Comportamento fotofísico do antraceno em sistemas micro-heterogêneos argila-surfactantes-íons metálicos

Argilas constituem uma classe de complexos micro-heterogêneos e podem ser utilizados como substrato para adsorção. O seu comportamento de sorção em fase sólida intensificada pela presença de surfactantes, argilas organofílicas, é um importante fenômeno explorado pela tecnologia ambiental para a remoção de compostos orgânicos policíclicos (hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos, HPA) da água, introduzidos no ambiente por fontes antropogênicas. Este trabalho tem por objetivo estudar o comportamento fotofísico do antraceno, como modelo de HPA, em sistemas micro-heterogêneos argila-surfactantes-íons metálicos (M(II)= Cd(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), Ni(II) e Pb(II); surfactantes: CTACl; SDS; TR-X100). Os estudos foram conduzidos pelo monitoramento na mudança das propriedades de fluorescência estática e na supressão da emissão do antraceno utilizado como sonda fluorescente. Como supressores foram utilizados os cátions metálicos: Cd(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), Ni(II) e Pb(II). O perfil do espectro de fluorescência e os resultados dos ensaios de supressão da fluorescência da sonda permitiram inferir na localização do sítio de solubilização do antraceno nos sistemas micro-heterogêneos estudados e na conseqüente organização dos mesmos.

Effect of hydrodynamics on modelling, monitoring and control of crystallization

Crystallization is a purification method used to obtain crystalline product of a certain crystal size. It is one of the oldest industrial unit processes and commonly used in modern industry due to its good purification capability from rather impure solutions with reasonably low energy consumption. However, the process is extremely challenging to model and control because it involves inhomogeneous mixing and many simultaneous phenomena such as nucleation, crystal growth and agglomeration. All these phenomena are dependent on supersaturation, i.e. the difference between actual liquid phase concentration and solubility. Homogeneous mass and heat transfer in the crystallizer would greatly simplify modelling and control of crystallization processes, such conditions are, however, not the reality, especially in industrial scale processes. Consequently, the hydrodynamics of crystallizers, i.e. the combination of mixing, feed and product removal flows, and recycling of the suspension, needs to be thoroughly investigated. Understanding of hydrodynamics is important in crystallization, especially inlargerscale equipment where uniform flow conditions are difficult to attain. It is also important to understand different size scales of mixing; micro-, meso- and macromixing. Fast processes, like nucleation and chemical reactions, are typically highly dependent on micro- and mesomixing but macromixing, which equalizes the concentrations of all the species within the entire crystallizer, cannot be disregarded. This study investigates the influence of hydrodynamics on crystallization processes. Modelling of crystallizers with the mixed suspension mixed product removal (MSMPR) theory (ideal mixing), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and a compartmental multiblock model is compared. The importance of proper verification of CFD and multiblock models is demonstrated. In addition, the influence of different hydrodynamic conditions on reactive crystallization process control is studied. Finally, the effect of extreme local supersaturation is studied using power ultrasound to initiate nucleation. The present work shows that mixing and chemical feeding conditions clearly affect induction time and cluster formation, nucleation, growth kinetics, and agglomeration. Consequently, the properties of crystalline end products, e.g. crystal size and crystal habit, can be influenced by management of mixing and feeding conditions. Impurities may have varying impacts on crystallization processes. As an example, manganese ions were shown to replace magnesium ions in the crystal lattice of magnesium sulphate heptahydrate, increasing the crystal growth rate significantly, whereas sodium ions showed no interaction at all. Modelling of continuous crystallization based on MSMPR theory showed that the model is feasible in a small laboratoryscale crystallizer, whereas in larger pilot- and industrial-scale crystallizers hydrodynamic effects should be taken into account. For that reason, CFD and multiblock modelling are shown to be effective tools for modelling crystallization with inhomogeneous mixing. The present work shows also that selection of the measurement point, or points in the case of multiprobe systems, is crucial when process analytical technology (PAT) is used to control larger scale crystallization. The thesis concludes by describing how control of local supersaturation by highly localized ultrasound was successfully applied to induce nucleation and to control polymorphism in reactive crystallization of L-glutamic acid.

