Production Cycle Optimization: Defining the Market Potential for a New Planning Tool

An optimization tool has been developed to help companies to optimize their production cycles and thus improve their overall supply chain management processes. The application combines the functionality that traditional APS (Advanced Planning System) and ARP (Automatic Replenishment Program) systems provide into one optimization run. A qualitative study was organized to investigate opportunities to expand the product’s market base. Twelve personal interviews were conducted and the results were collected in industry specific production planning analyses. Five process industries were analyzed to identify the product’s suitability to each industry sector and the most important product development areas. Based on the research the paper and the plastic film industries remain the most potential industry sectors at this point. To be successful in other industry sectors some product enhancements would be required, including capabilities to optimize multiple sequential and parallel production cycles, handle sequencing of complex finishing operations and to include master planning capabilities to support overall supply chain optimization. In product sales and marketing processes the key to success is to find and reach the people who are involved directly with the problems that the optimization tool can help to solve.

Models in country scale carbon accounting of forest soils

Selective papers of the workshop on "Development of models and forest soil surveys for monitoring of soil carbon", Koli, Finland, April 5-9 2006.

Improving and User Interface to E-Procurement Software Used in Asset Accounting and Investigating Effects to Efficiency

This diploma thesis has been done to international organization which takes care from the accounting actions of two major companies. In this organization are used three different purchasing tools which are used when new asset master data is wanted to input to SAP R/3- system. The aim of this thesis is to find out how much changing the user interface of one of these three e-procurement programs will affect to overall efficiency in asset accounting. As an addition will be introduced project framework which can be used in future projects and which help to avoid certain steps in the development process. At the moment data needs to be inputted manually with many useless mouse clicks and data needs to be searched from many various resources which slow down the process. Other organization has better tools at the moment than the myOrders system which is under investigation Research was started by exploring the main improvement areas. After this possible defects were traced. Suggested improvements were thought by exploring literature which has been written from usability design and research. Meanwhile also directional calculations from the benefits of the project were done alongside with the analysis of the possible risks and threats. After this NSN IT approved the changes which they thought was acceptable. The next step was to program them into tool and test them before releasing to production environment. The calculations were made also from implemented improvements and compared them to planned ones From whole project was made a framework which can be utilized also to other similar projects. The complete calculation was not possible because of time schedule of the project. Important observation in the project was that efficiency is not improved not only by changing the GUI but also improving processes without any programming. Feedback from end user should be also listened more in development process. End-user is after all the one who knows the best how the program should look like.

Analysis of Patterns in Electricity Spot Market Time Series

Due to its non-storability, electricity must be produced at the same time that it is consumed, as a result prices are determined on an hourly basis and thus analysis becomes more challenging. Moreover, the seasonal fluctuations in demand and supply lead to a seasonal behavior of electricity spot prices. The purpose of this thesis is to seek and remove all causal effects from electricity spot prices and remain with pure prices for modeling purposes. To achieve this we use Qlucore Omics Explorer (QOE) for the visualization and the exploration of the data set and Time Series Decomposition method to estimate and extract the deterministic components from the series. To obtain the target series we use regression based on the background variables (water reservoir and temperature). The result obtained is three price series (for Sweden, Norway and System prices) with no apparent pattern.

Country Risk and Market Reactions to Earnings Announcements: Evidence from Finnish Stock Markets

The objective of this thesis is to examine the market reaction around earnings announcements in Finnish stock markets. The aim is to find out whether the extreme market conditions during the financial crisis are reflected in stock prices as a stronger reaction. In addition to this, the purpose is to investigate how extensively Finnish listed companies report the country segmentation of revenues in their interim reports and whether the country risk is having a significant impact on perceived market reaction. The sample covers all companies listed in Helsinki stock exchange at 1.1.2010 and these companies’ interim reports from the first quarter of 2008 to last quarter of 2009. Final sample consists of 81 companies and 630 firm-quarter observations. The data sample has been divided in two parts, of which country risk sample contains 17 companies and 127 observations and comparison sample covers 66 companies and 503 observations. Research methodologies applied in this thesis are event study and cross-sectional regression analysis. Empirical results indicate that the market reaction occurs mainly during the announcement day and is slightly stronger in case of positive earnings surprises than the reactions observed in previous studies. In case of negative earnings surprises no significant differences can be observed. In case of country risk sample and negative earnings surprise market reaction is negative already in advance of the disclosure contrary to comparison sample. In case of positive surprise no differences can be observed. Country risk variable developed during this study seems to explain only minor part of the market reaction.

