Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Strategic Implementation Control'

The goal of this master's thesis is to perform a strategic analysis, to formulate a strategy on its basis and to propose the way of implementation and control of the strategy for the SAP division of the Pontech s.r.o. company and to contribute to successful implementation of strategic management system in this division and company. The thesis consists of two main parts. In the first, theroretically-metodological, part the terms and theories of strategic management and strategy are explained first and then the most common tools and methods of strategic analysis and further phases of strategic cycle i.e. formulation, implementation and control, which are used in the second, analytical, part, are mentioned. The analysis of macro and microenvironment, the analysis of internal resources and capabilities and the synthesis in the form of SWOT analysis is thus performed gradually, a strategy is formulated on that basis and after all the way of implementation and control of a strategy is performed using the principles of Balanced Scorecard system.

Background: Strategic renewal is a phenomenon where companies decide to do strategic alterations with the aim to improve their stasis in the current market (Kiesler & Sproull, 1982). This can be accomplished in several ways; in this report the focus is on management control systems and how they are incorporated in the strategic implementation process in order to drive and generate renewal. Management control systems are considered to be an important aspect of the strategy process (Simons, 1994). Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to analyze to what extent and in what form interactive and diagnostic management control systems are employed in large organizations in order to drive strategic renewal. Methodology: This is a qualitative research with an abductive approach that is based on a single case study. Through interviews we answer how management control systems are used in the implementation process of strategic renewal on different levels of an organization; we have made ten interviews with top-, middle- and operational management.  Conclusion: Our main finding is that the process of implementing a successful strategic renewal through the adoption of MCS is not a linear one. The process is continuous and conducted in a circular manner; this also implies the interrelation of the variables.

This thesis presents the development of a new control mechanism for managing portfolio of projects in today’s rapidly changing environment and fierce global competitions. “Portfolio Strategic Control” combines elements of portfolio management and functions of strategic management to control portfolios in a strategic manner and improve portfolio’s performance. This feedforward approach can be applied in parallel with traditional feedback control system to prepare portfolio for future environments by aligning its objectives with organisational strategy, managing resources, risks, and opportunities in an integrated fashion, and adding elements of flexibility and learning to portfolio.

Mestrado em Ciências Empresariais
O sucesso das organizações no longo prazo está cada vez mais aliado a capacidade da sua estratégia se adaptar aos desafios e ameaças que se lhe deparam. Para isso, torna-se fundamental a existência de feedback constante sobre o desempenho estratégico, que é facilitado com a utilização de indicadores financeiros e não financeiros que reflictam as áreas críticas em que reside o êxito no longo prazo. Estes podem estar integrados em sistemas de controlo e gestão estratégica como é o exemplo do Balancea Scorecard. É um dos sistemas com maior aplicação e que se ostenta com qualidades para atingir esses objectivos. Inclui normalmente quatro perspectivas; financeira, clientes, aprendizagem e desenvolvimento e processos internos, que por sua vez são compostos por diversos indicadores. Com a realização deste estudo exploratório descritivo identificamos e averiguamos de que forma as empresas da Região Autónoma da Madeira efectuam a gestão de alguns aspectos da estratégia, especialmente a avaliação e o controlo estratégico e que indicadores utilizam. Procuramos igualmente estudar o grau de utilização do Balanced Scorecard neste pequeno e periférico território e a forma como este é aplicado nas empresas. Concluímos com o estudo que o Balanced Scorecard tem uma utilização reduzida ao contrário do Tableaux de Bord com uma implementação considerável. Grande parte das empresas do estudo utiliza a conjugação de indicadores financeiros e não financeiros. Nos primeiros destacamos a não utilização de indicadores como o EVA, nos não financeiros destacamos a satisfação do cliente.