Understanding change processes in business networks : a study of convergence in Finnish telecommunications 1985-2005

Aktörer inom telekommunikationsbranschen i Finland har genomgått en intensiv förändring under de senaste 25 åren, från 1980-talets självständiga företag till företag beroende av varandra, och även av aktörer inom närliggande branscher. I dag skapas telekommunikationsmarknaden inte endast av operatörerna, utan också av mediebolag (t.ex. MTV Media) och IT-företag (t.ex. TietoEnator). Gränserna mellan olika industrier håller därmed på att suddas ut - ett fenomen som allmänt benämns som teknologisk konvergens. Konvergens innebär att någonting integreras; det kan handla om t.ex. teknologier (telefoni och Internet), företag (AOL och Time Warner), industrier (telekom, media och IT-branscherna), tjänster (mobilt TV), produkter (PDA) osv. Detta innebär att ytterst få telekomaktörer ensamma kan vidareutveckla marknaden och tekniska lösningar. Samarbete mellan aktörer krävs; mobiltelefontillverkare, innehållsproducenter, operatörer osv. bör intesifiera sitt samarbete för att kunna erbjuda attraktiva tjänster och produkter till kunder och slutanvändare. Avhandlingen fokuserar speciellt på affärsnätverk och samarbetsmönster mellan nätverksaktörer som medel för att få tillgång till resurser som krävs i en konvergenskarakteriserad affärsomgivning. Avhandlingen lyfter fram vad den teknologiska konvergensen har inneburit för telekomaktörer, dvs. att företag tvingats förändra sina strategier och verksamhetsmodeller. För många företag i branschen har anpassningen till konvergenstänkande varit utmanande, och i vissa fall kan man till och med tala om att företagen upplevt en identitetskris. Den utförda forskningen visar att konvergens uppfattas på marknaden som en pågående förändringsprocess, där varje telekomaktör är tvungen att utvärdera sin roll och position i relation till andra aktörer inom branschen. Konvergensprocesser forsätter i framtiden med ökad intensitet. Aktörerna skapar medvetet sin omgivning genom att agera i olika roller, som kan sträcka sig över industrigränser. Avhandlingen påvisar även att externa händelser och industrikontexten påverkar dynamiken i ett affärsnätverk.

Innovations of ageing and societal transition : Dynamics of change of the socio-technical regime of ageing

