Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Enterprises of mechanical engineering'

This study focuses on small- to medium-scale electrical enterprises (SMECEs) in the Cape Peninsula, and specifically on electrical contractors with fewer than 25 employees. The objectives of this study are threefold: Firstly, the study reviews the position of current SMECEs, their economic contribution to the economy, their origin and establishment, the lifespan of the business, as well as the level of education of the individuals involved in the business. Secondly, it determines the constraints and limitations that may lead to the failure of these businesses. And, thirdly, it identifies the factors that may enable SMECEs to become sustainable or successful enterprises. A two-phased research method was used to collect information from owners of electrical contracting firms. This method involved the use of a pilot survey questionnaire and a main survey questionnaire. The pilot and main questionnaires were used to obtain data pertaining to the electrical contracting industry and owners of such firms. More specifically, this data includes information on the background of the company and its owner, the establishment of the business and its employment structure, as well as its work history, current operations and future objectives. It also looked at the constraints and limitations faced by these SMECEs, and identified specific factors that may enhance their sustainability. These questionnaires revealed that the constraining factors could be placed into two main categories, viz. management and labour. Management problems, for instance, included poor cash flow because of slow payment by clients, a lack of management skills on the part of business owners, and an inability to calculate project costs accurately. Labour problems, on the other hand, included an unreliable work force with no proper or effective work ethic, a lack of skilled and trained labour, and a work force that was inadequately skilled as either electricians or assistants. Among the factors that are necessary to ensure the success and sustainability of SMECEs, were the following: Business owners need to deal personally with problems and constraints and must learn how to avoid them. They must improve their management and planning ability, and must be able to understand the market. Their business must offer good workmanship and quality of service, and they must be able to complete their projects successfully. A reliable skilled work force is imperative, as are marketing skills and the ability to ensure the controlled growth of the firm. The following recommendations are made to owners of SMECEs: In order for their business to be successful and sustainable, they need to identify training courses that can assist their current contracted labour force. Business owners themselves also need to attend tendering and cost-control courses to improve the running and management of their business. They need to support the education and training of their work force and to employ skilled workers. Furthermore, they must ensure that the scope of the electrical contract is explained to the work force and that there is a written contract from the client, setting out the conditions of payment, in order to prevent late payment and thus cash flow problems.

In the final of magistral work I investigate to create model of Lean manufacturing implementation. I am mostly concentrated in studying of reasons Lean manufacturing implementation failure in Lithuanian industry. In the thirst part there is analysis of scientific – methodic literature on theme of Lean manufacturing implementation, lean manufacturing tools, main problems and difficulties implementing Lean manufacturing. In the second part there is information about surveys of trend f Lean manufacturing implementation in Lithuanian industry. Questionnaire has been concluded and sent to industrial companies. Also was made interview in 5 different companies. And for reasons identification of Lean manufacturing implementation failure I performed test in one company, where participate 5 persons. In the third part I performed the Lean manufacturing implementation model suitable for Lithuanian industry. Advantage of new model is that there is a new stage – preparation, implementing Lean manufacturing. This stage is necessary in our industry, because staff is not ready for total changes. I mind that my model would be very helpful for the beginning companies for installment Lean. The final work is consisted of four parts: introduction, analysis of scientific literature, empiric surveys and description of the new created model including the implementation. Conclusions and offers are also given together with list of literature and annexes. Scope of work is - 66 pgs. of text without... [to full text]
Baigiamajame magistro darbe nagrineju Lean gamybos valdymo sistemos diegimas Lietuvos pramonės įmonėse. Labiausiai koncentruotojos ties Lean gamybos valdymo sistemos diegimo Lietuvos pramonės nesėkmės priežasčių nustatymu ir Lean gamybos valdymo sistemos diegimo modelio sukūrimu, kuris atitiktų Lietuvos pramonei. Pirmoje dalyje atlikta mokslinės – mėtodinės literatūros analizę Lean gamybos valdymo sistemos diegimo tema, aprašiau pagrindines sąvokas. Išnagrinejau įvairius Lean gamybos valdymo sistemos diegimo aspektus. Įsisgilinau į Lean gamybos valdymo sistema bei išanalizavau Lean gamybos valdymo sistema ir Lean instrumentų pritaikimas. Antroje dalyje yra pateikiama Lietuvos pramonės įmonių Lean gamybos valdymo sistemos plėtros tendencijų tyrimus. Buvo sudaryta klausimų anketa ir išsiustos į pramonės įmonės. Taip pat atlikta interviu aplkausa ir atliktas testas su personalu. Remiantis gautais rezultatais pateikiami pasiūlymai Lean gamybos valdymo sistemos diegimui Lietuvos pramonės įmonėse. Trečioje dalyje aprašytas mano sukurtas Lean gamybos valdymo sistemos diegimo modelis Lietuvos pramonės įmonėse. Taip pat nubraižytas ir suskirstytas į modelis į diegimo etapus. Kiekviename etape yra įvardijami diegimo žingsniai. Modelio privalumas yra tame, kad jis skirtas Lietuvos pramonės įmonėms. Baigiamaji darba sudaro keturios dalis: įvadas, mokslinės literatūros analizė, empiriniai tyrimai ir sukurto modelio aprašymas. Taip pat pateiktos išvados bei pasiūlymai, literatūros sąrašas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

A quality management (QM) model is broadly accepted as a tool of managerial approaches in order to measure and improve the performance of the organisation. However, the existing QM models, such as the Thailand Quality Award (TQA), may not be appropriate to employ in Thai Small, Medium and Large Enterprises (SMLEs). Due to the TQA‟s vigorous requirements, there are only a few Thai companies that have achieved the TQA. Moreover, recent research studies on the QM model have focused on other Thai industries and not directly Thai SMLEs, whereas Thai SMLEs generate a lot of income for the country and require an effective QM model in order to improve their organisational performance continuously. The aim of this current research is to develop and evaluate a QM model for assessing organisational performance in Thai SMLEs. The research methodology used in this research involves two main studies. Firstly, the theoretical study aims to develop a conceptual QM model and a conceptual Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) model. Secondly, the empirical study aims to validate a conceptual QM model to be an implemented QM model and to assess a conceptual CFA model to be an implemented CFA model in order to determine the weights of quality elements. An implemented QM model integrated with the weights of quality elements becomes a finalised QM model according to the aim of the research. The important findings of this research are the finalised QM model named as the Thai Small Medium and Large Enterprises Quality (TSMLEQ) model. The TSMLEQ model is composed of 14 elements and their weights: Leadership (53), Strategic Planning & Policy (75), Human Resource Management (71), Partnerships & Resources (69), Knowledge Management (71), Innovation Management (76), Technology Management (66), Process Management (81), Customer Satisfaction (78), Employee Satisfaction (70), Society Results (67), Business Performance Results (76), Continuous Improvement (78), and Measurement & Analysis (69). The main originality of this research compared to the previous study is the determination of the most and least important quality elements, which are Process Management and Leadership, respectively. In order to improve the performance of the organisation, the companies can use the TSMLEQ model as a self-assessment tool to evaluate the level of the quality management implementation. The self-assessment can engage the TQM programme within the companies because it supports as a baseline and path of continuous improvement. The criteria of self-assessment (or quality elements) of the TSMLEQ model are based on the concepts of TQM that are similar to the world-class performance criteria such as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). The contributions of this research comprise three aspects. Firstly, Thai industry can be benefitted by adopting the results of this research in order to implement quality management effectively. Secondly, academics in quality management can deploy research methodology used in this research in order to develop a QM model for their research objectives. Thirdly, the findings of this research can be the source of the study of quality management in Thailand and other countries. Keywords: Quality management model, quality elements, Thai small medium and large enterprises, weights, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis

The globalization of the markets and the worldwide competition forces the SMEs to implement new technologies and organize themselves using new concepts in order to maintain their competitivity. This type of temporary alliance is called as Virtual Enterprise (VE). SMEs seem to be appropriate units for building this type of temporary alliances when their properties (such as flexibility, adaptability and agility) are taken into account. This study is concerned with the simulation modeling of shop floor activities for SMEs in VEs. Analyzing the SMEs with their current and new work load over the existing one by using simulation tool may help the VE management unit to see the most appropriate SMEs for the projects. Because of mentioned advantages, this thesis will test whether the simulation tool will or will not be used in the selection of the VE partner. The simulation methodology for modeling shop floor activities of SMEs was developed by using ARENA simulation tool in this thesis. A hydraulic cylinder company was selected for pilot application. Manufacturing of twelve basic hydraulic cylinders was studied in the developed model. Four different queue rules were applied to the developed model to optimize the system efficiency. By analyzing the output statistical results of ARENA which were obtained with the usage of the input variables of SME (such as resource capacities, process times, setup and remove times of parts, variables wrt to workers, etc.) best manufacturing policy for pilot SME was able to be found. To see the response of the system under different circumstances, grinding and hardening operations for a drive shaft manufacturing were assigned to the company. This new job was applied on two models (Base Model and Optimized System Model) and the statistical results of each were examined.

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2015.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 89-104).
The traditional power grid paradigm of centralized and actively controlled power generation facilities serving distributed and passively controlled electrical loads is challenged by the requirements for decarbonization, enhanced reliability and transportation electrification. The power grid will undergo technical, economic and regulatory changes and motivates new control and automation technologies and incentivized Demand Side Management (DSM) to accommodate the intermittent and distributed nature of renewable energy. The first phase of this thesis is an extensive review of existing renewable energy integration study methodologies and their limitations. On the other hand, a newly developed holistic enterprise control assessment method manages the diversity of control solutions and many competing objectives, is case independent, addresses both physical nature as well as enterprise control processes, and is validated by a set of numerical simulations. Another major omission in the majority of integration studies is the demand side resources. Demand Side Management with its ability to allow customers to adjust electricity consumption in response to market signals has often been recognized as an efficient way to mitigate the variable effects of renewable energy as well as to increase system efficiency and reduce system costs. Dispite the recongnized importance of DSM, the academic & industrial literature have taken divergent approaches to DSM implementation. While the popular approach among academia adopts a social welfare maximization formulation, the industrial practice compensates customers according to their load reduction from a predefined electricity consumption baseline that would have occurred without DSM. This thesis then rigorously compares the two different DSM approaches in a dayahead electricity wholesale market analytically and numerically using the same system configuration and mathematical formalism. The comparison of the two models showed that a proper reconciliation of the two models might make them mitigate the stochastic netload in fundamentally the same way given an industrial baseline equal to the dispatchable demand forecast in the social welfare model, which is rarely met in practice. While the social welfare model uses a stochastic net load composed of two terms, the industrial DSM model uses a stochastic net load composed of three terms including the additional baseline term. DSM participants have the incentives to manipulate the baseline in order to receive greater financial compensation, taking advantage of greater awareness of their facilities than the regulatory agencies charged with estimating the baseline. In a day-ahead wholesale market, the artificially inflated baseline forecast used in the industrial formalism is shown to result in higher and costlier dispatchable resources scheduling and unachievable social welfare compared to the academic method. This thesis proceeds to compare the two DSM approaches and quantifies the technical impact of industrial baseline errors in subsequent layers of control using an enterprise control methodology. The baseline inflation errors in a day-ahead market have to be corrected in the downstream enterprise control activities at faster time scales, increasing the control efforts and reserve requirements in the real-time market dispatch and regulation service respectively. The adoption of enterprise control simulator added with a dispatchable demand module enables the simultaneous study of day-ahead and real-time market, regulation service and power flow analysis. The day-ahead wholesale market adopts a unit commitment problem and the real-time wholesale market adopts an economic dispatch (ED) problem on the timescale of minutes. While baseline error is absent in the social welfare model, the industrial model is simulated with different baseline levels, assuming the baseline inflation has the same effects in the day-ahead and real-time market. The resulting implications of baseline errors on power grid imbalances and regulating reserve requirements are tracked. It is concluded that with the same regulating service, the introduction of baseline error leads to additional system imbalance compared to the social welfare model results, and the imbalance amplifies itself as the baseline error increases. As a result, more regulating reserves are required to achieve the same satisfactory system performance with higher baseline error. In summary, the industrial DSM baseline inflation brings about higher and costlier dispatch in day-ahead wholesale market and higher reserve requirements in subsequent control layers, namely the real-time market regulating service.
by Bo Jiang.
S.M.

