Controle de estoques de sal: uma inovação da quantificação e no gerenciamento dos recursos naturais da indústria mineral

The strengthening of the domestic industry in Brazil required the modernization, mechanization and expansion of salt production. Thereafter the production of sea salt started to be made in a process of continuous flow, where the product is constantly stored in yards, with daily movements in and out of salt. Thus far, the major bottleneck found in this production process is the control of production, because due to the large amount produced and variety of losses existing in the various stages of production there are not a regulated and safe way to control inventories with accuracy and speed demanded. In a typical case with a salt marsh company of Rio Grande do Norte state, salt produced is stored in two open courtyards and inventory control of salt made by carrying input / output relationship of salt in each storage yard. This work developed a conceptual model of inventory control, based on topography, adopting surveys into one of the courtyards of the company. There were 25 biweekly survey measurements over a year book to generate digital models representing the stock. For each measurement, results were compared with the values of inventory accounting provided by the salt marsh in order to identify existing losses and mark out the sales department on the actual stock available at each measurement date. Inventories calculated by the model indicated losses of 6,349 tonnes for the period of one year book and 3,279 tonnes for the period between harvests, when compared to the accounting control

Modelo de covariância bayesiana para seleção de protfólios de investimentos

The portfolio theory is a field of study devoted to investigate the decision-making by investors of resources. The purpose of this process is to reduce risk through diversification and thus guarantee a return. Nevertheless, the classical Mean-Variance has been criticized regarding its parameters and it is observed that the use of variance and covariance has sensitivity to the market and parameter estimation. In order to reduce the estimation errors, the Bayesian models have more flexibility in modeling, capable of insert quantitative and qualitative parameters about the behavior of the market as a way of reducing errors. Observing this, the present study aimed to formulate a new matrix model using Bayesian inference as a way to replace the covariance in the MV model, called MCB - Covariance Bayesian model. To evaluate the model, some hypotheses were analyzed using the method ex post facto and sensitivity analysis. The benchmarks used as reference were: (1) the classical Mean Variance, (2) the Bovespa index's market, and (3) in addition 94 investment funds. The returns earned during the period May 2002 to December 2009 demonstrated the superiority of MCB in relation to the classical model MV and the Bovespa Index, but taking a little more diversifiable risk that the MV. The robust analysis of the model, considering the time horizon, found returns near the Bovespa index, taking less risk than the market. Finally, in relation to the index of Mao, the model showed satisfactory, return and risk, especially in longer maturities. Some considerations were made, as well as suggestions for further work

A influência do marketing ambiental na decisão de compra dos consumidores de produtos orgânicos

The search of the man for more comfort and one better quality of life led to an increment of the production of goods and services, that results, almost always, in aggressions to the nature and to a reduction of this same quality of life. The concern with the ambient problems appears as an important element regarding the material and economic growth and of the quality of life. With this scene a new question, the Ambient Marketing appears. Although the marketing concept to be well ample, the companies use the term ambient marketing to make reference what in fact, many times, are a more specific activity of ambient communication. The ambient communication is a new form to communicate used for the companies with the objective to get advantages of its competitors ahead, since the competitiveness by means of the o price, the stated period and the quality if becomes extremely incited. In view of the current competitive market, where the organizations need distinguishing to get greater have detached front to the competition, and the fact of the society to be each time more worried about the environment and the impacts that the companies cause it, the ambient communication has been used as form to convince its customers. Of this form, she evaluated herself, through a exploratory research and qualitative, the influence of the use of the ambient communication in the decision of purchase and of that she forms the companies when using of this communication can add value to its product. The results had indicated that 77% of the interviewed ones had heard to say on marketing or ambient communication and that the television is main the media for this knowledge, a time that 90.9% of the respondents had affirmed to have seen propagandas of directed products of consumption to the ambient question in this way. In fact, the concern with the environment demonstrated for the companies has its impact, therefore 84% of the respondents had told if to sensetize with this fact. However, only a lesser number of people, 70.5% answered that this concern really influences in its decision of purchase