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the dynamics of the socio-technical system in the field of ageing. The study stems from the notion that the ageing of the population as a powerful megatrend has wide societal effects, and is not just a matter for the social and health sector. The central topic in the study is change: not only the age structures and structures of society are changing, but also at the same time there is constant development, for instance, in technologies, infrastructures and cultural perceptions. The changing concept of innovation has widened the understanding of innovations related to ageing from medical and assistive technological innovations to service and social innovations, as well as systemic innovations at different levels, which means the intertwined and co-evolutionary change in technologies, structures, services and thinking models. By the same token, the perceptions of older people and old age are becoming more multi-faceted: old age is no longer equated to illnesses and decline, but visions of active ageing and a third age have emerged, which are framed by choices, opportunities, resources and consumption in later life. The research task in this study is to open up the processes and mechanisms of change in the field of ageing, which are studied as a complex, multi-level and interrelated socio-technical system. The question is about co-effective elements consisting of macro-level landscape changes, the existing socio-technical regime (the rule system, practices and structures) and bottom-up niche-innovations. Societal transitions do not account for the things inside the regime alone, or for the long-term changes in the landscape, nor for the radical innovations, but for the interplay between all these levels. The research problem is studied through five research articles, which offer micro-level case studies to macro-level phenomenon. Each of the articles focus on different aspects related to ageing and change, and utilise various datasets. The framework of this study leans on the studies of socio-technical systems and multi-level perspective on transitions mainly developed by Frank Geels. Essential factors in transition from one socio-technological regime to another are the co-evolutionary processes between landscape changes, regime level and experimental niches. Landscape level changes, like the ageing of the population, destabilise the regime in the forms of coming pressures. This destabilization offers windows for opportunity to niche-innovations outside or at fringe of the regime, which, through their breakthrough, accelerate the transition process. However, the change is not easy because of various kinds of lock-ins and inertia, which tend to maintain the stability of the regime. In this dissertation, a constructionist approach of society is applied leaning mainly to the ideas of Anthony Giddens’ theory of structuration, with the dual nature of structures. The change is taking place in the interplay between actors and structures: structures shape people’s practices, but at the same time these practices constitute and reproduce social systems. Technology and other material aspects, as part of socio-technical systems, and the use of them, also take part in the structuration process. The findings of the study point out that co-evolutionary and co-effective relationships between economic, cultural, technological and institutional fields, as well as relationships between landscape changes, changes in the local and regime-level practices and rule systems, are a very complex and multi-level dynamic socio-technical phenomenon. At the landscape level of ageing, which creates the pressures and triggers to the regime change, there are three remarkable megatrends: demographic change, changes in the global economy and the development of technologies. These exert pressures to the socio-technical regime, which as a rule system is experiencing changes in the form of new markets and consumer habits, new ways of perceiving ageing, new models of organising the health care and other services and as new ways of considering innovation and innovativeness. There are also inner dynamics in the relationships between these aspects within the regime. These are interrelated and coconstructed: the prevailing perceptions of ageing and innovation, for instance, reflect the ageing policies, innovation policies, societal structures, organising models, technology and scientific discussion, and vice versa. Technology is part of the inner dynamics of the sociotechnological regime. Physical properties of the artefacts set limitations and opportunities with regard to their functions and uses. The use of and discussion about technology, contributes producing and reproducing the perceptions of old age. For societal transition, micro-level changes are also needed, in form of niche-innovations, for instance new services, organisational models or new technologies, Regimes, as stabilitystriven systems, tend to generate incremental innovations, but radically new innovations are generated in experimental niches protected from ‘normal’ market selection. The windows of opportunity for radical novelties may be opened if the circumstances are favourable for instance by tensions in the socio-technical regime affected by landscape level changes. This dissertation indicates that a change is taking place, firstly, in the dynamic interactionbetween levels, as a result of purposive action and governance to some extent. Breaking the inertia and using the window of opportunity for change and innovation offered by dynamics between levels, presupposes the actors’ special capabilities and actions such as dynamic capabilities and distance management. Secondly, the change is taking place the socio-technological negotiations inside the regime: interaction between technological and social, which is embodied in the use of technology. The use of technology includes small-level contextual scripts that also participate in forming broader societal scripts (for instance defining old age at the society level), which in their turn affect the formation of policies for innovation and ageing. Thirdly, the change is taking place by the means of active formation of the multi-actor innovation networks, where the role of distance management is crucial to facilitate the communication between actors coming from different backgrounds as well as to help the niches born outside the regime to utilise the window of opportunity offered by regime destabilisation. This dissertation has both theoretical and practical contributions. This study participates in the discussion of action-oriented view on transition by opening up of the socio-technological, coevolutionary processes of the multi-faceted phenomenon of ageing, which has lacked systematic analyses. The focus of this study, however, is not on the large-scale coordination and governance, but rather on opening up the incremental elements and structuration processes, which contribute to the transition little by little, and which can be affected to. This increases the practical importance of this dissertation, by highlighting the importance of very tiny, everyday elements in the change processes in the long run.

Teollisuuden jäähdytysjärjestelmät. Case: Kaasunerotuslaitteiston evaluointi

Teollisuuden jäähdytysjärjestelmiä tarvitaan prosessien lämpötilan ja paineen hal-litsemiseen. Vesi on käytetyin lämmönsiirtoaine hyvän saatavuutensa, halvan hin-nan ja korkean lämmönsiirtokyvyn ansiosta. Jäähdytysjärjestelmät jaetaan kolmeen päätyyppiin, joita ovat läpivirtausjäähdytys, suljettu ja avoin kiertojäähdytys. Kullakin järjestelmätyypillä on tyypilliset alatyyppinsä. Avoimella kiertojär-jestelmällä on eniten alatyyppejä, joista yleisin on jäähdytystorni. Jäähdytystorneja on kolmea tyyppiä: märkä-, kuiva ja hybriditorni. Kullakin järjestelmätyypillä on ominaiset piirteensä käyttökohteiden, ympäristövaikutusten, ohjattavuuden, investointi- ja käyttökulujen suhteen, joita tässä työssä esitellään. Työssä tutkitaan teollisuuden jäähdytysjärjestelmien esittelyn lisäksi erään ali-painekaasunpoistimen soveltuvuutta suljetun kiertojäähdytysjärjestelmän kaasun-poistoon. Suljettuun kiertojäähdytysjärjestelmään jää ilmaa täyttövaiheessa ja kul-keutuu liuenneena käytettävän jäähdytysveden mukana. Muodostuva ylikylläinen seos synnyttää veden sekaan ilmakuplia, jotka aiheuttavat korroosiota kemiallisesti ja kuluttamalla. Lisäksi kaasukuplat vievät tilavuutta nesteeltä. Tämä pienentää järjestelmän jäähdytystehoa merkittävästi, koska kaasun lämmönsiirtokyky verrat-tuna veden lämmönsiirtokykyyn on pieni. Työssä esitellään myös muita mahdolli-sia suljetun järjestelmän kaasulähteitä ja niiden aiheuttamia ongelmia. Alipainekaasunpoistimen kaasunerotustehokkuutta mitattiin jäähdytysvesinäyttei-den selkeytymisnopeudella ja lämmönsiirtimien tehon paranemisella. Kahden viikon tarkastelujaksolla selkeytymisajat paranivat 36–60 % eri mittauspaikoissa ja lämmönsiirtimien tehot paranivat 6–29 %. Järjestelmään kuitenkin jäi merkittävä määrä kaasua, vaikka laitteen käyttöä jatkettiin tarkastelujakson jälkeen, joten tavoitteisiin ei päästy. Tutkitun alipainekaasunpoistolaitteen ei todettu soveltuvan tehdasympäristöön kestämättömyyden, hankalakäyttöisyyden ja tehottomuuden takia. Tulokset kuitenkin osoittavat, että kaasunerotuksella on merkittävä vaikutus suljetun jäähdytysjärjestelmän toimivuuteen ja saavutettavaan jäähdytystehoon.

