Value added logistics in supply and demand chains. Smile. Part 1. eBusiness between global company and itslocal sme supplier network

VALOSADE (Value Added Logistics in Supply and Demand Chains) is the research project of Anita Lukka's VALORE (Value Added Logistics Research) research team inLappeenranta University of Technology. VALOSADE is included in ELO (Ebusiness logistics) technology program of Tekes (Finnish Technology Agency). SMILE (SME-sector, Internet applications and Logistical Efficiency) is one of four subprojects of VALOSADE. SMILE research focuses on case network that is composed of small and medium sized mechanical maintenance service providers and global wood processing customers. Basic principle of SMILE study is communication and ebusiness insupply and demand network. This first phase of research concentrates on creating backgrounds for SMILE study and for ebusiness solutions of maintenance case network. The focus is on general trends of ebusiness in supply chains and networksof different industries; total ebusiness system architecture of company networks; ebusiness strategy of company network; information value chain; different factors, which influence on ebusiness solution of company network; and the correlation between ebusiness and competitive advantage. Literature, interviews and benchmarking were used as research methods in this qualitative case study. Networks and end-to-end supply chains are the organizational structures, which can add value for end customer. Information is one of the key factors in these decentralized structures. Because of decentralization of business, information is produced and used in different companies and in different information systems. Information refinement services are needed to manage information flows in company networksbetween different systems. Furthermore, some new solutions like network information systems are utilised in optimising network performance and in standardizingnetwork common processes. Some cases have however indicated, that utilization of ebusiness in decentralized business model is not always a necessity, but value-add of ICT must be defined case-specifically. In the theory part of report, different ebusiness and architecture models are introduced. These models are compared to empirical case data in research results. The biggest difference between theory and empirical data is that models are mainly developed for large-scale companies - not for SMEs. This is due to that implemented network ebusiness solutions are mainly large company centered. Genuine SME network centred ebusiness models are quite rare, and the study in that area has been few in number. Business relationships between customer and their SME suppliers are nowadays concentrated more on collaborative tactical and strategic initiatives besides transaction based operational initiatives. However, ebusiness systems are further mainly based on exchange of operational transactional data. Collaborative ebusiness solutions are in planning or pilot phase in most case companies. Furthermore, many ebusiness solutions are nowadays between two participants, but network and end-to-end supply chain transparency and information systems are quite rare. Transaction volumes, data formats, the types of exchanged information, information criticality,type and duration of business relationship, internal information systems of partners, processes and operation models (e.g. different ordering models) differ among network companies, and furthermore companies are at different stages on networking and ebusiness readiness. Because of former factors, different customer-supplier combinations in network must utilise totally different ebusiness architectures, technologies, systems and standards.

Value added logistics in supply and demand chain. Smile. Part 2. eBusiness in a service business. Case: A maintenance and operations network in forest industry

VVALOSADE is a research project of professor Anita Lukka's VALORE research team in the Lappeenranta University of Technology. The VALOSADE includes the ELO technology program of Tekes. SMILE is one of four subprojects of the VALOSADE. The SMILE study focuses on the case of the company network that is composed of small and micro-sized mechanical maintenance service providers and forest industry as large-scale customers. The basic principle of the SMILE study is the communication and ebusiness in supply and demand networks. The aim of the study is to develop ebusiness strategy, ebusiness model and e-processes among the SME local service providers, and onthe other hand, between the local service provider network and the forest industry customers in a maintenance and operations service business. A literature review, interviews and benchmarking are used as research methods in this qualitative case study. The first SMILE report, 'Ebusiness between Global Company and Its Local SME Supplier Network', concentrated on creating background for the SMILE study by studying general trends of ebusiness in supply chains and networks of different industries. This second phase of the study concentrates on case network background, such as business relationships, information systems and business objectives; core processes in maintenance and operations service network; development needs in communication among the network participants; and ICT solutions to respond needs in changing environment. In the theory part of the report, different ebusiness models and frameworks are introduced. Those models and frameworks are compared to empirical case data. From that analysis of the empirical data, therecommendations for the development of the network information system are derived. In process industry such as the forest industry, it is crucial to achieve a high level of operational efficiency and reliability, which sets up great requirements for maintenance and operations. Therefore, partnerships or strategic alliances are needed between the network participants. In partnerships and alliances, deep communication is important, and therefore the information systems in the network also are critical. Communication, coordination and collaboration will increase in the case network in the future, because network resources must be optimised to improve competitive capability of the forest industry customers and theefficiency of their service providers. At present, ebusiness systems are not usual in this maintenance network. A network information system among the forest industry customers and their local service providers actually is the only genuinenetwork information system in this total network. However, the utilisation of that system has been quite insignificant. The current system does not add value enough either to the customers or to the local service providers. At present, thenetwork information system is the infomediary that share static information forthe network partners. The network information system should be the transaction intermediary, which integrates internal processes of the network companies; the network information system, which provides common standardised processes for thelocal service providers; and the infomediary, which share static and dynamic information on right time, on right partner, on right costs, on right format and on right quality. This study provides recommendations how to develop this system in the future to add value to the network companies. Ebusiness scenarios, vision, objectives, strategies, application architecture, ebusiness model, core processes and development strategy must be considered when the network information system will be developed in the next development step. The core processes in the case network are demand/capacity management, customer/supplier relationship management, service delivery management, knowledge management and cash flow management. Most benefits from ebusiness solutions come from the electrifying of operational level processes, such as service delivery management and cash flow management.

