A practical framework for the generation and selection of strategic plans of action, The relevance of timeframe considerations and a systems thinking approach

The paper proposes a methodology especially focused on the generation of strategic plans of action, emphasizing the relevance of having a structured timeframe classification for the actions. The methodology explicitly recognizes the relevance of long-term goals as strategic drivers, which must insure that the complex system is capable to effectively respond to changes in the environment. In addition, the methodology employs engineering systems techniques in order to understand the inner working of the system and to build up alternative plans of action. Due to these different aspects, the proposed approach features higher flexibility compared to traditional methods. The validity and effectiveness of the methodology has been demonstrated by analyzing an airline company composed by 5 subsystems with the aim of defining a plan of action for the next 5 years, which can either: improve efficiency, redefine mission or increase revenues.

Integrating environmental and economic life cycle analysis in product development: a material selection case study

Purpose Achieving sustainability by rethinking products, services and strategies is an enormous challenge currently laid upon the economic sector, in which materials selection plays a critical role. In this context, the present work describes an environmental and economic life cycle analysis of a structural product, comparing two possible material alternatives. The product chosen is a storage tank, presently manufactured in stainless steel (SST) or in a glass fibre reinforced polymer composite (CST). The overall goal of the study is to identify environmental and economic strong and weak points related to the life cycle of the two material alternatives. The consequential win-win or trade-off situations will be identified via a Life Cycle Assessment/Life Cycle Costing (LCA/LCC) integrated model. Methods The LCA/LCC integrated model used consists in applying the LCA methodology to the product system, incorporating, in parallel, its results into the LCC study, namely those of the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). Results In both the SST and CST systems the most significant life cycle phase is the raw materials production, in which the most significant environmental burdens correspond to the Fossil fuels and Respiratory inorganics categories. The LCA/LCC integrated analysis shows that the CST has globally a preferable environmental and economic profile, as its impacts are lower than those of the SST in all life cycle stages. Both the internal and external costs are lower, the former resulting mainly from the composite material being significantly less expensive than stainless steel. This therefore represents a full win-win situation. As a consequence, the study clearly indicates that using a thermoset composite material to manufacture storage tanks is environmentally and economically desirable. However, it was also evident that the environmental performance of the CST could be improved by altering its End-of-Life stage. Conclusions The results of the present work provide enlightening insights into the synergies between the environmental and the economic performance of a structural product made with alternative materials. Further, they provide conclusive evidence to support the integration of environmental and economic life cycle analysis in the product development processes of a manufacturing company, or in some cases even in its procurement practices.

Papa Bento XVI e Papa Francisco na grande final!

A chamada Lei do Branqueamento de Capitais - Lei 25/2008, de 5/6 e alterações -, considera que estão sujeitas a especiais obrigações os “Notários, conservadores de registos, advogados, solicitadores e outros profissionais independentes, constituídos em sociedade ou em prática individual, que intervenham ou assistam, por conta de um cliente ou noutras circunstâncias, em operações: § vi) De alienação e aquisição de direitos sobre praticantes de actividades desportivas profissionais;”. Estamos a pensar, como é óbvio, nas transferências de jogadores de futebol, nomeadamente na Europa, as quais atingem somas astronómicas e muitas vezes ocultas. São por demais evidentes as notícias da comunicação social que dão conta que, em muitos dos casos, os verdadeiros valores envolvidos não são os declarados. Quer para fugir aos impostos, quer para esconder o pagamento de avultadas comissões extraordinárias; Abstract: The Call of the Money Laundering Law - Law 25/2008, of 5/6 and change - considers that are subject to the special obligations "notaries, registrars, lawyers, solicitors and other independent professionals, made in society or in practice individual, that participating or assisting, on behalf of a client or other circumstances in operations: § vi) sale and acquisition of rights to practitioners of professional sports activities; ". We are thinking, of course, transfers of football players, particularly in Europe, which reach astronomical sums and often hidden. Are all too apparent the news media that realize that in many cases the true values involved are not declared. Want to evade taxes or to hide the payment of large exceptional fees.