Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Standardization environent'

Abstract Information and communication technology are among the fastest growing industry sectors globally. One enabler for fast grow is created standards, which enables compatibility between technologies. This dissertation aims to create new knowledge concerning how standardization affects businesses that develop and sell technologies and technology-based products and services. More precisely this study focuses on the wireless telecommunication, which needs standards to function globally. This globalization and standardization development sets requirements for companies and organizations in the business; they are expected to be flexible, innovative, efficient, international, well resourced and cooperative. In order to achieve this on a global scale multiple actors – such as manufacturers, operators and developers – need to negotiate with a number of regional standardization bodies. The standardization environment is under constant change; however, standards as such should remain stable. Understanding standardization processes has become important because new technologies, new forms of business organizations, trade issues and new institutions are emerging. All actors' in the standardization process should more thoroughly understand their role in the process, and recognize the important relations between the stages. From the actors' point of view the most beneficial issue in the wireless standardization process are networking and legitimacy of the process. In this research we are interested in researching empirically how actors' can possibly benefit from standardization processes in their businesses. As actors' we regard as manufacturers, operators, regulators, standardization organizations and SMEs. It is important to identify key factors/inhibitors that shape the standardization process from the actors' point of view. The theoretical framework of this study is built on the institutional theory. This theory provides a perspective as to how the actors can assimilate and act as part of the standardization environment. The broad reach of the institutional perspective is its major strength, making it potentially relevant to all levels of analyzis and all time spans, from micro-level interactions to large-scale changes in nation-states. Standardization creates opportunities for actors such as market and technology insights, internationalizing, and networking. The a priori dynamic process model developed shows the complexity and length of the wireless standardization process. From the process point of view the important points are the openness of the process, networking, cooperation, technological points and changes in the process. The new points which arose from the material include IPR issues, research, open atmosphere, globalization, licensing issues, flexible working procedure and interpretation of standards and document management. The empirical data of this study is derived by interviews. The interviews were carried out during autumn 1998, 2000 and winter 2004. 35 experts were interviewed from different bodies involved in 3rd generation wireless standardization and software companies.

The built environment has evolved through a layering process of both human needs and aspirations. We as a society 'Worship' the remnants of these richly varied and complex environments. In the previous 100 years, however, our environment has become a battleground for survival on many levels: environmental health, societal boundaries and quality of life. The so-called haphazard mode of environmental development was proceeding so quickly that 'MAN', through organization and control, sought to harness rampant growth by providing a mechanism to, in essence, protect us from ourselves. This mechanism was development standardization. Zoning and subdivision standards initially had a very positive effect on residential districts. They achieved the desired objective of improving the health, safety and welfare of local citizens. To remain a successful regulatory mechanism, however, requires frequent review. (Generally government regulations are continually reviewed because of a need to respond to current reality - a typical example is tax reform laws). This is especially true for development regulation, which necessarily must respond to the rapidly changing and dynamic evolution of the North American city and its peoples. In the case of residential development standards, however, there has been a lack of policy review resulting in a back-water of no change to the standard. Development standards, that were a direct response to mass housing development in the early nineteen hundreds, in many instances are still in place in municipalities in the Greater Vancouver area and likely throughout many other North American cities as well. It is apparent that the very standards that were invoked to ensure residential quality are now preventing development from creating that quality. At the core of the issue of planning and design standards is the lack of understanding of these two disciplines - by each other and by the public. As a result, in many instances both planners and the public equate design with a simple problem solving process according to explicit rules - the standards. Herein lies the core of the problem. This misrepresentation of design and what it stands for in terms of environmental quality. This misunderstanding has greatly influenced the world we live in and this influence as of late is not of the positive nature. The thrust of this thesis is an exploration of the issue of design in the context of residential development standards. What are the standards which influence/impact residential development? What were the objectives for which these standards were originally implemented? How do the standards currently support the implementation of recognized design principles which lead to high quality environments? What kind of residential world is created by adherence to the standards and what opportunities are lost? It is evident from this study that while the mechanism and often the mathematical formula of development standardization have remained relatively constant during the past half century, the city and the city dweller have not. Most new neighbourhoods in today's North American city lack identity, character and quality environment due to a set of zoning and subdivision standards that are antiquated and often based on arbitrary numbers. The case study examples of Village Homes in California and Ashcroft subdivision in Richmond, illustrate that conventional development standards prevent adherence to established residential design principles and that the nature of development standards is such that they are unable to contend with important and often basic design issues that are not amenable to simple arithmetic formula and measurement. It is also clear that standards not only adversely effect the physical condition of the residential environment, but also the people involved in the process of designing, constructing and regulating residential development. The designer is disillusioned, the developer confused, and the planner misfocused. The result is poor design, poor development, and poor planning. The failure to adopt and implement consistent and up-to-date policies and objectives for residential development standards has lead to the creation of stale, un-inviting, un-interesting and characterless living environments. The lesson to be learned here is that planners must first become more in tune with the issues and principles of design and second they must not be afraid to question established planning mechanisms. We therefore must ensure that a) the best mechanism is being employed and b) that it is based on appropriate and current policies and objectives that are leading to a better residential environment.
Applied Science, Faculty of
Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of
Graduate