Long term organizational success is increasingly associated to the ability of organizational strategy to adapt to all kind of challenges and threats. In order to do so it is vital to have a constant feedback on the strategic performance. This task has become simpler with the use of both financial and non-financial indicators to identify critical areas for long lasting success. These indicators are part of the control and strategic management systems. The Balanced Scorecard is probably the system with the wider application and display quality. Typically, it includes four perspectives: financial, customer, learning and development, and internal processes, each one comprehending several indicators. This dissertation runs an exploratory study on Madeira Island Autonomous Region (MIAR) largest companies identifying and classifying their strategic management process, and their use of strategic indicators. In this study we were able to access level of the Balanced Scorecard use in the MIAR's largest companies, which is reduced, contrasting with the employ of the Tableaux de Bord that presents considerable implementation. The majority of companies in the study use a combination of financial (mostly EVA) and non-financial indicators (generally on customer satisfaction).

Every production unit must have a clearly determined production strategy based on the given business strategy. Today’s competitive environment is very tough and demanding and that is why each producer’s success or failure is determined by the correctly chosen productive orientation, technically advanced products and provided services, range of supply and their quality and mostly price as well. What makes firms to improve and optimize their supplies continuously is just dynamic development of the society and continuously growing consumers and users’ requirements. The keen competition on one hand makes the business more demanding, but on the other hand it brings lots of new opportunities. Looking for new ways, new procedures and management methods and especially niches in the given products and services market will bring the coveted strategy advantage. This master’s thesis deals with a change of the current production strategy in a building company, individual production aspects and improving the quality of the production process functionality itself following the objective of the firm competitiveness and business performance improvement. Within the solution I count on an ability to adapt promptly to new market requirements, I suppose that the continuing differentiation strategy will contribute to building a position of a preferential supplier of the chosen narrow market segment for large building firms in the market. Improving every production process component is the prerequisite for further development of the company.

Management accounting research is substantially focused on the area of management control, where the concept of management control systems is used. A vivid debate among academics is held whether management accounting research is not excessively focused on management control field while decision making information support tends to be rather neglected. The aim of the thesis is to assess the contribution of the concept of management control system, its progressive potential and value added from the point of view of management accounting. In the first part, the thesis is concerned with theoretical background of management control systems and the potential of prevailing theories to conceptualize an effective management control system. In the second part, the thesis focuses on contentual analysis of the concept of management control system. Relation between management accounting and management control system is examined in particular. The thesis assesses the contribution of the concept of management control system and its progressive potential derived from the ability of this concept to describe relevant facts and links in a more suitable way, concluding that the concept of management control system is advantageous in researching the control systems of companies and their information support, because certain aspects of this concept enables to understand to researched issues at a higher qualitative level.

With the emergence of Industry 4.0 and the increasing availability of sensors and data acquisition systems, modern manufacturing processes are now generating large amounts of process data on a scale as never seen before. During the past few decades, the intense development of powerful data-driven methodologies for process analytics has demonstrated the importance of multivariate data analysis for this field. Still, new strategies inspired by current methodologies and yet to be developed will continuously be required to tackle new challenges posed by the digital revolution in process analytics. This thesis has been focused on the development and application of chemometric tools for process analytical technology (PAT) and includes approaches for process monitoring, modeling and control of batch processes. All the methodology proposed has been tested on real batch processes of diverse