Ancillary services market and potential profit for generators in Russia

Reformation of electricity markets has initiated creation of ancillary services markets all over the world. The Russian electricity market reform is in transition period, that is why the problem of ancillary services market has just arisen. Since the model of market rules was created, ancillary services market became a topical question for generating companies. This master’s thesis is focused on the describing the possible ancillary services around the world and in Russia specifically. Moreover, the physical interpretation of ancillary services is defined. In addition, possibility of generation company to participate in the ancillary services market was considered. Calculations were made for primary frequency regulation service, where necessary level of price bids and payback period were evaluated.

Accounting Beta Measuring Systematic Risk: Empirical Evidence from the Finnish Markets

The main purpose of this study is to examine whether accounting-based variables can be used to measure systematic risk of a company using Finnish data. When the fundamental sources of systematic risk are known, companies are able to manage these risks and increase company value. Accounting beta was formed based on OLS regression models. Theoretical background for the study was based on the findings of studies according to which business risk, financial risk, operating risk and growth risk can be theoretically regarded as determinants of the systematic risk. The results reveal that accounting variables describe systematic risk of a company. The accounting beta is found to be particularly sensitive to the changes in the risk components. The investigation is confidential until 15.10.2012.

Stress testing and risk evaluation of new capacity payment algorithm proposed by Market Council

In the Russian Wholesale Market, electricity and capacity are traded separately. Capacity is a special good, the sale of which obliges suppliers to keep their generating equipment ready to produce the quantity of electricity indicated by the System Operator. The purpose of the formation of capacity trading was the maintenance of reliable and uninterrupted delivery of electricity in the wholesale market. The price of capacity reflects constant investments in construction, modernization and maintenance of power plants. So, the capacity sale creates favorable conditions to attract investments in the energy sector because it guarantees the investor that his investments will be returned.

Supermatrix-hankkeen vahvuudet, heikkoudet, mahdollisuudet ja uhat

Supermatrix on Finnet-liitto ry:n jäsenyritysten hanke, joka tuo nopeiden valokuituyhteyksien avulla erilaisia sähköisiä palveluita kuluttajien koteihin ja yritysten toimipisteisiin. Näitä palveluita ovat mm. virtualisoidut henkilö-kohtaiset tietokoneet, tiedon tallennuspalvelut ja multimediasisältö, kuten teräväpiirtotelevisio. Tässä diplomityössä arvioidaan Supermatrixin palveluiden toteutumis-mahdollisuuksia sekä teknologian, että markkinoiden kannalta. Työn tarkoituksena oli myös laskea virtualisoitujen tietokoneiden avulla tuotetun työpöytäpalvelun tuotantokustannus. Kustannuslaskentaa varten testattiin useiden valmistajien teknologioita, ja parhaimmista vaihtoehdoista laskettiin tuotantokustannukset. Tulevia Supermatrix-operaattoreita varten kehitettiin työkalu, jolla työpöytäpalvelun vaatimien investointien kannattavuus saadaan nopeasti selville. Tuotantohintojen laskelmat osoittavat, että työpöytäpalvelua on taloudelli-sesti mahdollista tuottaa luomaan lisäarvoa nopeille laajakaistayhteyksille. Yrityksissä työpöytien virtualisointi on jo tämän päivän teknologiaa, mutta kuluttaja-asiakkaiden innostuminen palvelusta vaatii uuden markkinan luomisen. Uhkana on, että kuluttajien ostokäyttäytymisen muuttaminen ei onnistu, koska Supermatrix ei tuota fyysisen tuotteen ostamisen tarjoamaa mielihyvää.