This project concentrated upon the development of the Standardization Transport Model (STM) by assembling the largest possible assessment platform. It combines data from all of the major Well-to-Wheel (WtW) models in the field. The STM was developed for each chain under study by formulating the data in the major databases so that the Well-to-Tank processes covered Feedstock Production, Feedstock Transport, Fuel Production and Fuel Distribution. With the addition of Tank-to-Wheel data, a comprehensive STM was obtained for each chain. For each stage there is a range of values that was characterized by a probability distribution and through the use of Monte Carlo simulation the distribution was sampled and overall values for the total energy consumption, in MJ/km, and total GHG emissions in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilometre (gCO2eq/km) were generated. By statistical means these distributions were compared to assess the risk of debt as well as the likelihood of major savings if they were to be implemented. The scope of the analysis was limited to passenger cars transport and does not include other forms of road transport. Major classic WtW models may account for subjective uncertainty in the input parameters of the model but with a default set of inputs which represents only one database and one set of modelling assumptions and choices. This individualism and determinism in the WtW modelling nowadays explains the significant discrepancies that arise across the results from different models. The level of variation presented poses a major problem in the context of policy making and strategic planning. The generation of the STM rests upon the convection that a synthesis which generates a statistically relevant aggregate of the different WtW results from the different models of the major expert groups would eliminate the present inconsistencies and deliver the reliability required for making robust strategic decisions. Advantage was taken of the richness of the STM outputs to assess the sensitivity of the results and identify the major factors of disagreement within the expert systems. Here the STM presents the largest platform of comparison and the most comprehensive evaluation of the different WtW models in the field. The provision of such a sensitivity analysis was not possible without allowing for variation in the elements of the model as done using the STM. Secondly, the key outputs of the model were compared under the criterion of sustainability from both energy and environmental perspectives. This was done by the synthesis of a first-of-its-kind distribution of the difference between the conventional system and the alternative system for each option under study. The output reflects as complete a population as possible of what may occur in reality in terms of direct impact on sustainability. This method of comparison was not possible without synthesizing an aggregate of possibilities as done using the STM. Thirdly, synergies with the power sector were studied to identify which strategies delay the global reduction in GHG emissions and which are to be preferred from an overall perspective. Here the author lead the transport research community in looking on the global benefits of alternative transport systems, rather than only looking through the window of the transport sector, by redrawing the boundary for the analysis of prospective transport systems. Last and not least, the outcomes of the comparative analyses of the STM results were aggregated into a proposed strategic framework for carbon and energy reduction in passenger cars transport. The strategic framework is placed into perspective by building a set of future scenarios and scaling the effect for the progressive implementation of these scenarios and making a comparison with the business-as-usual forecast. The creation of an energy economy based on hydrogen fuel was found to be a highly questionable objective because electrically driven vehicles are superior with regard to systems that are either nuclear resourced or based on non-biomass renewables. For hydrogen, only the option from waste wood via gasification was found to be very attractive. However because only a minor role for hydrogen is foreseen, it is envisaged that the development of a hydrogen infrastructure would not be feasible. Therefore the use of hydrogen will be constrained to decentral systems or central systems with liquid hydrogen distribution. With regard to cultivated biomass, the sugar ethanol options are the best in terms of land use with sugarcane having the advantage of being economic and available for short-term penetration. The safe implementation of sugar ethanol, which includes avoidance of CO₂ emissions from indirect land use change and low fertilizers use, guarantees significant savings and have a good potential for large CO₂ emissions savings. Generally due to land use limitation cultivated biomass based options cannot be sustained on the long term. Last and not least, the CO2 emissions savings from clean coal technology is questionable without CCS technology and even though with the implementation of CCS no significant savings are certain. On the other hand, besides the transport sector the power sector is another major sector of energy resource consumption and careful consideration of any synergies between the sectors is essential for the completeness of the analysis. The strategy in which the use of alternatives such as NG, nuclear and renewables is not diversified but fed only into the power sector is to be preferred as this avoids possible CO₂ emissions from indirect resource use change, and it also isolates the power market to maintain upstream energy security. Finally, the answer to whether it is still possible to save the World from the disastrous consequences of Global Warming is a preliminary "yes" but requires the development and implementation of a complete technology package including nuclear power which is widely debated at the present.

