Physico-chemical characterization of nanoparticle coated paper

Förståelse av olika ytors vätningsegenskaper är viktig i många pappers-relaterade industriella processer eftersom vätningen påverkar materialbeteendet, t.ex. vid bestrykning, tryckning och laminering. Förmågan att kontrollera vätningen är av intresse, därför att den ger nya möjligheter till modifikation av ytor. Vätningen styrs av ytans struktur och kemi. Kunskap om dessa egenskaper krävs både i fundamentala studier och för industriella applikationer. Nanopartiklar används ofta för att skapa funktionella ytor med mångsidiga egenskaper. Detta arbete strävar till att förstå de fysikalisk-kemiska egenskaperna hos papper och kartong som är bestrukna med nanopartiklar, för att sedan kunna förklara de observerade förändringarna i ytornas vätningsförmåga. Funktionella ytor med justerbar vätningsförmåga tillverkades genom att deponera nanopartiklar i en rulle-till-rulle vätskeflammasprutningprocess (LFS). TiO2 -nanopartikelbeläggningen skapar en superhydrofob yta som har över 160° kontaktvinkelmed vatten, medan SiO2-nanopartikelbeläggningar skapar mycket hydrofila ytor med kontaktvinklar så låga som 21° med vatten. Superhydrofobiciteten eller hydrofiliteten är ett resultat av den kombinerade effekten hos ytstrukturen och ytkemin, såsom nanopartiklarnas oxidationsnivå eller karbonatiseringsnivå. Kartongytor som är bestrukna med TiO2-nanopartiklar kan vara såväl superhydrofoba som hydrofila. Hydrofilitet kan induceras genom UVA-strålning, medan behandling i hög temperatur i ugn resulterar i en superhydrofob yta. Ett mål med arbetet var att förstå mekanismerna hos de kemiska för ändringar som sker under UVA-bestrålning och värmebehandling av ytor, bestrukna med TiO2-nanopartiklar. Ytornas abrasions- och kompressionsmotstånd samt relaterade förändringar i funktionella egenskaper undersöktes. Resultaten skapar en bättre förståelse för potentiell användning av LFS-nanopartikelbeläggningar i pappersrelaterade applikationer. En förståelse för stabiliteten hos nanopartikelbeläggningarna när de exponeras för externa krafter är viktig för att försäkra deras funktionalitet i industriella applikationer och för att garantera beläggningarnas miljö-, hälso- och säkerhetsaspekter. ------------------------------------------ Pinnan kastumisominaisuuksien hallinta on tärkeää monissa paperiteollisuuden prosesseissa, sillä pinnan kastuminen vaikuttaa esimerkiksi päällystämiseen, painamiseen ja laminointiin. Pinnan kastuvuuden säätäminen avaa mielenkiintoisia uusia mahdollisuuksia pintojen ominaisuuksien hallintaan. Pinnan kastuvuus määräytyy pinnan rakenteesta ja kemiasta, ja näiden ominaisuuksien ymmärtäminen on tärkeää sekä perustutkimuksessa että teollisissa sovelluksissa. Nanopartikkeleita käytetään usein toiminnallisten ja hallitusti kastuvien pintojen aikaansaamiseksi. Tässä työssä on tarkasteltu nanopartikkelipinnoitetun paperin ja kartongin fysikaalis-kemiallisia pintaominaisuuksia, jotka selittävät havaittuja muutoksia pinnan kastuvuudessa. Toiminnalliset pinnat säädettävillä kastuvuusominaisuuksilla valmistettiin nesteliekkiruiskutus (LFS) nanopartikkelipinnoituksella rullalta rullalle-menetelmällä. TiO2-nanopartikkelipäällystys saa aikaan superhydrofobisen pinnan, jonka veden kontaktikulma on suurempi kuin 160°. Toisaalta SiO2-nanopartikkelipäällystys muuttaa pinnan hyvin hydrofiiliseksi, veden kontaktikulman ollessa vain 21°. Pinnan superhydrofobisuus tai hydrofiilisyys riippuu nanopartikkelipinnan rakenteesta ja pintakemiasta kuten pinnan hapettumisasteesta ja hiilipitoisuudesta. TiO2-nanopartikkelipinnoitetun kartonkipinnan kastumista voidaan säätää superhydrofobisen ja hydrofiilisen välillä. Pinnan hydrofiilisyys saadaan aikaan UVA-valolla, kun taas superhydrofobinen pinta voidaan palauttaa korkeassa lämpötilassa uunissa. Tämän työn tavoitteena oli selvittää, millaisia muutoksia TiO2-nanopartikkelipäällystetyn pinnan kemiassa tapahtuu UVA-valon ja lämpökäsittelyn vaikutuksesta. Työssä tarkasteltiin myös pinnan mekaanisen hankauksen ja kokoonpuristuksen vaikutusta toiminnallisiin ominaisuuksiin. Työssä saavutetut tulokset auttavat ymmärtämään LFS-nanopartikkelipäällystettyjen pintojen soveltuvuutta paperiin liittyvissä sovelluksissa. Nanopartikkelipäällystettyjen pintojen stabiilius ulkoisten voimien alaisena on tärkeää toiminnallisten päällystysten ympäristö-, terveys- ja turvallisuusnäkökulmia tarkasteltaessa.