nature monitored with sensor of different typology. The chemometric tools developed in this thesis are meant to be used in two different contexts: a) process monitoring, modeling, and control using spectroscopic probes and process sensors, and b) process monitoring using hyperspectral images. In the context of process monitoring using spectroscopic probes and process sensors, different methodologies have been designed to handle information coming from synchronized and non-synchronized batch process data. For synchronized batch process data, new strategies for offline and online Multivariate Statistical Process Control (MSPC) have been designed. Offline MSPC models, meant to control complete batches, were built based on information coming from original sensor variables or from compressed spectral information, issued from multivariate exploratory and resolution analysis outputs. Online process control methodologies were based on the use of local MSPC models built exploring the effect of different designs of process time windows onto the capacity to discriminate between observations following normal operation conditions (NOC) and showing an abnormal behavior. For non-synchronized batch data, a novel batch synchronization-free online MSPC methodology for tracking process evolution and control was proposed based on the idea of a global batch process trajectory and the use of local MSPC models. A clear improvement of the results linked to all MSPC scenarios is linked to the use of new mid-level data fusion strategies. The novel contribution in this thesis is the extension of the idea of data fusion to incorporate both diverse sensor outputs and diverse model outputs issued from the same sensor, but related to different modeling tasks. These model outputs, which are much more specific than mere compressed scores, help significantly to tune the information introduced in the MSPC models and to a better interpretation of the sources of abnormal process behavior. The chemometric solutions proposed for process monitoring using hyperspectral images (HSI) were mainly oriented to take advantage of the spatial information of the measurement for the qualitative and quantitative heterogeneity assessment in blending processes. The qualitative description of heterogeneity is linked to HSI unmixing analysis, which provides pure component distribution maps that offer a good visual representation of the evenness in the spatial distribution of the different materials in the blending formulation. The quantitative characterization of heterogeneity is obtained from the variographic analysis of the distribution maps and results in two indices: the Global Heterogeneity Index (GHI), related to the scatter of the individual pixel concentration values, and the Distributional Uniformity Index (DUI), describing the distributional heterogeneity, usually overlooked in traditional approaches, that expresses the evenness in the spatial distribution of the different materials forming a blend. These indices have been proven to be a powerful process analytical tool to characterize the heterogeneity in blending processes monitored atline and inline with NIR-HSI. For image-based inline process monitoring, an extension of this methodology, called SWiVIA (Sliding Window Variographic Image Analysis), has been adapted for the continuous assessment of heterogeneity in real-time blending process monitoring. The versatility of the SWiVIA methodology enables heterogeneity assessment at the time resolution and spatial scale of scrutiny required for the blending application of interest.
Amb l'arribada de la Indústria 4.0 i la creixent disponibilitat de sensors i sistemes d'adquisició de dades, els processos de fabricació moderns generen quantitats ingents de dades de procés a una escala mai vista. Durant les últimes dècades, el desenvolupament continuat de metodologies d'anàlisi de processos basades en la interpretació directa de la mesura ha confirmat la importància de l'anàlisi multivariant de dades en aquest camp. Tot i així, caldrà desenvolupar noves aproximacions inspirades en metodologies existents o encara per descobrir per afrontar els nous reptes que planteja la revolució digital en l'anàlisi de processos. Aquesta tesi s'ha centrat en el desenvolupament i aplicació d'eines quimiomètriques lligades a la tecnologia analítica de processos (PAT) per al seguiment, modelització i control de processos per lots. Tota la metodologia proposada ha estat provada en processos reals de diversa naturalesa monitorats amb sensors de diferents tipologies. Les eines quimiomètriques desenvolupades en aquesta tesi estan pensades per ser utilitzades en dos contextos diferents: a) el seguiment, modelització i control de processos mitjançant sondes espectroscòpiques i sensors de procés, i b) el seguiment de processos mitjançant imatges hiperespectrals. En el context del monitoratge de processos mitjançant sondes espectroscòpiques i sensors de procés, s'han dissenyat diferents metodologies per gestionar la informació procedent de dades de procés per lots sincronitzats i no sincronitzats. Per a dades de lots