This dissertation presents the results of a Ph.D. research entitled as methodology development for SME based virtual enterprises. The research addresses the preparation and set up of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. A virtual enterprise (VE) can be perceived as a customer solution delivery system created by a temporary and re-configurable information and communications technology (ICT) enabled aggregation of competencies. The main achievements of the research include: &
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Clarification and definition of the concept for virtual enterprises and enterprise networks including preparation of these. o A fast and efficient setup of virtual enterprises can be enabled through the establishment of an enterprise network in which an appropriate type and degree of work preparation can be established prior to the set up of virtual enterprises. &
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Development of a framework and a reference architecture for virtual enterprises named as Structured Methodology and ICT Reference Architecture respectively. o Structured Methodology structures the body of knowledge related to preparation, set up and operation of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. o ICT reference architecture consists of three levels with seven layers to portray in a diagrammatic fashion how different enterprises may exchange and use information between their respective organizations&
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specific proprietary systems and a central server. &
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Development of a methodology for virtual enterprise named as Virtual Enterprise Methodology (VEM) o VEM consists of a set of guidelines, which systematically describes activities that enterprises should consider in relation to set up and preparation of own enterprise networks with the aim to set up virtual enterprises. &
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Testing and validation of the developed VEM with the realization of a virtual case study and establishment of a validation platform respectively. o Virtual case study demonstrates the application of the developed VE methodology with the illustration of the key activities related to setting up breeding environment, setting up &
operating VE and dissolution of VE. o The findings in the research can be validated through the various activities as meetings, conferences, presentations and publication of journals.

The importance of conducting efficient product development is growing steadily as traditional market boundaries diminish and are replaced by global market conditions. Digital product development builds on the foundation that digital mock-ups replace physical mock-ups, and this has the potential for strongly improving the efficiency of the product development process. This is a rather drastic change compared to the conventional way of conducting product development, and it cannot be implemented overnight. It requires the extended enterprise to rely on geometry based product models. Business excellence is therefore partially synonymous with managing these models and making them available, and relevant, to different activities throughout the product development process. This thesis deals with the establishment of two key expressions, Geometry Management Process and Geometry Based Product Information. The objective is to improve the utilisation of Geometry Based Product Information by supporting the product development process with adequate methods, tools and processes for managing this type of information. This objective is partly realised by the elimination of rework in the downstream activities of traditional design departments. There are numerous influencing factors and the research approach has been to collect these factors into four separate but correlating domains. The consistency in the approach stems from the fact that all research work is conducted with a geometrical perspective on all types of activity, requirement and process. The methodology is elaborated through participation and surveys of real cases in ongoing projects and activities when developing heavy-duty trucks.

Godkänd; 2001; 20070313 (ysko)

Tjänstefiering är en strategi som förekommer allt oftare inom tillverkande företag. Genom att komplettera ett befintligt produktutbud med tjänster försöker företag tillgodose kunders behov, skaffa sig konkurrensmässiga fördelar och öka verksamhetens lönsamhet. Att implementera tjänstefiering har dock visat sig innebära vissa svårigheter och problem. En av de största utmaningarna är att ta betalt för de tjänster man levererar eftersom kunder är vana vid att tjänster är gratis och ingår vid köp av produkter. Detta är extra problematiskt för mindre företag vars kunder ofta är betydligt större. Syftet med rapporten är att undersöka hur mindre företag kan ta betalt för tjänster och komma med konkreta förslag på åtgärder för att lyckas med detta. För att uppfylla syftet har följande frågeställningar tagits fram: Hur kan mindre företag värdera och prissätta tjänster? Hur kan mindre företag ta betalt för de tjänster som man levererar? En litteraturstudie har genomförts för att hitta forskning och teorimetoder rörande problemformuleringen. I teoriavsnittet beskrivs den tidigare forskning som ansetts relevant och som utgör de mest vedertagna modellerna och teorierna inom sina områden.   I arbetet med rapporten har en fallstudie utförts på företaget Aspervall Instrument AB. Aspervall är en finmekanisk verkstad med cirka 15 anställda som länge levererat produkter till kunder inom mät-, styr- och reglerbranschen. Som ett komplement till sina produkter vill man erbjuda tjänster men upplever liksom många andra mindre företag svårigheter med att ta betalt för dessa. Fallstudien har utförts på en av de produkter som Aspervall insourcar från kund. Information har sammanställts från intervjuer med anställda på Aspervall, interna dokument, affärssystemet Monitor och observationer. Utifrån denna information har en processkartläggning och en nulägesbeskrivning genomförts samt kostnader som tillkommer eller förändras vid tjänstefiering kalkylerats. Utifrån teori- och resultatavsnittet har förslag till hur mindre företag kan börja ta betalt för tjänstefiering tagits fram. Åtgärderna har grupperats ”kalkylering interna kostnader som uppstår vid tjänstefiering”, ”värdering av tjänster utifrån tjänstelogik” samt ”visualisering och prissättning”. Samarbete och relationer med kunder har identifierats som en viktig faktor för att mindre företag ska kunna värdera tjänster utifrån tjänstelogik. Detta då mindre företag ofta saknar de resurser som krävs för att utföra det helt på egen hand. När det kommer till ”visualisering och prissättning” har betydelsen av särskiljning av tjänster och produkter belysts. På så sätt är det lättare att både göra kunden medveten om en tjänsts värde och att ta betalt för den. För att leverera förslag på hur mindre företag kan kalkylera interna kostnader som uppstår eller förändras vid tjänstefiering har en kalkylmodell tagits fram. Modellen är avsedd att ses som ett komplement till befintliga kalkylmodeller för att bättre kunna kalkylera tjänsters omkostnader. Resultaten från fallstudien har använts för att ta fram modellen som baseras på aktivitetsbaserad kalkylering.
Servitization is a strategy that becomes more and more common in manufacturing companies. By adding services to the existent selection of goods, companies try to satisfy their customers, get competitive advantages and increase the profitability. The implementation of servitization can though involve some difficulties and problems. One of the biggest challenges is to get paid for the services that are delivered, owing the fact that customers are used to get the services for free as an add-on. This is particularly problematic for smaller enterprises, whose customers often are considerably bigger. The aim with this thesis is to investigate how smaller enterprises can be rightly paid for services and to deliver tangible proposals how to succeed with this. To fulfil the aim, the following problem statements were formulated: How can smaller enterprises value and price services? How can smaller enterprises get paid for the services they deliver? A literature research has been accomplished to find research and theories about the problem. In section “theory” previous and relevant research are described, which provide the most used models and theories in the subject. The thesis is based on a case study, which has been performed at the company Aspervall Instrument AB. Aspervall is a fine-mechanical workshop, with approximately 15 employees, which for a long time has delivered products to customers in the process manufacturing. As a complement to their products, they want to offer services but is, like many other small enterprises, finding it hard to get paid for these services. The case study was performed on one of the products that Aspervall insource from a customer. Information was composed from interviews with employees at Aspervall, internal documents, the business system Monitor and observations. From the information, a process map and a report about the present situation have been constructed together with calculations of the costs, which are increasing or added due to servitization. From the theory- and result chapter suggestions for how smaller enterprises can start charge for services have been developed. The measures can be categorized in “calculating internal costs for servitization”, “valuing services by a service-dominant logic” and “visualising and pricing". To be able to value services by a service-dominant logic, cooperation and relations have been identified as important factors for small enterprises, which often lack the necessary internal resources. For “visualising and pricing” the importance of separating services and products has been pointed out. By doing so, the customer will hopefully realise the value of the service and it will be easier to charge for it. To deliver suggestions for how smaller enterprises can calculate internal costs that are increasing or added due to servitization a cost estimate model has been developed. The model is built as a complement to present cost estimate models to better be able to estimate the indirect overhead costs of services. The results from the case study have been used in the development of the model, which is a based on activity based costing (ABC).

CAPES
As indústrias de manufatura de produtos tangíveis buscam melhorar seu desempenho industrial frente ao cenário de intensa competição. Entretanto, o desempenho industrial está relacionado ao nível de maturidade da empresa e ao seu potencial de melhoria contínua para tornar-se um diferencial. Empresas maduras atingem seus objetivos de forma consciente e eficiente, enquanto as imaturas não atingem os resultados esperados. Para saber o que é preciso melhorar, demanda-se um diagnóstico da situação atual da empresa. Entre os modelos que permitem avaliar a maturidade de uma empresa, está o Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), considerado um dos mais efetivos para a indústria de Tecnologia da Informação (TI). Como esse modelo não foi criado para a área industrial de produtos tangíveis, o objetivo desse trabalho é adaptar os termos deste modelo para esse perfil de indústria, além de desenvolver uma ferramenta para que a própria empresa possa se auto avaliar. Para isso, é apresentada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os modelos de maturidade, formas de adaptações de termos em aplicações distintas e ferramentas de avaliação de maturidade já existentes. Com esse material, uma estratégia para a adaptação dos termos do CMMI foi desenvolvida. Visando reduzir o número de termos a serem adaptados, gerou-se um questionário composto pelos termos do modelo CMMI, o qual foi submetido à 14 profissionais e um acadêmico, no intuito de identificar os termos que demandariam adaptação. Com a identificação dos termos necessários à adaptação, vários recursos foram utilizados para garantir a efetividade da estratégia de adaptação, entre eles; mapas mentais, glossários e o auxílio de especialistas na área. Com os termos adaptados, o processo foi validado mediante novas entrevistas e novas aplicações do instrumento com os termos adaptados. Paralelamente à estratégia de adaptação, uma ferramenta web foi desenvolvida com o auxílio de um técnico de computação, incluindo os termos em português, provenientes da tradução oficial do CMMI, adaptados para a área industrial de manufatura brasileira. Entre os resultados, o trabalho apresenta a estratégia de adaptação utilizada para o CMMI, mostrando a estruturação do modelo após a adaptação, além de apresentar o desenvolvimento da ferramenta criada para a indústria avaliar sua própria maturidade de forma simples e ágil, a qual é testada por um Engenheiro de Processos, e avaliada através de um questionário de satisfação.
The tangible products manufacturing industries seek to improve their industrial performance, facing the intense competition scenario. However, the industrial performance is related to the maturity level of the company and its continuous improvement potential to result a differential issue. Mature companies achieve their goals consciously and efficiently, while the immature do not reach the expected results. To know what it demands to improve, it is necessary to diagnose the current situation of the company. Among the main models that allow the industrial maturity assessment, the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is one of the most popular and efficient for the Information Technology Industry. Because this model was not developed for a tangible products industrial area, the objective of this study is to adapt all the original model terms to this industrial context, in addition, it is aimed a tool for a self evaluation of a manufacturing company. For this, a literature review on the maturity models, many adaptations of terms in different applications and the existing maturity assessment tools are presented. Through this material, a strategy to adapt the CMMI terms is defined. To reduce the number of terms to be adapted, a questionnaire composed by the terms of CMMI model was produced, which was submitted to 14 different professionals and one academic, in order to identify the terms that would require adaptation. Through the identification of the necessary terms to be adapted, several resources were used to guarantee the effectiveness of adaptation strategy, including: mental maps, glossaries and the expert assistance in the field. After this, the process was validated through new interviews and applications of the instrument with the adapted terms. Alongside the adaptation strategy, a web tool was developed, including the terms in Brazilian Portuguese, from the official CMMI translation, adapted to the manufacturing industrial area. Among the results, the work presents the adaptation strategy to CMMI, showing the model structure after the adaptation, and presenting the tool development to industrial maturity assessment in a simple and fast way, which is tested for a Process Engineer and evaluated through a satisfaction questionnaire.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 108-118).
by Eric A. White.
S.M.
M.B.A.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-128).
by Andrew J. Muench.
S.M.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-96).
Northrop Grumman Newport News is committed to implementing lean on the enterprise level. This thesis is focused around work toward creating a global, high-level information and material value stream map for a specified pipe assembly. It identifies the largest areas of waste in the value stream and their root causes. The recommendations assist with the reduction and elimination of the major time delays, inventory buildups, re-work, excessive processes and other waste in the system. The pipe assembly chosen as the basis for the enterprise value stream map is part of a system, newly developed for the current aircraft carrier. The pipe assembly is representative of other pipe assemblies fabricated in the shipyard, so challenges experienced with the manufacturing and flow of the selected assembly are likely to be seen in many other pipe assemblies in the facility. A large number of assemblies was examined to determine the root causes of delivery problems. The analysis was based on the criticality of the ship need date. The root causes for the late assembly delivery were found to be inadequate material inventory levels in the warehouses, lack of fabrication timeline coordination between fabrication shops, late engineering drawing revisions, underestimated fabrication durations, late supplier delivery, late material purchase order placement, and lost material. Suggestions are provided to improve operational efficiencies by targeting the elimination of these root causes that result in the delay of assembly fabrication. Some include material ordering process reorganization, shop loading variability elimination, fabrication timeline alignment, metric realignment, and rework system prioritization. Recommendations for future work focus are
(cont.) concentrated on the control of the stock material inventory levels, alignment of the incentives across the enterprise, and reorganization of the planning processes.
by Yuliya M. Frenkel.
S.M.
M.B.A.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2000.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-125).
by James Scott Ball.
S.M.

Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2019, In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2019, In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 87-88).
Historically, the Storage business unit of the Dell-EMC Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) has maintained large inventory buffers to deal with high demand uncertainty and minimize part shortages. High product configurability and complex product structures continue to present challenges to effectively managing component inventory. In addition, many supply and demand planning decisions are contextual rather than process driven, making it difficult to understand precisely how inventory level is influenced by its independent variables. The objective of this project is to develop a set of dynamic inventory policies to enable inventory reduction at ISG while maintaining or improving cycle service levels. Our approach is based on modeling the inventory behavior of the existing supply chain system, and generating inventory policies that more accurately reflect consumption within the system. Three parameterized inventory policies have been built and tested.
We modeled inventory, forecast and actual demand data, used demand classification techniques to selectively adjust policy recommendations for certain drives and validated policy performance by adjusting input parameters. Based on model training for three quarters from August, 2017 to May, 2018 and validation from May, 2018 to August, 2018 our final choice was an order-up-to policy developed by fitting empirical distributions to historical forecast errors and using those distributions to recommend safety stock levels. The policy was applied to 111 CFGs representing 2,758 part numbers. We used August, 2018 to November, 2018 as a test period and applied the policy to observe its performance. Results indicated a 96.40% service level and 36% mean inventory reduction as compared to the baseline, which had a 98.40% service level. The 3.60% loss of service represented 56 shortages.
Of those, we identified 31 that could be eliminated through simple policy refinement, leading to a revised service level of 98.55%. Overall, our results suggest that a mathematical inventory management approach can be used reliably to model the hard drive supply chain, recommend an inventory policy and realize significant inventory reduction opportunities without compromising service level. This thesis concludes by proposing important supply chain system design changes, where several issues at the root of ISG's inventory management challenges reside.
by Ephraim D. Machtinger.
M.B.A.
S.M.
M.B.A. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management
S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering

The EU strives for improving the use of resources in industry and society, a part of this is to turn the economy from a liner, consumption economy, to a circular, reusable economy. In order for this to be achieved industry needs adjust their production to facilitate remanufacturing of used products as well as producing new products. A part of the challenge industry is facing is the increase in complexity and volume in regard for information and material flows, one way of handling this in manufacturing companies is to use ERP- systems to keep track of information and material flows. The purpose of the thesis is to investigate the possibility to implement ERP- systems in remanufacturing industries since the amount of uncertainties and sources of variations shadows those in new product manufacturing. In order to reach a conclusion in regards to the purpose of this thesis three research questions where formed: What production steps are need to complete the remanufacturing process? What are the pros and cons of using ERP- systems within remanufacturing? What are the critical implementation factors that remanufacturing industries need to consider when implementing ERP- systems? In order to answer the research questions a literature study was performed to gain insight in the academic knowledge on the subject. In addition to the literature study a case study was conducted as well at a refurbishing company within the train industry. From the literature and case study it was concluded that the remanufacturing process consist of five phases, receiving the product from the market, dismantling it, repair and restore the components, reassemble the product, return the product to the customer/market. Since ERP- systems are continually being developed and their ability to handle uncertainties and variations improve, they could be used at companies facing increased variations and uncertainties than those found in companies only conducting new product production. The pros of utilizing ERP- systems are: financial gains through reduction of administrative, production and inventory costs, the customer related gains come from improved communication, the positive effects on the internal processes are achieved from increased productivity and efficiency. The final area where positive effects can be found is the knowledge and growth are, where ERP- systems follow up on best practises and makes the information easier to access. The drawbacks of using ERP- systems are that it is costly to purchase and implement them, and the company might need to adjust its methods and processes in order to fit the functions included in the ERP- system. As well as there is a need to educate and train the staff to handle the system in a correct fashion.  In order to succeed in implementing a ERP- system, there is a great need for a vision of what the system is supposed to achieve as well as a clear support from the leadership. The implementation needs an assign leader that makes sure that the right functions and systems are being introduced and the amount of special adjustments are kept to a minimum to reduce the risk of making the implementation slower and costlier. In conclusion, remanufacturing companies could draw great advantage from implementing a ERP- system, if not only for the standardisation of methods and tasks, but also from the more user friendly information system.
Ibland annat EU driver man ett arbete med att bli bättre på att ta tillvara på de resurser och tillgångar som vi har, en del av detta arbete är att företag ska kunna ta emot använda produkter och återvinna materialen och komponenterna för att producera nya produkter, man vill ställa om från en linjär till en cirkulär ekonomi. Denna omställning är en utmaning för nytillverkande företag då dessa har optimerat sin verksamhet för att producera produkter och saknar därför system för att ta emot använda produkter och demonteras dessa. En del i utmaningen är den ökade komplexitet som uppstår vid introduktionen av fler flöden och behovet av ytterligare processer. För att hantera information och materialflöden använder sig företag av integrerade affärssystem, ERP-system, där information centraliseras i företaget och görs tillgängligt för alla funktioner. Följande arbete har fokuserat på att utröna huruvida företag som är aktiva inom reparations- och livstidsförlängande verksamhet kan dra nyttan av att använda ERP-system då dessa typer av verksamheter har stora variationer i processtid, tillgång och kvalitet på returnerade produkter samt att efterfrågan varierar kraftigt. För att uppfylla syftet med arbetet har tre forskningsfrågor upprättats: Hur ser tillverkningsprocesser ut inom reparations- och livstidsförlängande verksamheter? Vilka är fördelar och nackdelar med användning av integrerade affärssystem till reparations- och livstidförlängande verksamheter? Vilka faktorer är viktigt att tänka vid implementeringen och användandet av integrerade affärssystem till reparations- och livstidförlängande verksamheter? För att besvara forskningsfrågorna har en litteraturstudie genomförts för att bestämma den akademiska kunskapen inom området, samt en fallstudie hos ett företag verksamt inom reparation och livstidsförlängande av tåg i syfte att samla in empirisk data. Från litteraturstudien och fallstudien har det konstaterats att tillverkningsprocessen hos reparations- och livstidsförlängande verksamheter består av fem moment; mottagande, demontering, upparbetning, återmontering och återlämning/försäljning. Då ERP-system blir allt mer avancerade har deras förmåga att hantera osäkerheter och förändringar ökat, detta har gjort att verksamheter med korta planeringshorisonter samt många osäkerhetskällor kan tillämpa ERP-system till sin verksamhet. Fördelar med att göra detta återfinns inom fyra kategorier: finansiella (så som reducerade kostnader för administration), produktion och lager, kundrelaterade fördelar (som förbättrad kommunikation och tidshållning), intern verksamhetsfördelar genom ökad produktivitet och effektivitet, kunskap och tillväxtfördelar så som användarvänligare system och ökad effektivitet samt att ERP- system följer upp ”best practis” mönster. Nackdelar med ERP-system är att dessa är kostsamma att införskaffa och implementera, samt att verksamheten kan behöva standardisera sina metoder för att vara kompatibla med systemets funktioner. Även kunskapen inom företaget behöver öka för att hantera systemen. För att lyckas med implementeringen av ERP-system krävs en tydlig vision om vad systemet ska uppnå och stötting i form av ledarskapsfördelning och implementeringsteam som driver på arbetet, samt att mängden specialanpassning hålls till ett minimum då detta riskerar att dra ut på processen vilket driver upp kostnaderna. Slutsatsen är att reparations- och livstidsförlängande verksamheter kan dra stora fördelar av att implementera ERP-system, bland annat genom standardisering av arbetssätt men också tack vare användarvänligare informationssystem. Dock behövs en tydlig vision för att användandet ska lyckas.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 84-86).
by Louis W. Rassey.
S.M.
M.B.A.

In the development stages of a Digital twin of production assets, especially machine tools, real time process monitoring and data gathering proves to be vital. Having a monitoring system that monitors and updates the operators or managers in real time, helps improve productivity in terms of reducing downtime through predictive/preventive analytics and by incorporating in process quality assessment capabilities. When it comes to Real time monitoring of machine tools andprocesses, sensor technologies have proven to be the most effective and widely researched. Years of research and development have paved the way for many smart sensor technologies that come both in built with the machine tools as well as external applications. However, these technologies prove to be expensive and complicated to implement especially for Small and Medium Enterprises. This thesis focuses on evaluating and testing a simple, cost-efficient monitoring system using inexpensive sensor technologies that would help optimize an existing Digital twin setup for machine tools for Small and Medium Enterprises. Experiments with a 5 axis CNC machine tool using different tools and varying operating parameters, materials were performed,and the relevant sensor data were collected, mapped, analysed for accuracy and benchmarking. The thesis also evaluates the integration of this data with the information already collected from other sources, improve existing data reliability, and provides guidelines on this could be transformed usefully to create more value to SME’s.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2010.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-87).
Corporations continue to grapple with the dilemma of identifying, developing and managing the implementation of meaningful process improvement projects while simultaneously meeting business goals and customer needs. In this thesis we propose a methodology, dubbed Design for Project Implementation (DFPI) that integrates a change management model and engineering design and assessment tools to provide facts and data upon which to base decisions. We suggest that the methodology can be applied via a two-dimensional evaluation process that provides a means of balancing the needs of the business (via an impact to business perspective) and a means to accelerate return on investment (via an ease of project implementation perspective). We propose that the DFPI methodology can be applied in a bottoms-up approach to investigate the value proposition of a project, highlighting critical project elements and making specific recommendations to project leaders. We also suggest that a DFPI integrated business solution (design tools in conjunction with an interactive database) can be applied in a top-down approach, identifying high risk or high leverage areas to leadership sponsors whom can deploy project leaders to investigate the potential opportunities. We tested our hypotheses related to the DFPI methodology and design tools at Raytheon Company. The methodology was deployed on process improvement projects targeted on leveraging the increased capability gained from a recent transition to an SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) system integrated solution. In this thesis we define the DFPI methodology, describe how the associated design tools can be customized to target any type of business processes within a corporation (by applying it to ERP-related business processes at Raytheon), review the results of our pilot application at Raytheon and conclude with a short discussion of future areas of study.
by Julie M. Chun.
S.M.
M.B.A.