The recent worldwide shift in focus from goods production to service provision in Western countries has resulted in the expansion of the service sector. The front-line worker has become a central figure in the new workplace, forming an important link between the company and the customer. The nature of the interaction between customer service staff and clients influences the perceived quality of service rendered by the company. Call centre work requires a high degree of personal contact with the public and the performance of emotional labour. Previous research found emotional labour to be a significant predictor of burnout. Given the above scenario, the lack of empirical research that systematically investigates burnout in a customer services environment in South Africa is a source of concern. The objectives of this study were to determine the construct validity and internal consistency of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS) (Schaufeli, Leiter, Maslach & Jackson, 1996) in a customer services environment, and to compare the relationship of burnout with various demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The study population consisted of an accidental sample of customer services personnel (N = 228). The Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS) was used to determine the level of burnout in the participants. A biographical questionnaire was used to gather additional information. Structural equation modelling (SEM) methods as implemented by AMOS were used to test the factorial model for the MBI-GS. Cronbach alpha coefficients and inter-item correlation coefficients were used to assess the internal consistency and construct validity of the MBI-GS. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. T-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine differences between the sub-groups in the sample. Tukey tests were done to indicate which groups differed significantly when ANOVAS were done. The results confirmed a three-factor model of burnout, consisting of Exhaustion, Cynicism and Professional Efficacy. All three factors showed acceptable internal consistencies. The results also showed that customer service staff who measured high on exhaustion and cynicism (compared with those who measured low) experienced less job satisfaction.
Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Abstract Title: Services Marketing in a Cross-Cultural Environment: Elekta in Germany Level: Master Thesis in Business Administration Author: Katrina Dietrich & Giorgos Angelakis Supervisor: Maria Fregidou-Malama Examiner: Akmal Hyder Date: 2014-January   Aim: This study aims to examine how culture, trust, network and standardization/adaption are applied within the Service Marketing of Elekta in Germany and if they overcome the characteristics of Services within a culturally different environment.   Method: The research uses qualitative data, applies a single case study, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to collect primary data.   Result & Conclusions: The applied model shows that Elekta uses a balance between adaptation and standardization as well as applies trust and network under awareness and use of the German culture. These factors are used in combination and are influencing each other in order to create a homogeneous and tangible service.   Suggestions for future research: The case study indicates that one company is subject of the study in one country, hence generalization cannot be achieved. Therefore future research of other countries and other service industries can extend this research.   Contribution of the thesis: This research stresses the importance of culture, adaptation/ standardisation and trust and networks in cross-cultural services marketing of Elekta. It shows how heterogeneity and intangibility are influenced by the variable trust, network, adaptation/ standardization and culture.