Usability of laser–arc hybrid welding processes in industrial applications

Metal industries producing thick sections have shown increasing interest in the laser–arc hybrid welding process because of its clear advantages compared with the individual processes of autogenous laser welding and arc welding. One major benefit of laser–arc hybrid welding is that joints with larger gaps can be welded with acceptable quality compared to autogenous laser welding. The laser-arc hybrid welding process has good potential to extend the field of applications of laser technology, and provide significant improvements in weld quality and process efficiency in manufacturing applications. The objective of this research is to present a parameter set-up for laser–arc hybrid welding processes, introduce a methodical comparison of the chosen parameters, and discuss how this technology may be adopted in industrial applications. The research describes the principles, means and applications of different types of laser–arc hybrid welding processes. Conducted experiment processing variables are presented and compared using an analytical model which can also be used for predictive simulations. The main argument in this thesis is that profound understanding of the advanced technology of laser-arc hybrid welding will help improve the productivity of welding in industrial applications. Based on a review of the current knowledge base, important areas for further research are also identified. This thesis consists of two parts. The first part introduces the research topic and discusses laser–arc hybrid welding by characterizing its mechanism and most important variables. The second part comprises four research papers elaborating on the performance of laser– arc hybrid welding in the joining of metals. The study uses quantitative and qualitative research methods which include in-depth, interpretive analyses of results from a number of research groups. In the interpretive analysis, the emphasis is placed on the relevance and usefulness of the investigative results drawn from other research publications. The results of this study contribute to research on laser–arc hybrid welding by increasing understanding of how old and new perspectives on laser–arc hybrid welding are evidenced in industry. The research methodology applied permits continued exploration of how laser–arc hybrid welding and various process factors influence the overall quality of the weld. Thestudy provides a good foundation for future research, creates improved awareness of the laser–arc hybrid welding process, and assists the metal industry to maximize welding productivity.

Karneval i klassrum – kunskap på hjul : en studie av elevers möten med clown analyserade med narrativ metod och poetisk etnografi

The aim of this study is to contribute to the knowledge about learning in and through art related to pupils’ study processes developing clown characters in secondary school. The pre understanding of this qualitative piece of micro ethnographic research is that the elaboration of clown has openness to play, creative activity and imagination. The art form clown inspires and motivates. The clown character creates a kind and friendly atmosphere, calls upon smile, which promotes learning. It is an art form promoting deep and personal reflection and evoking questions regarding identity formation. The pre understanding finally is that existential themes are brought to articulation in the art form clown. The problem formulation for the hermeneutic phenomenological study is an exploration of the meaning potential of an arts educational work with clown from the pupils’ as well as the teacher’s perspective. The study elaborates the following research questions: 1.) How are the pupils staging themselves in the work with clown? a) How are they constructing the clown character? b) How do they reflect upon their construction? c) What are the characteristics of the working process in the elaboration of clown? 2.) What is characteristic of the teacher’s contribution to the arts educational work? 3.) What is characteristic of the meaning making in the elaboration of clown? One group of 21 pupils and their drama teacher in a Swedish secondary school in six workshops (each one 90 minutes) elaborating the clown theme is the group under study through video observation, interviews, students’ logs and drawings, teacher log and researcher’s field notes. The theoretical framework comprises three perspectives on clown: a perspective on the culture of carnival, a drama education perspective and a performance perspective. Through a content analysis of texts about clown a set of characteristics for the clown is used as analytical concepts in the subsequent analysis of the pupils’ working process when they create three clown characters: August, the white clown and the bag lady. The results are presented as fictive narratives built on the video observations and the interviews. The presentation is brought to even more condensation through poetic ethnographic writing of haiku poems by the researcher. This ethnographic writing is idiomatic to the art form under study, and can be seen as a metaphorical meta commentary to the narratives. As a main result the researcher has developed a model describing the different aspects of the clown characters and the meaning potential of the clown as learning regarding exploration of identity and elaboration of existential questions regarding life, loneliness, love, religion and death.

