Direct-on-line axial flux permanent magnet synchronous generator static and dynamic performance

In distributed energy production, permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG) are often connected to the grid via frequency converters, such as voltage source line converters. The price of the converter may constitute a large part of the costs of a generating set. Some of the permanent magnet synchronous generators with converters and traditional separately excited synchronous generators couldbe replaced by direct-on-line (DOL) non-controlled PMSGs. Small directly networkconnected generators are likely to have large markets in the area of distributed electric energy generation. Typical prime movers could be windmills, watermills and internal combustion engines. DOL PMSGs could also be applied in island networks, such as ships and oil platforms. Also various back-up power generating systems could be carried out with DOL PMSGs. The benefits would be a lower priceof the generating set and the robustness and easy use of the system. The performance of DOL PMSGs is analyzed. The electricity distribution companies have regulations that constrain the design of the generators being connected to the grid. The general guidelines and recommendations are applied in the analysis. By analyzing the results produced by the simulation model for the permanent magnet machine, the guidelines for efficient damper winding parameters for DOL PMSGs are presented. The simulation model is used to simulate grid connections and load transients. The damper winding parameters are calculated by the finite element method (FEM) and determined from experimental measurements. Three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA) is carried out. The results from the simulation model and 3D FEA are compared with practical measurements from two prototype axial flux permanent magnet generators provided with damper windings. The dimensioning of the damper winding parameters is case specific. The damper winding should be dimensioned based on the moment of inertia of the generating set. It is shown that the damper winding has optimal values to reach synchronous operation in the shortest period of time after transient operation. With optimal dimensioning, interferenceon the grid is minimized.

R&D Performance Analysis: Case Studies on the Challenges and Promotion of the Evaluation and Measurement of R&D

Due to the intense international competition, demanding, and sophisticated customers, and diverse transforming technological change, organizations need to renew their products and services by allocating resources on research and development (R&D). Managing R&D is complex, but vital for many organizations to survive in the dynamic, turbulent environment. Thus, the increased interest among decision-makers towards finding the right performance measures for R&D is understandable. The measures or evaluation methods of R&D performance can be utilized for multiple purposes; for strategic control, for justifying the existence of R&D, for providing information and improving activities, as well as for the purposes of motivating and benchmarking. The earlier research in the field of R&D performance analysis has generally focused on either the activities and considerable factors and dimensions - e.g. strategic perspectives, purposes of measurement, levels of analysis, types of R&D or phases of R&D process - prior to the selection of R&Dperformance measures, or on proposed principles or actual implementation of theselection or design processes of R&D performance measures or measurement systems. This study aims at integrating the consideration of essential factors anddimensions of R&D performance analysis to developed selection processes of R&D measures, which have been applied in real-world organizations. The earlier models for corporate performance measurement that can be found in the literature, are to some extent adaptable also to the development of measurement systemsand selecting the measures in R&D activities. However, it is necessary to emphasize the special aspects related to the measurement of R&D performance in a way that make the development of new approaches for especially R&D performance measure selection necessary: First, the special characteristics of R&D - such as the long time lag between the inputs and outcomes, as well as the overall complexity and difficult coordination of activities - influence the R&D performance analysis problems, such as the need for more systematic, objective, balanced and multi-dimensional approaches for R&D measure selection, as well as the incompatibility of R&D measurement systems to other corporate measurement systems and vice versa. Secondly, the above-mentioned characteristics and challenges bring forth the significance of the influencing factors and dimensions that need to be recognized in order to derive the selection criteria for measures and choose the right R&D metrics, which is the most crucial step in the measurement system development process. The main purpose of this study is to support the management and control of the research and development activities of organizations by increasing the understanding of R&D performance analysis, clarifying the main factors related to the selection of R&D measures and by providing novel types of approaches and methods for systematizing the whole strategy- and business-based selection and development process of R&D indicators.The final aim of the research is to support the management in their decision making of R&D with suitable, systematically chosen measures or evaluation methods of R&D performance. Thus, the emphasis in most sub-areas of the present research has been on the promotion of the selection and development process of R&D indicators with the help of the different tools and decision support systems, i.e. the research has normative features through providing guidelines by novel types of approaches. The gathering of data and conducting case studies in metal and electronic industry companies, in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, and in non-profit organizations helped us to formulate a comprehensive picture of the main challenges of R&D performance analysis in different organizations, which is essential, as recognition of the most importantproblem areas is a very crucial element in the constructive research approach utilized in this study. Multiple practical benefits regarding the defined problemareas could be found in the various constructed approaches presented in this dissertation: 1) the selection of R&D measures became more systematic when compared to the empirical analysis, as it was common that there were no systematic approaches utilized in the studied organizations earlier; 2) the evaluation methods or measures of R&D chosen with the help of the developed approaches can be more directly utilized in the decision-making, because of the thorough consideration of the purpose of measurement, as well as other dimensions of measurement; 3) more balance to the set of R&D measures was desired and gained throughthe holistic approaches to the selection processes; and 4) more objectivity wasgained through organizing the selection processes, as the earlier systems were considered subjective in many organizations. Scientifically, this dissertation aims to make a contribution to the present body of knowledge of R&D performance analysis by facilitating dealing with the versatility and challenges of R&D performance analysis, as well as the factors and dimensions influencing the selection of R&D performance measures, and by integrating these aspects to the developed novel types of approaches, methods and tools in the selection processes of R&D measures, applied in real-world organizations. In the whole research, facilitation of dealing with the versatility and challenges in R&D performance analysis, as well as the factors and dimensions influencing the R&D performance measure selection are strongly integrated with the constructed approaches. Thus, the research meets the above-mentioned purposes and objectives of the dissertation from the scientific as well as from the practical point of view.

