Towards an investigation on the determinants for effectiveness and efficiency of reverse logistics systems (RLS)

This article deals with the influence of economies of scale and postponement on the efficiency and effectiveness of reverse logistics systems (RLSs). In a global way, it aims to provide an understanding of RLSs to generate knowledge of practical and theoretical character. Starting from a generic model of circular flow of materials, the system studied is positioned between the final consumer and the traditional or direct supply chain. It is a qualitative approach over two case studies carried out in Portugal and Brazil dealing with scraptires. One deals with management system while the other deals with the reverse logistics system. As conclusions, the efficiency of RLSs is aided by economies of scale. Postponement has positive effects on efficiency by increasing the system capacity reducing logistics costs which indirectly leads to economies of scale, having a positive influence on the effectiveness of RLSs. According to what has been stated in this paper, the coordination between the direct and reverse flow is a typical case of a closed circuit

Proposta de um modelo de gestão dos custos da cadeia de suprimentos

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção.Esta dissertação apresenta uma proposta de gestão dos custos logísticos da cadeia de suprimentos. Inicialmente, conceitua-se Logística, buscando-se, além disso, explorar os conceitos de gestão da cadeia de suprimentos e gerenciamento de processos. Em seguida, procura-se apresentar algumas técnicas existentes para o custeio da cadeia de suprimentos. Além da apresentação, realizam-se comparações a respeito da aplicação, pontos fracos e fortes de cada uma. A proposta de metodologia de gestão dos custos da cadeia de suprimentos é baseada no sistema ABC e utiliza, de forma integrada, técnicas de custos apresentadas no trabalho. Através do método, podem ser extraídas ferramentas para a avaliação do nível de desempenho das atividades logísticas envolvidas em uma cadeia de suprimento

A influência dos componentes físicos e da cooperação entre os actores sobre o desempenho de sistemas logísticos inversos : o caso dos pneus-resíduo

Tese de doutoramento. Gestão e Engenharia Industrial. 2007. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Port

Second-generation biodiesel in Brazil: an analysis of research on animal fats through social and complex networks

The production of second-generation biodiesel is seen as more sustainable than first-generation biodiesel as it is produced from residues such as animal fats, a by-product of the meat industry. In Brazil, the biodiesel sector has become the main market for animal fats, absorbing around 712 thousand tons in 2018, equivalent to 38% of the fat produced. In order to reach this level, research and development were carried out supported by the Brazilian government through the Brazilian Biodiesel Technology and Innovation Network. The objective of this study is to map the scientific networks formed by Brazilian organizations that have collaborated to solve research problems regarding animal fats for biodiesel production through Social Networks Analysis and The Theory of Complex Networks. An exploratory-descriptive study was conducted in the main collection of Web of Science (WoS). It was observed that research started in 2008 and involved more than 80 institutions. The institutional network formed was of a small-world type, composed of 20 clusters. The research was indexed in 19 knowledge areas, with an emphasis on Chemistry, Energy and Fuels, and Engineering and 70% of them received some type of funding to conduct the research

Analysis of labour market needs for engineers with enhanced knowledge in renewable energy in some European and Latin-American Countries

One of the main challenges related to the renewable energy labour market is that of human capital and as a consequence the educational profile of future employees is of paramount importance. Unfortunately, the skill level gained at University does not always fit with the practical needs of industry thus reducing the benefit-cost ratio of new employees and slowing down the transition to a green economy. Within this context, ‘The Crux’ project co-funded by EU under the framework of the Erasmus + programme aims at improving the renewable energy engineering curriculum at different university levels in several Universities of Latin America and Europe. In order to better appreciate the potential impact of the project, a survey on the labour market need for specialists with enhanced knowledge and skills in renewable and sustainable energy technologies has been conducted in the related EU and Latin America countries. More precisely, 60 organizations have been interviewed and almost 70% of them are interested in employing engineers with enhanced knowledge on renewable energy in the next three years. The analysis has shown significant discrepancies between EU and Latin American organizations. In fact, while future employees in EU countries will be mainly related to solar energy and management, the former together with wind and biomass will represent the main renewable energy working sector in Latin American countries. Moreover, MSc level will be the most demanded in EU while bachelor education seems to satisfy the future industry requirements in Latin America. Despite each country having its own needs, the research carried out under this EU project confirms the potential of renewable energy education on the global labour market in the near future