Teknologiaohjelma DENSY -Hajautetun energiantuotannon tulevaisuusskenaariot ja vaikutukset liiketoimintamalleihin

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää miten hajautettu energiantuotanto ja siihen liittyvä liiketoiminta tulee muuttumaan tulevaisuudessaja mitä mahdollisuuksia se voisi tarjota suomalaiselle osaamiselle. Työssä käydään läpi lyhyesti hajautetun energiantuotannon teknologian nykytilaa ja tehdään teknis-taloudellista vertailua eri tuotantoteknologioiden välillä. Tämän jälkeenon muodostettu asiantuntijoiden ja aktoreiden kanssa liiketoimin-taympäristöskenaarioita, jotka kuvaavat tulevaisuuden muutossuuntia hajautetun energian-tuotannon liiketoiminnassa. Skenaarioistunnoissa löydettiin muutosta ajavat voimat ja pohdittiin niiden vaikutusta alan kehitykseen. Työn tuloksena määriteltiin skenaarioiden kehitystä vahvimmin ohjaaviksi tekijöiksi infrastruktuurin kehittyneisyys ja toisaalta myös yhteiskunnan ohjaustoimet. Niiden pohjalta luotiin lopulliset neljä skenaariota ja niille kaikille liiketoimintakuvaukset. Skenaarioiden avulla suomalaisen toimijan näkökulmasta arvioitiin houkuttelevimmiksi markkina-alueiksi EU-15, Venäjä, Intia ja Kiina. Moninaisista liiketoimintaa estävistä te-kijöistä huolimatta markkinoilta löytyi suuri potentiaali hajautetun energiantuotannon jär-jestelmille. Potentiaalisimmiksi teknologioiksi suomalaisten yritysten kannalta nähtiin puolestaan diesel- ja kaasumoottorit, tuulivoima, pienvesivoima sekä bioenergia. Yhdessä markkina- ja teknologiatutkimuksien sekä skenaariotyön avulla luotiin uusia liiketoimin-takonseptikuvauksia tulevaisuuden hajautetun energiantuotannon markkinoille suomalai-sen toimijan näkökulmasta.

Washing and Dewatering of Different Starches in Pressure Filters

The main objective of this thesis was togenerate better filtration technologies for effective production of pure starchproducts, and thereby the optimisation of filtration sequences using created models, as well as the synthesis of the theories of different filtration stages, which were suitable for starches. At first, the structure and the characteristics of the different starch grades are introduced and each starch grade is shown to have special characteristics. These are taken as the basis of the understanding of the differences in the behaviour of the different native starch grades and their modifications in pressure filtration. Next, the pressure filtration process is divided into stages, which are filtration, cake washing, compression dewatering and displacement dewatering. Each stage is considered individually in their own chapters. The order of the different suitable combinations of the process stages are studied, as well as the proper durations and pressures of the stages. The principles of the theory of each stageare reviewed, the methods for monitoring the progress of each stage are presented, and finally, the modelling of them is introduced. The experimental results obtained from the different stages of starch filtration tests are given and the suitability of the theories and models to the starch filtration are shown. Finally, the theories and the models are gathered together and shown, that the analysis of the whole starch pressure filtration process can be performed with the software developed.

Establishing intercompany relationships: Motives and methods for successful collaborative engagement

This study explores the early phases of intercompany relationship building, which is a very important topic for purchasing and business development practitioners as well as for companies' upper management. There is a lot ofevidence that a proper engagement with markets increases a company's potential for achieving business success. Taking full advantage of the market possibilities requires, however, a holistic view of managing related decision-making chain. Most literature as well as the business processes of companies are lacking this holism. Typically they observe the process from the perspective of individual stages and thus lead to discontinuity and sub-optimization. This study contains a comprehensive introduction to and evaluation of literature related to various steps of the decision-making process. It is studied from a holistic perspective ofdetermining a company's vertical integration position within its demand/ supplynetwork context; translating the vertical integration objectives to feasible strategies and objectives; and operationalizing the decisions made through engagement with collaborative intercompany relationships. The empirical part of the research has been conducted in two sections. First the phenomenon of intercompany engagement is studied using two complementary case studies. Secondly a survey hasbeen conducted among the purchasing and business development managers of several electronics manufacturing companies, to analyze the processes, decision-makingcriteria and success factors of engagement for collaboration. The aim has been to identify the reasons why companies and their management act the way they do. As a combination of theoretical and empirical research an analysis has been produced of what would be an ideal way of engaging with markets. Based on the respective findings the study concludes by proposing a holistic framework for successful engagement. The evidence presented throughout the study demonstrates clear gaps, discontinuities and limitations in both current research and in practical purchasing decision-making chains. The most significant discontinuity is the identified disconnection between the supplier selection process and related criteria and the relationship success factors.