Printed platforms for paper-based analytical applications

Paper-based analytical technologies enable quantitative and rapid analysis of analytes from various application areas including healthcare, environmental monitoring and food safety. Because paper is a planar, flexible and light weight substrate, the devices can be transported and disposed easily. Diagnostic devices are especially valuable in resourcelimited environments where diagnosis as well as monitoring of therapy can be made even without electricity by using e.g. colorimetric assays. On the other hand, platforms including printed electrodes can be coupled with hand-held readers. They enable electrochemical detection with improved reliability, sensitivity and selectivity compared with colorimetric assays. In this thesis, different roll-to-roll compatible printing technologies were utilized for the fabrication of low-cost paper-based sensor platforms. The platforms intended for colorimetric assays and microfluidics were fabricated by patterning the paper substrates with hydrophobic vinyl substituted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) -based ink. Depending on the barrier properties of the substrate, the ink either penetrates into the paper structure creating e.g. microfluidic channel structures or remains on the surface creating a 2D analog of a microplate. The printed PDMS can be cured by a roll-ro-roll compatible infrared (IR) sintering method. The performance of these platforms was studied by printing glucose oxidase-based ink on the PDMS-free reaction areas. The subsequent application of the glucose analyte changed the colour of the white reaction area to purple with the colour density and intensity depending on the concentration of the glucose solution. Printed electrochemical cell platforms were fabricated on paper substrates with appropriate barrier properties by inkjet-printing metal nanoparticle based inks and by IR sintering them into conducting electrodes. Printed PDMS arrays were used for directing the liquid analyte onto the predetermined spots on the electrodes. Various electrochemical measurements were carried out both with the bare electrodes and electrodes functionalized with e.g. self assembled monolayers. Electrochemical glucose sensor was selected as a proof-of-concept device to demonstrate the potential of the printed electronic platforms.

Emerging market patterns in recycled paper trade

The international recovered paper trade serves two important functions: increasing raw material availability in the paper and board industry and providing economic incentives to recycle. The purpose of this paper is to shed further light on emerging patterns in this trade by empirically analysing the changes in the bilateral trade flows of recycled paper between 1992 and 2008. According to our estimations, two important changes have taken place in the 1990s and 2000s. First, the growing importance of developing economies in global recycled paper trade plays a significant role in import demand as a determinant of trade flows. Second, the changes in global trade patterns necessitate investigating the transportation cost measures used in applied research.

Explaining the Shifts of International Trade in Pulp and Paper Industry

The pulp and paper industry is currently facing broad structural changes due to global shifts in demand and supply. These changes have significant impacts on national economies worldwide. In this paper, we describe the recent trends in the pulp and recovered paper (RP) production, and estimate augmented gravity models of bilateral trade for chemical pulp and RP exports with panel data. According to our results, there is some variation in the effects of the traditional gravity-model variables between pulp grades and RP. The results imply also that, in comparison to export supply, import demand plays a larger role in determining the volume of exports. Finally, it is evident that Asia, particularly China, is the most important driver of chemical pulp and RP trade: China is hungry for fiber, and must import to satisfy its growing needs. Moreover, the speed of China’s growth in chemical pulp and RP imports has been driving the increased significance of planted forests in the exports of hardwood pulp (BHKP) as well.