Aim: The aim of this research is to explore how the process variables adaptation/standardization, trust and networks are utilized when handling the service characteristics heterogeneity and intangibility when services are introduced in new culture, in this case in Hong Kong. Method: The method chosen for the study was case study and primary qualitative data collection was made through semi-structured interviews with seven key persons at Elekta. Result and Conclusions: Results from this work indicate that networks, trust and adaptation/standardization are important variables for handling heterogeneity and intangibility in survives. It also shows that adaptation and standardization needs to be carefully balanced to achieve the optimum effect. The study show that the process model do have a basis for use in identifying how the adaptation/standardization, trust and networks might be utilized to reach a successful balance during service entry in a new culture, partly through the use of Hofstede’s 5 cultural dimensions together with time as a new variable. Suggestions for future research: For future research service introductions in other cultures need to be studied, both by Elekta as well as other service companies outside the MedTech Area. As a further expansion and for future generalization of the model, reversed studies should also be made where foreign companies entry into Sweden is studied. The possibilities of integrating culture closer into the process model also need to be explored as well as the inclusion of the time dimension in the relationship process. Contribution of the thesis: The thesis contributes to academic research in that it expands on the current state of theory and integrates Hofstede’s 5 cultural dimensions closer to existing models as well as including the time variable of relationship development. On a managerial perspective it provides the basis for a tool to show how, in practice, managers might act when introducing their business in a new culture. Finally it has a social dimension in that further research into a narrow field, increases the overall understanding of intercultural mechanisms.

ITC/USA 2012 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Eighth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 22-25, 2012 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California
This paper discusses the current development of all-in-one telemetry displays. This system provides a self-configuring environment utilizing common telemetry display objects that setup and deploy. Often range display systems require frequent revision to reason with changing requirements. The display is rendered accordingly as a strip-chart equivalent or other element, per requirements from a flight safety officer for example. Our reusable code system approach is based on a novel abstraction of the display elements. The approach may be deployed beyond the decommutation stage as is typically done or interface directly to a plug in software decommutator. This system's plug-and-play functionality facilitates rapid deployment of interoperable Department of Defense (DOD) range displays and recorders.

This thesis applies a standardization/adaptation framework (SA) to explore the strategies of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) firms in the Greek market. This market is transformed into an 'international' one during the tourist season due to an influx of 15 millions of tourists from several, primarily European, countries. Extant research has not addressed how FMCG firms may respond to this market transformation; whether they standardize their offering across the 'native' and tourist population (and within the tourist population from different countries) or they adapt their offerings. Despite the growing importance of international tourism and despite tourism being a major driver of globalisation, there is no empirical evidence showcasing how a beer, an ice cream or a shampoo seller market their products to the plethora of nationalities visiting their country of operation. The purpose of this research, therefore, is to gain, for the first time, a deeper understanding on how FMCG firms -both MNE subsidiaries and local entities- serve the needs of mobile consumers of FMCGs in a tourism estimation. Greece is chosen as the field of study since in this country, the contextual idiosyncrasies of such polyethnic markets are clearly evident. The research adopts the interpretive paradigm, a realist orientation and case studies as the most fitting methodology for the research questions. Multiple sources of evidence were utilized, focusing primarily on personal interviews with key managers in 14 organizations. Findings suggest that the impact of tourism is two-fold and that there is a mixture of SA strategies implemented by firms. These strategies are driven by such factors as organizational features of each firm, internationalizing outlook of firms or perceived tourists' quest for experimentation/familiarity. The contingency approach is supported indicating that deployed strategies along the SA continuum rest upon oftenneglected idiosyncrasies ofthe market and upon firm-specific considerations. The contribution of the research to international business/marketing and tourism literatures is explicitly stressed and it is pinpointed that implications for FMCG firms and public authorities in such environments are worth-noting. The study concludes with highlighting the limitations of the study and the avenues that call for closer scrutiny and greater illumination as a result ofthe findings of this study

