Applying the principles of life cycle assessment and costing in process modeling to examine profit-making capability

Static process simulation has traditionally been used to model complex processes for various purposes. However, the use of static processsimulators for the preparation of holistic examinations aiming at improving profit-making capability requires a lot of work because the production of results requires the assessment of the applicability of detailed data which may be irrelevant to the objective. The relevant data for the total assessment gets buried byirrelevant data. Furthermore, the models do not include an examination of the maintenance or risk management, and economic examination is often an extra property added to them which can be performed with a spreadsheet program. A process model applicable to holistic economic examinations has been developed in this work. The model is based on the life cycle profit philosophy developed by Hagberg and Henriksson in 1996. The construction of the model has utilized life cycle assessment and life cycle costing methodologies with a view to developing, above all, a model which would be applicable to the economic examinations of complete wholes and which would require the need for information focusing on aspects essential to the objectives. Life cycle assessment and costing differ from each other in terms of the modeling principles, but the features of bothmethodologies can be used in the development of economic process modeling. Methods applicable to the modeling of complex processes can be examined from the viewpoint of life cycle methodologies, because they involve the collection and management of large corpuses of information and the production of information for the needs of decision-makers as well. The results of the study shows that on the basis of the principles of life cycle modeling, a process model can be created which may be used to produce holistic efficiency examinations on the profit-making capability of the production line, with fewer resources thanwith traditional methods. The calculations of the model are based to the maximum extent on the information system of the factory, which means that the accuracyof the results can be improved by developing information systems so that they can provide the best information for this kind of examinations.

Describing and Analyzing Information Technology through Total Quality Management and Process Management: Case Stora Enso Newsprint

Laatu on osaltaan vahvistamassa asemaansa liike-el��m��ss�� yritysten kilpaillessa kansainv��lisill�� markkinoilla niin hinnalla kuin laadulla. T��m�� suuntaus on synnytt��nyt useita laatuohjelmia, joita k��ytet����n ahkerasti yritysten kokonais- valtaisen laatujohtamisen (TQM) toteuttamisessa. Laatujohtaminen kattaa yrityksen kaikki toiminnot ja luo vaatimuksia my��s yrityksen tukitoimintojen kehitt��miselle ja parantamiselle. N��ihin lukeutuu my��s t��m��n tutkimuksen kohde tietohallinto (IT). Tutkielman tavoitteena oli kuvata IT prosessin nykytila. Tutkielmassa laadittu prosessikuvaus pohjautuu prosessijohtamisen teoriaan ja kohdeyrityksen k��ytt��m����n laatupalkinto kriteerist����n. Tutkimusmenetelm��n�� prosessin nykytilan selvitt��miseksi k��ytettiin teemahaastattelutta. Prosessin nykytilan ja sille asetettujen vaatimusten selvitt��miseksi haastateltiin IT prosessin asiakkaita. Prosessianalyysi, t��rkeimpien ala-prosessien tunnistaminen ja parannusalueiden l��yt��minen ovat t��m��n tutkielman keskeisemm��t tulokset. Tutkielma painottui IT prosessin heikkouksien ja parannuskohteiden etsimiseen jatkuvan kehitt��misen pohjaksi, ei niink����n prosessin radikaaliin uudistamiseen. Tutkielmassa esitell����n TQM:n periaatteet, laatuty��kaluja sek�� prosessijohtamisen terminologia, periaatteet ja sen systemaattinen toteutus. Ty�� antaa my��s kuvan siit��, miten TQM ja prosessijohtaminen niveltyv��t yrityksen laatuty��ss��.

A Fair and Secure Cluster Formation Process for Ad Hoc Networks

An efficient approach for organizing large ad hoc networks is to divide the nodesinto multiple clusters and designate, for each cluster, a clusterhead which is responsible forholding intercluster control information. The role of a clusterhead entails rights and duties.On the one hand, it has a dominant position in front of the others because it manages theconnectivity and has access to other node��s sensitive information. But on the other hand, theclusterhead role also has some associated costs. Hence, in order to prevent malicious nodesfrom taking control of the group in a fraudulent way and avoid selfish attacks from suitablenodes, the clusterhead needs to be elected in a secure way. In this paper we present a novelsolution that guarantees the clusterhead is elected in a cheat-proof manner.

