Integrated ESSQ management:as a part of excellent operational and business management—a framework, integration and maturity

Abstract When examining management from the viewpoint of systems approach, the main elements are the overall management systems of a company and the related ESSQ matters and other critical success factors, depending on their theme. Excellent business management e.g. by taking advantage of quality award models is also becoming one of the cornerstones of the success of an organisation. Companies increasingly need more efficient and productive systems to maintain their competitiveness. These kinds of systems should continuously improve the company's operations and increase the satisfaction of customers and other interest groups. A qualitative approach is mainly applied in this dissertation. This dissertation is composed of five research papers, in which qualitative approach is also used. The empirical data of this dissertation were obtained through interviews and a questionnaire among experienced industrial managers. All individual interview results and replies to the questionnaire were analysed and, when appropriate, compared to the literature. Finally, conclusions and synthesis were drawn based on the analysis. As a general conclusion, it can be stated that combining issues that fall under different themes is reasonable because, on one hand, the causes of problems may be common to all areas and, on the other hand, solving one separate problem may easily lead to problems in other fields of business. Business-orientedness can be further increased by taking maturity models into consideration. Organisations, which apply holistic management systems that take all essential success factors of business into consideration, approach the natural functioning of an organisation. The integration of different operational areas into one system will facilitate the management of operations, increase internal co-operation and save resources, time and costs. The starting point of holistic management is that needs can be fully addressed only when all relevant variables of the entire organisational system are taken into consideration. Systematically integrated management systems that cover different operating models in an extensive manner and that function well are not yet common, but there is a clear trend towards the integration of different systems. This dissertation indicates that the ultimate purpose and genuine contribution to business of Integrated ESSQ Management and maturity models is to provide a framework, which helps companies to better understand and incorporate these issues as a part of their overall Operational and Business Management. In principle, every company should develop its own management model that is tailored to meet the needs of the organisation in question

Arctic innovation hubs:opportunities for regional co-operation and collaboration in Oulu, Luleå, and Tromsø

Abstract Interest in Arctic issues has been growing in recent years. From an economic perspective, the Barents Region is of significant interest due to substantial investment projects. The European Union has strengthened its presence and influence in the region, playing a role in combatting climate change and optimizing opportunities for northern economic activity. Simultaneously, there have been intentions to narrow the gap between public policy and the private sector to more efficiently exploit business opportunities in the North. Promoting the Arctic’s potential for business development and building stronger co-operation between the region’s actors are among the recent activities in Arctic development. Innovation hubs generate new businesses from ideas and innovations. They operate in global networks by creating added value and attracting more investment capital and talent. This article explores innovation hubs in three regions in Northern Europe—Oulu (Finland), Luleå (Sweden), and Tromsø (Norway). The article examines, through an innovation hub framework, what kind of business development activities are generating growth in these innovation hubs, and what the differences are between these regions. This article discusses whether it is beneficial to have similar innovation service structures in every region, or if connected Arctic innovation hubs that strengthen Arctic co-operation is a better approach. More intensive co-operation between Arctic actors is most likely to require specific actions

Utilization of data center waste heat in Northern Ostrobothnia

Abstract Data center industry is growing rapidly due to the expanding internet traffic and the upcoming IoT revolution. Data centers consume vast amounts of energy globally and are also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. There is a need to improve energy efficiency and sustainability of data center operations. The energy consumed by data centers is mostly converted to heat and this study focuses on utilizing that waste heat according to the principles of circular economy in the context of Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The overall regional business potential of data center waste heat utilization is evaluated and the best options of utilizing waste heat in case data center are sought. The study found that the most viable option would be utilizing waste heat locally to heat facilities or in industrial processes. Another potential option is to connect data center into a district heating system where waste heat can be fed

The role of logistics in industrial side stream utilisation:case: aqueous paint sludge

Abstract Purpose: In this article, the utilisation of a case side stream, aqueous paint sludge is studied in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. The study’s main objective is to find new potential utilisation possibilities for aqueous paint sludge generated in the region and take a closer look at the role of logistics in the industrial side stream utilisation-based business cases and value chains. Study design/methodology/approach: In this article, the utilisation of aqueous paint sludge is studied via a descriptive case study in the context of Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The current state of the paint sludge problem was analysed by interviewing five company representatives. In addition, a workshop was organised, and before the workshop, a questionnaire was sent to all invited. Findings: As a result, the most feasible solutions for aqueous paint sludge utilisation were identified and evaluated from economic, technical, and environmental points of view in the context of this study. In all the proposed solutions, one general challenge was the logistics for narrow material flows from decentralised sources in a relatively large geographical area. Originality/value: Prior case studies of paint sludge utilisation as a raw material have been conducted, but the logistics have not played a significant role in the studies. Logistics has been an important part of the circular economy in the literature. This study reaffirms this notion and finds logistics to have an important and decisive role in industrial side stream utilisation-based business cases and value chains

Global and local operations of Finnish metal industry companies during COVID-19 and trade disruptions:a case study