Gas-liquid mass transfer in bubbly flow: Estimation of mass transfer, bubble size and reactor performance in various applications

Gas-liquid mass transfer is an important issue in the design and operation of many chemical unit operations. Despite its importance, the evaluation of gas-liquid mass transfer is not straightforward due to the complex nature of the phenomena involved. In this thesis gas-liquid mass transfer was evaluated in three different gas-liquid reactors in a traditional way by measuring the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa). The studied reactors were a bubble column with a T-junction two-phase nozzle for gas dispersion, an industrial scale bubble column reactor for the oxidation of tetrahydroanthrahydroquinone and a concurrent downflow structured bed.The main drawback of this approach is that the obtained correlations give only the average volumetric mass transfer coefficient, which is dependent on average conditions. Moreover, the obtained correlations are valid only for the studied geometry and for the chemical system used in the measurements. In principle, a more fundamental approach is to estimate the interfacial area available for mass transfer from bubble size distributions obtained by solution of population balance equations. This approach has been used in this thesis by developing a population balance model for a bubble column together with phenomenological models for bubble breakage and coalescence. The parameters of the bubble breakage rate and coalescence rate models were estimated by comparing the measured and calculated bubble sizes. The coalescence models always have at least one experimental parameter. This is because the bubble coalescence depends on liquid composition in a way which is difficult to evaluate using known physical properties. The coalescence properties of some model solutions were evaluated by measuring the time that a bubble rests at the free liquid-gas interface before coalescing (the so-calledpersistence time or rest time). The measured persistence times range from 10 msup to 15 s depending on the solution. The coalescence was never found to be instantaneous. The bubble oscillates up and down at the interface at least a coupleof times before coalescence takes place. The measured persistence times were compared to coalescence times obtained by parameter fitting using measured bubble size distributions in a bubble column and a bubble column population balance model. For short persistence times, the persistence and coalescence times are in good agreement. For longer persistence times, however, the persistence times are at least an order of magnitude longer than the corresponding coalescence times from parameter fitting. This discrepancy may be attributed to the uncertainties concerning the estimation of energy dissipation rates, collision rates and mechanisms and contact times of the bubbles.

Performance of an ultrasonic ranging sensor in apple tree canopies

Electronic canopy characterization is an important issue in tree crop management. Ultrasonic and optical sensors are the most used for this purpose. The objective of this work was to assess the performance of an ultrasonic sensor under laboratory and field conditions in order to provide reliable estimations of distance measurements to apple tree canopies. To this purpose, a methodology has been designed to analyze sensor performance in relation to foliage ranging and to interferences with adjacent sensors when working simultaneously. Results show that the average error in distance measurement using the ultrasonic sensor in laboratory conditions is ±0.53 cm. However, the increase of variability in field conditions reduces the accuracy of this kind of sensors when estimating distances to canopies. The average error in such situations is ±5.11 cm. When analyzing interferences of adjacent sensors 30 cm apart, the average error is ±17.46 cm. When sensors are separated 60 cm, the average error is ±9.29 cm. The ultrasonic sensor tested has been proven to be suitable to estimate distances to the canopy in field conditions when sensors are 60 cm apart or more and could, therefore, be used in a system to estimate structural canopy parameters in precision horticulture.