First principles modeling of metallic alloys and alloy surfaces

By alloying metals with other materials, one can modify the metal���s characteristics or compose an alloy which has certain desired characteristics that no pure metal has. The field is vast and complex, and phenomena that govern the behaviour of alloys are numerous. Theories cannot penetrate such complexity, and the scope of experiments is also limited. This is why the relatively new field of ab initio computational methods has much to give to this field. With these methods, one can extend the understanding given by theories, predict how some systems might behave, and be able to obtain information that is not there to see in physical experiments. This thesis pursues to contribute to the collective knowledge of this field in the light of two cases. The first part examines the oxidation of Ag/Cu, namely, the adsorption dynamics and oxygen induced segregation of the surface. Our results demonstrate that the presence of Ag on the Cu(100) surface layer strongly inhibits dissociative adsorption. Our results also confirmed that surface reconstruction does happen, as experiments predicted. Our studies indicate that 0.25 ML of oxygen is enough for Ag to diffuse towards the bulk, under the copper oxide layer. The other part elucidates the complex interplay of various energy and entropy contributions to the phase stability of paramagnetic duplex steel alloys. We were able to produce a phase stability map from first principles, and it agrees with experiments rather well. Our results also show that entropy contributions play a very important role on defining the phase stability. This is, to the author���s knowledge, the first ab initio study upon this subject.

How Lean Six Sigma and Agile principles optimize ITIL-based processes

Imagine the potential implications of an organization whose business and IT processes are well aligned and are capable of reactively and proactively responding to the external and internal changes. The Philips IT Infrastructure and Operations department (I&O) is undergoing a series of transformation activities to help Philips business keeping up with the changes. I&O would serve a critical function in any business sectors; given that the I&O���s strategy switched from ���design, build and run��� to ���specify, acquire and performance manage���, that function is amplified. In 2013, I&O���s biggest transforming programme I&O Futures engaged multiple interdisciplinary departments and programs on decommissioning legacy processes and restructuring new processes with respect to the Information Technology Internet Library (ITIL), helping I&O to achieve a common infrastructure and operating platform (CI&OP). The author joined I&O Futures in the early 2014 and contributed to the CI&OP release 1, during which a designed model Bing Box and its evaluations were conducted through the lens of six sigma���s structured define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) improvement approach. This Bing Box model was intended to firstly combine business and IT principles, namely Lean IT, Agile, ITIL best practices, and Aspect-oriented programming (AOP) into a framework. Secondly, the author implemented the modularized optimization cycles according to the defined framework into Philips��� ITIL-based processes and, subsequently, to enhance business process performance as well as to increase efficiency of the optimization cycles. The unique of this thesis is that the Bing Box model not only provided comprehensive optimization approaches and principles for business process performance, but also integrated and standardized optimization modules for the optimization process itself. The research followed a design research guideline that seek to extend the boundaries of human and organizational capabilities by creating new and innovative artifacts. The Chapter 2 firstly reviewed the current research on Lean Six Sigma, Agile, AOP and ITIL, aiming at identifying the broad conceptual bases for this study. In Chapter 3, we included the process of constructing the Bing Box model. The Chapter 4 described the adoption of Bing Box model: two-implementation case validated by stakeholders through observations and interviews. Chapter 5 contained the concluding remarks, the limitation of this research work and the future research areas. Chapter 6 provided the references used in this thesis.

An Examination of Youth Perceptions and Understandings of their Experiences with Extrajudicial Sanctions in Relation to Key Principles of the YCJA

It is unclear how the principles of meaningful consequences, fair and proportionate accountability, and rehabilitation and reintegration under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (2003) are understood and experienced by youth participating in diversion from youth court. Interviews with 20 youth revealed that, from their understanding, extrajudicial sanctions were viewed as accomplishing the goals of meaningful consequences and fair and proportionate accountability relatively well, but less emphasis was placed on rehabilitation and reintegration. The findings suggest that there may be a need an examination of the spectrum of responses available to youth under the umbrella of Extrajudicial Sanctions and their ability to achieve the key principles of the legislation. Implications for both youth and policy are addressed.

Paying for Higher Education: Are Top-Up Fees Fair?