Uma abordagem híbrida para o problema de seleção de fornecedores em cadeia de suprimentos

This work presents a hybrid approach for the supplier selection problem in Supply Chain Management. We joined decision-making philosophy by researchers from business school and researchers from engineering in order to deal with the problem more extensively. We utilized traditional multicriteria decision-making methods, like AHP and TOPSIS, in order to evaluate alternatives according decision maker s preferences. The both techiniques were modeled by using definitions from the Fuzzy Sets Theory to deal with imprecise data. Additionally, we proposed a multiobjetive GRASP algorithm to perform an order allocation procedure between all pre-selected alternatives. These alternatives must to be pre-qualified on the basis of the AHP and TOPSIS methods before entering the LCR. Our allocation procedure has presented low CPU times for five pseudorandom instances, containing up to 1000 alternatives, as well as good values for all considered objectives. This way, we consider the proposed model as appropriate to solve the supplier selection problem in the SCM context. It can be used to help decision makers in reducing lead times, cost and risks in their supply chain. The proposed model can also improve firm s efficiency in relation to business strategies, according decision makers, even when a large number of alternatives must be considered, differently from classical models in purchasing literature

Gestão ambiental na indústria do petróleo : fatores associados ao comportamento pró-ambiental de empregados de uma empresa brasileira de óleo e gás

This survey develops a study about the pro-environment behavior of a brazilian company of oil and gas sector, emphazing the Petróleo Brasileiro S/A PETROBRAS in its Unit of Business of Exploration and Production in the State of Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará − UN-RNCE. The work s development adopt the bibliographic research methodology with the descriptive exploratory analisys, with the purpouse of identifying related points with the knowledge and the analysed enterprise s staff conduct, by the aplication of the interview with a instrument of data colecting with closed variable questions from answers that varies from o to 10.The answers allowed us to know the employees knowledge about the related aspects of environmental responsability, knowing also the involvement of the employees with the politics of environmental managment that has been implemented in the operating area of the company. The research led us to an important verification of the pro-environmental behavior of the people interviewed. The results depends of a wise acting, not only inside the company, but also outside, where the results of this acting will be more perceived for the society. Finally, we conclude that the company has a politics of management with a great importance, emphasinzing that the employees are been in constant training about their behavior resulting in satisfaction

Apreciação ergonômica da atividade dos pescadores artesanais que utilizam jangadas na Praia de Ponta Negra-Natal/RN

The jangadeiros in the work activity are exposed to diverse and constant variability, which are extremely important to know in order to understand this activity and the risks they are exposed. The current study aims to analyze the work activity raftsmen of Ponta Negra beach in Natal, focusing on handling and quality of the fish sold by them to propose through the social construction recommendations for improving its product. To achieve this purpose was used a methodology inspired by the ergonomic work analysis using techniques observational and interactional. He was also made an assessment of fish sold by jangadeiros Ponta Negra, this evaluation was a sensory evaluation using the method "Torry Research" adapted by Vieira (2004) in order to assess the level of quality fish. In general it was observed that the fish originated from the fishing that rafts in Ponta Negra, have a good degree of freshness. But it was found that some ways of handling and storage can be improved

Análise da situação de trabalho do motorista em uma empresa de ônibus urbano da idade de Natal (RN)