Effect of water velocity on the uptake of polychlorinatedd biphenyls (PCBs) by silicone rubber (SR) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) passive samplers: an assessment of the efficiency of performance reference compounds (PRCs) in river-like flow conditions

One aim of this study is to determine the impact of water velocity on the uptake of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (iPCBs) by silicone rubber (SR) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) passive samplers. A second aim is to assess the efficiency of performance reference compounds (PRCs) to correct for the impact of water velocity. SR and LDPE samplers were spiked with 11 or 12 PRCs and exposed for 6 weeks to four different velocities (in the range of 1.6 to 37.7 cm s−1) in river-like flow conditions using a channel system supplied with river water. A relationship between velocity and the uptakewas found for each iPCB and enables to determine expected changes in the uptake due to velocity variations. For both samplers, velocity increases from 2 to 10 cm s−1, 30 cm s−1 (interpolated data) and 100 cm s−1 (extrapolated data) lead to increases of the uptake which do not exceed a factor of 2, 3 and 4.5, respectively. Results also showed that the influence of velocity decreased with increasing the octanol-water coefficient partition (log Kow) of iPCBs when SR is used whereas the opposite effect was observed for LDPE. Time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations of iPCBs in water were calculated from iPCB uptake and PRC release. These calculations were performed using either a single PRC or all the PRCs. The efficiency of PRCs to correct the impact of velocity was assessed by comparing the TWA concentrations obtained at the four tested velocities. For SR, a good agreement was found among the four TWA concentrations with both methods (average RSD b 10%). Also for LDPE, PRCs offered a good correction of the impact of water velocity (average RSD of about 10 to 20%). These results contribute to the process of acceptance of passive sampling in routine regulatory monitoring programs.

The Impact of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase and Dopamine D4 Receptor Genotypes on Neurophysiological Markers of Performance Monitoring

Dynamic adaptations of one"s behavior by means of performance monitoring are a central function of the human executive system, that underlies considerable interindividual variation. Converging evidence from electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies in both animals and humans hints atthe importance ofthe dopaminergic system forthe regulation of performance monitoring. Here, we studied the impact of two polymorphisms affecting dopaminergic functioning in the prefrontal cortex [catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val108/158Met and dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-521] on neurophysiological correlates of performance monitoring. We applied a modified version of a standard flanker task with an embedded stop-signal task to tap into the different functions involved, particularly error monitoring, conflict detection and inhibitory processes. Participants homozygous for the DRD4 T allele produced an increased error-related negativity after both choice errors and failed inhibitions compared with C-homozygotes. This was associated with pronounced compensatory behavior reflected in higher post-error slowing. No group differences were seen in the incompatibility N2, suggesting distinct effects of the DRD4 polymorphism on error monitoring processes. Additionally, participants homozygous for the COMTVal allele, with a thereby diminished prefrontal dopaminergic level, revealed increased prefrontal processing related to inhibitory functions, reflected in the enhanced stop-signal-related components N2 and P3a. The results extend previous findings from mainly behavioral and neuroimaging data on the relationship between dopaminergic genes and executive functions and present possible underlying mechanisms for the previously suggested association between these dopaminergic polymorphisms and psychiatric disorders as schizophrenia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Managing material flows and improving performance in a component supplier’s internal supply chain

Tämä diplomityö tehtiin osana Componenta Cast Componentsin kolmivuotista toimitusketjujen kehitysprojektia. Työn tavoitteena oli kuvata tyypillinen yrityksen sisäinen toimitusketjuprosessi ja tehdä alustava suorituskykyanalyysi valimon ja konepajan väliseen logistiseen prosessiin liittyen. Tarkoituksena oli myös löytää kehityskohteita materiaali- ja tietovirtojen hallinnassa näiden tuotantoyksiköiden välillä. Logistiikkaan, toimitusketjujen hallintaan ja toimitusketjun suorituskyvyn mittaamiseen liittyvän kirjallisuustutkimuksen sekä käytännön perusteella valittiin sopivat analyysimenetelmät. Näitä menetelmiä hyödynnettiin tilaustoimitus – prosessin kuvaamisessa sekä suorituskyvyn analysoinnissa yrityksen sisäisessä toimitusketjussa. Luonnollisena jatkona kehitettiin ja pantiin käytäntöön toimitusketjua synkronoiva imutyyppinen tuotannon- ja materiaalinohjausmenetelmä. Diplomityöprojektin aikana kehitettiin myös apuvälineet käyttöönotetun menetelmän asianmukaista hyödyntämistä varten. Diplomityöprojektissa otettiin ensimmäiset askeleet kohti integroitua sisäistä toimitusketjua. Uuden tuotannon- ja materiaalinohjausmenetelmän standardisointi muihin menetelmiin yhdistettynä, sekä toimitusketjun avainmittarien jatkokehitys on jo alkanut. Läpimenoaikoja lyhentämällä ja synkronoidun, läpinäkyvän kysyntä-tarjontaketjun avulla integroitumisen astetta voidaan nostaa edelleen. Poikkiorganisatorinen kehitys ja johtaminen toimitusketjussa on avainedellytys menestykseen.

