Microstructure-based numerical modeling method for effective permittivity of ceramic/polymer composites

Effective permittivity was modeled and measured for composites that consist of up to 35vol% of titanium dioxide powder dispersed in a continuous epoxy matrix. The study demonstrates a method that enables fast and accurate numerical modeling of the effective permittivity values of ceramic/polymer composites. The model requires electrostatic Monte Carlo simulations, where randomly oriented homogeneous prism-shaped inclusions occupy random positions in the background phase. The computation cost of solving the electrostatic problem by a finite-element code is decreased by the use of an averaging method where the same simulated sample is solved three times with orthogonal field directions. This helps to minimize the artificial anisotropy that results from the pseudorandomness inherent in the limited computational domains. All the required parameters for numerical simulations are calculated from the lattice structure of titanium dioxide. The results show a very good agreement between the measured and numerically calculated effective permittivities. When the prisms are approximated by oblate spheroids with the corresponding axial ratio, a fairly good prediction for the effective permittivity of the mixture can be achieved with the use of an advanced analytical mixing formula.Peer reviewe

The European pulp and paper industry in transition to a bio-economy : A Delphi study

The current challenge facing the European pulp and paper industry is how to materialize the transformation to a bio-economy, as well as to realize the necessary new green innovations. The risks, costs and constraints of doing business will increase, thereby further intensifying competition, but at the same time new business opportunities will open up. This study adopts a three-round dissensus-based Delphi approach in order to explore our key research question of how the pulp and paper industry may change strategically, and what is the potential for value creation in the year 2030. According to our expert panel, the main drivers of competitiveness in 2030 will include energy and material efficiency, sustainability, as well as new innovations in products to serve customer needs better. According to the projected 2030 scenario, the pulp and paper industry will produce more diversified products, focus on higher value-added, and aim at consumer segments with higher environmental awareness. On average, 40 percent of the turnover will according to the panel come froth genuinely new products. Strategic cross-sectorial partnerships will have a key role in making this big leap, while simultaneously acknowledging the changing needs of sustainability-conscious customers and other stakeholders. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Suomen biodiversiteettistrategian ja toimintaohjelman 2012–2020 toteutuksen ja vaikutusten arviointi

Raportti arvioi Suomen kansallisen biodiversiteettistrategian ja toimintaohjelman (2012–2020) tavoitteiden ja toimenpiteiden toteutumista sektorivastuuperiaatteella sekä toimenpiteiden vaikuttavuutta luonnon monimuotoisuuteen. Lisäksi kuvataan Suomen luonnon nykytilaa sekä siihen vaikuttavia muutostekijöitä ja paineita. Suomen biodiversiteettistrategia ja sitä toteuttava toimintaohjelma vastaavat Biologista monimuotoisuutta koskevan YK:n yleissopimuksen (CBD) Aichi-tavoitteisiin pysäyttää luonnon monimuotoisuuden heikkeneminen vuoteen 2020 mennessä. Tutkijaryhmä arvioi, että biodiversiteetin valtavirtaistaminen on edennyt hyvin eri hallinnonaloilla ja että yksityinen ja kolmas sektori voisivat toimia toimintapolitiikan tukena. Vaikka tiedolliset ja rakenteelliset puitteet monimuotoisuuden turvaamiseksi on muodostettu, toteutetut toimenpiteet eivät ole olleet riittävän tehokkaita luonnon köyhtymisen pysäyttämiseksi. Luontoon kohdistuvien paineiden minimoimiseksi on välttämätöntä toteuttaa sosiaalisesti ja taloudellisesti oikeudenmukainen, koko yhteiskuntaa läpäisevä ekologinen siirtymä luonnon monimuotoisuuden huomioivaan kestävän kehityksen yhteiskuntaan. Esitämme suosituksia seuraavaan Suomen luonnon monimuotoisuuden toimintaohjelmaan (2021–2030), jossa tulee huomioida kansainvälisen biodiversiteettisopimuksen Post-2020 tavoitteet sekä EU:n uusi biodiversiteettistrategia 2030.Tämä julkaisu on toteutettu osana valtioneuvoston selvitys- ja tutkimussuunnitelman toimeenpanoa. (tietokayttoon.fi) Julkaisun sisällöstä vastaavat tiedon tuottajat, eikä tekstisisältö välttämättä edusta valtioneuvoston näkemystä

Linking dynamic-capability portfolios and innovation outcomes

The objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between dynamic capabilities and different types of online innovations. Building on qualitative data from the publishing industry, our analysis revealed that companies that had relatively strong dynamic capabilities in all three areas (sensing, seizing and reconfiguration) seem to produce innovations that combine their existing capabilities on either the market or the technology dimension with new capabilities on the other dimension thus resulting in niche creation and revolutionary type innovations. Correspondingly, companies with a weaker or more one-sided set of dynamic capabilities seem to produce more radical innovations requiring both new market and technological capabilities. The study therefore provides an empirical contribution to the emerging work on dynamic capabilities through its in-depth investigation of the capabilities of the four case firms, and by mapping the patterns between the firm's portfolio of dynamic capabilities and innovation outcomes

ENABLING OPEN INNOVATION PROCESS THROUGH INTERACTIVE METHODS: SCENARIOS AND GROUP DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS

To be able to utilise opportunities in a radically changing business environment, various organisations are transforming their practices towards open innovation processes. Openness does not, however, mean any kind of looseness in innovation management but calls for coordination and facilitation. The challenge for the management in the open innovation process is to find out the appropriate methods and practices for the utilisation of external knowledge resources. One of the first attempts, this study brings two widely utilised innovation management methods — scenarios and the group decision support system (GDSS) — to the open innovation context and suggests guidelines for the management of the open innovation process in an inter-organisational context.Open innovation, innovation process, scenario method, GDSS

ADOPTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE INNOVATION WITHIN ORGANIZATION — AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF TQM METAMORPHOSIS

Little research has been done on the adoption and implementation of administrative innovation and its diffusion within the organization. In our study we explore this in the context of Total Quality Management in a large, global company. The analysis is based on extensive historical data and in-depth interviews. Our findings highlight the role of internal change agents in the diffusion process within the firm. We also open up the dynamics of the adoption process and illustrate how the adopted administrative innovation is transformed during the adoption and implementation phases.Administrative innovation, TQM, innovation adoption