Creating a Performance Measurement System for Accounting Services of Large Paper Company

The main objective of this research is creating a performance measurement system for accounting services of a large paper industry company. In this thesis there are compared different performance measurement system and then selected two systems, which are presented and compared more detailed. Performance Prism system is the used framework in this research. Performance Prism using success maps to determining objectives. Model‟s target areas are divided into five groups: stakeholder satisfaction, stakeholder contribution, strategy, processes and capabilities. The measurement system creation began by identifying stakeholders and defining their objectives. Based on the objectives are created success map. Measures are created based on the objectives and success map. Then is defined needed data for measures. In the final measurement system, there are total just over 40 measures. Each measure is defined specific target level and ownership. Number of measures is fairly large, but this is the first version of the measurement system, so the amount is acceptable.

Christina Rossetti's "Goblin market" : Milton revised or revived?

The present study examines Christina Rossetti's (1830-94) best-known poem "Goblin Market" (1859) as a response to John Milton's (1608-74) Paradise Lost (1667) and Paradise Regained (1674). Rossetti's poem relates to Milton's twin epics with a surprising degree of complexity, something that the thesis demonstrates through a large number of hitherto unexplored textual parallels. In its recontextualisation of Rossetti's poetry, this study balances interpretative strategies evolved by feminism with more historicist readings. SinceGilbert and Gubar's landmark feminist work of 1979, it has become something of a critical commonplace that Milton was a figure of patriarchal oppression whom women writers have challenged through revision. As a consequence, intertextual Rossetti studies have tended to emphasise such a revisionist element in her achievement. But if we place "Goblin Market" within the larger context of Rossetti's thoughts on religion and poetry throughout her writing, and if we de-emphasise the dichotomy between Rossetti and her male precursor, alternative patterns of reading begin to emerge. This thesis argues that Rossetti's aim was not only to revise Milton but also to revive him. It develops this point in several ways: first, by introducing the subject and theoretically arguing that literary allusiveness is not necessarily a matter of oedipal or feminist envy only (Chapter One); second, by determining the nature and extent of Rossetti's Miltonic allusions in terms of theme, imagery and language (Chapter Two);and third, by examining their function in terms of argument (Chapters Three andFour). I n an age of increasing religious doubt, Rossetti's poetry provided a subtle challenge not so much to Milton as to the emerging scepticism and aestheticism in Victorian society and its art-world, and not least to the secular tendencies of the second generation of Pre-Raphaelites, including Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Christina Rossetti was ahead of her time (and perhaps ours) in seeing the feminist potential in both John Milton and the Christian message. In the soul's relation to Christ, gender does not matter. What matters is the individual's quest for salvation, a quest in which poetry is a sacramental act, with a transformative, unifying function. Rossetti's poems both depict and constitute such a quest for union with God, on the assumption that God's word offers a pathway that is open to men as well as women.

A long way to the rainbow country : understanding the foreign market expansion process of Finnish corporations into the Republic of South Africa between 1999 and 2005