ABSTRACT Title: Services Marketing in a Cross-Cultural Environment – The Case of Elekta in Russia Level: Final assignment for Master Degree in Business Administration Authors: Alena Bazyleva and Maria Zaytseva Supervisor: Dr. Maria Fregidou-Malama Aim: The aim of this research is to investigate how the products and services of the Swedish company Elekta are marketed in Russia, a country with cultural environment different from Sweden. For this purpose such aspects of marketing strategy as adaptation/standardization, trust and network development, which help to decrease the influence of intangibility and heterogeneity of services, are examined. Method: In present research explanatory applied type of study was used to describe services marketing process. Combination of induction and deduction methods, and qualitative methods of research were used. Case study of Swedish company Elekta was chosen as the research area. Primary data was collected through survey by means of semi-structured interviews and open questionnaires. Secondary data was collected from sources such as relevant books, scientific articles, company brochure, and websites of company and its clients. Results and conclusion: The research reveals that trust, network building, balance of adaptation and standardization strategies, employed by Elekta company, help to overcome heterogeneity and intangibility of its services in Russian market. It has also been found that the image of Sweden as a country of origin plays an important role in trust establishment in Russia, but in a sense that it is a foreign country, not Sweden in particular. Moreover, it is suggested, that organizational structure of international company, matrix structure in this particular case study, favours the development and effectiveness of the discussed variables. In spite of such characteristics of Russian market as high bureaucracy, corruption, “blat” network, unstable laws, etc., this market is considered to be a promising emerging market for international business. Russian national culture displays large power distance, high uncertainty avoidance, collectivist and feminine values, which influence the whole society and the business sphere as well. Suggestions for future research: It would be beneficial for future research to expand the range of complementing studies, examining the cases of Elekta in different countries and emerging markets in particular. In addition, in order to develop international services marketing theory, it is necessary to include other services industries in the scope of research. Furthermore, getting feedback from the patients, who experienced treatment on Elekta equipment, can contribute to the future research. Contribution of the thesis: The modification and adaptation of the theoretical framework of Fregidou-Malama and Hyder (2011) made by authors of this study contributes to the theory of international services marketing process. In addition, as there is lack of research in this area for health care sector, this study can be valuable addition to this research area. Research of the case of Elekta in Russia complements the range of studies on international services marketing process in health care sector with the cases of Elekta company in different countries: Egypt, China, the Philippines, Brazil, Hong Kong. Besides, current research has certain practical value: it is beneficial for international companies expanding into emerging markets in general and in Russian market in particular. This research may help to increase awareness about Elekta treatment solutions. Key words: Elekta, Gamma Knife, Russia, Services Marketing, Services characteristics, Network, Trust, Adaptation, Standardization, Culture, Organizational structure.

This is a study of standardization in complexity. The context is innovation policy. Why do standardization and innovation go hand in hand and what does the interaction of interests between public and private actors look like in the “profile” of the standardization process? The nature of technical specifications, Lead Market Initiatives in Europe, social innovations, eco-innovations and psychological services for recruitment are the target areas of this study done in the style of Science, Technology and Society. We decrypt the codes of the expected behavior veiled in standards, the strategically selective sectoral integration of the European Internal Market, the emergence of innovation in standardized areas, the nature of the European innovation policy and the mission of each particular innovative sector. This research contains answers on how the European Union will move toward a more state-like organization bypassing the sovereignty of its member states. Standardization is a bouquet of strategic activities where each has its purpose, destination and time-framework. By studying standardization, we are able to look into the European future.