This paper considers four institutional models for funding higher education in the light of principles of fairness and meritocracy, with particular reference to the debate in the UK over ���top-up fees���. It concludes that, under certain plausible but unproven assumptions, the model the UK government has adopted is fairer and more meritocratic than alternatives, including, surprisingly, the Graduate Tax.

Ethics in Health Policy for Allergy : A Practical Approach for Decision-Makers

Comme �� l���approche d���un tsunami, l���incidence grandissante des allergies affecte maintenant plus de 30% de la population des pays d��velopp��s. ��tant la cause de nombreuses morbidit��s et un risque significatif de mortalit��, les allergies n��cessitent des d��penses exorbitantes au syst��me de sant�� et constituent une des plus importantes sources d���invalidit��. Cette th��se a pour but de contribuer �� faciliter la prise de d��cision ��clair��e dans le d��veloppement de politiques en sant�� en lien avec cette maladie immunitaire chronique en utilisant des principes d�����thique comme outils pour guider le d��veloppement de politiques en sant��. Le premier chapitre d��montre le pr��sent d��ficit d���analyses des enjeux ��thiques en allergologie et d��montre de quelle fa��on les r��flexions en ��thique peuvent guider le d��veloppement de politiques et l�����laboration de strat��gies appliqu��es aux allergies. Les chapitres qui suivront pr��sentent des applications sp��cifiques des principes d�����thiques ciblant des contextes pr��cis comme des m��thodes qui fournissent des outils de r��flexion et des cadres th��oriques qui peuvent ��tre appliqu��s par les d��cideurs pour guider des interventions en sant�� concernant les allergies et les conditions de co-morbidit�� reli��es. Le second chapitre pr��sente un cadre th��orique pour l�����valuation et la priorisation d���interventions en sant�� publique par la diminution des allerg��nes pr��sents dans l���environnement bas��es sur des th��ories de justice sociale. Les crit��res entourant les politiques d�����valuation se concentrent sur les enjeux ��thiques r��f��rant aux populations vuln��rables, sur une distribution plus ��gale des b��n��fices pour la sant��, et sur le devoir d�����viter la stigmatisation. Le troisi��me chapitre offre aux administrateurs et au personnel infirmier du r��seau scolaire un cadre d��cisionnel pour guider le d��veloppement de politiques efficaces et ��thiquement justifiables concernant les allergies alimentaires pour les ��coles. Dans ce contexte, les principes de base d�����thique en sant�� publique et en bio��thique - par exemple, l���empowerment des populations vuln��rables dans la prise en charge de leur sant�� et la protection de la confidentialit�� du dossier m��dical - servent d���outils pour ��valuer les politiques. Le dernier chapitre emploie les principes de base de recherche en ��thique comme m��thode pour d��velopper un argumentaire en faveur de la r��forme des r��glementations entourant la production de m��dicaments immunoth��rapeutiques. La n��cessit�� ��thique d�����viter les risques de m��fait �� l���endroit du sujet humain dans la recherche permettra de servir de guide pour structurer de futures politiques en sant�� publique en ��gard �� la production d���immunoth��rapeutiques �� l�����chelle mondiale.

Le droit �� l'information au c��ur des imp��ratifs commerciaux du d��veloppement durable : le pr��c��dent de l'agriculture biologique

L'agriculture biologique est issue d'une longue lutte du consommateur et du citoyen pour conna��tre et contr��ler la qualit�� de son alimentation. Sa popularit�� montante confirme que la disponibilit�� de l'information sur l'offre joue un r��le ��conomique et social central aupr��s de la demande. Cette tendance appuie l'��mergence d'un nouvel ��l��ment au sein du corpus des droits de la personne : le droit �� l'information. Cette ��tude aborde les ��tapes de sa formation et prend pour exemple la fili��re agroalimentaire biologique. Elle repr��sente un mod��le avant-gardiste de l'hybridation entre le droit priv�� et le droit public. Nous examinons en premier lieu comment l'activit�� des secteurs agroalimentaires civils et priv��s a contribu�� �� fomenter le d��sir d'information du consommateur, pour ensuite le mettre en p��ril. Parall��lement �� cela, nous proposons d'analyser les effets et l'influence du corpus de droits et de principes du d��veloppement durable sur la fili��re biologique, mais surtout sur la reconnaissance du besoin d'information pour le consommateur. Enfin, nous faisons un tour d'horizon de la r��glementation publique de l'appellation biologique, de son label et de son ��tiquette. Pour cela, nous ��valuons les mesures en place selon les crit��res de la v��racit��, de l'accessibilit�� et de l'exhaustivit�� de l'information divulgu��e au consommateur. �� la lumi��re de notre analyse, le consommateur peut tirer ses propres conclusions sur les meilleures r��ponses normatives �� ses besoins. Quelles mesures entre le droit transnational, le droit international et le droit national offrent le meilleur r��sultat? Laquelle de ces formes juridiques s'av��re en mesure de promouvoir une consommation responsable o�� le consommateur ne fait plus face aux obstacles �� son choix ��clair��?