Salmonellasaneeraus lihanautojen kylmäkasvattamossa

Summary: Elimination of Salmonella infection in cattle cold loose housing

«Разруха не в клозетах, а в головах» Общественная критика в повести Михаила Булгакова «Собачье сердце»

”Razruha ne v klozetah, a v golovah” –Obščestvennaja kritika v povesti Mihaila Bulgakova ”Sobač’e serdce” Pro gradu -tutkielmani tavoite oli selvittää, miten yhteiskuntakritiikki ilmenee Mihail Bulgakovin pienoisromaanissa ”Koiran sydän”. Pienoisromaani on jyrkkä poliittinen satiiri. Tutkielman alussa käyn läpi Mihail Bulgakovin elämän ja tuotannon. Tämän jälkeen esitän läpileikkauksen 1910-luvun lopun ja 1920-luvun alun Venäjästä ja Neuvostoliitosta. Käyn läpi tuon ajan tärkeimmät tapahtumat ja ilmiöt. Tutkielman hypoteesi on, että pienoisromaani sisältää jyrkkää kritiikkiä yhteiskuntaa kohtaan ja se ilmenee konkreettisina esimerkkeinä sekä henkilöiden ja tapahtumien vertauskuvallisina merkityksinä. Bulgakov esittää tarinassa paljon sekä konkreettista että abstraktista kritiikkiä. Konkreettinen kritiikki ilmenee tekstissä henkilöiden repliikeissä ja toiminnassa, kun taas abstraktinen kritiikki ilmenee henkilöiden, tapahtumien ja paikkojen vertauskuvallisissa merkityksissä. Olen jaotellut yhteiskuntakritiikin konkreettisiin kriittisiin esimerkkeihin ja vertauskuvallisiin merkityksiin. Luvussa 4 esittelen pienoisromaanista poimitut konkreettiset yhteiskuntaa kritisoivat esimerkit ja luvussa 5 analysoin katkelmia, joissa voi nähdä vertauskuvallisia merkityksiä. Olen myös yhdistellyt joitain pienoisromaanissa esiintyviä tapahtumia Bulgakovin omaan elämään. Tarina on kertomus uudesta ja vanhasta maailmasta. Preobraženskij, Bormental’ ja Šarik-koira edustavat vanhaa maailmaa. Proletaarit Švonder ja Šarikov edustavat uutta maailmaa ja järjestystä. Toinen tärkeä teema tarinassa on intelligentsijan ja proletariaatin vastakkainasettelu. Preobraženskij ja Bormental’ edustavat intelligentsijaa ja Švonder ja Šarikov proletariaattia. Tarina on psykologinen evoluutiokertomus. Olennaista tarinassa on muutokset koirassa leikkauksen jälkeen. Biologisesti koira muuttuu ihmiseksi, mutta olennaisempaa on kansalainen Šarikovin käyttäytymisessä tapahtuva muutos. Leikkaus on selvä viittaus bolševikkivallankumoukseen. Ihmiset muuttuivat vallankumouksen johdosta. Bulgakov ei ole sosialismia vastaan. Hän on proletaareja vastaan, jotka eivät osaa elää eikä käyttäytyä uudessa yhteiskunnassa. Proletariaatti johtaa maata väärään suuntaan. Tarinan henkilöissä on löydettävissä viittauksia Neuvostoliiton johtohenkilöihin. Bulgakov tuki Leniniä ja Trockija, jotka olivat todellisia sosialisteja, mutta hän oli vahvasti Stalinia vastaan, joka ei toteuttanut sosialismin periaatteita. Bulgakov on maassa vallitsevaa kehitystä vastaan. Tarinassa kulkee rinnakkain kolme eri maailmaa: realistinen, mielikuvituksellinen ja uskonnollinen. Tarinan tapahtumat sijoittuvat realistiseen Moskovaan ja tarinan kerronta on realistista. Leikkaus ja sen seuraukset ovat vahvasti mielikuvituksellisia.Vertauskuvallisella tasolla tarina on uskonnollinen kertomus kuolemasta ja ylösnousemisesta. Nämä kolme maailmaa Bulgakov on yhdistänyt yhteiskunnallisen kritiikin avulla. Kolme samantyyppistä maailmaa on myös Bulgakovin pääteoksessa ”Saatana saapuu Moskovaan”. Näin ollen voidaan todeta, että pienoisromaani ”Koiran sydän” on romaanin ”Saatana saapuu Moskovaan” aikaisempi kehitysaste

Mikä meitä liikuttaa? : motivaatio ja hyvinvointi elämän siirtymissä

Jyväskylän yliopiston psykologian professorin virkaanastujaisesitelmä 23.11.2005