Arla Sveriges lastbärarstruktur utgörs av ett stort antal sekundärförpackningar och lastbärare som används vid transport av produkter. Trots att antalet varianter minskat är lastbärarstrukturen fortfarande dåligt anpassad för att skapa en modulär och flexibel lösning, vilket har resulterat i svårigheter att optimera hanteringen i kyllager och transport. Samtidigt har antalet lastbärarrelaterade olycksfall och belastningsskador ökat under de senaste två åren, vilket har lett till en efterfrågan på en arbetsmiljöutvärdering för att finna förbättrings- åtgärder. Utöver detta arbetar Arla ständigt för att minska miljö- och klimatpåverkan genom hela värdekedjan. Från externt håll har kundernas förändrade ordermönster och butiksutformning bidragit till ytterligare behov av att se över lastbärarstrukturen. Syftet med projektet är att analysera de två befintliga sekundärförpackningarna rödback och wellpapptråg genom hela värdekedjan med hänsyn till de fem perspektiven: funktion, kostnad, arbetsmiljö, miljö och lean. Målet är att analysen ska resultera i en kravspecifikation samt en rekommendation för var fokus bör ligga och hur framtida lastbärarstruktur bör utformas. Projektet är utfört som en fallstudie av Arla Sverige. Tekniker som användes var studiebesök, observationer, intervjuer, enkäter, skattningar, tester, ergonomiska bedömningar och analys av historisk data. Analysen omfattade fem sekundärförpackningar, varav tre returemballage (rödback, ny Arlaback och SRS-back) och två engångsemballage (wellpapptråg och plasttråg). Resultatet visade att rödbacken var mest fördelaktig ur kostnads- och miljöperspektiven. Den nya Arlabacken och SRS-backen var dyrast, men även mest fördelaktig ut funktions-, arbetsmiljö- och leanperspektiven. Engångsemballagen erhöll ofördelaktiga resultat i samtliga kategorier, men ansågs ha en funktionsmässig fördel för kunder som föredrar att inte hantera returgods. Slutsatsen är att samtliga lastbärarstrukturer har både för- och nackdelar. Rekommendationen utgår från prioriteringen: funktion, arbetsmiljö, miljö och kostnad. Standardisering utifrån lean verksamhetsstrategi anses vara styrande på lång sikt. På grund av rödbackens kostnads- och miljöfördel rekommenderas Arla att på kort sikt fortsätta med dagens lastbärarstruktur och att utvärdera plasttråget med fokus på hållbarhet och funk- tionalitet. Vidare rekommenderas Arla att reducera antalet plocklastbärare samt att standardisera plockteknik och emballagemått. För att säkerställa logistisk vidareutveckling av lastbärarstrukturen rekommenderas Arla att utse en ansvarig person. På lång sikt bör en automation av kyllagret i Kallhäll utvärderas. Till sist rekom- menderas Arla att utvärdera byte till en modulär och flexibel lastbärarstruktur bestående av en EUR-pall, en halvpall, en rullpall, en större back och ett mindre brätte. Detta beräknas resultera i ett flertal fördelar, däribland ökad flödeseffektivitet, sänkt driftkostnad, bättre arbetsmiljö och minskad miljöpåverkan.
The load carrier structure of Arla Sweden consists of a large number of secondary packaging and load car- riers, which are used for transportation of products. Although the number of variants has decreased, the load carrier structure if still poorly adapted to form a modular and flexible solution. This has resulted in difficulty to optimize the operations in warehouses and transportation. Meanwhile, there has been an increase in the number load carrier-related accidents and musculoskeletal injuries over the past two years, which has led to a demand for a work environment evaluation to find improvement actions. In addition to this, Arla is constant- ly working for reducing the environmental and climate impacts throughout the value chain. From external side, the customers’ ordering patterns and store design have changed which have contributed to a further need to review the lead carrier structure. The aim of the project is to analyze the two existing secondary packaging red creates and corrugated paper trays through the value chain with regard to the five perspectives: functionality, cost, work environment, envi- ronment and lean. The aim is that the analysis will result in a design specification and a recommendation of focus areas and future load carrier structure. The project is performed as a case study of Arla Sweden. Techniques that were used include field studies, observations, interviews, self-assessments, surveys, tests, ergonomic assessments and analysis of historical data. The analysis covered five types of secondary packaging, three of reusable crates (red create, new Arla crate and SRS-crate) and two disposable packaging (cardboard and plastic trays). The results showed that the red crate was the most advantageous alternative from a cost and environmental perspective. The new Arla crate and the SRS-crate were the most expensive, but also the most beneficial from a function, safety and lean perspective. The disposable packaging received unfavorable results in all categor- ies. Still, it has a functional advantage for customers who prefer not to deal with reusable packaging. All load carrier structures has both advantages and disadvantages. The recommendation is based on the prior- itazion: function, work environment, environment and cost. Standardization based on lean organization strat- egy is considered to be guiding in the long term. As a result of the red crate’s cost and environmental ad- vantages, Arla is recommended continuing with the current load carrier structure in the short term and to evaluate the plastic tray with a focus on durability and functionality. Furthermore, Arla is suggested to reduce the number of picking load carriers and to standardize the picking method and packaging dimensions. To ensure further logistical development of the load carrier system, Arla is recommended to appoint a respon- sible person. In the long term an automation of the cold store in Kallhäll should be evaluated. Finally, Arla suggested moving to a modular and flexible load carrier structure consisting of a EUR pallet, a half pallet, a roller pallet, a larger crate and a small tray. This is expected to result in several benefits, including increased feed efficiency, reduced operational costs, better working environment and reduced environmental impact.