Towards an investigation on the determinants for effectiveness and efficiency of reverse logistics systems (RLS)

This article deals with the influence of economies of scale and postponement on the efficiency and effectiveness of reverse logistics systems (RLSs). In a global way, it aims to provide an understanding of RLSs to generate knowledge of practical and theoretical character. Starting from a generic model of circular flow of materials, the system studied is positioned between the final consumer and the traditional or direct supply chain. It is a qualitative approach over two case studies carried out in Portugal and Brazil dealing with scraptires. One deals with management system while the other deals with the reverse logistics system. As conclusions, the efficiency of RLSs is aided by economies of scale. Postponement has positive effects on efficiency by increasing the system capacity reducing logistics costs which indirectly leads to economies of scale, having a positive influence on the effectiveness of RLSs. According to what has been stated in this paper, the coordination between the direct and reverse flow is a typical case of a closed circuit

A Study of Supply Chain Risk in the Brazilian Wind Power Projects by Interpretive Structural Modeling and MICMAC Analysis

This paper aims to present an approach to the supply chain risk modeling of Brazilian wind power projects. Risk factors were assessed by literature review and analysis through the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and the Matrix-based Multiplication Applied to a Classification (MICMAC) methodologies, with a group of professionals of the field. The ISM model represented the relationships between twenty-two risk factors, and their position in the system, from higher to lower-level risks. The MICMAC analysis identified independent, autonomous, linkage and dependent risk factors according to their driving and dependence power. Data collected also allowed for the recognition of indirect influences between risk factors, complementing the system’s understanding, in special the strongest linkages. The paper also integrated both outputs to create a better representation of the risks factors into the system. The research characterizes current risk factors’ status on the Brazilian wind power supply chain, and the understanding of their implications into the system. It is a guide to implement effective mitigation strategies into the supply chain and more accurate and cautious decision-making in organizations

Organização de referenciais teóricos sobre diagnóstico para a previsão de demanda

Every organization makes predictions in their processes, any estimated to assist in making decisions about what may happen and what should be done in response to these future moments. The way the forecasts are organized, structured and executed, and the results they present, vary from organization to organization. To the extent that there is interest to improve the forecasting process, it is necessary to understand by means of analysis and verification, as this operation is performed. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are: (a) develop from a structured process, an initial base of scientific articles on the subject for analysis in the diagnosis process demand forecasting, (b) identify best practices and opportunities future research in the area. To achieve these objectives we developed a structured method of research to identify the most relevant articles. This method, through bibliometric criteria, made use of electronic databases of references and support systems. As a result, we present the method and its application to the selected items and their approaches in tandem on the subject of diagnosis to the demand forecast.Toda organização realiza previsões em seus processos, números estimados que auxiliam na tomada de decisões sobre o que poderá ocorrer, e em resposta a esses momentos futuros, o que deverá ser feito. A forma como as previsões são organizadas, estruturadas e realizadas, bem como os resultados por elas apresentados, variam de organização para organização. Na medida que exista o interesse de aprimorar o processo de previsão, faz-se necessário entender, por meio de análise e verificação, como é realizada esta operação. Diante disso, o objetivo deste artigo é desenvolver, a partir de um processo estruturado, uma base inicial de artigos científicos para análise, sobre o tema diagnóstico no processo de previsão da demanda. Para atingir esse objetivo foi desenvolvido um método estruturado de pesquisa que, por intermédio de critérios bibliométricos, do uso de bases de referências eletrônicas e sistemas de apoio, visa identificar artigos científicos que apresentem as melhores práticas e oportunidades de pesquisas futuras na área. Como resultado, apresenta-se o método e sua aplicação com os artigos selecionados e suas abordagens sob diferentes óticas sobre o tema diagnóstico para a previsão de demanda

O uso de tecnologias para o processo de preparação de pedidos: implicações e proposições