Measuring Processes of a New Packaging Solutions with the Balanced Scorecard, case DigiCup

The aim of this study was to create a Balanced Scorecard to the DigiCup solution. The first goal was to create process descriptions to the few critical processes. The second goal was to define appropriate measurements, according to customer survey as well as following the Balanced Scorecard process description, to manage the critical success factors. The overall goal of this study was to create a performance measurement system for the solution which guides the operation towards continuous improvement. This study was conducted by using both qualitative and quantitative methods, and the analysis was done by using a case study method. The material was gathered from the current customers, the management and the employees using structured, semi-structured and open group and individual interviews. The current customers were divided into retailers and direct customers of the DigiCup solution. The questions which the customers were asked were related to the information about interviewee, company, business strategy, market, satisfaction survey and future requirements. The management defined the strategy and took part in specifying the perspectives, objectives and measurements to the Balanced Scorecard of the DigiCup solution. The employees participated into the choosing of the metrics. The material consisted from altogether sixteen interviews. At the beginning of the study the product development, the order-delivery as well as the printing processes was chosen to be the critical processes of the DigiCup solution. These processes were concentrated on already in the literature review while trying to find the characteristics of these processes as well as the critical success factors and the appropriate measurements, which could be utilized when creating the Balanced Scorecard to the DigiCup solution according to the customer survey. The appropriate perspectives, objectives and measurements were found to the DigiCup solution. The chosen measures works as a basis for the development of IT-reporting tool. As a conclusion it can be stated that when discussing a new business, where the objectives are changing according to which development’s phases the company is in, the measurement should be updated often enough.

Evaluation of energy efficiency and best available techniques in pumping processes

The potential for enhancing the energy efficiency of industrial pumping processes is estimated to be in some cases up to 50 %. One way to define further this potential is to implement techniques in accordance to definition of best available techniques in pumping applications. These techniques are divided into three main categories: Design, control method & maintenance and distribution system. In the theory part of this thesis first the definition of best available techniques (BAT) and its applicability on pumping processes is issued. Next, the theory around pumping with different pump types is handled, the main stress being in centrifugal pumps. Other components needed in a pumping process are dealt by presenting different control methods, use of an electric motor, variable speed drive and the distribution system. Last part of the theory is about industrial pumping processes from water distribution, sewage water and power plant applications, some of which are used further on in the empirical part as example cases. For the empirical part of this study four case studies on typical pumping processes from older Master’s these were selected. Firstly the original results were analyzed by studying the distribution of energy consumption between different system components and using the definition of BAT in pumping, possible ways to improve energy efficiency were evaluated. The goal in this study was that by the achieved results it would be possible to identify the characteristic energy consumption of these and similar pumping processes. Through this data it would then be easier to focus energy efficiency actions where they might be the most applicable, both technically and economically.

Making Sense of Shared Leadership. A case study of leadership processes and practices without formal leadership structure in the team context