An Update on Inter-Country Differences in Recovery and Utilization of Recycled Paper

The use of recovered paper as raw material in the paper and board industry has increased heavily during recent decades. At the same time, growing environmental awareness has raised the interest in recycling and a more sustainable way of living, at least in high-income countries. This paper combines these topics and explores how economic, demographic and environmental factors have affected the recovery and utilization of recycled paper between 1992 and 2010 in a sample of 70 countries. This study updates and extends the previous research on the topic using panel data and panel data estimation methods. The results confirm the roles of economic determinants but also indicate that concern for the environment impacts the recovery of recycled paper particularly in high-income countries. Moreover, the motives for recycling appear to depend on the income level of a country, which is something that future policies should consider.

Paper- and membrane-based ion-modulated electronics

Avhandlingen handlar om pappers- och membranbaserad jonmodulerad elektronik. Målet med forskningen har varit att utveckla billig, miljövänlig och brännbar elektronik, som kan användas i vardagliga engångsprodukter. Baskomponenterna som utvecklas och presenteras i avhandlingen är transistorer och kondensatorer. Mer komplicerad logisk kretselektronik demonstreras också med hjälp av dessa komponenter. Substraten som utnyttjas vid framställningen av dessa elektroniska komponenter är papper och membran. Dessa substrat är flexibla, hållbara, billiga, miljövänliga, etc. och därför väl anpassade för befintliga tryckteknologier. Själva baskomponenterna framställs sedan på dessa substrat genom att trycka flera skikt på varandra, där varje enskilt skikt är ett individuellt material. Detta är möjligt eftersom de organiska materialen som används i dessa komponenter är upplösta i ett lösningsmedel och kan därmed tryckas på samma sätt som ett vanligt bläck. Ett tredimensionellt objekt kan på detta sätt framställas. I avhandlingen presenteras flera olika typer av transistorer, men den gemensamma nämnaren bland dessa är att isolatorn är en jonledare. Denna, ganska ovanliga, transistormodellen har den stora fördelen att lågspänningskomponenter kan relativt enkelt framställas. Det som är speciellt med våra transistorer är att vi har använt miljövänliga jonledare. Detta, bl.a., leder till att våra komponenter visar både god prestanda, tillika som de är miljövänliga. I avhandlingen demonstrerar vi även tryckta superkondensatorer, en motsvarighet till laddningsbara batterier, konstruerade på papper med aktiverat kol och miljövänliga jonledare. De mest komplicerade logiska kretsar som demonstreras i denna avhandling är ring-oscillatorer och 1-bits-minnen konstruerade på papper. --------------------------------------------- Väitöskirja käsittelee paperille ja polymeerikalvolle tulostettua ionimoduloitua elektroniikkaa. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli kehittää edullista, ympäristöystävällistä ja polttokelpoista elektroniikkaa, jota voidaan käyttää esim. tavanomaisissa kertakäyttötuotteissa. Väitöskirjassa esitellään erilaisia transistoreita ja kondensaattoreita. Näitä elektronisia peruskomponentteja käyttäen demonstroidaan myös monimutkaisempia loogisia piirejä. Komponenttien valmistuksessa alustana käytettiin paperia ja polymeerikalvoa. Valitut alustat ovat joustavia ja kestäviä, ja ovat siksi hyvin yhteensopivia olemassa olevien tulostusmenetelmien kanssa. Peruskomponentit valmistettiin tulostamalla eri materiaaleja päällekkäin. Komponenteissa käytettävät orgaaniset aineet ovat liuenneessa muodossa musteessa, joka voidaan tulostaa samalla periaatteella kuin mikä tahansa normaali muste. Tällä menetelmällä voidaan valmistaa myös kolmiulotteisia tuotteita. Väitöskirjassa esitellään useita erityyppisiä transistoreita, joissa yhdistävänä tekijänä on ionisesti johtava eriste. Tällaista suhteellisen harvinaista transistorityyppiä käyttämällä voidaan mahdollistaa matala-jännitteisten komponenttien yksinkertainen valmistus. Valmistettujen transistoreiden etu on ionisten nesteiden ympäristöystävällisyys. Elektroniset komponentit ovat täten hyviä suorituskyvyltään, mutteivät haitallisia ympäristölle. Väitöskirjassa demonstroidaan myös tulostettujen superkondensaattoreiden, eli ladattavien paristojen vastineiden, valmistus paperille aktiivihiiltä ja ionisia nesteitä käyttäen. Kaikkein monimutkaisimmat loogiset piirit, jotka tässä väitöskirjassa esitellään, ovat rengasoskillaattorit sekä 1-bittinen paperille valmistettu muisti.