Дисертацію присвячено формуванню стратегії корпоративної соціальної відповідальності підприємств в умовах розвитку інтеграційних процесів, Здійснено узагальнення теоретичних основ розвитку концепції корпоративної соціальної відповідальності та визначено її місце і роль у системі управління машинобудівних підприємств. Проаналізовано міжнародний досвід проведення соціальної діяльності суб’єктів господарювання та окреслено особливості національної моделі соціально відповідальної діяльності підприємств. Проведено аналіз впливу сучасних тенденцій розвитку машинобудівної галузі на особливості управління соціально відповідальною діяльністю підприємств та їх взаємовідносинами зі стейкхолдерами. Виявлено вплив організаційно-функціонального навантаження на механізм управління соціально відповідальною діяльністю підприємств машинобудівної галузі. Сформовано програмно-цільові підходи до вдосконалення управління корпоративною соціально відповідальною діяльністю машинобудівних підприємств для визначення напрямів розвитку соціальної сфери в сучасних інтеграційних умовах господарювання. В контексті розвитку теорії зацікавлених сторін, автором здійснено групування стейкхолдерів підприємства на основі їх приналежності до рівнів реалізації КСВ за такими ознаками: характером інституційної форми, взаємодії з підприємством, ступенем впливу соціальної діяльності підприємства на стейкхолдера, ступенем впливу стейкхолдерів на соціальну діяльність підприємства, належністю до підприємства, залежно від виконуваних функцій при реалізації його соціально відповідальної поведінки. Деталізація проявів зовнішньої соціальної активності підприємств на макро- та мікрорівні забезпечить оптимізацію їх ранжування, що дасть змогу оперативно реагувати на зміну вимог до рівня розвитку КСВ в інтеграційних процесах шляхом прийняття відповідних управлінських рішень. Визначено характеристики інтересів основних груп зацікавлених осіб в контексті сталого розвитку. Запропоновано науково-методичний підхід щодо здійснення внутрішнього моніторингу досягнутого рівня КСВ, який складається з п’яти етапів: формулювання цілей та визначення переліку цільових стратегічних показників; оцінювання та аналіз локальних показників за блоками результативності; розрахунок групових та інтегрального показників рівня КСВ; аналіз даних та розробка рекомендацій щодо підвищення рівня складових результативності; візуалізація та документування даних. Систематизовано критерії корпоративної соціальної діяльності підприємства, які включають етичний, юридичний, інтеграційний, економічний і філантропічний, з урахуванням інтересів зовнішніх та внутрішніх стейкхолдерів підприємства. Розроблено структурно-логічну модель стратегії управління ризиками недотримання корпоративної соціальної відповідальності підприємств машинобудування за умов активізації інтеграційних процесів, що дозволило більш точно розкрити напрями та заходи підвищення рівня КСВ на основі моніторингу та нейтралізації ризиків недотримання КСВ для мінімізації їх негативного впливу. За допомогою експертного опитування та статистичної інформації досліджуваних підприємств визначено індивідуальні показники фінансової, соціальної, взаємовідносин із зацікавленими сторонами, кадрової та екологічної складових корпоративно-соціальної відповідальності підприємств та визначено їх інтегральні показники. Доведено, що для підприємств машинобудівної галузі важливим є дотримання меж визначених показників з метою постійного динамічного зростання інтегрального рівня корпоративної соціальної відповідальності машинобудівних підприємств. На основі експертного методу встановлено, які власне показники включає фінансова, соціальна, взаємовідносин із зацікавленими сторонами та кадрова складові, що входять до інтегрального показника рівня корпоративної соціальної відповідальності підприємства. Виведено формульну залежність інтегрального показника рівня КСВ підприємства від його складових. Розрахунок інтегрального показника рівня КСВ дає змогу узгоджувати із партнерами заходи щодо розвитку корпоративної соціальної відповідальності підприємства у стратегіях інтеграційного зростання. Доведено, що підвищення рівня КСВ підприємства буде відбуватися завдяки будь-якому підвищенню окремих складових елементів КСВ. Розроблено науково-методичний підхід щодо оцінки рівня корпоративної соціальної відповідальності підприємств в системі його стратегічного розвитку та описано основні етапи даної оцінки. Запропоновано методичні підходи до обчислення коефіцієнтів вагомості груп показників з метою визначення об’єктивного інтегрального показника рівня корпоративної соціальної відповідальності машинобудівного підприємства. Здійснено розподіл базових принципів та стратегічних цілей КСВ, які інтегруються в загальну бізнес-стратегію підприємства в умовах розвитку інтеграційних процесів. Відповідно до переліку цілей та принципів КСВ, метою стратегії соціальної відповідальності є вирішення низки соціально значущих проблем шляхом створення передумов для гідного рівня соціального забезпечення та стимулювання соціальної згуртованості. Тому формування та реалізація ефективної стратегії КСВ підприємства передбачає розмежування зовнішньої і внутрішньої сфери програм реалізації соціальної відповідальності. У процесі формування корпоративної стратегії запропоновано заходи, що дають змогу підвищити конкурентоспроможність вітчизняних підприємств. Враховано основні напрями, за якими необхідно вдосконалювати взаємозв’язок стратегічного управління та корпоративної соціальної відповідальності, а також визначати проблемні аспекти в управлінні стратегією КСВ на підприємстві. При формуванні стратегії корпоративної соціальної відповідальності важливою складовою є її реалізація. Під час реалізації стратегії КСВ підприємство отримує оперативну інформацію про поточний стан КСВ, доцільність впровадження окремих заходів, труднощі, що виникають. Особливе значення має оцінка ефективності заходів спрямованих на реалізацію стратегії корпоративної соціальної відповідальності на підприємстві та визначення конкурентних переваг розвитку підприємства в умовах поглиблення інтеграційних процесів. Доведено, що ефективна реалізація стратегії КСВ підприємства неможлива без взаємовідносин зі стейкхолдерами та їх сферами впливу, до яких відносять:: державу, персонал підприємства, бізнес-партнери, довкілля, місцева громада, враховуючи при цьому зовнішні форми прояву КСВ та інтегруючи внутрішні складові соціально відповідальної політики підприємства. Визначено, що розробка стратегії соціально відповідальних заходів та її інтеграція в стратегію розвитку підприємства є обов’язковою. Важливим є її включення в стратегічну карту розвитку підприємства. Тоді проводити оцінку внутрішньої і зовнішньої КСВ можна буде в рамках кожної стратегічної перспективи за економічною, соціальною та екологічною складовими КСВ, узагальнивши їх в перспективу «Соціальна відповідальність підприємницької діяльності». Доведено, що впровадження концептуальних засад стратегії реалізації КСВ в умовах інтеграційних процесів функціонування, з урахуванням напрямів їх освоєння, дасть можливість підприємству: визначати та оцінювати проблеми у соціально-трудовій сфері; здійснювати прогнозування їх ймовірних наслідків для всіх соціальних партнерів; визначати напрями та конкретні заходи з метою удосконалення сучасного стану соціально відповідального регулювання трудових відносин; розробляти шляхи їхньої реалізації; оцінювати та обирати найбільш ефективні з них; здійснювати постійну реалізацію запланованих перспективних дій, активно використовуючи при цьому систему внутрішнього та зовнішнього контролю; використовувати прогресивні методи управління; застосовувати принципи соціальної відповідальності в межах загальної системи корпоративного управління для більш ефективного регулювання трудових відносин; надавати необхідні для цього ресурси; формувати позитивний імідж, орієнтований на пріоритет забезпечення гідної праці, збереження життя і здоров'я найманих працівників; забезпечити відкритість та доступність інформації в сфері соціальної відповідальності шляхом адекватного обміну інформацією та діалогу з усіма зацікавленими сторонами; забезпечити інформаційну відкритість та прозорість; налагодити активний прямий та зворотний зв'язок з усіма стейкхолдерами. Здійснено розподіл базових принципів та стратегічних цілей КСВ, які інтегруються у загальну бізнес-стратегію підприємства за умов розвитку інтеграційних процесів. Відповідно до переліку цілей та принципів КСВ, метою стратегії соціальної відповідальності є вирішення цілої низки соціально значущих проблем шляхом створення передумов для гідного рівня соціального забезпечення та стимулювання соціальної згуртованості. Через те, формування та реалізація ефективної стратегії КСВ підприємства передбачає розмежування зовнішньої та внутрішньої сфер програм реалізації соціальної відповідальності. Визначено напрями формування соціально відповідальної стратегії та інструментів її реалізації залежно від галузевої та регіональної специфіки діяльності підприємства, що дозволило визначити основні соціально відповідальні програми, які можуть бути реалізовані підприємством у своїй діяльності.
The dissertation is devoted to the formation of the strategy of corporate social responsibility of enterprises in the conditions of integration processes development. A generalization of the theoretical foundations for the development of the corporate social responsibility concept was made and its place and role in the management system of the machine-building enterprise was determined. The international experience of conducting social activity of business entities is analyzed and the features of the national model of socially responsible activity of enterprises are outlined. The analysis of influence of modern tendencies of machine-building industry development on the peculiarities of management of socially responsible activity of enterprises and their interrelation with stakeholders is carried out. The influence of organizational and functional load on the mechanism of enterprises’ management of socially responsible activity of machine-building industry is revealed. The program-targeted approaches to improving the management of corporate socially responsible activities of machine-building enterprises have been formed to determine the directions of social sphere development in modern integration conditions of management. In the context of the development of stakeholder theory, the author made the grouping of key stakeholders of the enterprise on the basis of their affiliation with the CSR implementation levels by the following characteristics: the nature of the institutional form, interaction with the enterprise, the degree of influence of social activity of the enterprise on the stakeholder, the degree of influence of stakeholders on social activity of the enterprise, belonging to the enterprise, depending on the functions performed in the implementation of its socially responsible behavior. Detailing the manifestations of external social activity of enterprises at the macro and micro levels will optimize their ranking, which will allow responding promptly to changing requirements for the level of CSR development in integration processes by making appropriate management decisions. The characteristics of the interests of the main stakeholder groups in the context of sustainable development are identified. A scientific and methodological approach to carry out internal monitoring of the achieved CSR level is proposed, which consists of five stages: formulating goals and defining a list of target strategic indicators; evaluation and analysis of local indicators by performance blocks; calculation of group and integrated CSR indicators; data analysis and development of recommendations for increasing the level of performance components; data visualization and documentation. The criteria of corporate social activity of the enterprise are systematized, which include ethical, legal, integration, economic and philanthropic taking into account the interests of external and internal stakeholders of the enterprise. Structural-logical model of strategy of risk management in the non-compliance with corporate social responsibility of machine-building enterprises in the conditions of activation of integration processes is developed, which made it possible to reveal more precisely the directions and measures of increasing CSR level based on monitoring and neutralizing the risks of non-compliance with CSR to minimize their negative impact. The directions and measures for increasing the level of CSR on the basis of monitoring and neutralization of risks of noncompliance with CSR to minimize their negative impact are determined. Using the expert survey and statistical information of the studied enterprises, the individual indicators of financial, social, stakeholder relations, social-labor and environmental components of corporate social responsibility of enterprises were defined and their integral indicators were determined. It is proved that for the enterprises of the machine-building industry it is important to comply with the limits of the defined indicators in order to constantly dynamically increase the integrated level of corporate social responsibility of the machine-building enterprises. Based on the expert method, it is established what indicators, in particular, include financial, social, stakeholder relations and social and labor components that are included in the integral indicator of the level of corporate social responsibility of the enterprise. The formula dependence of the integral indicator of the enterprise CSR level on the constituent indicators, which it includes, is derived. The integral CSR level indicator allows coordinating with partners the measures for the development of corporate social responsibility of the enterprise in the strategies of integration growth. It is proved that the increase of the CSR level of the enterprise will be due to any increase of individual components of the CSR. A scientific and methodological approach to assessing the level of corporate social responsibility of enterprises in the system of its strategic development is developed and describes the main stages of this assessment. The scientific and methodological approaches to calculating the weighting coefficients of groups of indicators are proposed in order to determine the objective integral indicator of the level of corporate social responsibility of the machine-building enterprise. The distribution of the main principles of CSR and strategic objectives of CSR, which are integrated into the overall business strategy of the enterprise in the conditions of the development of integration processes, is carried out. According to the list of goals and principles of CSR, the goal of the social responsibility strategy is solving a number of socially significant problems by creating prerequisites for a decent level of social security and promoting social cohesion. Therefore, the formation and implementation of an effective CSR strategy for the company involves the differentiation of external and internal spheres of implementation of social responsibility programs. In the process of forming a corporate strategy, measures have been proposed that allow increasing the competitiveness of domestic enterprises. The main directions for improving the relationship of strategic management and corporate social responsibility, as well as the problematic aspects in managing the CSR strategy at the enterprise are taken into account. In developing the strategy of corporate social responsibility an important component is its realization. When implementing the CSR strategy, the enterprise receives operational information about the current status of CSR, the possibility of introducing certain measures and the difficulties that arise. Of particular importance is the assessment of the effectiveness of measures aimed at implementing the strategy of corporate social responsibility at the enterprise and determining the competitive advantages of enterprise development in conditions of deepening the integration processes. It is proved that effective implementation of CSR strategy of an enterprise is impossible without relationships with stakeholders and their spheres of influence, which include: the state, enterprise staff, business partners, the environment, local communities, taking into account the external forms of CSR manifestation and integrating the internal components of socially responsible enterprise policy. It is determined that the development of a strategy of socially responsible activities and its integration into the strategy of enterprise development is obligatory. It is important to include it in the strategic map of enterprise development. Then it will be possible to evaluate the internal and external spheres of CSR within each strategic perspective on the economic, social and environmental components of CSR, summarizing them in the perspective of "Social responsibility of entrepreneurial activity". It is proved that implementation of conceptual bases of the implementation of CSR strategy in the conditions of integration processes of functioning, taking into account the directions of their development will enable the enterprise: to identify and evaluate problems in the social and labor sphere, to carry out their probable consequences for all social partners; identify directions and specific measures to improve the current state of socially responsible regulation of labor relations, develop ways to implement them, evaluate and select the most effective of them; to carry out continuous implementation of the planned perspective actions, while actively using the system of internal and external control; use progressive management methods, apply the principles of social responsibility within the overall corporate governance system for more effective regulation of labor relations, and provide the necessary resources; to develop a positive image focused on the priority of ensuring decent work, saving the life and health of employees; ensure openness and accessibility of information in the area of social responsibility through adequate information sharing and dialogue with all stakeholders; to ensure information openness and transparency, to establish active direct and feedback with all stakeholders. The basic principles of CSR and strategic goals of CSR are distributed, which are integrated into the overall business strategy of the enterprise under the conditions of development of integration processes. According to the list of CSR goals and principles, the goal of a social responsibility strategy is to address a range of socially significant issues by creating the preconditions for a decent level of social security and promoting social cohesion. Therefore, the formation and implementation of an effective CSR strategy of an enterprise involves the delimitation of the external and internal sphere of social responsibility programs realization. The directions of formation of a socially responsible strategy and its implementation tools are determined depending on the sectoral and regional specifics of the enterprise activity, which allowed identifying the main socially responsible programs that can be implemented by the enterprise in its activities.