Leadership is essential for the effectiveness of the teams and organizations they are part of. The challenges facing organizations today require an exhaustive review of the strategic role of leadership. In this context, it is necessary to explore new types of leadership capable of providing an effective response to new needs. The presentday situations, characterized by complexity and ambiguity, make it difficult for an external leader to perform all leadership functions successfully. Likewise, knowledge-based work requires providing professional groups with sufficient autonomy to perform leadership functions. This study focuses on shared leadership in the team context. Shared leadership is seen as an emergent team property resulting from the distribution of leadership influence across multiple team members. Shared leadership entails sharing power and influence broadly among the team members rather than centralizing it in the hands of a single individual who acts in the clear role of a leader. By identifying the team itself as a key source of influence, this study points to the relational nature of leadership as a social construct where leadership is seen as social process of relating processes that are co-constructed by several team members. Based on recent theoretical developments concerned with relational, practice-based and constructionist approaches to the study of leadership processes, this thesis proposes the study of leadership interactions, working processes and practices to focus on the construction of direction, alignment and commitment. During the research process, critical events, activities, working processes and practices of a case team have been examined and analyzed with the grounded theory –approach in the terms of shared leadership. There are a variety of components to this complex process and a multitude of factors that may influence the development of shared leadership. The study suggests that the development process of shared leadership is a common sense -making process and consists of four overlapping dimensions (individual, social, structural, and developmental) to work with as a team. For shared leadership to emerge, the members of the team must offer leadership services, and the team as a whole must be willing to rely on leadership by multiple team members. For these individual and collective behaviors to occur, the team members must believe that offering influence to and accepting it from fellow team members are welcome and constructive actions. Leadership emerges when people with differing world views use dialogue and collaborative learning to create spaces where a shared common purpose can be achieved while a diversity of perspectives is preserved and valued. This study also suggests that this process can be supported by different kinds of meaning-making and process tools. Leadership, then, does not reside in a person or in a role, but in the social system. The built framework integrates the different dimensions of shared leadership and describes their relationships. This way, the findings of this study can be seen as a contribution to the understanding of what constitutes essential aspects of shared leadership in the team context that can be of theoretical value in terms of advancing the adoption and development process of shared leadership. In the real world, teams and organizations can create conditions to foster and facilitate the process. We should encourage leaders and team members to approach leadership as a collective effort that the team can be prepared for, so that the response is rapid and efficient.

Kuulla vai kuunnella – käyttäjää osallistavan palveluinnovoinnin lähestymistavan toteuttamisen haasteita julkisella sektorilla