Efficiency of methods to detect Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in commercial soybean seed lots

Most soybean pathogens are seed transmitted, deserving emphasis the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which has been presenting worrying levels of field incidence in some soybean cropping areas in several Brazilian states. The objective of this study was to verify the efficiency of different methods for detecting S. sclerotiorum on soybean seeds artificially infected in the laboratory and from field production areas with a historical disease incidence. Seed samples of seven different cultivars collected from naturally infested fields, and one seed sample artificially inoculated in the laboratory were used. The following detection methods recommended in the literature were compared: Blotter test at 7 ºC, 14 ºC, and 21 ºC; Rolled Paper; and Neon-S. Results demonstrated that these methods showed no repeatability and had a low sensitivity for detecting the pathogen in seeds from areas with disease incidence. They were effective, however, for its detection on artificially inoculated seeds. In the Blotter test method at 7 ºC, there was a lower incidence of other fungi considered undesirable during seed analysis.

Development of an enzyme immobilization platform based on microencapsulation for paper-based biosensors

Un papier bioactif est obtenu par la modification d’un papier en y immobilisant une ou plusieurs biomolécules. La recherche et le développement de papiers bioactifs est en plein essor car le papier est un substrat peu dispendieux qui est déjà d’usage très répandu à travers le monde. Bien que les papiers bioactifs n’aient pas connus de succès commercial depuis la mise en marche de bandelettes mesurant le taux de glucose dans les années cinquante, de nombreux groupes de recherche travaillent à immobiliser des biomolécules sur le papier pour obtenir un papier bioactif qui est abordable et possède une bonne durée de vie. Contrairement à la glucose oxidase, l’enzyme utilisée sur ces bandelettes, la majorité des biomolécules sont très fragiles et perdent leur activité très rapidement lorsqu’immobilisées sur des papiers. Le développement de nouveaux papiers bioactifs pouvant détecter des substances d’intérêt ou même désactiver des pathogènes dépend donc de découverte de nouvelles techniques d’immobilisation des biomolécules permettant de maintenir leur activité tout en étant applicable dans la chaîne de production actuelle des papiers fins. Le but de cette thèse est de développer une technique d’immobilisation efficace et versatile, permettant de protéger l’activité de biomolécules incorporées sur des papiers. La microencapsulation a été choisie comme technique d’immobilisation car elle permet d’enfermer de grandes quantités de biomolécules à l’intérieur d’une sphère poreuse permettant leur protection. Pour cette étude, le polymère poly(éthylènediimine) a été choisi afin de générer la paroi des microcapsules. Les enzymes laccase et glucose oxidase, dont les propriétés sont bien établies, seront utilisées comme biomolécules test. Dans un premier temps, deux procédures d’encapsulation ont été développées puis étudiées. La méthode par émulsion produit des microcapsules de plus petits diamètres que la méthode par encapsulation utilisant un encapsulateur, bien que cette dernière offre une meilleure efficacité d’encapsulation. Par la suite, l’effet de la procédure d’encapsulation sur l’activité enzymatique et la stabilité thermique des enzymes a été étudié à cause de l’importance du maintien de l’activité sur le développement d’une plateforme d’immobilisation. L’effet de la nature du polymère utilisé pour la fabrication des capsules sur la conformation de l’enzyme a été étudié pour la première fois. Finalement, l’applicabilité des microcapsules de poly(éthylèneimine) dans la confection de papiers bioactifs a été démontré par le biais de trois prototypes. Un papier réagissant au glucose a été obtenu en immobilisant des microcapsules contenant l’enzyme glucose oxidase. Un papier sensible à l’enzyme neuraminidase pour la détection de la vaginose bactérienne avec une plus grande stabilité durant l’entreposage a été fait en encapsulant les réactifs colorimétriques dans des capsules de poly(éthylèneimine). L’utilisation de microcapsules pour l’immobilisation d’anticorps a également été étudiée. Les avancées au niveau de la plateforme d’immobilisation de biomolécules par microencapsulation qui ont été réalisées lors de cette thèse permettront de mieux comprendre l’effet des réactifs impliqués dans la procédure de microencapsulation sur la stabilité, l’activité et la conformation des biomolécules. Les résultats obtenus démontrent que la plateforme d’immobilisation développée peut être appliquée pour la confection de nouveaux papiers bioactifs.