Re-engineering and Re-defining University Libraries in the context of modern Information and Communication Technologies: a study with special reference to the University Libraries in Kerala

Information and communication technologies are the tools that underpin the emerging ���Knowledge Society���. Exchange of information or knowledge between people and through networks of people has always taken place. But the ICT has radically changed the magnitude of this exchange, and thus factors such as timeliness of information and information dissemination patterns have become more important than ever.Since information and knowledge are so vital for the all round human development, libraries and institutions that manage these resources are indeed invaluable. So, the Library and Information Centres have a key role in the acquisition, processing, preservation and dissemination of information and knowledge. ln the modern context, library is providing service based on different types of documents such as manuscripts, printed, digital, etc. At the same time, acquisition, access, process, service etc. of these resources have become complicated now than ever before. The lCT made instrumental to extend libraries beyond the physical walls of a building and providing assistance in navigating and analyzing tremendous amounts of knowledge with a variety of digital tools. Thus, modern libraries are increasingly being re-defined as places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many sources.The research was conducted in the university libraries in Kerala State, India. lt was identified that even though the information resources are flooding world over and several technologies have emerged to manage the situation for providing effective services to its clientele, most of the university libraries in Kerala were unable to exploit these technologies at maximum level. Though the libraries have automated many of their functions, wide gap prevails between the possible services and provided services. There are many good examples world over in the application of lCTs in libraries for the maximization of services and many such libraries have adopted the principles of reengineering and re-defining as a management strategy. Hence this study was targeted to look into how effectively adopted the modern lCTs in our libraries for maximizing the efficiency of operations and services and whether the principles of re-engineering and- redefining can be applied towards this.Data��� was collected from library users, viz; student as well as faculty users; library ,professionals and university librarians, using structured questionnaires. This has been .supplemented by-observation of working of the libraries, discussions and interviews with the different types of users and staff, review of literature, etc. Personal observation of the organization set up, management practices, functions, facilities, resources, utilization of information resources and facilities by the users, etc. of the university libraries in Kerala have been made. Statistical techniques like percentage, mean, weighted mean, standard deviation, correlation, trend analysis, etc. have been used to analyse data.All the libraries could exploit only a very few possibilities of modern lCTs and hence they could not achieve effective Universal Bibliographic Control and desired efficiency and effectiveness in services. Because of this, the users as well as professionals are dissatisfied. Functional effectiveness in acquisition, access and process of information resources in various formats, development and maintenance of OPAC and WebOPAC, digital document delivery to remote users, Web based clearing of library counter services and resources, development of full-text databases, digital libraries and institutional repositories, consortia based operations for e-journals and databases, user education and information literacy, professional development with stress on lCTs, network administration and website maintenance, marketing of information, etc. are major areas need special attention to improve the situation. Finance, knowledge level on ICTs among library staff, professional dynamism and leadership, vision and support of the administrators and policy makers, prevailing educational set up and social environment in the state, etc. are some of the major hurdles in reaping the maximum possibilities of lCTs by the university libraries in Kerala. The principles of Business Process Re-engineering are found suitable to effectively apply to re-structure and redefine the operations and service system of the libraries. Most of the conventional departments or divisions prevailing in the university libraries were functioning as watertight compartments and their existing management system was more rigid to adopt the principles of change management. Hence, a thorough re-structuring of the divisions was indicated. Consortia based activities and pooling and sharing of information resources was advocated to meet the varied needs of the users in the main campuses and off campuses of the universities, affiliated colleges and remote stations. A uniform staff policy similar to that prevailing in CSIR, DRDO, ISRO, etc. has been proposed by the study not only in the university libraries in kerala but for the entire country.Restructuring of Lis education,integrated and Planned development of school,college,research and public library systems,etc.were also justified for reaping maximum benefits of the modern ICTs.