Промисловість є однією з найважливіших галузей економіки. Вона забезпечує економічне зростання, соціальний розвиток, науково-технічний прогрес країни. У структурі промисловості України велику питому вагу займає машинобудування, яке в значній мірі впливає на темпи та напрями науково-технічного прогресу. Воно здатне забезпечити для країни гідне місце в міжнародному розподілі праці і значно підвищити її конкурентоспроможність на світовому ринку. Тому машинобудування є стратегічно важливою галуззю економіки України, а розвиток експорту, є одним з провідних факторів функціонування вітчизняних машинобудівних підприємств в умовах активної інтеграції України до світового економічного простору.

У дисертаційній роботі теоретично обґрунтовано і закріплено методичними підходами нове рішення актуальної науково-прикладної задачі методичного інструментарію проведення реструктуризації підприємств машинобудування на основі теоретичного обґрунтування методів здійснення інноваційної діяльності. Надано авторське поняття «реструктуризації» та уточнено поняття «інноваційна реструктуризація». Доповнено основні підходи до класифікації видів реструктуризаційних перетворень. Обґрунтовано необхідність створення розвиненої інноваційної інфраструктури для забезпечення ефективного функціонування інноваційних систем. Систематизовано чинники, які впливають на ефективність реструктуризації. Виділено три моделі стратегії інноваційного розвитку. Визначено, що неоднозначність, складність та комплексність процесу реструктуризації обумовлює різні підходи до оцінки її ефективності. Виділено сценарні підходи до інституціональних перетворень підприємств машинобудування на принципах відкритих інновацій. Запропоновано модель організаційно-економічного механізму управління відкритим розвитком підприємства, як передумову реструктуризації. Запропоновано методичний підхід щодо розрахунку точки реструктуризації, в основі якого лежить концепція життєвого циклу підприємств машинобудування та аналіз тимчасових рядів за допомогою аттракторів. Систематизовано форми прояву ефекту синергії для різних типів реструктуризації підприємств. Визначений склад мезофакторів фінансової стійкості підприємств машинобудування. Запропоновано методику кількісної оцінки синергетичного впливу реструктуризації підприємств машинобудування.
В диссертационной работе теоретически обосновано и закреплено методиками новое решение актуальной научно-прикладной задачи методического инструментария проведения реструктуризации предприятий машиностроения на основании теоретического обоснования методов осуществления инновационной деятельности. Приведено авторское понятие «реструктуризации» и уточнено понятие «инновационная реструктуризация». Дополнены основные подходы к классификации видов реструктуризационных преобразований. Обоснована необходимость создания развитой инновационной инфраструктуры для обеспечения эффективного функционирования инновационных систем. Систематизированы факторы, которые влияют на эффективность реструктуризации. Выделены три модели стратегии инновационного развития: модель стратегии «перенесения», модель стратегии «заимствования», модель стратегии «наращивания» и сделан вывод, что для Украины наиболее приемлемой является модель «наращивания». Определено, что неоднозначность, сложность и комплексность процесса реструктуризации обуславливает разные подходы к оценке ее эффективности: с позиции выполнения плана проведения реструктуризации, с точки зрения ожидаемых результатов от реструктуризации, с позиции сравнения результатов и затрат. Выделены сценарные подходы к институциональным преобразованиям предприятий машиностроения в процессе их реструктуризации: сохранение существующего статуса предприятия при изменении организационно-технической и организационно-экономической структур, разделение предприятия на несколько равноценных, технологически связанных между собой в пределах основного вида деятельности, ликвидация или отделение некоторых структурных и функциональных подразделений субпредприятия, интеграция предприятия с другими субъектами хозяйствования с одновременной потерей своей самостоятельности. Предложена модель организационно-экономического механизма управления открытым развитием предприятия, как предпосылка реструктуризации, которая учитывает инициативную составляющую инновационного развития. Предложен методический поход к выбору точки реструктуризации, в основе которого лежит концепция жизненного цикла предприятий машиностроения и анализ временных рядов с помощью аттракторов. Применение анализа жизненного цикла предприятия дает возможность определить направление изменений в деятельности предприятия. Тогда как достижение равновесия предприятия указывает на необходимость перехода в новое качество. Систематизированы формы проявления эффекта синергии для разных типов реструктуризации предприятий. Определен состав мезофакторов финансовой стойкости предприятий машиностроения. Предложена методика комплексной оценки синергетического влияния реструктуризации предприятий машиностроения в условиях открытых инноваций.
The new solution of an actual scientific and applied problem of methodical tools carrying out restructuring of the mechanical engineering enterprises is theoretically proved and fixed in dissertation work on the basis of theoretical grounding of methods of the innovative activity implementation by techniques. The authorial term "restructuring" is given and the term «innovative restructuring» is specified. Main approaches to the classification of restructuring transformation are completed. The necessity of creation the developed innovation infrastructure for provision the effective functioning of innovative system grounded. Factors which influence of efficiency of restructuring are systematized. Three models of the an innovative development strategy are constructed. The method of complex estimation of synergetic influence of enterprises of engineer is offered in the conditions of the opened innovations. Scenarios of transformation of the entrepreneurial status in the course of its restructuring are allocated. The model of the organizational and economic mechanism of management the opened development of the enterprise, as the restructuring precondition is proposed. The technique of a choice of a restructuring point on the tasis of the concept, of life cycle of the mechanical engineering enterprises and the analysis of temporary ranks by means of attractors is offered. The technique of a complex assessment of synergetic influence of restructuring of the mechanical engineering enterprises in the opened innovations is offered.