The problem dealt with in this study concerns the analysis of bus drivers' working situation. It stemmed from the need to identify the difficulties faced by these professionals in accomplishing the results expected by the company. A case study was carried out in a public transportation company in the city of Natal. Records and observations made in the workplace, alongside perfomance indicators, such as absenteeism tax, staff turnover and traffic accidents, revealed problems in their activity. It was made clear that, in the company being studied, absenteeism was related to health problems, particularly psychiatric and musculoskeletal disorders, and that although the indicators of traffic accidents and staff turnover have declined over the years, they are still elevated. The interviews involved 50 of the 124 drivers who worked directly in the service, and contained questions covering eleven factors related to the drivers' work. They indicated a gap between the prescribed work and the work actually done, in that there were a series of embarassing or stressful situations involving traffic, itinerary length, road conditions, vehicle maintenance, physical environment (bus terminus), job post and supervision policies. On the other hand, factors such as enjoying driving, the work itself and being with workmates positively influenced the drivers' working conditions. In the propositions of the administration and human resources subsystems, some alternatives were found in order to remodel this activity

A gestão da qualidade nos cursos de graduação a distância da UFRN/SEDIS : a percepção dos discentes

This dissertation has as objective at analyzing the students' perception about the quality of graduate courses distance of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, which was motivated by the following research problem: the perception that graduate students of the distance of the UFRN have on the quality of the undergraduate? To this end, we sought to gather evidence for a satisfactory approach that addresses the complexity of the subject studied: quality management, distance learning and quality in the Higher Education Institutions. We chose to adopt as a research method, case study on the procedure of the research, exploratory research-descriptive about the objective and quantitative research when tackling the problem. The object of the study were six graduate courses distance UFRN/SEDIS, having as target the students of the courses. The sample was calculated using the Stratified sampling on which 217 students, the courses surveyed were selected. The survey instrument consisted of 21 structured questions, of which seven questions designed to identify the profile of students, seven issues of perceptions (manifest variables) on quality management in distance learning, where students have given values (responses) for 24 statements (which address the central theme of this dissertation) composite based on a 5-point Likert s scale, and six questions about general characteristics that may interfere with students' perception about the quality. Was used as statistical method (data analysis), descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. The results show the identification of four latent factors (obtained by exploratory factor analysis), namely: (1) infrastructure and management - polo presence, (2) teaching-learning processes, (3) communication tools and integration; (4) tutors. We also observed that aspects related to infrastructure and management at the pole face had the lowest score among the factors observed, requiring special attention by the education institution. On the other hand, teachers and teaching learning processes were the items with better performance in the perception of students. It is concluded that the perception of students in relation to quality in distance education courses, the median is trending positive perception, ie the perception of overall quality of the courses is not assertive and unison, but tends to positive perception. Thus, the results, it is expected that the managers of the institution to focus attention on critical points in order to minimize them (or eliminate them) and maximize the positive aspects that are perceived by the students

Algoritmos para o problema de localização de uma facilidade com distâncias limitadas e restrições de atendimento

The objective in the facility location problem with limited distances is to minimize the sum of distance functions from the facility to the customers, but with a limit on each distance, after which the corresponding function becomes constant. The problem has applications in situations where the service provided by the facility is insensitive after a given threshold distance (eg. fire station location). In this work, we propose a global optimization algorithm for the case in which there are lower and upper limits on the numbers of customers that can be served

Uma avaliação comparativa de estratégias de arranjos físicos para estaleiros de construção de embarcações metálicas de pequeno porte

The present study aims to analyse, in different levels of demand, what is the best layout strategy to adopt for the small metallic shipbuilding. To achieve this purpose, three simulation models are developed for analyze these production strategies under the positional, cellular and linear layouts. By the use of a simulation tool for compare the scenarios, Chwif and Medina (2010) and Law (2009)´s methodologies were adapted that includes three phases: conception, implementation and analysis. In conception real systems were represented by process mapping according to time, material resources and human resources variables required for each step of the production process. All of this information has been transformed in the cost variable. Data were collected from three different production systems, two located in Natal RN with cellular and positional layouts and one located in Belém-PA with linear layout. In the implementation phase, the conceptual models were converted in computacional models through the tool Rockwell Software Arena ® 13.5 and then validated. In the analysis stage the production of 960 ships in a year vessels were simulated for each layout noting that, for a production of until 80 units positional layout is the most recommended, between 81 and 288 units the cellular layout and more than 289 units the linear layout