sincronitzats, s'han dissenyat noves estratègies per al control estadístic multivariant de processos (MSPC, Multivariate Statistical Process Control) offline i online. Els models MSPC offline, destinats a controlar lots complets, es van construir a partir d'informació associada a variables originals de sensors o d'informació espectral comprimida, procedent de resultats de models d'anàlisi exploratòria i de resolució multivariant. Les metodologies de control de processos online es van basar en l'ús de models locals de MSPC construïts explorant l'efecte de diferents dissenys de finestres de temps de procés sobre la capacitat de discriminar observacions seguint condicions normals d’operació (NOC, Normal Operation Conditions) d’observacions amb un comportament anòmal. Per a les dades de lots no sincronitzats, es va proposar una nova metodologia MSPC online exempta de l’etapa de sincronització per fer un seguiment de l'evolució i el control del procés basada en l’ús d'una trajectòria global del procés per lots, que serveix per a la construcció de models locals de MSPC. Una millora clara dels resultats associada a tots els escenaris de models MSPC està vinculada a l'ús de noves estratègies de fusió de dades de nivell intermedi (mid-level data fusion). La nova contribució d'aquesta tesi és l'extensió de la idea de fusió de dades a la incorporació tant de respostes de sensors diversos com de resultats de models multivariants obtinguts de respostes d’un mateix sensor, però relacionats amb diferents tasques de modelització. Aquests resultats de models multivariants, que aporten informació molt més específica que els scores de PCA, per exemple, permeten una tria més acurada de la informació que s’introdueix en els models MSPC i faciliten una millor interpretació de les causes de comportaments anòmals en el procés. Les solucions quimiomètriques proposades per al seguiment de processos mitjançant imatges hiperespectrals (HSI, Hyperspectral Images) es van orientar principalment a aprofitar la informació espacial de la mesura per a l'avaluació qualitativa i quantitativa de l'heterogeneïtat en els processos de mescla. La descripció qualitativa de l'heterogeneïtat està vinculada al resultat de l’anàlisi de resolució multivariant de les dades HSI, que proporciona mapes de distribució de components purs que ofereixen una bona representació visual de la uniformitat en la distribució espacial dels diferents materials en la mescla estudiada. La caracterització quantitativa de l'heterogeneïtat s'obté de l'anàlisi variogràfica dels mapes de distribució i està basada en dos índexs: l'índex d'heterogeneïtat global (GHI, Global Heterogeneity Index), relacionat amb la dispersió dels valors de concentració dels píxels individuals, i l'índex d'uniformitat distribucional (DUI, Distributional Uniformity Index), que descriu l'heterogeneïtat distribucional, normalment ignorada en plantejaments tradicionals, que expressa el grau d’uniformitat en la distribució espacial dels diferents materials que formen una mescla. S'ha demostrat que aquests índexs són una eina PAT potent per caracteritzar l'heterogeneïtat dels processos de mescla seguits amb mesures discretes o en temps real mitjançant imatgeria hiperespectral d’infraroig proper (NIR-HSI). Per al seguiment de processos en temps real basat en imatges, s'ha adaptat una extensió d'aquesta metodologia, anomenada SWiVIA (Sliding Window Variographic Image Analysis – Anàlisi variogràfica d’imatges basada en finestres mòbils), per a l'avaluació en temps real de l'heterogeneïtat en el seguiment continu de processos. La versatilitat de la metodologia SWiVIA permet l'avaluació de l'heterogeneïtat amb la resolució temporal i l'escala espacial d'escrutini desitjada segons les característiques del procés de mescla estudiat.

This thesis outlines the design and implementation of several control strategies for controlling the water levels in the Murdoch University Universal Water System (UWS). The controllers were designed using four strategies: Proportional Integral controller (PI), Generic Model Control (GMC), Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC) and Fuzzy control. The UWS was able to operate either as three separate sub-systems or as a single integrated system. This thesis documents the first time that the entire plant was controlled as one system. A single-process input and single-process output was designed and implemented in the plant. It is more difficult to run the UWS as a single integrated system compared to running the UWS in three separate system. The single integrated system had more inputs and outputs including the recycles stream. Each process cause disturbances for tanks downstream. In addition, there were system limitations such as the pump speed must be greater than 53%. The pumps and solenoid valves will trip when the water level in the tank was too high or too low. They will also trip if there is not enough water in the reservoir tank. However, with these difficulties come with many advantages. The controllers of each tank are able to be tested on disturbance rejection from inputs or outputs of different areas. The