From Subsistence Agriculture to Commercial Enterprise: Community management of green technologies for resilient food production

The aim of this paper is to emphasize the capacity and resilience of rural communities in regard to sustainable food security by adopting innovative approaches to irrigation. The shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture is promoted as a means to sustainable development. An analysis of the efficacy of irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe suggests that, in terms of providing sustainable agricultural production, they have neither been cost-effective nor have they provided long-term food security to their beneficiaries. This is certainly true of Shashe Scheme and most others in Beitbridge District. The Shashe Irrigation Scheme project represents a bold attempt at developing a fresh approach to the management of communal land irrigation schemes through a Private Public Community Partnership. The model illustrated represents a paradigm shift from subsistence agriculture to a system based on new technologies, market linkages and community ownership that build resilience and lead to sustainable food security and economic prosperity.

Aplicació d'algoritmes genètics en l'optimització dels processos de fabricació del paper

La creciente preocupación y concienciación de la sociedad respecto el medio ambiente, y en consecuencia la legislación y regulaciones generadas inducen a la modificación de los procesos productivos existentes en la industria química. Las configuraciones iniciales deben modificarse para conseguir una mayor integración de procesos. Para este fin se han creado y desarrollado diferentes metodologías que deben facilitar la tarea a los responsables del rediseño. El desarrollo de una metodología y herramientas complementarias es el principal objetivo de la investigación aquí presentada, especialmente centrada en el desarrollo y la aplicación de una metodología de optimización de procesos. Esta metodología de optimización se aplica sobre configuraciones de proceso existentes y pretende encontrar nuevas configuraciones viables según los objetivos de optimización fijados. La metodología tiene dos partes diferenciadas: la primera se basa en un simulador de procesos comercial y la segunda es la técnica de optimización propiamente dicha. La metodología se inicia con la elaboración de una simulación convenientemente validada que reproduzca el proceso existente, en este caso una papelera no integrada que produce papel estucado de calidad, para impresión. A continuación la técnica de optimización realiza una búsqueda dentro del dominio de los posibles resultados, en busca de los mejores resultados que satisfazcan plenamente los objetivos planteados. Dicha técnica de optimización está basada en los algoritmos genéticos como herramienta de búsqueda, junto a un subprograma basado en técnicas de programación matemática para el cálculo de resultados. Un número reducido de resultados son finalmente escogidos y utilizados para modificar la simulación existente fijando la redistribución de los flujos del proceso. Los resultados de la simulación del proceso determinan en último caso la viabilidad técnica de cada reconfiguración planteada. En el proceso de optimización, los objetivos están definidos en una función objetivo dentro de la técnica de optimización. Dicha función rige la búsqueda de resultados. La función objetivo puede ser individual o una combinación de objetivos. En el presente caso, la función persigue una minimización del consumo de agua y una minimización de la pérdida de materia prima. La optimización se realiza bajo restricciones para alcanzar este objetivo combinado en forma de una solución de compromiso. Producto de la aplicación de esta metodología se han obtenido resultados interesantes que significan una mejora del cierre de circuitos y un ahorro de materia prima, sin comprometer al mismo tiempo la operabilidad del proceso producto ni la calidad del papel.

Bridging the two cultures. Commercial archaeology and the study of prehistoric Britain

This paper was given at a meeting of the Society held on 12 January 2006 and it discusses the relationship between academic research and developer-funded archaeology in Britain today, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each. It considers the relationship between archaeological theory and practice and discusses the changing roles of academics, fieldworkers and managers. It argues that important issues need to be resolved, including the dissemination of information from recent archaeological fieldwork and the use of ‘grey literature’ in informing more ambitious interpretations of the past.

AIDS, mobility and commercial sex in Ethiopia: Implications for policy

Since the emergence of the AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa, male mobility has been highlighted as one of the reasons for the spread of the disease with men employing the services of commercial sex workers while away from home. However, sex workers' mobility and the implications of this for their access to prevention services, has largely been ignored. This paper, based on multi-method qualitative research with 60 young sex workers in two Ethiopian towns, reveals that sex workers are highly mobile, moving in order to attract a wider or different client base, for adventure and to conceal illnesses which might be associated with AIDS. In addition, sex workers are affected by restrictions on their movements, with girls working in bars and red-light areas having little free time to access projects. This paper advocates that policy approaches need to take account of this mobility in three ways: first, by exploring ways for girls to access information and maintain contact with support structures while moving between places of work; second, by building the capacity of sex workers to take greater control over decision-making in their day-to-day lives and third, by developing outreach strategies for taking services into bars and red-light areas.