Abordagem da ergonomia para a análise da acessibilidade de uma instituição de longa permanência para idosos da cidade de Natal-RN

This dissertation presents and discusses the results of an applied research on the accessibility of residents in a Long Term Care Institution (LTCIs) in the city of Natal- RN. The main objective of this research is to suggest projectual improvements that maximize the accessibility in a LTCIs of Natal-RN, considering the aspects of mobility, safety, comfort and independence of elderly residents. Moreover, one should consider the specific characteristics of the user population, capabilities and limitations of the biological process of aging, which causes damage to the neurological system, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular and progressively affects on visual acuity, balance and locomotion of elderly people. This research has a qualitative approach and divided into four phases: exploratory, bibliographical and documentary research, mapping of the LTCIs of Natal-RN, case study. The phase of the mapping presented an overview of accessibility on LTCIs of Natal-RN. The institution of the case study was defined based on the overall assessment of accessibility and ergonomics criteria, preceded by an application of an Ergonomic Work Analysis to understand the accessibility of the elderly people. Interactional and observational methods were used to collect field data. To this end, an intense process of social construction was conducted, involving the elderly residents, caregivers, health professionals and general servants and LTCIs´ managers. It was found that the NBR 9050 is not comprehensive to solve the diversity of accessibility problems found in LTCIs. All LTCIs investigated were in disconformity to the NBR 9050. In the case study, it was found that the inappropriate design hinders the daily activities of the elderly people and is a source of risk of accidents. The environment, facilities and lack of assistive technologies hinder the autonomy of the elderly people, and this LTCI requires ergonomic intervention to improve the accessibility, autonomy and security of the elderly people

Abordagem da ergonomia para análise da acessibilidade a hóspedes com deficiência visual em hotéis: soluções de inclusão de pessoas cegas e com baixa visão

This study evaluates the level of accessibility for people with visual impairment (blindness and low vision) hotels in the city of Natal-RN, Brazil, and provides principles, guidelines and means of projective make hotels accessible, to promote comfort, autonomy and security of these people. We used a qualitative research methodology and quantitative trait descriptive, analytical and interpretive. Was taken as a base for field studies Ergonomic Analysis of Work, beginning with a study of the demands of accessibility of hotels and analyzing the modeling activity in these establishments through the application of interactional and observational techniques, such as film, photographic records, conversational actions and observation protocols. A protocol was developed and applied to evaluate the compliance of accessibility of hotels in the face of Brazilian technical standard NBR 9050 (2004). We used methods of Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) associated with simulated activities to identify the processes of decision making and analyzing the observables of the activities performed by people with visual impairment (POS). Interviews were conducted with people who are blind and low vision in various cities in order to meet accessibility difficulties they faced in hotels and recommendations for improvement that they indicate. The mapping results showed that of 16 hotels 4 and 5 star studied in Natal-RN, reached only 7% of the 50 items of the protocol, while none of them reached 70% of the items. About the results obtained in simulated activities and analyzed from the ATC, we saw that the hotel where it was performed this step shows a need to adequately address the guests with visual impairments

Otimização de escalas de serviço de tripulações estudo de caso em uma empresa de transporte urbano na região metropolitana de Natal/RN

This work aims to "build" rostering urban bus crews to minimize the cost of overtime. For this purpose a mathematical model was developed based on case study in an urban transport company in the metropolitan region of Natal. This problem is usually known in the literature as the Crew Scheduling Problem (CSP) and classified as NP-hard. The mathematical programming takes into account constraints such as: completion of all trips, daily and maximum allowable range of home and / or food. We used the Xpress-MP software to implement and validate the proposed model. For the tested instances the application of the model allowed a reduction in overtime from 38% to 84%