main objectives of this thesis were to operate the plant as a single integrated system, commission the plant, implement different control strategies using LabVIEW, and test each controller on set-point tracking and disturbance rejections. The performance of each controller were evaluated and compared using Integrated Squared Error, Integrated Absolute value of the Error and Total Variation of the manipulated variable measurements. In addition, step change tests were used to confirm that the controllers track the new set points when the set point is changed and remains stable. Commissioning was completed to confirm that the UWS was ready for the implementation of the controllers. The commissioning phase included restarting the Compact RIO controller, checking wiring connections, checking the code for errors and creating Student Templates to run the whole plant. The pairings between manipulated variables and process variables were found by using the Relative Gain Array method to analyse which pairs were suitable and had no interaction between the processes. The UWS contains five tanks. However, the level in three tanks were selected to be controlled in this thesis. The two of these tanks were pure capacity systems. Therefore, the PI controller was required to be tuned using a relay tuning method. The remaining tank was a first order system therefore; the PI parameters were tuned using the approximate First-Order plus Time Delay tuning rules. The GMC was implemented by creating a mathematical model of each process. All physical measurements must be in SI units, therefore; conversion equations were required. The DMC was implemented using a predictive model of the system. The Fuzzy Control was implemented by creating a large set of rules to make decisions at each event of the process. The results of set-point tracking and disturbance rejection of each controller showed that the PI and GMC focused on minimising errors while the DMC and Fuzzy Control focused on minimising the MV’s movement. The decision for choosing the best controller was dependant on what the highest priority for control was. The PI and GMC was selected when the set point was critical. The DMC and Fuzzy Control was recommended when the set point was not critical but still required the process to reach steady state. This strategy may make valves last longer and the maintenance cost of this controller will be reduced. Finally, all thesis objectives were completed, and the intended purpose of the Universal Water System; to be able to implement controllers to control the UWS plant as a single integrated system, was also achieved.

The main limitation of the CMAC (Cerebellar Model Articulation Controller) network in realistic applications for complex automated systems (robots, automated vehicles, etc...) is related to the required memory size. It is pertinent to remind that the memory used by CMAC depends firstly on the input signal quantification step and secondly on the input space dimension. For real CMAC based control applications, on the one hand, in order to increase the accuracy of the control the chosen quantification step must be as small as possible; on the other hand, generally the input space dimension is greater than two. In order to overcome the problem relating the memory size, how both the generalization and step quantization parameters may influence the CMAC's approximation quality has been discussed. Our goal is to find an optimal CMAC structure for complex dynamic systems' control. Biped robots and Flight control design for airbreathing hypersonic vehicles are two actual areas of such systems. We have applied the investigated concepts on these two quite different areas. The presented simulation results show that an optimal or sub-optimal structure carrying out a minimal modeling error could be achieved. The choice of an optimal structure allows decreasing the memory size and reducing the computing time as well

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Continuous improvement is a consensus theme used by many industries for improving product quality and service. In the last decade a new quality philosophy known as Six Sigma has become well established in many companies, e.g., Motorola, General Electric, Ford, Honda, Sony, Hitachi, Texas Instruments, American Express, etc. Some have suggested that the Six Sigma quality improvement philosophy is not only impacting the global business sector, but will also re-shape the discipline of statistics. The Six Sigma philosophy for improving product and service quality is based upon existing principles established by other well-recognised quality experts, (Le. Deming, Juran, and Ishikawa). The significant departure of the Six Sigma philosophy from existing quality philosophies is that it promotes a stronger emphasis on monitOring production yield and manufacturing costs associated with any quality improvement effort. The other significant contribution that Six Sigma makes to the quality movement is the detailed structure for continuous improvement and the step-by-step statistical methodology. The goal of any Six Sigma