UK commercial property lease structures: Landlord and tenant mismatch

UK commercial property lease structures have come under considerable scrutiny during the past decade since the property crash of the early 1990s. In particular, tenants complained that the system was unfair and that it has blocked business change. Government is committed, through its 2001 election manifesto, to promote flexibility and choice in the commercial property lettings market and a new voluntary Commercial Leases Code of Practice was launched in April 2002. This paper investigates whether occupiers are being offered the leases they require or whether there is a mismatch between occupier requirements and actual leases in the market. It draws together the substantial data now available on the actual terms of leases in the UK and surveys of corporate occupiers' attitude to their occupation requirements. Although the data indicated that UK leases have become shorter and more diverse since 1990, this is still not sufficient to meet the current requirements of many corporate occupiers. It is clear that the inability to manage entry and exit strategies is a major concern to occupiers. Lease length is the primary concern of tenants and a number of respondents comment on the mismatch between lease length in the UK and business planning horizons. The right to break and other problems with alienation clauses also pose serious difficulties for occupiers, thus reinforcing the mismatch. Other issues include repairing and insuring clauses and the type of review clause. There are differences in opinion between types of occupier. In particular, international corporate occupiers are significantly more concerned about the length of lease and the incidence of break clauses than national occupiers and private-sector tenants are significantly more concerned about leasing in general than public-sector occupiers. Proposed solutions by tenants are predictable and include shorter leases, more frequent breaks and relaxation of restrictions concerning alienation and other clauses. A significant number specify that they would pay more for shorter leases and other improved terms. Short leases would make many of the other terms more acceptable and this is why they are the main concern of corporate occupiers. Overall, the evidence suggests that there continues to be a gap between occupiers' lease requirements and those currently offered by the market. There are underlying structural factors that act as an inertial force on landlords and inhibit the changes which occupiers appear to want. Nevertheless, the findings raise future research questions concerning whether UK lease structures are a constraining factor on UK competitiveness.

Commercial reviews in the tender process of contractors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show the extent to which clients amend standard form contracts in practice, the locus of the amendments, and how contractors respond to the amendments when putting together a bid. Design/methodology/approach – Four live observational case studies were carried out in two of the top 20 UK construction firms. The whole process used to review the proposed terms and conditions of the contract was shadowed using participant observation, interview and documentary analysis. Findings – All four cases showed strong evidence of amendments relating mostly to payment and contractual aspects: 83 amendments in Case Study 1 (CS1), 80 in CS2, 15 in CS3 and 29 in CS4. This comprised clauses that were modified (37 per cent), substituted (23 per cent), deleted (7 per cent) and new additions (33 per cent). Risks inherent in the amendments were mostly addressed through contractual rather than price mechanisms, to reflect commercial imperatives. “Qualifications” and “clarifications” were included in the tender submissions for post-tender negotiations. Thus, the amendments did not necessarily influence price. There was no evidence of a “standard-form contract“ being used as such, although clients may draw on published “standard-form contracts” to derive the forms of contract actually used in practice. Practical implications – Contractors should pay attention to clauses relating to contractual and financial aspects when reviewing tender documents. Clients should draft equitable payment and contractual terms and conditions to reduce risk of dispute. Indeed, it is prudent for clients not to pass on inestimable risks. Originality/value – A better understanding of the extent and locus of amendments in standard form contracts, and how contractors respond, is provided.

Commercial management in project-based organisations

The term commercial management has been used for some time, similarly the job title commercial manager. However, as of yet, little emphasis has been placed on defining. This paper presents the findings from a two-year research initiative that has compared and contrasted the role of commercial managers from a range of organisations and across industry sectors, as a first step in developing a body of knowledge for commercial. It is argued that there are compelling arguments for considering commercial management, not solely as atask undertaken by commercial managers, but as a discipline in itself: a discipline that, arguably, bridges traditional project management and organisational theories. While the study has established differences in approach and application both between and within industry sectors, it has established sufficient similarity and synergy in practice to identify a specific role of commercial management in project-based organisations. These similarities encompass contract management and dispute resolution; the divergences include a greater involvement in financial and value management in construction and in bid management in defence/aerospace.