Factors affecting the innovation process in the Cypriot food and beverage industry

The Food and Beverage industry, a leading sector of the Cypriot manufacturing industry is under investigation in our study. The influence of innovation as a development vehicle is considered and factors affecting it have been investigated. In order to define and introduce these factors affecting innovation in the Cypriot manufacturing sector a nationwide survey is carried out. All five prefectures (Nicosia, Ammochostos, Limasol, Larnaca and Paphos) are covered and a sample of 5% of the whole Food and Beverage sector is surveyed. A closed questionnaire, made of five sections is used in order to collect information that will be used in a second stage in order to introduce the innovation factors affecting industrial development. The results illustrate the gradual adoption of a pro-innovation culture in the Cypriot Food and Beverage Industry. Among others it was shown, that companies that have proceeded with product innovation, process innovation and organizational innovation have experienced the impact of innovation on their organizational performance.peer-reviewe

Design of an automated package sorting system for application in the express logistics industry

114 σ.Σχεδιασμός συστήματος αυτόματης διαλογής δεμάτων για εφαρμογή σε express logistics center.Design of an automated package sorting system for application in the express logistics industryΑλκιβιάδης Ν. Ρωμαίο

Modelling the outsourcing process in small and medium size enterprises

It is apparent that the organisational units enjoy competitive advantage by considering the degree of vertical integration and more specifically outsourcing as a major strategic decision. The article investigates the degree of outsourcing that exists in the Cyprus manufacturing industry and seeks to examine the management process and practices followed in this outsourcing process. Special emphasis is given to the impact of the level of outsourcing on the company competitiveness. Primary data are collected using personally administered questionnaires. The results reveal that reduction of production time, increased quality of finished goods and reduction of distribution time were indicated as the most important objectives of the outsourcing effort. The top driver for outsourcing was to reduce operational costs with focusing on core competencies coming second and the driver of enhanced flexibility coming third. As to the factors hindering the outsourcing process, the analysis suggests that dependence on the supplier was the most important factor hindering outsourcing activities. The second most important was the risk that is linked with hidden cost and third the risk linked to the service provider's deficient capabilities. The regression models indicated the importance of 'outsourcing provider characteristics' in the achievement of the competitive priorities of cost and high performance design.competitiveness; outsourcing; performance measurement; small and medium-size enterprises; SMEs; modelling; Cyprus; manufacturing industry.

A web-based Building Automation and Control Service

<p>The reduction of the environmental impact in the building sector is necessary in achieving global sustainability. In this context, Building Automation and Control systems provide the opportunity for efficient monitoring and control facilities’ subsystems, such as the heating and cooling system, the ventilation system, the hot water system, the lighting appliances among others, with the goal of improving thermal comfort as well as energy efficiency. This paper presents a Building Automation and Control system aiming at facilitating data-driven monitoring of complex, multi-storey facilities, by disagreggating total consumption of the different floors and rooms of the building and offering advanced insights and benchmarking indicators. The service is showcased with a use case application on a real building, where the benefits of the service for the energy manager are highlighted.</p&gt