Performance measurement and indicators for water supply management: review and international cases

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Processo de medição de desempenho em micro e pequenas empresas de um arranjo produtivo local

The local productive arrangements (LPA) are organizational mechanisms that enable the continuous performance of small businesses in production processes and business management models. To promote continuous improvement is essential that companies make decisions based on data that reflects business’ performance (performance measurement) and promote the cluster performance. This way, the aim of this article is to describe the performance measurement process that will support the corporate management of Micro and Small enterprises (SME) of a Local Productive Arrangement in Maringá, State of Paraná, Brazil. To develop this paper, the bibliographic search and action research methods were used. The field research was developed from the cooperation project (PROJVEST) conducted at the LPA, which goal is to deploy improvement actions in project’s participating companies. Metrics and performance indicators constructed from the diagnosis in the areas of Production, Quality and Ergonomics in companies will be presented. Among the main results, can be pointed out that the performance management of LPA is promoting the introduction of corporate management practices in SMEs, stimulating business cooperation, the continuous innovation in manufacturing processes and product quality and business processes.

Proposta de aplicação do Balanced Scorecard para o operador de transporte ferroviário

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Modelo de referência para estruturar o Seis Sigma nas organizações

Este artigo apresenta o modelo de referência para estruturar o Seis Sigma, o qual é resultante da incorporação de teorias que contribuem para aumentar o potencial estratégico do Seis Sigma no sentido de incrementar o desempenho organizacional. em sua proposta, o modelo de referência engloba um direcionamento sobre certos requisitos primordiais para o sucesso do programa Seis Sigma. A base teórica de sustentação do modelo de referência foi construída a partir de estudos sobre a influência dos seguintes fatores: orientação estratégica e alinhamento estratégico; medição e gerenciamento do desempenho organizacional; uso de estatística (pensamento estatístico); capacitação/especialização de pessoas; implementação e gerenciamento de projetos; e uso de tecnologia de informação. Complementando a proposição do modelo, o artigo traz evidências empíricas acerca da contribuição dos fatores identificados na formulação do modelo de referência, expondo resultados decorrentes de estudos de caso realizados em quatro subsidiárias brasileiras de multinacionais de grande porte. A análise dos dados forneceu evidências positivas de que os fatores mencionados influenciam de forma efetiva o sucesso e a consolidação do Seis Sigma nas empresas estudadas.

A proposed behavioral tool to assess sustained auditory attention

Sustained attention and vigilance are processeses that characterize attention, and are essential for the development of certain abilities Aim: a prospective study to propose a simple, easy and quick behavioral tool to support the assessment of sustained auditory attention. Material and methods: volunteer children aged between 6 and 11 years (139 female and 141 male) were selected. The test was named Sustained Auditory Attention Ability Test, and is based on the Continuous Performance Test. It consist of a binaural and diotic presentation of a list of 100 monosyllabic words in which a target monosyllable is included 20 times. This list was presented six times with no breaks. The test was carried out in a soundproofed room, using a CD player attached to a two-channel audiometer at 50 dBSL during 9 minutes. The test resulted in a total score and a vigilance decrement. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between genders, but a significant difference was found between ages. Conclusion: The proposed test had no discomfort for the participants, and was shown to be extremely promising to assess the sustained auditory attention ability in children. © Revista Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia. All Rights reserved.

Recent applications of analytical techniques for quantitative pharmaceutical analysis: A review

The intension of this paper was to review and discuss some of the current quantitative analytical procedures which are used for quality control of pharmaceutical products. The selected papers were organized according to the analytical technique employed. Several techniques like ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, titrimetry, electroanalytical techniques, chromatographic methods (thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography), capillary electrophoresis and vibrational spectroscopies are the main techniques that have been used for the quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical compounds. In conclusion, although simple techniques such as UV/VIS spectrophotometry and TLC are still extensively employed, HPLC is the most popular instrumental technique used for the analysis of pharmaceuticals. Besides, a review of recent works in the area of pharmaceutical analysis showed a trend in the application of techniques increasingly rapid such as ultra performance liquid chromatography and the use of sensitive and specific detectors as mass spectrometers.

Measuring supply chain management practices

Purpose: This paper aims to perform an empirical investigation about the constructs and indicators of the supply chain management practices framework. Design/methodology/approach: The measuring framework proposed is based on a survey that was carried out on 107 Brazilian companies. Statistical techniques were employed to verify, validate, and test the reliability of the constructs and their indicators. To validate this framework principal component analysis and structural equation modeling techniques were used. Findings: In general, previous studies suggest six constructs for measuring the supply chain management practices framework. However, in this study a framework was achieved with four constructs of supply chain management practices, namely, supply chain (SC) integration for production planning and control (PPC) support, information sharing about products and targeting strategies, strategic relationship with customer and supplier, and support customer order. This framework has adequate levels of validity and reliability. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation of this study was that only a small sample of companies in a single sector and country were surveyed, and therefore there needs to be further research considering the special conditions in other countries. Originality/value: This study investigated statistically set indicators to discuss the topic supply chain management practices. The framework obtained has good quality of validity and reliability indicators. Thus, an alternative framework has been added to measure supply chain management practices, which is currently a popular topic in the supply chain mainstream literature. Both defined constructs and the validated indicators can be used in other studies on supply chain management. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Estratégia competitiva e o papel da função produção: uma análise em empresas do polo calçadista de Birigui