Évaluation d'une structure gériatrique entre l'ambulatoire et l'hospitalier [Geriatric institutions, between ambulatory and hospital care: patients' description and performance assessment].

Introduction : Décrire les patients d'une structure gériatrique offrant des hospitalisations de courte durée, dans un contexte ambulatoire, pour des situations gériatriques courantes dans le canton de Genève (Suisse). Mesurer les performances de cette structure en termes de qualité des soins et de coûts. Méthodes : Des données relatives au profil des 100 premiers patients ont été collectées (huit mois), ainsi qu'aux prestations, aux ressources et aux effets (réadmissions, décès, satisfaction, complications) de manière à mesurer différents indicateurs de qualité et de coûts. Les valeurs observées ont été systématiquement comparées aux valeurs attendues, calculées à partir du profil des patients. Résultats : Des critères d'admission ont été fixés pour exclure les situations dans lesquelles d'autres structures offrent des soins mieux adaptés. La spécificité de cette structure intermédiaire a été d'assurer une continuité des soins et d'organiser d'emblée le retour à domicile par des prestations de liaison ambulatoire. La faible occurrence des réadmissions potentiellement évitables, une bonne satisfaction des patients, l'absence de décès prématurés et le faible nombre de complications suggèrent que les soins médicaux et infirmiers ont été délivrés avec une bonne qualité. Le coût s'est révélé nettement plus économique que des séjours hospitaliers après ajustement pour la lourdeur des cas. Conclusion : L'expérience-pilote a démontré la faisabilité et l'utilité d'une unité d'hébergement et d'hospitalisation de court séjour en toute sécurité. Le suivi du patient par le médecin traitant assure une continuité des soins et évite la perte d'information lors des transitions ainsi que les examens non pertinents. INTRODUCTION: To describe patients admitted to a geriatric institution, providing short-term hospitalizations in the context of ambulatory care in the canton of Geneva. To measure the performances of this structure in terms of quality ofcare and costs. METHOD: Data related to the clinical,functioning and participation profiles of the first 100 patients were collected. Data related to effects (readmission, deaths, satisfaction, complications), services and resources were also documented over an 8-month period to measure various quality and costindicators. Observed values were systematically compared to expected values, adjusted for case mix. RESULTS: Explicit criteria were proposed to focus on the suitable patients, excluding situations in which other structures were considered to be more appropriate. The specificity of this intermediate structure was to immediately organize, upon discharge, outpatient services at home. The low rate of potentially avoidable readmissions, the high patient satisfaction scores, the absence of premature death and the low number of iatrogenic complications suggest that medical and nursing care delivered reflect a good quality of services. The cost was significantly lower than expected, after adjusting for case mix. CONCLUSION: The pilot experience showed that a short-stay hospitalization unit was feasible with acceptable security conditions. The attending physician's knowledge of the patients allowed this system tofocus on essential issues without proposing inappropriate services.