This thesis studies three major reforms in the public sector of Norway. The sectors studied are the police, higher education, and primary schools. The main motive for studying these reforms are of a theoretical nature, the reason to study them is to produce general knowledge about reforms. The study aims to answer two main questions. One is about the possibilities and limitations contained in using reforms to change organizations. The second is about how organizations can promote the ideals of representative democracy. In its efforts to attain answers to these questions the thesis blends empirically-oriented research with aspects of organization theory and political theory. The thesis is divided into four different parts. First, there is a descriptive presentation of the three reforms. Secondly, there is a discussion of various theories of reforms and organizations. The primary aim of this analysis is to illuminate and explain the empirical data, but this discussion should also provide its own answers to the main questions asked in the thesis. Thirdly, these theories are applied to analyze data from the three reforms. And finally, the study concludes with a summary of what general insights about the reforms we are left with after studying the Quality Reform, The Police Reform 2000, and the Knowledge Reform. The study shows that reforms have both policy and content aspects, and that it is important to distinguish between the two in order to analyse and understand them. The policy aspect is that reforms are a strategy for change - they are tools for implementing change in organizations. The content aspect is that reforms have a specific content - they have certain objectives that they want to realize. The study concludes that in order to understand this complex and fascinating phenomenon, we need to understand reforms both as instrumental tools, institutional adaptations and symbols.

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Implement a Shared Services Center (SSC) is a practice currently used by both Brazilian companies and in other countries to standardize processes, optimize resources and reduce costs, allowing its operating units are engaged in their activities end, leaving ordinary activities (transactional ) in support of SSC and responsibility. On the other hand, the areas of Environment, Occupational Health and Safety (EHS) have an important role in most companies, given that the management of the health and safety of the company's employees are under their responsibility. The objective of this study is to analyze the feasibility and identify the activities for integrating the results related to EHS in a Shared Services Center (SSC). To meet this goal, we chose to adopt as a research methodology, in addition to literature review, a case study in a multinational company operating in the mining segments, Logistics, Energy, Oil and Gas and Entertainment. The data collected allowed a comparison between the studied literature and the case study. The results showed that the mapping of the processes EHS area was essential to challenge existing processes, generating organizational performance improvement opportunities to identify critical interfaces and, above all, basis for creating SAP implementation. This structured process mapping allowed also reduce costs in product development and services, integration gaps between areas and promote improvement of organizational performance, and is an excellent tool for better understanding of the current processes and elimination or simplification of those in need changes.
Implantar um Centro de serviços Compartilhados (CSC) é uma prática atualmente utilizada tanto por empresas brasileiras quanto em outros países para padronizar processos, otimizar recursos e reduzir custos, permitindo que suas unidades operacionais se dediquem as suas atividades fim, deixando as atividades comuns (transacionais) sob suporte e responsabilidade do CSC. De outro lado, as áreas de Saúde Ocupacional e Meio Ambiente (SSMA) têm importante papel em grande parte das empresas, tendo em vista que a gestão da saúde e segurança dos empregados da empresa está sob sua responsabilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a viabilidade e identificar os resultados da inserção de atividades relacionadas à SSMA em um Centro de Serviços Compartilhados (CSC). Para cumprir esse objetivo, optou-se por adotar como metodologia de pesquisa, além do levantamento bibliográfico, um estudo de caso em uma empresa multinacional atuante nos segmentos de Mineração, Logística, Energia, Óleo e Gás e Entretenimento. Os dados coletados permitiram uma comparação entre a bibliografia pesquisada e o estudo de caso realizado. Os resultados mostraram que o mapeamento dos processos da área de SSMA foi essencial para desafiar os processos existentes, gerando oportunidades de melhoria de desempenho organizacional ao identificar interfaces críticas e, sobretudo, criar bases para implantação do SAP. Este mapeamento estruturado de processos permitiu, ainda, reduzir custos no desenvolvimento de produtos e serviços, falhas de integração entre áreas e promover melhoria de desempenho organizacional, além de ser uma excelente ferramenta para o melhor entendimento dos processos atuais e eliminação ou simplificação dos que necessitam de mudanças.