Робота виконана в Тернопільському національному технічному університеті імені Івана Пулюя Міністерства освіти і науки, молоді та спорту України. Захист відбувся “5” липня 2011 р. об 11.00 год. на засіданні спеціалізованої вченої ради К 58.052.05 у Тернопільському національному технічному університеті імені Івана Пулюя за адресою: 46001, м. Тернопіль, вул. Білогірська, 2, зал засідань. З дисертацією можна ознайомитися у бібліотеці Тернопільського національного технічного університету імені Івана Пулюя за адресою: м. Тернопіль, вул. Руська, 56.
Дисертаційну роботу присвячено розв’язанню проблеми розроблення теоретичних положень та прикладних рекомендацій щодо вибору, формування й реалізації антикризової стратегії підприємств машинобудівної галузі. У роботі висвітлено теоретико-методичні підходи до визначення сутності й значення антикризової стратегії в умовах нестабільного ринкового середовища. Проаналізовано сучасний стан і тенденції розвитку машинобудівних підприємств, особливості їх діагностування та оцінювання чинників, що впливають на кризовий стан підприємств даної галузі. Удосконалено процес оцінювання кризового стану машинобудівного підприємства та обґрунтовано основні принципи розроблення антикризової стратегії підприємства. Запропоновано шляхи удосконалення процесу реалізації антикризової стратегії підприємств машинобудівної галузі.
Диссертация посвящена вопросам разработки теоретических положений и практических рекомендаций по осуществлению выбора, формирования и реализации антикризисной стратегии предприятий машиностроительной отрасли. В первом разделе «Теоретические и прикладные основы формирования и реализации антикризисной стратегии машиностроительных предприятий» раскрыто теоретико-методические подходы к определению сущности и значения антикризисной стратегии в условиях нестабильной рыночной среды. Углублено понимание терминов «кризисные явления», «кризисная ситуация», «антикризисная стратегия», предложено классификацию антикризисных стратегий, раскрыто роль и значение антикризисных стратегий в системе стратегий предприятий, проанализировано действующие подходы к технологии реализации антикризисных стратегий в условиях как стабильной внешней среды, так и возникновения мгновенных кризисных ситуаций. Во втором разделе “Диагностирование состояния и анализ основных аспектов функционирования предприятий машиностроительной отрасли в условиях кризиса” проанализировано современное состояние и тенденции развития предприятий машиностроения, определены факторы, влияющие на их кризисное состояние, доведено необходимость диагностирования состояния отечественных предприятий с целью выбора и реализации антикризисной стратегии. В третьем разделе ”Разработка и реализация антикризисной стратегии машиностроительного предприятия” усовершенствовано процесс оценивания кризисного состояния машиностроительного предприятия, обосновано основные принципы разработки антикризисной стратеги предприятия, предложено структурно-логическую схему комплексного диагностирования кризисного состояния предприятия и разработано блок-схему оценивания уровня кризисного состояния машиностроительного предприятия. Предложено пути усовершенствования процесса реализации антикризисной стратеги предприятий машиностроительной отрясли, путем разработки матрицы внедрения антикризисной стратегии. С целью оценивания выбора и реализации антикризисной стратегии предложено метод трендового прогнозирования уровня прибыльности отечественных предприятий.
Dissertation deals with the development of the theoretical items and applied recommendations concerning selection, formation and implementation of anti-crisis strategy of the mechanical engineering enterprises. The theoretical and methodological approaches to determine the essence and significance of anti-crisis strategies in the conditions of unstable market environment are described in the thesis. The current state and trends of the mechanical engineering enterprises are analyzed. The features of the mechanical engineering enterprises diagnosis and evaluation of the factors affecting the crisis state of the mechanical engineering enterprises are described in the theses. The evaluation of the crisis state of the mechanical engineering enterprise is improved. The basic principles of developing the anti-crisis strategy of the enterprise are substantiated. The ways of improving the implementation of the anti-crisis strategy of the mechanical engineering enterprise are proposed.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are highly limited on resources for the transformation into smart factories. Nytt AB, a new startup specialized in smart manufacturing solutions, is completely focused on taking down the barriers with a basic solution: implementing a machine vision system with the purpose to monitor the machines of the factories. The main aim of this thesis is to analyze the data collected from two different machines of a medium-sized factory by monitoring the color states of the stack lights.First of all, some topics are analyzed in order to get a better understanding and knowledge of the main topic of this thesis: smart manufacturing. Secondly, the methodology used during the project is explained. Thirdly, the product developed by Nytt AB is described to get a better understanding. Together with this, the companies where the product is implemented are described. The next step is the presentation of the results by analyzing the data according to these parameters:(i), the availability of the machines, (ii), critical machine tool analysis; (iii),machine idling time; (iv), disruption events; and finally, (v), information transfer. In the results, some graphs and discussions are presented. In the following chapter the conclusions are presented, which allow the analyzed company to improve its current state. Lastly, the relocation of the product into the critical machine, the implementation of new sensors to detect temperature and vibration values of the machines and the implementation of the module OpApp within the factories are suggestions presented as future work at the end of this report.
Små och medelstora företag har mycket begränsade resurser för omvandling till smarta fabriker. Nytt AB, ett nystartat företag inom smart tillverkning, är helt fokuserad på att ta bort hinder med en enkel lösning: implementering av ett kamerasystem för övervakning av maskiner i fabriker. Huvudsyftet med detta examensarbete är att analysera data som samlats in från två olika maskiner i en medelstor fabrik genom att övervaka färgändringar i deras ljuspelare. För det första analyseras några ämnesområden för att få en bättre förståelse och kunskap om huvudtemat i detta examensarbete: smart tillverkning. För det andra förklaras den metod som används under projektet. För det tredje beskrivs den produkt som utvecklats av Nytt AB för att få en bättre förståelse. Tillsammans med detta beskrivs de företag där produkten implementeras. Nästa steg är presentationen av resultatet genom att analysera data enligt följande parametrar:(i), maskinens tillgänglighet; (ii), kritisk verktygsmaskinanalys; (iii), maskinens tomgångstid; (iv), störningshändelser och slutligen; (v), informationsöverföring. I resultatet presenteras några grafer och diskussioner. Slutsatserna presenteras därefter. Dessa slutsatser gör att det analyserade företaget kan förbättra sitt nuvarande tillstånd. Som framtida arbete föreslås slutligen flytt av kamerasystemet till den kritiska maskinen, införande av nya sensorer för att övervaka temperaturer och vibrationsvärden för maskinerna och implementeringav modulen OpApp i fabriker.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2006.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-140).
How do enterprises successfully conceive, design, deliver, and operate large-scale, engineered systems? These large-scale projects often involve high complexity, significant technical challenges, a large number of diverse stakeholders, distributed execution, and aggressive goals. In this context, simultaneously meeting technical performance, cost, and schedule goals effectively and efficiently is a serious challenge. In fact, it is rarely accomplished. The nature of an enterprise contributes to this challenge. Enterprises are interorganizational networks with distributed leadership and stakeholders with both common and diverse interests. They are unique from traditional levels of analysis in organizational studies, and in general their behavior is not well understood. They are a prevalent form of organizing work in these large engineering projects, where one organization simply does not have the capability or willingness to take on the entire project by themselves. This work explores the factors that distinguish high performance enterprises from those that are less successful in these large-scale projects. The setting for this research is programs in the aerospace industry.
(cont.) A comparative case study method was used to study nineteen programs spanning the U.S. (mainly defense) aerospace industry in order to develop grounded theory regarding contemporary program execution strategies and distinguishing attributes. Drawing on prior research with high performance teams, several characteristics were explored and refined, eventually resulting in identification of ten best practices. The contribution of this work is codification of these best practices into a coherent framework of complementary elements relating to particular outcomes. The framework articulates three drivers of individual and systemic behaviors: a system of distributed leadership, informal and formal structures. The framework addresses the role each of these plays in enterprise performance. The synergistic combination of the elements enables enterprises to execute planned activities, leverage emergent opportunities, and deal with unforeseen circumstances. For enterprises involved in large-scale engineering projects, these capabilities are a necessity for success. In addition to an academic theory, this framework can be considered an architectural design for high performance enterprises. Putting this enterprise architecture into practice has important implications for both corporate and program management.
by Alexis Kristen Stanke.
Ph.D.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2005.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-98).
Air Force sustainment operations are the focus of an intensive internal effort to improve performance and reduce costs. Past improvement initiatives have often failed to produce the intended results, and have caused performance to decline in some cases. Exploratory research was conducted at an Air Logistics Center to study how improvements are executed. Two conclusions are drawn from this research. The first is that changing sustainment operations is a problem of high dynamic and behavioral complexity. The second conclusion is that system models are well suited to coordinating change at the ALC because they provide insight into how a complicated system can be managed and improved. Three key findings support these conclusions. First, there is significant correlation between categories of unavailable F-16 aircraft such that reductions in one category are associated with increases in another. Second, an analysis of change efforts in two parts of the ALC shows that systemic influences, such as the inability to reinvest in improvements, are hindering change initiatives in one part of the ALC.
(cont.) The third finding is that a model of sustainment operations suggests that independent improvement initiatives are outperformed by coordinated efforts driven with an understanding of systemic interactions. Leaders throughout the sustainment community have expressed their desire to understand how sustainment operations function as a system. A hybrid approach to change is offered as a method for understanding and improving sustainment operations. System models are used to quantify and model system interactions; then policies and recommendations are drawn from the models. Recommendations may include process-level improvements utilizing change methods already in use at the ALC.
by Justin M. Hemann.
S.M.

There is a noticeable lack of production of indigenously engineered and manufactured products in Less Developed Countries (LDC's). Few products developed in these LDC's could be viable in competitive markets or even sold as components and supplies to other manufacturers of competitive goods. Assumintg that these less developed countries do not innovate and manufacture because they cannot, the next logical question to ask is why can they not? This thesis looks at the problems of manufacture and design in LDC's from the standpoint of Product Development. It begins by looking at development theories, namely top down and bottom up and assessing the difficulties encountered with either approach. It then looks at literature on product development, covering four areas: appropriate technolotgy, Product Development Cycle, QFD, and finally Design for X. These areas are analyzed for their usefulness in solving the development problem. The environment is considered and a linkage is developed between the Product Development Cycle and the environment. This is found to happen by way of Enterprise Needs which are needs that a product must fulfill to make it a viable option for manufacture. Finally, a process is outlined and demonstrated to form Enterprise Needs and take them into account within a traditional concept selection process. Environment was found to play a part in the Product Development Cycle. By clarifying Enterprise Needs as well as Customer Needs or Functional Needs, a more balanced approach can be taken to the concept selection process choosing the best concept, not only for the customer, but for the company as well.

Schlumberger drilling tools are exposed to very hard loading conditions (shocks, vibrations, thermal cycling) while performing a job. As these tools are full of electronics, issues can quickly come from electronics failure. Mechanisms of failure occurring in electronics are very complex but can be predicted in some cases. The first part of the thesis describes in which context mechanical engineering applied to electronics is used in Schlumberger. The different kinds of failure which will be investigated in the report are presented in this part. The second part deals with fatigue models used in electronics. From classical methods used in mechanical engineering to calculate a material fatigue life, fatigue models are adapted and formulated for special applications. The third part investigates the issue of capacitor flex-cracking which occurs when boards do not remain flat during loadings (shocks or thermal cycling). Root causes of this mechanism of failure are investigated in this part to find key points where improvements have to be made to avoid failure. The fourth part presents a common failure which deals with Plated Through Holes (PTHs) issues. A simple model of investigations is established. The fifth part deals with fatigue life of leadless components (resistors) under thermal cycling. Even if the failure is revealed during shock tests, the damage is mostly created during the thermal cycles applied on the board prior to shock. The effect of the size of the component is discussed in this part. The last part deals with modal analysis on a given board in order to be able to reduce the impact and the damage of shocks applied on this board. Simulation and experimental modal analysis are compared in order to see the influence of certain parameters on the natural frequencies of the board.

A preferred methodology for handling increasing customer demands and the resulting complexity is to design common modules or subsystems. The design of all the modules required by a complex system, such as a car, aeroplane or computer, is increasingly a task beyond the organisational resources of the OEMs and their close suppliers. Therefore, a larger burden is transferred down the supply chain. As a consequence, lower tier suppliers are required to play a more proactive role and demonstrate an appropriate breadth of skills and resources in order to provide complete sub-systems. This research focuses on collaboration and e-business for a solution which will enable engineering SMEs to respond to such challenges and undertake higher value projects. In particular, the aim of this engineering doctorate is to develop and implement a mechanism that puts together combinations of SMEs with the required capability, within an e-business environment. Accounting for 99.3% of all manufacturing companies and 50.8% of the total employment, SME prosperity and `well-being' has significant impact on the national economy. Analyses, such as these provided by KPMG and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, indicate that the demand for common components could substantially reduce the number of small manufacturers and subcontractors. Statistics published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) confirm the decline of the sector, a reduction of over 22% in overall sector turnover has been reported in the past two years. Although, improved communication links through collaboration and `e' enablement could permit SMEs to move towards a more enriched business model, there is evidence that ebusiness take-up and success in Europe among engineering businesses is low. For instance, focusing on on-line sales, the eEurope 2004 benchmarking report admits that only 14% of SMEs make on-line sales and in only 7% of SMEs do on-line sales constitute more than 5% of their overall sales. The vast majority of companies still continue to rely on old trusted methods of doing business even though outsourcing to lower cost regions and countries is a major threat to many engineering SMEs in Europe. Access to specific competences drives organisations to collaborate with each other. Focusing on the organisational competence, a notion which expresses the key skills and capabilities of an organisation, an ICT based methodology has been developed and tested in this research. The `Competence Profiling Methodology' facilitates collaborative business processes. The methodology enables the discovery of appropriate collaborators for the development and manufacture of complex systems by matching complimentary competences and softer factors. These ideas were developed and tested within two SME projects in the West Midlands, Autocle@r and Autolean 3, as well as with the DTI funded Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands, a one-stop shop to assist manufacturing SMEs. The results from these projects were used to develop a practical portal architecture, to help e-enable engineering SMEs. The resulting West Midlands Collaborative Commerce Marketplace, has over 2000 SME members, has had over 40,000 tenders through the system and over 100 companies are using collaborative spaces to coordinate resources. A key conclusion of this research is that traditional e-business is poorly suited to engineering SMEs being very standard product orientated. Skills and capabilities are far more generic than end products and focusing on them can support more effective eenablement of engineering companies. Results from the WMCCM (www.wmccm.co.uk) project confirm this.