Prepare for the Careers Fair 2013

Information on companies attending this year's Fair, as well as hints for how to get the best out of your discussions

��tica hacker y propiedad intelectual: una nueva perspectiva para abordar la normatividad sobre derechos de autor en el espacio digital

En el presente texto se busca mostrar las capacidades explicativas que puede tener la conjunci��n entre las perspectivas de la ��tica hacker y la defensa de la propiedad intelectual para dar cuenta de las reacciones generalizadas de rechazo ante las normatividades de derechos de autor en el espacio digital. As��, se lleva a cabo un resumen de los principios de cada una de estas perspectivas dando cuenta de sus capacidades explicativas y caracter��sticas te��ricas para, posteriormente, aplicarlas a la realidad empresarial, laboral y de opini��n en el marco social contempor��neo. C��mo conclusi��n de este trabajo se logra observar que a pesar de que en principio ambas perspectivas podr��an parecer contradictorias, existen aspectos comunes que permiten vislumbrar como un trabajo en conjunto permitir��a generar normatividades que se acoplen a las realidades contempor��neas.

Utilidad de los conceptos y estrategias comunitarias en el marketing online para la prevenci��n de la copia ilegal en el mercado musical

Esta investigaci��n se dirige a determinar cu��l es la utilidad de los conceptos y estrategias comunitarias en el marketing online para la prevenci��n de la copia ilegal en el mercado musical. Con este proyecto se desea que por medio de una nueva disquera enfocada en el comercio online, y usando los conceptos del mercadeo comunitario y el mercadeo relacional, se pueda desarrollar nuevas estrategias de mercadeo en donde se logre incentivar y promover la compra de m��sica original por medio de la creaci��n de una relaci��n m��s estrecha entre la compa����a y el cliente, en la cual pueda afectar de forma positiva a la comunidad a la que este pertenece. El objetivo general es determinar cu��l es la utilidad de los conceptos y estrategias comunitarias en el marketing online para la prevenci��n de la copia ilegal en el mercado musical. Los objetivos espec��ficos son: 1. Mostrar la utilidad de los conceptos y estrategias del marketing comunitario en la prevenci��n de la copia ilegal del mercado musical y 2. Implementar las estrategias logradas en la investigaci��n en un plan de creaci��n de empresa. Se utilizar�� el m��todo de investigaci��n y an��lisis de caso, utilizando el plan de empresa en la creaci��n de una empresa del mercado musical, tomando la relaci��n estrat��gica comunitaria y el marketing dentro del plan de mercadeo como estrategia para la prevenci��n de la copia ilegal. Mediante este proyecto se desea que por medio del marketing relacional y de los conceptos del mercadeo hacia comunidades, enfocado en une- marketing sepuedanestablecerestrategiasparalaprevenci��ndelacopiailegalydelacomprade estos productos Adem��s, se busca implementar dichos resultados en la empresa que se pretende crear en el sector de la industria musical, puesto que la seguridad que tendr��n los productos a la venta, ser��n la ventaja competitiva de la empresa.

Asymmetrically fair rules for an indivisible good problem with a budget constraint

We study a particular restitution problem where there is an indivisible good (land or property) over which two agents have rights: the dispossessed agent and the owner. A third party, possibly the government, seeks to resolve the situation by assigning rights to one and compensate the other. There is also a maximum amount of money available for the compensation. We characterize a family of asymmetrically fair rules that are immune to strategic behavior, guarantee minimal welfare levels for the agents, and satisfy the budget constraint.

Free and Fair? A Challenge for the EU as Georgia and Ukraine gear up for elections. CEPS Commentary, 27 September 2012

In an important test for democracy, Georgia and Ukraine will go to the polls for parliamentary elections on the 1st and 28th of October, respectively. The political leaders of these two Eastern Partnership countries have committed themselves to European values and principles ��� rhetorically. In reality, the promise of their colour revolutions is unrealised and they have shifted further towards authoritarianism, albeit following different paths in their respective post-revolution periods.