Experimentação, inovação cultura oganizacional: estudo de caso em uma indústria

A experimentação industrial é um método científico de aprendizagem que visa aprimorar conhecimentos sobre o funcionamento de sistemas, almejando redução de variabilidade e incertezas nos processos produtivos. Em inovação, constitui-se como uma oportunidade de teste e pré-implementação, permitindo à empresa aperfeiçoar seus projetos de inovação antes de levá-los ao mercado. Contudo, para que empresas obtenham sucesso em inovar, faz-se necessário um ambiente favorável à inovação, considerando que a cultura organizacional impacta diretamente no potencial inovador. Uma cultura de inovação bem desenvolvida demanda o envolvimento de todos os líderes da empresa atuando como facilitadores do processo. Nesse contexto, esta pesquisa tem como propósito avaliar o perfil da cultura organizacional visando o uso de experimentação no processo de inovação em uma indústria do ramo alimentício no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Para tanto, busca-se, por meio de fundamentação teórica, ampliar a compreensão da relação existente entre os temas experimentação, inovação e cultura organizacional, e tem-se como método de pesquisa, uma abordagem quanti-qualitativa em um estudo de caso. Os dados para análise da pesquisa são coletados por meio de entrevistas e aplicação de questionários. Para avaliar a cultura organizacional, utiliza-se como instrumento o questionário baseado no Modelo de Valores Competitivos, desenvolvido por Cameron e Quinn (2006), aplicado com os líderes na empresa em estudo. Este instrumento, denominado OCAI (em inglês Organizacional Culture Assessment Instrument), permite diagnosticar o perfil da cultura organizacional e da cultura da qualidade no cenário atual e no contexto ideal, a partir da percepção dos líderes da organização. Para análise dos dados, utiliza-se a técnica de análise de agrupamento, que permite avaliar a homogeneidade das opiniões dos líderes. Os resultados apontam, conforme a visão dos líderes, a necessidade de mudança no perfil cultural organizacional da empresa em estudo, de uma cultura em que predominam elementos da cultura de mercado (cenário atual) para uma cultura com maior ênfase em elementos da cultura clã e inovadora (cenário ideal), bem como uma cultura de qualidade que estimule a inovação, favorável à geração de ideia e conhecimento, a melhoria contínua e a busca por soluções criativas

Gestão de organizações sem fins lucrativos: uma avaliação de desempenho através do balanced scorecard

The methodology Balanced Scorecard (BSC) focuses on the major critical issues of modern organizations, whether with or without profit. The measurement of the effective performance of the latter is by evaluating the successful implementation of organizational strategy. The aim of this paper is to present the development of a system of performance measurement strategy for a nonprofit organization, whose object of study is the Associação de Apoio as Comunidades do Campo - AACC, in the context of the BSC methodology of Kaplan and Norton. The methodology of this case study is an exploratory, descriptive and qualitative, and diagnose the coherence of the Strategy Map in an organization, based strategic planning from 2010 to 2012. Initially conducted a literature review covering the main aspects of strategy maps and performance evaluation involving the translation of the BSC and strategy evaluation. The main results of the proposed approach refers to evaluation of overall scores for each dimension of the BSC methodology, financial, customer, internal processes, learning and growth. These results are able to help the organization evaluate and revise their strategy and, in general, to adopt management methods more accurately. Data collection is centered on interviews with semi-structured questionnaire. The findings highlight on balancing and alignment of strategic objectives, low causality map, strategic communication insufficient and fragmented. For interviewees organizational culture is the biggest impediment to structuring a management model based on indicators and strategic process should be initiated by non-financial indicators gradually. The performance indicators of the AACC/RN portray more meritocracy operational procedures of social projects in the context of the Strategic Map determined in a shortterm over the long term. However, there is evidence of improved performance management and strategic taken as a basis of planning as both the strategic map structured. Therefore, the nonprofits need to adopt a form of management that enables planning, setting objectives and targets that provide the continuity of its activities, and generating instruments that can measure the financial performance and non-financial, in order to develop strategic actions for growth and sustainability