Performance Tuning of Fenix Logistic Systems

Työn tavoitteena oli selvittää Stora Enso Oyj:llä käytössä olevan Fenix myynnin- ja logistiikanhallintajärjestelmän logistiikkapalveluiden suorituskyky, tuottaa asiakasohjelmisto suorituskykymittauksista muodostuneen tiedon hallintaan sekä tuottaa toteuttamissuunnitelma suorituskyvyn parantamiseksi. Suorituskyky mitattiin käyttämällä TUXEDOn tarjoamia ominaisuuksia. Suorituskykymittausten tuloksien arviointia varten rakennettiin asiakasohjelmisto, jolla pystyttiin tuottamaan tarvittavat yhteenvetotiedot palveluiden kestoista ja rakenteista. Valmiita ratkaisuja ei ollut tarjolla, joten kaikki tarvittavat ohjelmistot on rakennettu osana tätä työtä. Kaikki komponenttiliittymät toteutettiin siten, että myös muitakin kuin logistiikkaan liittyviä palveluita voidaan tarvittaessa mitata. Mittausten tuloksena saatuja keskimääräisiä suoritusaikoja käytettiin hyväksi toteuttamissuunnitelmaa tehdessä. Toteutussuunnitelma sisältää useiden logistiikka-alueiden kehittämisideoita, joilla Fenixin logistiikkapalveluiden suorituskykyä voidaan tehostaa., ja nykyinen järjestelmän toimintanopeus pystytään säilyttämään tulevaisuudessa. Toteuttamissuunnitelmassa esitettyjä toimenpiteitä tullaan toteuttamaan TietoEnator Oyj:ssä vuoden 2003 aikana.

Reusable Bluetooth Networking Component for Symbian Operating System

Tässä diplomityössä käsitellään eri näkökulmia ohjelmistojen uudelleenkäyttöön sekä esitellään perustiedot langattomiin laitteisiin käytettävästä Symbian-käyttöjärjestelmästä ja langattomasta Bluetooth-teknologiasta. Työn käytännön osuudessa suunniteltiin ja toteutettiin uudelleenkäytettävä Bluetooth-ohjelmistokomponentti Symbiankäyttöjärjestelmälle. Ohjelmistojen uudelleenkäytön edut ovat erittäin selkeitä. Uudelleenkäytettävät ohjelmistokomponentit parantavat ohjelmiston laatua ja suorituskykyä. Ohjelmistotuotteiden tuotekehityssykliä voidaan lyhentää merkittävästi ja kehitystyön kokonaiskustannuksia voidaan alentaa tehokkaalla uudelleenkäyttöohjelmalla. Kuitenkin uudelleenkäytöllä on myös esteitä, esimerkkeinä näistä ovat mm. resurssien puute, koulutus sekä uudelleenkäytön vastaiset asenteet. Bluetooth-teknologia on kypsynyt viimeisen kahden vuoden aikana, kun markkinoille on tullut yhä enemmän Bluetooth-laitteita ja niitä käyttäviä sovelluksia. Kehitetty komponentti tarjoaa perustoiminnallisuudet Bluetooth-yhteyksien muodostamiselle ja datan siirtämiselle laitteiden välillä.

Protocol Specific Embedded Operating System

Sulautettujen järjestelmien määrä kuten niiden sisältämä älykkyyskin ovat viime vuosina kasvaneet merkittävästi. Sulautettujen ohjelmistojen yleistymistä ja monipuolistumista on edesauttanut sulautettujen laitteistojen prosessointitehon merkittävä kehittyminen, jonka myötä entistä vaativampien ohjelmistojen totetuttaminen sulautetusti on mahdollistunut. Seuraavana sulautettujen järjestelmien kehitysaskeleena on nähtävissä järjestelmien kommunikointikyvyn paraneminen ja siten uusien ja uudentyyppisten sulautettujen ratkaisujen toteuttaminen. VTT on päättänyt tutkia sulautettujen järjestelmien kommunikointia ja kehittää sulautettun protokolla-alustan. Tutkimuksen perusta on CVOPS protokollajärjestelmä, jota jatkokehittämällä pyritään toteuttamaan sulautettu protokollajärjestelmä, µCVOPS. Tässä diplomityössä esitetään kommunikaation sulautetulle järjestelmälle asettamia vaatimuksia, järjestelmän suunnittelu ja prototyypitys sulautetulla laitteistolla. Prototyypitykseen on käytetty sulautettua DragonBall mikrokontrolleria jonka käyttöjärjestelmänä käytettiin sulautettua Linux:a. Tälle alustalle on tehty CVOPS:sta modifioitu versio, jolla µCVOPS:ia pystytään simuloimaan.