In the present, businesses are facing numerous challenges with regard to their competitiveness in a global and complex marketplace, being required an ongoing review and evaluation of their management processes. The process of picking in Warehouses is one of the most critical, both for its complexity either by its high cost, so high levels of efficiency are necessary and desirable. The objective of this paper is to present the results of a research about the technologies on picking process in warehouses. They were developed a conceptual model and a methodology to support the choice of technological solutions for picker-to-part’s strategy. The proposed approach incorporates the various dimensions of decision process for assessment and selection of picking technologies based both, in the literature review, as from empirical contributions obtained from a provider of order picking technologies. In the decision process highlights the highly complexity, as it involves several levels of decision and several dimensions that pass through the layout of the warehouse, the methodology of picking, the level of traceability wanted, the coding model of products, among others determinant factors, beyond the cost of the technological solution itself.Na atualidade, são inúmeros os desafios enfrentados pelas empresas no que diz respeito à sua competitividade num mercado global e complexo, sendo necessária uma permanente revisão e reavaliação dos seus processos de gestão. O processo de preparação de pedidos (picking) em armazéns é um dos mais críticos, quer pela sua complexidade quer pelo seu custo elevado, pelo que elevados níveis de eficiência são necessários e desejáveis. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar os resultados de uma pesquisa sobre as tecnologias de preparação de pedidos em armazéns. Foi desenvolvido um modelo conceptual e uma metodologia para suportar a escolha de soluções tecnológicas para a estratégia de picker-to-part. A abordagem proposta incorpora as várias dimensões do processo de decisão sobre avaliação e seleção das tecnologias de preparação de pedidos com base tanto na revisão bibliográfica, quanto a partir de contribuições empíricas obtidas junto de uma empresa fornecedora de tecnologias de preparação de encomendas. No processo de decisão destaca-se a elevada complexidade, pois envolve vários níveis de decisão e várias dimensões que passam pelo layout do armazém, a metodologia de preparação de pedidos, o nível de rastreabilidade a atingir, o modelo de codificação dos produtos, entre outros fatores determinantes, para além do custo da própria solução tecnológica

The use of econometric models in studies of eletricity generation from biomass: a bibliometric analysis

The present research investigated the utilization of econometric models in studies related to the generation of electricity from biomass, through a bibliometric analysis. The general objective of the study was to analyze the publications, from 1987 to 2018, that explored the potential of econometric models involving biomass for electricity generation. Additionally, it was intended to investigate the most cited articles and authors, seeking to verify the most relevant themes and the main econometric techniques used in the analyses; verify the countries most engaged in these researches, drawing a parallel with their current energy strategies; identify future trends of studies in this area. For this, the SCOPUS database was used, selecting articles in English, from the keywords "Econometrics, biomass and Electricity". The data collected with the literature review were compiled on thematic maps, with the help of the Vosviewer software, which realized analysis of citation, co-citation, co-authorship and keywords. SciMat software was also used, which generated from key terms, longitudinal strategic maps that allowed identifying future trends on the theme discussed in this article. The results indicated that the main research fronts in this field, are related to the use of econometrics to estimate the impacts of energy generation from biomass in variables such as economic growth, energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions.A presente pesquisa investigou a utilização de modelos econométricos em estudos relacionados à geração de energia elétrica a partir de biomassa, por meio de uma análise bibliométrica. O objetivo geral do estudo foi analisar as publicações, a partir de 1987 até 2018, que exploraram as potencialidades dos modelos econométricos em trabalhos envolvendo biomassa para geração de eletricidade. Complementarmente, pretendeu-se averiguar os artigos e autores mais citados, buscando verificar as temáticas, até então, mais relevantes e as principais técnicas econométricas utilizadas nas análises; constatar os países mais engajados nestas pesquisas, traçando um paralelo com suas atuais estratégias energéticas; identificar as tendências futuras de estudos nesta área. Para isso, foi utilizada a base de dados da SCOPUS, selecionando-se artigos em língua inglesa, a partir das palavras-chave “Econometrics, Biomass e Electricity”. Os dados coletados com a revisão de literatura foram compilados em mapas temáticos, com auxílio do software Vosviewer, que realizou análise de citação, co-citação, co-autoria e palavras-chave. Foi utilizado ainda o software SciMat, que gerou a partir dos termos chave, mapas estratégicos longitudinais que permitiram identificar tendências futuras sobre a temática debatida neste artigo. Os resultados apontaram que os principais fronts de pesquisa neste campo, estão relacionados ao uso da econometria para se estimar os impactos da geração de energia a partir de biomassa em variáveis como crescimento econômico, demanda energética e emissões de gases do efeito estufa