Abstract Purpose: Globally operating companies have been disrupted by many simultaneous crises in recent years, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and trade wars. This study identifies the key factors in companies’ decisions to expand their global supply chains or to operate more locally in today’s world. Study design/methodology/approach: This article contains a literature review and empirical study. Representatives from three Finnish B2B manufacturing companies in the metal industry were interviewed about their international and local operations. Findings: The key reasons for global operations included a large supplier base, component availability, lower costs, and specialised products. Typical problems included quality issues, long lead times, and communication challenges. Specific risks and mitigations around COVID-19, Brexit, and trade wars are also presented. Originality/value: The study provides updated information on global and local operations. Unique reasons for global operations included manufacturing Engineer-to-Order (ETO) products close to the customer and changes in products

Categorisation of industrial side streams for reuse potential evaluation

Abstract Purpose: Industries are creating vast amounts of side streams with many underutilised potentials that a circular economy could harness. Different types of side streams present various challenges and opportunities in terms of their reuse. Thus, it would be beneficial for these industrial side streams to be categorised according to their properties affecting their reuse potential. Study design/methodology/approach: The empirical data for this multiple case study was gathered from industries in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. Data collection included company visits, interviews, workshops, seminars, and the collection of existing documentation from the cases, and the data was collected by multiple investigators. The empirical data was analysed using descriptive qualitative methods. Findings: Similarities between industrial side streams of processes were found not to originate from either the industry the process is used in or the material used to process, but rather from the purpose of the process on a more general level. The created categorisation divided industrial side streams based on their origin into process residue materials, process residual energy, energy production residues and process residual structural components. Originality/value: This study provides a tool for the preliminary technical and economic analysis of business cases based on industrial side stream utilisation and deepens the understanding of reusing industrial side streams as raw materials. The created categorisation can distinguish relevant properties affecting each side stream’s reuse potential and guide the creation of business arising from their reuse

The utilization of industrial by-products as soil conditioners and fertilizers in non-food potato production

Abstract Peatlands require soil improvement to be suitable for cultivation. Creating eco-friendly and cost-effective carbon sinks in peatlands originated from peat production has several benefits. For this purpose various valuable biomass can be used by utilizing industrial by-products also as soil conditioners and fertilizers. For example, the addition of such materials has potential to transform peat bogs, which otherwise would slowly release methane, into productive cultivated areas. The rehabilitation of peat bogs from unused land into various agricultural and forestry areas is also a viable business activity. The examined industrial by-products could have many agricultural applications in non-food potato production, wherein monoculture causes problems such as condensed soil, lost humus or soil organic matter, and reduced nutrient retention capacity, leading to increased leaching of nutrients and negative impacts on the environment. Five industrial by-products were examined in this study as soil conditioners and fertilizers: fiber sludge, biocarbon, hygienic biodige state, paper mill sludge, and gypsum waste. Based on the results of a nutrient content analysis, hygienic biodigestate and fiber sludge were the most effective fertilizers

Combining steel and chemical production to reduce CO₂ emissions

Abstract New legislation and emissions trading increase pressures for the industry to find new environmentally sound solutions. This research analyses the utilisation of carbon monoxide (CO), formed in steel mills from the emissions reduction viewpoint. The research studies possibilities of combining steel and chemical productions from economic and environmental perspectives. The analysis includes considering emissions costs and electricity price, when CO is converted into chemical products. The results prove the economic profitability of a steel mill selling CO gas to a chemical producer instead of using it for energy production, while CO₂ emissions are simultaneously reduced

Productization of industrial side streams into by-products—case:fiber sludge from pulp and paper industry

Abstract The increasing pressure on natural resources and the climate has been noted by businesses and governments worldwide, who now face the difficult task of integrating paths of environmental sustainability and economic growth. One promising approach to sustainable development, reducing the pressure on natural resources and solving waste problems is circular economy. From different ways of implementing circular economy, this study focuses on the productization of industrial side streams, which carry a great deal of underutilized potential. In this article, the productization of pulp and paper industry side stream, fiber sludge, for commercial use as a dust-binding agent is studied via a descriptive, in-depth case study. Apart from inconsistent quality, fluctuating supply, cost of storage and logistics, what makes industrial side stream utilization challenging is the lack of knowledge that stakeholders have about side streams and their utilization and the lack of new value chain development for their commercial use. Therefore, it is essential for all parties involved to have a clearer vision of what is being sold for what purposes, through productization. This study found that the productization of side streams follows the same steps as the productization of any other traditional product, and the productized side streams can be added to the company’s product portfolio as by-products

The circular economy of electric vehicle batteries:a Finnish case study

Abstract The automotive industry faces challenges because of the electrification of vehicles and the rapidly increasing need for electric vehicle batteries (EVBs). Raw materials availability is limited; however, there will also be a significant number of end-of-life (EOL) batteries. This creates various circular economy (CE) business opportunities for EVB manufacturers, third-party providers, and other stakeholders. However, not all CE solutions are sustainable or economically feasible. In this study, through the use of case studies, expert interviews, and a survey, we determined the current state of the EVB CE in Finland, the possible options for utilizing EOL vehicle batteries, and the greatest barriers for the EVB CE. We found that some EVB-related CE applications are not supported by the government and legislation, for example environmental regulations and building standards. CE opportunities include a shorter lead time for some components, which makes them attractive for EOL applications