The resilience of manufacturing enterprises is an important research topic, since disruptions have severe effects on the normal operation of manufacturing enterprises, especially as manufacturing supply chains become global. Although many case studies have been carried out to address resilience in organizations, a systematic method to model and analyze the resilience dynamics in manufacturing enterprises is not well developed. This study is intended to conduct research on quantitative analysis and control for resilience. After reviewing the literature addressing resilience, a modeling framework is presented to characterize the resilience of a manufacturing enterprise responding to disruptive events, which includes inventory ow between enterprise nodes, different costs, resource, demand, etc. Each node within the network is represented as a dynamic model with associated costs of production and inventory. This mathematical model is the foundation of quantitative analysis and control. With this model, an optimal control problem is formulated, by which the control can be solved to achieve minimum cost. Several different types of systems are defined and analyzed in this work. We develop the approach of aggregation to simplify the network structures. The study is mainly focused on two categories of network systems: serial network systems and assembly tree network systems. The analysis on these two categories covers two conditions: in discrete time domain without considering capacities, and in continuous time domain with considering capacities. The methods to determining optimal operations are developed under different conditions. In the serial network systems analysis, a practical case study is introduced to show the corresponding method developed. Finally, the problems are discussed for future research. Based on the results of these analyses, we present optimal control policies for resilience. Our method can support the analysis of the impact of disruptions, and the development of control strategies that reduce the impact of the disruption.

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2011.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-39).
Humanoid robots are artificial constructs designed to emulate the human body in form and function. They are a unique class of robots whose anthropomorphic nature renders them particularly well-suited to interact with humans in a world designed for humans. The present work examines a subset of the plethora of engineering challenges that face modem developers of humanoid robots, with a focus on challenges that fall within the domain of mechanical engineering. The challenge of emulating human bipedal locomotion on a robotic platform is reviewed in the context of the evolutionary origins of human bipedalism and the biomechanics of walking and running. Precise joint angle control bipedal robots and passive-dynamic walkers, the two most prominent classes of modem bipedal robots, are found to have their own strengths and shortcomings. An integration of the strengths from both classes is likely to characterize the next generation of humanoid robots. The challenge of replicating human arm and hand dexterity with a robotic system is reviewed in the context of the evolutionary origins and kinematic structure of human forelimbs. Form-focused design and function-focused design, two distinct approaches to the design of modem robotic arms and hands, are found to have their own strengths and shortcomings. An integration of the strengths from both approaches is likely to characterize the next generation of humanoid robots.
by Peter Guang Yi Lu.
S.B.

This thesis describes investigations into the phenomenon of time estimation in mechanical engineering design. Time estimating in this context refers to estimating in advance the approximate duration of a new design project, for the purpose of preparing schedules. The thesis describes background to the estimation problem, including practical and theoretical aspects of design, design management and market conditions. The research presented is based on data gathered from industrial collaborators, therefore detailed descriptions of the collaborating firms are included. A quantitative study is described which demonstrates that current estimation techniques are not infallible; and that there can be a statistically significant link between the estimated and actual completion times. A process of grounded theorising, based on expert interviews, is presented. Models of the design estimation task were generated by this process, and are included. Differences were found in the models for the estimation of times in an Engineer to Order (ETO) environment, and estimation in a Volume Manufacturing environment. The models were corroborated firstly by checking if they could be recognised and endorsed by the experts from which they were generated, and. secondly by checking if they could be recognised and endorsed by an expert not involved in the original model generation. Correspondence was found to be good. A modified model of time estimation is presented, taking into account the findings of the corroboration exercise. Finally, an example of a simple tool for assisting the estimation process is included.

New technological processes of hardening using nanotechnology have been developed, tested and used in the manufacture. In this case, an integrated approach is used in the study, which included constructive solutions at hardening, application of nano- and micro-sized coatings, the choice of material and processing technology. New technologies of hardening are effective for work in friction, corrosion and fatigue conditions.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study is to develop a tool to enable manufacturing enterprises to develop a sustainability strategy suited to their specific business. In the study, the business reality that faces enterprises is discussed from a systems perspective. The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development are explored. Specific attention is paid to building mental models of what these concepts entail and the application thereof in individual manufacturing enterprises. Specific strategies and concepts, such as the Five Capitals Model, the Natural Step and Industrial Ecology, are highlighted. These tools and strategies are then consolidated into a ―Sustainable Roadmap‖, a tool to facilitate the development of a sustainability strategy. The ―Sustainability Roadmap‖ is tested by applying it to a case study.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: maatskappye sal help om ‗n onderneming spesifieke volhoubaarheids strategie te ontwikkel. In die studie word die besigheids realiteit van vervaardigingsmaatskappye bespreek van sistemiese perspektief. Die konsepte van volhoubaarheid en volhoubare ontwikkeling word verken. Spesifieke aandag word gegee aan die bou van modelle van wat hierdie konsepte behels. Spesifieke strategieë en modelle soos die ―Five Capitals Model‖, ―Natural Step‖ en ‖Industrial Ecology‖ word uitgelig. Hierdie konsepte en strategieë word dan saamgevat op ‗n sistematiese manier in ‗n ―Volhoubaarheids Padkaart‖, ‗n padkaart wat maatskappye kan volg om ‗n volhoubaarheids strategie te ontwikkel. Die ―Volhoubaarheids Padkaart‖ word getoets deur dit toe te pas op ‗n gevallestudie.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2007.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 287-291).
The United States aerospace and defense budgets are shrinking, resources are scarce and requirements are more demanding: aerospace and defense enterprises are expected to deliver a more capable product in less time and with fewer resources. To achieve this tough mission, the enterprises that comprise the United States aerospace and defense industries must form strategic partnerships and collaborations to utilize their respective resources, knowledge, and expertise to meet their customers' needs. Collaboration, be it between competing companies or within different divisions of the same company, is necessary for the survival of each company and the defense industry. In the past. United States aerospace and defense company relationships consisted mostly of a prime contractor. with sub-contractors providing a specific hardware or software subsystem. as specified by the prime contractor. Today, aerospace and defense company relationships are moving more toward that of "partners" where the previous supplier or sub-contractor for hardware or software subsystems is now sharing in the overall system design and engineering efforts.
(cont.) Since the partner companies and intra-company divisions are still geographically distributed throughout the United States, it is necessary for the aerospace and defense contractors to perform collaborative, distributed systems engineering (CDSE) over several geographical locations. Previous research has demonstrated that the design practices of distributed design teams differ from those of traditional. co-located teams. However. many companies today are performing CDSE using systems engineering (SE) processes and methods developed for traditional SE environments and are therefore encountering many issues. Successful SE practices are difficult to carry-out when performed by a traditional, co-located enterprise. The addition of geographic distribution and cross-company or intra-company collaboration in SE presents a myriad of social and technological challenges that necessitate new and different SE methods for success. Best practices for CDSE are currently unknown (or undocumented). In an attempt to benchmark the current state of CDSE practices in industry, this research presents the collection of CDSE lessons learned and success factors gathered from two case studies carried out at two United States aerospace and defense companies.
(cont.) The case studies examine many different factors that pertain to the companies "current CDSE efforts, including collaboration scenarios: collaboration tools; knowledge and decision management; SE practices and processes; SE process improvements: SE culture: SE project management. SE organization: and SE collaboration benefits and motivation. Since the research for successful CDSE practices is in its infancy. this research also outlines key areas for future CDSE research.
by Darlene Ann Utter.
S.M.

Education should be one of the highest priorities of any country. The ability to pass on knowledge and understanding effectively is a sign of a good educational system. From an engineering perspective, better teaching tools allow for greater understanding by the students making them better engineers. Educational aids have been with us for a long time. Inventions from the abacus to the personal computer, have aided engineering students in faster understanding and application of their work. These aids are costly and sometimes become affordable only when outdated and redundant. A low-cost device that does not date would be the educationalist's ideal solution. To this end, a concept model of a conveyor sorting system was developed using Lego as the design medium. The model is a conveyor belt along which coloured blocks are sorted into bins by pneumatic cylinders. The model is controlled by a personal computer and the Lego interface box. The software is written in Visual Basic.

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2010.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 38).
In 2004, The National Academy of Engineers (NAE) released a report calling for changes to be made to the current engineering education system in response to the growing need for engineering graduates who would be able to understand engineering problems in a larger context. The present study hopes to gain a better understanding of the growth of flexible engineering education by determining differences in student characteristics and their effect on a student's choice of academic program, identifying the perceptions of the MIT community of flexible and traditional engineering programs and how these perceptions changed over time, and establishing whether or not a correlation exists between students' perceived self-efficacy in engineering and professional abilities and his or her career plans. An online survey was developed and administered to the Course 2 and Course 2-A student body. Significant differences in motivation, opinion of Course 2 and Course 2-A, as well as perceived self-efficacy were found between Course 2 and Course 2-A students.
by Shanette A. Go.
S.B.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, June 2009.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
"May 2009." Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references.
An emerging requirement for 21st century enterprises is operational flexibility, a requirement particularly important for the U. S. Department of Defense (DoD). To achieve flexibility, most practice and research emphasizes process improvement, robust collaboration and "flattened" or "networked" organizations. Lateral alignment has also been proposed as a means to enable flexibility. Missing from these approaches is an appreciation and understanding of the role of architecture and hierarchy as well how to apply these ideas at the enterprise level of organization. The DoD has embraced information technology as one means to achieve flexibility via these methods. Within DoD the Air Force is a uniquely flexible combat arm, but it has proven particularly difficult to integrate air power at the level of inter-service (Joint) military operations in order to leverage this flexibility. Kometer (ESD Ph.D., 2005) used a complex, large-scale, interconnected, open, socio-technical (CLIOS) systems analysis to examine command and control of the Combat Air Operations System (CAOS), proposing new command and control concepts to gain flexibility. This thesis extends Kometer's research by using a qualitative architectural analysis to explore the twin ideas of hierarchy and laterality in enabling flexibility. We define lateral interactions as those within the same layer of an enterprise hierarchy. Lateral interactions enable formalized collaboration among peer entities, which can enable more operational alternatives and make these alternatives executable on more responsive timelines than possible with classic hierarchical structures.
(cont.) We identify previously unexamined trends in the operational architecture of combat air operations that are related to flexibility and examine the trade-offs between flexibility and other enterprise properties. We find a pattern of increasing enterprise laterality from beginning to end of the case studies and an association between upper- and lower-echelon laterality, overall system flexibility and strategic coherence. To enrich the analytical framework, an analogous example of flexibility in the New England Patriots football team is developed and presented. We find that our architecture framework provides a rich addition to existing empirical research on combat air power and addresses difficult socio-technical analysis issues in a way that complements other approaches. We also find that traditional perspectives on flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness trade-offs are strongly dependent on hierarchical level of analysis. Our framework lays a foundation for rigorous holistic enterprise design efforts in the area of military operations and other socio-technical enterprises such as health care, disaster relief and large-scale defense acquisition.
by John Q. Dickmann, Jr.
Ph.D.