Julkisen sektorin itsensä synnyttämien innovaatioiden ja innovoinnin näkökulma on verrattain tuore innovaatiotutkimuksen tutkimuskohde. Vielä uudempaa lähestymistapaa edustaa käyttäjälähtöinen ja käyttäjää osallistava palveluinnovaatiotutkimus julkisella sektorilla. Käyttäjälähtöisen ja käyttäjää osallistavan palveluinnovoinnin lähestymistavan toteuttamisesta ollaan kiinnostuneita, mutta tieteelliseen tutkimukseen perustuva tieto lähestymistavasta on vielä kohtuullisen niukkaa. Tämän käyttäjälähtöiseen palvelujen innovointiin keskittyvän väitöskirjatutkimuksen päätavoitteena on mikrotasolla tunnistaa ja ryhmitellä käyttäjää osallistavan palveluinnovoinnin lähestymistavan toteuttamisen haasteita julkisella sektorilla. Väitöskirjatutkimuksen alatavoitteena on tutkimuksesta saatavan tiedon avulla muodostaa kysymyslista tukemaan lähestymistavan käyttöönottamista ja toteuttamista julkisen sektorin palveluorganisaatioissa ja -verkostoissa. Julkisen palvelusektorin ohella väitöskirjan tutkimustuloksia voivat soveltuvin osin hyödyntää myös yksityisen ja kolmannen sektorin palveluorganisaatiot ja -verkostot sekä käyttäjälähtöisen innovaatiopolitiikan suunnitteluun ja sen jalkauttamiseen osallistuvat tahot. Haasteita lähestytään tutkimuksessa käyttäjälähtöisen ja käyttäjää osallistavan palveluinnovoinnin lähestymistavan piirteiden kautta ja haasteita tarkastellaan kehittäjäviranomaisten (ryhmätaso) näkökulmasta. Kuntasektori on valittu tutkimukseen edustamaan julkista sektoria. Lähestymistavan piirteiksi tutkimuksessa määritellään käyttäjänäkökulman ohjaava rooli organisaation innovaatiotoiminnan strategisella tasolla ja palvelujen uudistamisprosessien tasoilla, avoimuus (erityisesti käyttäjärajapinta) ja tulkinnallisuus innovaatioprosessien varhaisessa vaiheessa sekä laaja-alainen käsitys innovaatioiden lähteistä käyttäjänäkökulmaa muodostettaessa. Tutkimuksen kohteena on hyvinvointipalveluinnovaatioprosessien varhainen vaihe, jolloin keskeisessä asemassa on uusien ideoiden sekä uuden tiedon ja ymmärryksen hankinta hyödynnettäväksi innovaatioprosessien seuraavissa vaiheissa. Tutkimuksessa rajaudutaan käyttäjälähtöisen palveluinnovoinnin muotoon, jossa käyttäjät intentionaalisesti ja konkreettisesti osallistetaan kehittäjäviranomaisjohtoisiin palveluinnovaatioprosesseihin. Käyttäjiksi tutkimuksessa ymmärretään palvelun loppukäyttäjät palvelujen ”ulkoisina hyödyntäjinä” ja yli sektorialisten palveluprosessien henkilöstö palvelujen ”sisäisinä hyödyntäjinä”. Hyvinvointipalveluista tutkimuksessa ovat edustettuina sosiaali- ja terveyspalvelut sekä ikäihmisten palvelukeskusten tarjoamat palvelut. Kuntasektorin innovaatiotoiminnan kenttä ymmärretään tutkimuksessa verkostomaisena kokonaisuutena, joka ylittää kuntien hallinnolliset rajat. Artikkeliväitöskirjana toteutetun väitöskirjatutkimuksen metodologia perustuu usean tapauksen tapaustutkimukseen (multiple case-studies) ja kvalitatiiviseen tutkimusotteeseen. Työn empiirinen osuus koostuu viidestä artikkelina julkaistusta osatutkimuksesta. Osatutkimuksissa käytetään tapaustutkimuksen eri variaatioita, ja tutkimusaineistot on kerätty kolmesta eri perustutkimusympäristöstä. Osatutkimuksien tapaukset on valittu palvelun käyttäjien ”äänen jatkumon” (the voice of the customer) eri kohdista. Käyttäjän ääntä käytetään tutkimuksessa metodisena ratkaisuna ja metaforana. Lisäksi käyttäjän ääni ymmärretään tutkimuksessa paremminkin kollektiivisena ja laajemmista palvelujen kehittämisnäkökulmista kertovana tekijänä kuin yksittäisten palvelun käyttäjien tarpeista ja toiveista kertovana metaforana. Käyttäjää osallistavan palveluinnovoinnin lähestymistavan toteuttamisen haasteiksi julkisella sektorilla tutkimuksessa tunnistetaan viisi haastetta. Tiivistetysti haasteena on 1. palvelujen käyttäjien subjektiuteen perustuva käyttäjälähtöisyys palvelujen uudistamisessa 2. tunnistaa palvelun käyttäjät innovaatiotoiminnan voimavarana ja rohkaistua heidän osallistamiseensa 3. sitoutuminen yhteistoiminnallisuuteen käyttäjä- ja muita rajapintoja ylittävissä palvelujen uudistamisprosesseissa ja innovaatiohakuisuus työskentelyssä 4. oivaltaa palvelutoivelistoja ja asiakaspalautteita laajempia kehittämisnäkökulmia 5. synnyttää luottamukseen perustuva hyvä kierre palvelun käyttäjien ja kehittäjien välille. Tutkimustuloksena syntyneet haasteet paikannetaan tutkimuksessa käyttäjän äänen jatkumolle erilaisin painotuksin. Lisäksi tutkimustulosten pohjalta tehdään kolme keskeistä johtopäätöstä. Ensinnäkin palvelun kehittäjätahon sekä palvelun loppukäyttäjien ja palvelujen sisäisten hyödyntäjien väliltä on tunnistettavissa innovaatiopotentiaalia sisältäviä rakenteellisia aukkoja. Toiseksi kehittäjäviranomaistahon valmius ja halu laajentaa tiedonmuodostustaan palvelujen uudistamisessa palvelun käyttäjien kanssa yhteisöllisen tiedonmuodostuksen suuntaan on puutteellinen. Kolmanneksi palvelujen kehittäjätaho ei ole sisäistänyt riittävässä määrin käyttäjää osallistavan palveluinnovoinnin lähestymistavan metodologisia perusajatuksia. Tutkimuksessa tunnistetut viisi haastetta osoittavat, että käyttäjää osallistavan palveluinnovoinnin lähestymistavan käyttöönotto hyvinvointipalveluorganisaation tai -verkoston palvelujen innovoinnin lähestymistavaksi ei ole mekaaninen toimenpide. Lähestymistavan käyttöönottoa tukeva kysymyslista perustuu tutkimuksessa tunnistettuihin haasteisiin. Kysymyslista on laadittu siten, että kysymykset liittyvät laajasti julkisten palveluorganisaatioiden ja -verkostojen innovaatiokulttuuriin. Kaksiosaisen kysymyslistan ensimmäisen osan kysymykset käsittelevät innovointia ohjaavia mentaalisia malleja. Ensimmäisessä osassa esitetään esimerkiksi seuraava kysymys: ”Millaista käsitystäpalvelun käyttäjistä (kuntalaisista) sekä käyttäjien ja kehittäjien (viranomaisten) välisestä suhteesta ilmennämme palvelujen innovoinnissa; onko palvelujen käyttäjä (kuntalainen) kohde, jolle kehitetään palveluja, vai onko hän jopa välttämätön kehittämiskumppani?”. Kysymyslistan toisen osan kysymykset liittyvät innovaatiokäytänteisiin ja valmiuksiin. Esimerkkinä voidaan mainita seuraava kaksiosainen kysymys: ”Tukevatko innovaatiokäytänteemme käyttäjärajapinnan ylittäviä innovaatioprosesseja ja sitoudummeko avoimin mielin työskentelyyn palvelun käyttäjien, potentiaalisten käyttäjien tai ei-käyttäjien kanssa? Mitä hyötyjä koemme yhteistoiminnallisuudesta koituvan meille ja käyttäjille sekä innovaation laatuominaisuuksiin?”. Mitä tulee tutkimuksen otsikon alkuosaan ”kuulla vai kuunnella”, vastaus on, että pääpaino on sanalla ”kuulla”. Pohdintaluvussa tuodaan myös esille tarve – tai ainakin kriittisen tarkastelun tarve – käyttäjälähtöisen ja käyttäjää osallistavan palveluinnovoinnin käsitteen ja sen luonteen sekä tavoitteiden määrittelemiselle julkisen sektorin ominaispiirteistä käsin vastapainona alkuperältään yksityisen sektorin liiketoimintakontekstista lähtöisin oleville määrittelyille.