碩士
國立中山大學
企業管理學系研究所
90
Expanding product variety and high customer service provision are both major challenges for manufacturers to compete in the global operating environment. In addition to reduce cost and response customers’ needs quickly, redesigning products and processes so as to delay the point of product differentiation is becoming an emerging means to meet these challenges. Consequently, this is the concept of postponement. The principle of postponement calls for redesigning products and processes so that the stages of the production process in which a common process is used are prolonged. Once orders are received, manufacturers finish the final operation to address the demands of mass customization. However, the product / process redesign will produce additional costs and the trade-off between costs will make enterprises hesitate to change the points of differentiation. Moreover, when the outside conditions change, the framework of total costs also changes and the operating decisions must be reconsidered again. In this paper, we develop a simple model that captures the costs and benefits associated with the redesign strategy in various scenarios. We apply this model to discuss the following three key questions: (1). In each scenario, where is the point of differentiation in the production process？ (2). How should a firm design its processes to lower the total cost when changing is impossible or too costly in the fast changing environment？ (3). If an agile firm can change its mode of production to respond to the ever changing environment, how should it adjust the pattern of postponement to lower the total cost？ Since there are wide varieties of postponement, we focus our model to analyze two different product / process redesign approaches, namely, standardization and modular design, that are motivated by many real examples. We also compare these two approaches in all respects to provide more explicit principles and directions for enterprises. Finally, we draw the following conclusions. First, in determining the stage at which the point of differentiation should occur, the key variables are the investment cost per operation and the additional cost, including the processing cost and inventory holding cost, that are resulted from postponement. The trade-off between those variables will determine the optimal postponement strategy. In the case when outside condition is unfavorable for firms, it may not be advisable to apply the principle of postponement. On the hand, when the condition is beneficial, postponement is a better choice.

碩士
雲林科技大學
企業管理系碩士班
96
ABSTRACT This study addresses a long-standing debate in the literature regarding the appropriateness and performance consequences of marketing strategy standardization vs. adaptation. Much of the relevant literature represents the headquarters’ viewpoint and broadly assesses antecedents of standardization or adaptation across widely varying markets. Using strategic fit as the theoretical platform for analysis, the study investigates international marketing strategy for a specific product or line within subsidiaries of Taiwanese multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in the Vietnam. The results indicate that all of four environmental factors such as marketing infrastructure, customer’s characteristics, competitive intensity and technological velocity can influence the standardization or adaptation of international marketing strategy. However, the result shows that each environmental factor only impact on some of marketing components including promotion-place, price, and product but is not as a whole. Moreover, in this study, three strategic orientations have been found to be significantly related to and differently influence promotion-place and price strategy (the engineering and the administrative problem), but there is no significant relationship between product strategy standardization/adaptation and these strategic orientations. Finally, on the critical question of performance consequences, the findings suggest that superior performance results from strategy standardization/adaptation only to the extent that there is fit or coalignment between the MNC’s environmental context, strategic orientation and its international marketing strategy choice

碩士
元智大學
工業工程與管理學系
99
In the struggling world environment, enterprises are striving for surriving and remaining competitive advantage. In addition to the cost-effective use of existing resources, empower, online staffs the quick response capability of complete, exception handling is also an important issue, in which the effective knowledge acquisition, sharing and reuse within an enterprise is a critical factor. For example, in manufacturing industry, the sound knowledge of FMEA (Failure Mode and Effective Analysis) will enable online staffs to take the TFT-LCD Array manufacturing process as research platform, in which the issue involved in abnormal envet diagnosis process during mass production is regarded as the FMEA knowledge source. By taking advantage of the high-performance execution of 8D (8 Disciplines Problem Solving) process in industry practice, a methodology is proposed to integrate 8D, FMEA, and Control Plan so that all case-based exception handling experience can be accumulated in cost-effective way. Furthermore, standardized procedures are also proposed to guarantee the improvement quality. With the proposed methodology, both the knowledge of FMEA and Control Plan is shared and reused from a single product to other products with different sizes and even dissimilar plants. Real case study shows the proposed methodology indeed, prevent recurrence of abnormal events, improve product yield, reduce, customer complaints, and therefore enhance enterprise competitive advantage.