its suppliers), which co-generate environmental gains. The opportunities include the adjustment of the packaging size or type. Sizes could be increased when consumers buy more than one package during a single visit to the supermarket, or reduced when consumers discard part of a perishable product without consuming it (due to over-large packaging). Barriers result from commercial uncertainties associated with: how the new packaging will affect the sales of other items? How the new design will influence the number of times that a consumer visits the supermarket? And how the new design will affect the amount of money spent by the consumer on each visit? Further studies could investigate: how to mitigate these uncertainties? How to leverage sustainability based on the economic focus? How to identify redesign opportunities among thousands of sold items? And how to better convince the suppliers that reject the supermarket proposals? The understanding developed from the case study has facilitated the derivation of a number of propositions aiming to leverage sustainability gains from packaging redesign in practice

Green marketing in supermarkets: Conventional and digitized marketing alternatives to reduce waste

This article seeks to identify and analyze green marketing actions that can reduce food waste (FW) of short shelf life (SSL) products by retailers and to propose effective FW mitigation strategies. The article is based on a multiple case study of selected supermarkets that have enacted strategies that emphasize FW reduction. The findings unveil both conventional or digitized green marketing actions that should be implemented in the following sequence: product, place, price, and promotion. First, products need to be grouped into categories based on retailers’ brand and suppliers’ brand. This help to prevent future problems with the items that bear the supermarket’s brand. This categorization is also helpful in defining the right place, price, and promotion for products with SSL. Besides, the pricing of items with SSL should be dynamic. Lastly, careful attention paid to where offers are placed inside stores also can also help to leverage sales, leading to reduced food waste.This work was financially supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq (edital 23/2018 ) and the PQ grant Process: 306785/2019-6