Assessing e-procurement System for Improving the Purchasing Operations

Diplomityön tavoitteena oli luoda suunnitelma elektronisen hankintatoimen aloittamiseksi, analysoimalla nykyisiä ostoprosesseja ja konsernin laajuista elektronista hankintajärjestelmää. Työ pohjautuu yritysten väliseen elektroniseen kauppaan, elektroniseen hankintatoimeen ja systeemisuunnitteluun liittyvään kirjallisuuteen. Työssä tehdyn suunnitelman tarkoituksena on auttaa Siemens Oy:tä siirtymään uuteen elektroniseen ostotoimintaan. Elektroniselle ostotoiminnalle suunniteltiin tavoitteet ja näitä vastaavat vaatimukset. Elektronisen hankintajärjestelmän analysointi perustuu kirjallisuudessa esitettyihin järjestelmän elinkaari-mallin vaiheisiin. Analysoinnin tarkoituksena oli saada selville järjestelmän soveltuvuus Siemens Oy: n liiketoimintaympäristöön, prosesseihin ja vaatimuksiin. Elektronisen hankintatoiminnan etuja ovat liiketoiminta prosessien johtamisen parantuminen, kustannusten väheneminen sekä taloudellisen suorituskyvyn lisääntyminen. Elektronisen hankintatoiminnan aloittaminen vaatii kuitenkin huolellista suunnittelua. Työssä tehdyt suunnitelmat ja analysoinnit auttavat arvioidessa järjestelmän sopivuutta Siemens Oy: n vaatimuksiin. Oikean ja toimivan järjestelmän valinta ei kuitenkaan takaa elektronisesta hankintatoiminnasta hyötymistä. Tärkeimpiä jatkotoimenpiteitä onkin suorittaa kustannus/hyöty analyysi ja arvioida toimittajien halukkuutta ja kykyjä osallistua markkinapaikkaan.

Implementation of counter testing in Nokia Automation System

In this study the performance measurement, a part of the research and development of the RNC, was improved by implementing counter testing to the Nokia Automation System. The automation of counter testing is a feature the customer ordered, because performing counter testing manually is rather complex. The objective was to implement an automated counter testing system, which once configured correctly, would manage to run the testing and perform the analysis. The requirements for the counter testing were first studied. It was investigated if the auto-mation of the feature was feasible in the meetings with the customer. The basic functionality required for the automation was also drawn. The technologies used in the architecture of the Nokia Automation System were studied. Based on the results of the study, a new technology, wxWidgets, was introduced. The new technology was necessary to facilitate the implementing of the required feature. Finally the implementation of the counter testing was defined and implemented. The result of this study was the automation of the counter testing method developed as a new feature for the Nokia Automation System. The feature meets the specifications and requirements set by the customer. The performing of the counter testing feature is totally automated. Only configuration of the test cases is done by the user. The customer has presented new requests to further develop the feature and there are plans by the Nokia Automation System developers to implement those in the near future. The study describes the implementation of the counter testing feature introduced. The results of the study give guidelines for further developing the feature.

Developing supply chain performance measurement metrics, case Halton Oy

Tämä tutkimus pyrkii selvittämään, miten toimitusketjun suorituskykyä voidaan mitata kohdeyrityksessä. Supply Chain Council (SCC) on vuonna 1996 kehittänyt Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) – mallin, joka mahdollistaa myös suorituskyvyn mittaamisen. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on soveltaa SCOR-mallin suorituskyvyn mittausmallia kohdeyrityksessä. Työ on kvalitatiivinen tapaustutkimus. Työn teoriaosassa on pääasiallisesti käsitelty toimitusketjua ja suorituskyvyn mittaamista koskevaa kirjallisuutta. Mittausjärjestelmän luominen alkaa kohdeyrityksen esittelyllä. SCOR – mallin mittarit on kohdeyrityksessä rakennettu SCC:n ehdotusten mukaisesti, jotta mittareiden tulokset olisivat käyttökelpoisia myös benchmarkkausta varten. Malli sisältää 10 SCOR – mittaria, sekä muutamia muita Haltonin omia mittareita. Lopputuloksena voidaan nähdä, että SCOR – malli antaa hyvän yleiskuvan toimitusketjun suorituskyvystä, mutta kohdeyrityksessä on silti tarvetta kehittää edelleen informatiivisempia mittareita, jotka antaisivat yksityiskohtaisempaa tietoa kohdeyrityksen johdolle.

Impact of quality improvement tools on the performance of firms using different quality management systems

This study compares the impact of quality management tools on the performance of organisations utilising the ISO 9001:2000 standard as a basis for a quality-management system band those utilising the EFQM model for this purpose. A survey is conducted among 107 experienced and independent quality-management assessors. The study finds that organisations with qualitymanagement systems based on the ISO 9001:2000 standard tend to use general-purpose qualitative tools, and that these do have a relatively positive impact on their general performance. In contrast, organisations adopting the EFQM model tend to use more specialised quantitative tools, which produce significant improvements in specific aspects of their performance. The findings of the study will enable organisations to choose the most effective quality-improvement tools for their particular quality strategy