De afrikanska ekonomierna växer med nära fyra procent per år och detta är en god indikation på kontinentens växande betydelse. Under kalla kriget hade afrikanska regeringar haft ett begränsat utrymme för opportunistisk köpslående, och därmed även en marginal att positionera sig strategiskt. Alltför ofta uppmuntrade och beskyddade stormakterna diktatorer och små lokala eliter som främst ville berika sig själv. I och med att globaliseringen tog fart och USA allt mera kom att dominera globalt, började en ny era i fråga om förändringar. Trots dessa förändringar på den globala arenan, har Afrika som kontinent hamnat i bakgrunden och jämfört med andra utvecklingsländer har Afrika attraherat ett fåtal utländska investeringar. Fortfarande, speciellt i Norden, finns det lite kunskap om hur utländska företag expanderar sin affärsverksamhet på den afrikanska kontinenten. Det råder brist på empiriska undersökningar om vilken inverkan afrikanska institutionella förändringar och lokala affärsmiljöer har på internationaliseringen och på de utländska företagens affärsutvecklingsstrategier på den afrikanska kontinenten. Med denna avhandling vill jag lyfta fram ett exempel på ett land (Sydafrika), som har lyckat dra nytta av de förändringar som 1990-talet förde med sig. I denna avhandling har jag intervjuat olika personer i ledande positioner inom olika finländska företag i Finland och i Sydafrika. Avhandlingen skapar en referensram för att öka förståelse och fördjupa analys av hur en kombination av olika interna och externa resurser ökar företagens konkurrenskraft och på det sättet bidrar till en framgångsrik affärsutveckling i Afrika. De politiska och sociala aktörerna samt aktörerna inom affärslivet besitter resurser som ambitiösa företag kan dra nytta av i sin strävan att erövra de nya framgångsrika marknaderna i Afrika. Gradvis ökar finländska företag sina insatser på den afrikanska kontinenten i strävan att skapa mervärde för sina kunder. Den värdeskapande processen gör att parterna måste närma sig varandra utgående från sina egna strategiska målsättningar. Hittills har finländska företag varit intresserad att sälja till Afrika men inte intresserad att köpa därifrån. Förutom de praktiska råden till olika företag, föreslår avhandlingen hur den finska staten och den sydafrikanska staten kunde agera tillsammans för att främja ömsesidigt handelsutbyte.

Esimiehen ydinkompetenssit tuloksen ja työtyytyväisyyden selittäjänä – Case S-market

Työn tarkoituksena on kehittää suorittavalle esimiestasolle työkalu, millä voidaan mitata esimiehen kompetensseja. S-market esimiehen ydinosaamiset työssä jakautuvat kahteen kokonaisuuteen vuorovaikutus- ja ketjuyksikön johtamiseen. Työn tavoitteena on myös tarkastella millä esimiehen ydinosaamisella on merkitystä työtyytyväisyyteen ja yrityksen tulokseen. Tutkimus on kvantitatiivinen ja sen aineisto on verkkokyselylomakkeen avulla kerätystä 129 vastauksesta. Verkkokyselylomakkeen väittämät ovat rakennettu esimiestyön kompetensseista, jotka pohjautuvat tutkielman teoriaan. Verkkokyselyn, työtyytyväisyyden ja tuloksen lukuarvot on analysoitu tilastollisella tulostenkäsittelyohjelmalla, SPSS:llä. Työtyytyväisyystulokset ovat koottu tutkimukseen osallistuneen viidentoista S-marketin työtyytyväisyystutkimuksen tuloksista vuodelta 2008. Tuloksen mittareina tutkielmassa on käytetty samojen S-markettien työtehokkuutta ja toimintakateprosenttia vuodelta 2008. Työn tulokset vahvistivat sen, että esimiestyöllä on suora syy-seuraussuhde työtyytyväisyyteen ja tuloksellisuuteen. Tutkimustuloksien perusteella esimieskäyttämisen vaikutus työtyytyväisyyden kokemiseen on vahva. Hyvällä vuorovaikutusjohtamisella tuloksien perusteella oli vaikutusta työtyytyväisyyteen. Tuloksista kävi ilmi, että työtyytyväisyyteen esimiehen kompetensseista eniten vaikuttivat yksilöllinen huomiointi, tavoitteisiin kannustaminen ja motivointi sekä asiakaslähtöisyys. Tuloksen mittareihin eniten vaikutti tulos- ja tavoitejohtaminen. Tuloksellisuuteen vaikuttavat tutkimuksen mukaan esimiehen jämäkkä ja vaativa tavoitteisiin ohjaava toiminta sekä päätöksenteko ja organisointikyky. Tarkempien ja täsmällisimpien S-market esimiehen kompetenssien löytämiseksi kehitysehdotuksena tutkielmassa on laajemman tutkimusaineiston käsittely neljän faktorin avulla.