Simulation of Solid Processes by Aspen Plus

Solid processes are used for obtaining the valuable minerals. Due to their worth, it is obligatory to perform different experiments to determine the different values of these minerals. With the passage of time, it is becoming more difficult to carry out these experiments for each mineral for different characteristics due to high labor costs and consumption of time. Therefore, scientists and engineers have tried to overcome this issue. They made different software to handle this problem. Aspen is one of those software for the calculation of different parameters. Therefore, the aim of this report was to do simulation for solid processes to observe different effect for minerals. Different solid processes like crushing, screening; filtration and crystallization were simulated by Aspen Plus. The simulation results are obtained by using this simulation software and they are described in this thesis. It was noticed that the results were acceptable for all solid processes. Therefore, this software can be used for the designing of crushers by calculating the power consumption of crushers, can design the filter and for the calculation of material balance for all processes.

Relative reduction in annual soil loss in micro watersheds due to the relief and forest cover

With the intense debate, in Brazil, between landowners and public agencies about the amount of area with forest cover needed in different regions, there is an increase of the need for provision of technical data used as a basis for decision making. One of the criteria to evaluate the effect of forest cover in protecting water resources is the soil loss, which leads to several consequences on the environment, including the silting of the rivers. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the reduction in the soil loss in micro watersheds with different reliefs, size and location of forest cover, in the Corumbataí River watershed, in the state of São Paulo, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in a GIS environment. For this study, 18 watersheds in three degrees of slope were selected, and 20 scenarios for land-use were established, by analyzing the influence of the PPA size, and the size and the location of the Legal Reserve. The results showed that: a) the effect of forest cover in reducing annual soil loss varies depending on the average slope of the watershed; b) the PPA width must be determined taking into account the slope of the watershed; c) the Legal Reserve must be located along the PPA. These provide better results in reducing annual soil loss.

Improvement of open innovation processes: case Nokia

Open innovation is becoming increasingly popular in academic literature and in business life, but even if people heard about it, they might not understand what it really is, they may over-estimate it thinking that it is savior or underestimate it, concentrating on limitations and risks. Current work sheds light on most important concepts of open innovation theory. Goal of current research is to offer business processes improvement for both inbound and outbound modes in case company. It is relevant as open innovation proved to affect firms‘ performance in general case and in case company, and Nokia planned to develop open innovation implementation since 2008 but still competitors succeed in it more, therefore analysis of current situation with open innovation in Nokia and recommendations how to improve it are topical. Case study method was used to answer the question ―How open innovation processes can be improved?‖. 11 in-depth interviews with Nokia senior managers and independent consultants were used to reach the goal of the thesis, as well as secondary sources. Results of current work are as-is and to-be models (process models of today and best practices models) of several open innovation modes, and recommendation for case company, which will be presented to company representatives and checked for practical applicability.