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influências e contribuições da teoria das restrições em sistemas de medição de desempenho: uma análise teórico-conceitual

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aplicação de conceitos da manufatura sustentável: pesquisa-ação em uma empresa gráfica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Modelo de avaliação de maturidade em gerenciamento de projetos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Proposta de diretrizes embasadoras para introdução de sistemas de medição de desempenho em empresas de projetos de instalações prediais

The civil construction in Brazil has grown a lotover the last years. This has caused a greater competition between companies of the sector. A little difference in quality in service or product a company offers can determine their success in the market. There is a growing demand for tools that optimize processes and bring greater quality to each activity in these companies. Performance measurement systems make it possible to control process efficiency and effectiveness using performance indicators. Considering this need, the paper before you has the objective of creating basic guidelines to introduce performance measurement systems inbuilding installations project companies. A theoretical reference is presented to describe organizational aspects of project companies along with performance measurement systems characteristics. Using a qualitative research methodology, a study case was executed with interviews, observation and document analysis as evidence sources. In the study case, limitations where identified, such as, high degree of product and process flexibility, dependence on subjective analysis for decision making and lack of specialized information systems. Considering the theoretical reference and the study case,the proposed guidelines intend to ease and guarantee greater chances of success when implanting one of these systems

Sward canopy structure and performance of beef heifers under supplementation in Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures maintained with three grazing intensities in a continuous stocking system

The objective of this study was to assess the sward canopy structure of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures maintained in three grazing intensities under continuous stocking system during the rainy season, along with the behavior and performance of grazing beef heifers supplemented with mineral salt or an energy/protein supplement. Three levels of forage allowance were assessed: 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 kg of forage/kg of live weight, combined with two supplements (ad libitum mineral salt, and an energy/protein supplement at 0.3% of live weight/day, supplied daily). The experiment was designed as a randomized block study with two replications. The supplements did not influence the variables related to the canopy structure. Canopy height was greater at higher forage allowances during the late summer and early fall. Similarly, the stem mass was greater in pastures with higher forage allowances. Animals fed protein supplement spent less time grazing than animals supplemented with mineral salt. Stocking rate was higher in pastures with lower forage allowance levels, which increased the live weight gain per grazing area. Daily weight gain did not vary according to the forage allowance levels. The use of an energy/protein supplement did not affect the stocking rate; however, it increased individual live weight gain and live weight gain per grazing area compared with mineral salt supplementation. The use of energy/protein supplements is an efficient alternative to enhance animal performance and production under grazing systems during the rainy season

EFFECTS of PREFERRED and NONPREFERRED MUSIC on CONTINUOUS CYCLING EXERCISE PERFORMANCE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of preferred and nonpreferred music on exercise distance, Heart Rate (HR), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) during continuous cycling exercise performed at high intensity Fifteen participants performed five test sessions During two sessions, they cycled with fixed workload on ergometer to determine the Critical Power (Cl') intensity Then, they performed three more sessions cycling at CP intensity listening to Preferred Music, listening to Nonpreferred Music, and No Music The HR responses in the exercise sessions did not differ among all conditions However, the RPE was higher for Nonpreferred Music than in the other conditions The performance under Preferred Music (9 8 +/- 4 6km) was greater than under Nonpreferred Music (7 1 +/- 3 5km) conditions Therefore, listening to Preferred Music during continuous cycling exercise at high intensity can Increase the exercise distance, and individuals listening to Nonpreferred Music can perceive more discomfort caused by the exercise

Measurement of melatonin in body fluids: Standards, protocols and procedures

Background and Purpose: The circadian rhythm of melatonin in saliva or plasma, or of the melatonin metabolite 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (a6MTs) in urine, is a defining feature of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) function, the body's endogenous oscillatory pacemaker. The primary objective of this review is to ascertain the clinical benefits and limitations of current methodologies employed for detection and quantification of melatonin in biological fluids and tissues. Data Identification: A search of the English-language literature (Medline) and a systematic review of published articles were carried out. Study Selection: Articles that specified both the methodology for quantifying melatonin and indicated the clinical purpose were chosen for inclusion in the review. Data Extraction: The authors critically evaluated the methodological issues associated with various tools and techniques (e.g. standards, protocols, and procedures). Results of Data Synthesis: Melatonin measurements are useful for evaluating problems related to the onset or offset of sleep and for assessing phase delays or advances of rhythms in entrained individuals. They have also become an important tool for psychiatric diagnosis, their use being recommended for phase typing in patients suffering from sleep and mood disorders. Additionally, there has been a continuous interest in the use of melatonin as a marker for neoplasms of the pineal region. Melatonin decreases such as found with aging are or post pinealectomy can cause alterations in the sleep/wake cycle. The development of sensitive and selective methods for the precise detection of melatonin in tissues and fluids has increasingly been shown to have direct relevance for clinical decision making. Conclusions: Due to melatonin's low concentration, as well as the coexistence of numerous other compounds in the blood, the routine determination of melatonin has been an analytical challenge. The available evidence indicates however that these challenges can be overcome and consequently that evaluation of melatonin's presence and activity can be an accessible and useful tool for clinical diagnosis. © Springer-Verlag 2010.