Includes abstract.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-231).
The work presented here describes the development and validation of a diagnostic New Product Development Practices (NPDP) Model for the sustainability of Small and Medium Engineering Enterprises (SMEEs). A review of the literature regarding the sustainability of SMEEs, supported with the data gathered through the case study of a sample of SMEEs, led to the creation of a model. The model consists of unique elements such as the Innovative Engine and an environment called the Innovative Space. This model was used to shape further data collection instruments since it represented the ideal status in terms of sustainability potential or a measure of a particular SMEE. Comprehensive data relating to the various components of the NPDP model were gathered from 18 SMEEs. The SMEEs were chosen from a governmental database of small enterprises in the manufacturing sector of the Western Cape. Analysis of the data yielded a classification of these SMEEs in terms of their sustainability potential. This depended on the level of their NPDP as compared with the ones indicated by the proposed model. On the assumption that proof of sustainability of a SMEE is in its “growth”, the 18 SMEEs were re-visited after a period of three years, i.e.: from the original data collection that informed the model and subsequent classification. Data regarding their growth was collected. Analysis of this latest set of data revealed that most companies performed as expected, based on their potential for sustainability within a range of “growth factor” values.

Flexible electronic devices such as solar cells, touch panels and wearable displays have developed industrially and commercially in recent years because they are flexible and light weight at low cost. Since such devices constitute a brittle oxide layer applied to a polymer substrate, the cracking and/or film damage of the brittle inorganic coating when the device is under different mechanical and environmental loading during processing and service is one of the most important problems in the flexible electronic industry. This can lead to degradation and reduction in electrical functionality of the entire device; therefore, it is important to assess the behaviour of such layers under different mechanical deformation and environmental loads and to develop new mechanical testing for predicting reliability. This research focusses on the investigation of the reliability of two types of flexible components; indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), and Ag-alloy based indium tin oxide (ITO/Ag-alloy /ITO), that are typically used as a channel layer, and as an anode in thin film transistor and solar cell applications respectively. IGZO was deposited on both polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrates for investigation including uniaxial tensile and buckling tests coupled with in situ confocal laser scanning microscopy. Ex situ scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were performed to investigate the cracking morphology of the IGZO films after testing. Furthermore, the electro-mechanical performance and corrosion resistance of ITO/Ag-alloy /ITO were investigated using in situ twisting tests, twisting fatigue, corrosion by aggressive salt environments, bending fatigue, bending fatigue-corrosion and long term bending under different temperature and humidity conditions.

Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня кандидата економічних наук за спеціальністю 08.00.04 – економіка та управління підприємствами (за видами економічної діяльності). – Національний технічний університет "Харківський політехнічний інститут", Харків, 2017. Дисертація присвячена розробці і науковому обґрунтуванню теоретичних і науково-методичних підходів до управління логістичними витратами в умовах функціонування машинобудівних підприємств України. В роботі проведено аналіз існуючих підходів до управління логістичними витратами, їхньої класифікації, організації процесів їх оцінки, обліку та аналізу, а також досліджено особливості машинобудування, що впливають на ці процеси. Виявлено основні відмінні риси логістичних витрат як об'єкту управління та встановлено ключові складові процесу управління логістичними витратами. Узагальнено та обрано критерії класифікації логістичних витрат, запропонована неієрархічна фасетна класифікація. Обґрунтовано вибір управління витратами за видами діяльності як основи для розробки методичного підходу до управління логістичними витратами машинобудівного підприємства. Виявлено низку проблем, характерних для вітчизняних підприємств машинобудування. Розроблено систему оцінки витрат логістичної діяльності машинобудівного підприємства за видами діяльності. Запропоновано методичний підхід до організації управління витратами за видами діяльності в контексті роботи підприємств машинобудування. Запропоновано комплексний підхід до організації прийняття рішень та використання інформаційних технологій в контексті управління логістичними витратами. Теоретично обґрунтовано та розроблено практичні рекомендації з використання сукупності аналітичних методів, що удосконалює аналіз витрат логістики підприємств машинобудування. Запропоновано метод прогнозування логістичних витрат, математичною основою якого є використання штучних нейронних мереж.
Thesis for granting the Degree of Candidate of Economical sciences in specialty 08.00.04 – economy and management of the enterprises (by types of economic activity). – National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", Kharkiv, 2017. The thesis is devoted to the development and scientific substantiation of theoretical, scientific and methodological approaches to the logistics costs management in the conditions of Ukrainian mechanical engineering enterprises functioning. The study analyzes the existing approaches to the management of logistics costs, their classification, the organization of their assessment, accounting, analysis and forecasting, as well as the features of the mechanical engineering that affect the processes. Also, the terminological basis for logistics cost management was studied and improved by the development on logistics costs definition. The main distinctive features of logistics costs as an object of management are revealed and key components of the logistics costs management process are identified. Based on the content analysis of scientific literature, the criteria for classifying logistics costs are generalized and defined, the non-hierarchical faceted classification according to the logistics functions, the stage of logistical processes and the variability of costs over time is proposed. With the help of mathematical method (ID3) for constructing decision trees, the choice of cost management by types of activity is justified as a basis for developing a methodical approach to managing the logistics costs of a mechanical engineering enterprise. Using the methods of system analysis, generalization, as well as interviews with representatives of enterprises of the industry, many significant problems typical for domestic mechanical engineering enterprises were revealed. The paper analyzes trends in the development of mechanical engineering in Ukraine, and describes the technological and organizational processes characteristic in the industry. The specifics and problems of the activity of mechanical engineering enterprises, such as the insufficient use of information technologies, insufficient attention of managers to the systematic accounting of logistics costs, the lack of methodological and information support of these processes at enterprises and the shortcomings of the organizational structure are analyzed. The study substantiates the necessity of developing an effective system for estimating the costs of logistics of a mechanical engineering enterprise by types of its activity, allowing more accurate and detailed assessment and accounting for specific functional areas. The methodical approach to the organization of cost management by types of activity in the conditions of work of the enterprises of mechanical engineering is offered. The complex approach to the organization of decision-making and the use of information technologies in the context of logistics costs management is proposed. It involves the identification of costs, their structural, dynamic and factor analysis, the identification of the places and reasons for the occurrence of the largest logistics costs, making management decisions and their implementation, planning and forecasting of costs. The dissertation offers approaches to information support of these processes and implementation of obtained scientific results at domestic enterprises. The study theoretically substantiates and provides developed practical recommendations on the use of a set of analytical methods that improve the analysis of logistics costs of engineering enterprises. A method is proposed for forecasting logistics costs based on time series analysis, the mathematical base of which is the use of artificial neural networks. The necessary parameters of a three-layer neural network (perceptron) for the purposes of the logistics costs forecasting at mechanical engineering enterprises have been identified and justified, that allows to save resources by freeing up working labor force and increasing the accuracy of planning based on the obtained forecast data.

The objective of this thesis is to create an automatic water management system capable of optimizing the usage of warm water stored in two water tanks to reduce the monthly energy consumption of the instant water heater installed in a residential house. This system is called Water Mixing System (WMS). The two heat sources considered are: PV-T system and heat rejected by the air condition system. The PV-T system is a new technology that allows transformation of the sun radiation into both electricity and warm water, increasing the efficiency of the panel compared to either a common photovoltaic panel or solar collector. The air-conditioning heat source, instead, recovers the heat rejected by the condenser to the environment by employing a heat exchanger that stores the heat collected in the water tank.

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2005.
Vita.
Includes bibliographical references (leaf 78).
"Discover Mechanical Engineering" (DME) is a student-run Freshman Pre-Orientation Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which, in the time since its inception in 2002, has developed into a popular, professional, and well-organized pre-orientation program MIT. Yet despite its success, it routinely experiences difficulties with respect to personnel and timeframes, both of which continually threaten the well-being of the program. It appears, however, that such difficulties are not a result of the students' motivational level, since all of DME's student volunteers contribute a great deal of time to the program. Rather, the problem may be that DME student leaders (and their supporting volunteers) are attempting to run the program prior to having taken MIT's Product Engineering Process course (also known as 2.009), a required senior-year mechanical engineering course which is expressly designed to teach students how to manage projects similar to DME. This course teaches tools most useful for the management of personnel and of time - the very areas which DME seeks to improve - through the use of Gantt charts, delineation of the project's critical path, and sundry other methods.
(cont.) It is reasonable to believe that bringing a Product Engineering Process methodology to DME would help rectify existing problems, thereby benefiting the program as a whole. This thesis studies the DME program, examines PEP approaches as potential solutions to recurring problems, and suggests several areas for further improvement of DME as a whole.
by Christina Marie Laskowski.
S.B.

The objective of the current study is development of a coupled orthogonal curvilinear/Cartesian grid solver. The solver requires a thin orthogonal boundary layer grid and a non-uniform Cartesian grid to resolve the boundary layer on a solid surface and the flow region away from the surface, respectively. Flows inside the orthogonal boundary layer and Cartesian background grids are solved by different CFD solvers which are coupled by an overset grid method. SUGGAR code writes the grid domain connectivity information into a file that identifies grid points necessary for the overset grid interpolation. In order to satisfy mass conservation across the overlapping region, the pressure Poisson equations and the overset interpolation equations are encompassed from both of the solvers and solved simultaneously by an iterative method.

Accuracy of the coupled orthogonal curvilinear/Cartesian grid solver was evaluated in terms of flows past circular cylinders because the orthogonal boundary layer grids can be generated easily due to its simple cylindrical shape. In this study, additional numerical simulations were also performed by the original orthogonal curvilinear and Cartesian grid solvers in order to obtain the benchmark data to compare with the results of the coupled orthogonal curvilinear/Cartesian grid solver.

The coupled orthogonal curvilinear/Cartesian grid solver was applied to steady and unsteady laminar flows at Re = 40 and 200, single-phase turbulent flows at subcritical Re = 3900 and supercritical Re = 5 × 10 ⁵ and 1 × 10⁶, and two-phase flows at (Re, Fr) = (2.7 × 10⁴, 0.20), (2.7 × 10⁴, 0.80), and (4.58 × 10⁵, 1.64). Those numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental and numerical results in the literature.

Effects of the grid resolution on the numerical results were analyzed in this study. The analysis showed the more accurate resolution of near-wall regions by the boundary layer grids for the coupled orthogonal curvilinear/Cartesian grid solver. It also presented the similar trends of the flow at the subcritical Re with the vertical resolution to those observed in the literature.

The coupled orthogonal curvilinear/Cartesian grid solver predicted much delayed separations of the boundary layers at both the supercritical Re, which caused the narrower wakes and the shorter recirculation regions than those at the subcritical Re. The features of surface pressure corresponded to the postponed separations.

The solver developed in this study showed the similar trends in the two-phase flows at Fr = 0.20 and 0.80 to those observed by the past numerical studies. The trends of the vortex shedding, deviating shear layers, and the expanded wake on the free surface are more prominent in the flow at Fr = 0.80 than that at Fr = 0.20. At Re = 4.58 × 10⁵ and Fr = 1.64, the flow near the free surface includes the small recirculation region behind the cylinder, which corresponds to the cavity structure on the free surface in the same region, and two large symmetric recirculation regions. The shear layers separating from the cylinder surface move along the outer edges of the recirculation regions. Another pair of the shear layers is separated from the smaller recirculation region.