improvement effort is to obtain a long-term defect rate of only 3.4 defective parts per million manufactured. Lean and Six Sigma are recent developments in continuous improvement methodology that have been popularised by several high-profile companies. The success and complementary nature of these methodologies has led to their combination into a single methodology, commonly called Lean Six Sigma (LSS). Although there is considerable literature available and many implementations of LSS, very little published research addresses the practical experiences of companies that have implemented LSS. To formalise a Lean Six Sigma implementation strategy for MeG Industries the focus of this research was to answer the research question: "How and why are certain implementations of LSS successful or unsuccessful?" To answer this question, this research investigates the implementation processes of organisations by addressing the following investigative questions: .:. How has LSS been deployed and implemented in organisations? .:. What are barriers to LSS deployment and how are they overcome? .:. What are challenges experienced during a LSS implementation and how are they overcome? The investigative questions further focused the research question and identified several factors that appeared to significantly contribute to implementation success; these factors are: .:. Fusing business strategy with continuous improvement strategy .:. Leadership commitment and involvement in the deployment and implementation processes .:. The use of consultants that are proficient and experienced .:. A defined organisational model and infrastructure which links the continuous improvement efforts with the performance measurement system and senior leadership .:. Defined and standardised personnel selection criteria This research's purpose is to assist MeG Industries to structure a continuous improvement program that abates or eliminates the negative effects caused by deployment barriers and implementation challenges.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Deurlopende verbetering is 'n eenstemminge tema gebruik deur menige nywerhede vir die verbetering van produkgehalte en diens. Gedurende die afgelope dekade is 'n nuwe kwaliteitsfilosofie, bekend as Six Sigma, goed gevestig in verskeie maatskappye, bv. Motorola, General Electric, Ford, Honda, Sony, Hitachi, Texas Instruments, American Express ens. Sommige het voorgestel dat die Six Sigma kwaliteit verbeteringfilosofie nie alleenlik impak maak op die globale besigheidsekor nie maar sal ook die disipline van statistiek herskep. Die Six Sigma filosofie vir die verbetering van produk en dienskwaliteit is gebasseer op bestaande beginsels gevestig deur welbekende kwaliteitdeskundiges (bv. Deming, Juran en Ishikawa). Die betekenisvolle afwyking van die Six Sigma filosofie vanaf die bestaande kwaliteitfilosofie is die bevordering van 'n sterk klem op die moniteering van produksieopbrengs en vervaardigingskostes verbind met enige kwaliteitverbeterings inspanning. Die ander betekenisvolle bydrae wat Six Sigma aan kwaliteitbeweging maak is die struktuur vir deurlopende verbetering en die stap vir stap statistiese metodiek. Die doel van enige Six Sigma verbeterings inspanning, is om 'n langtermyn defekgraad van net 3.4 defektiewe parte per miljoen vervaardig, te verkry. Lean en Six Sigma is onlangse ontwikkelings in deurlopende verbeteringsmetodiek, wat populer gemaak is deur verskeie hoe profiel maatskappye. Die sukses en komplimerende karakter van hierdie metodiekke het gelei tot die kombinasie van 'n enkel metodiek, algemeen bekend as Lean Six Sigma (LSS). Alhoewel daar aansienlike literatuur beskikbaar is, bestaan daar min gepubliseerde navorsingstukke wat die praktiese implementering van LSS deur maatskappye aanspreek. Om 'n Lean Six Sigma implementering strategie vir MCG Industries te formuleer is gefokus op navorsing wat die navorsingvraagstuk: Hoekom en waarom is sekere implementerings van LSS suksesvol of onsuksesvol?". Om hierdie vraag te beantwoord ondersoek die navorser die implementeringsprosesse van organisasies deur middel van die volgende navorsingvraagstukke: - Hoe is LSS ontplooi en geimplementeer in organisasies? - Wat is die hindernisse tot LSS ontplooiing en hoe word dit oorbrug? - Watter uitdagings word ondervind met die implementering van LSS en hoe word dit oorbrug? Die ondersoek bevraagteken verdere gefokusde navorsingvraagstukke en identifiseer verskeie faktore wat skynbaar 'n betekenisvolle bydrae lewer tot suksesvolle implementering; hierdie faktore is: -Samesmelting van besigheidstrategie met deurlopende verbeteringstrategie -Leierskapvertroue en betrokkenheid in die ontplooiing en implementerings prosesse -Die gebruik van bekwame en ervare konsultante -'n Gedefineerde organisasiemodel en infrastruktuur wat gekoppel word aan deurlopende verbeteringsinstelling deur middel van 'n prestasiemetingstelsel en senior leierskap -Bepaalde en gestandaardiseerde personeel seleksie kriteria. Die navorsing doel is om MCG Industries behulpsaam te wees met die struktuur van 'n deurlopende verbeteringsprogram wat vermindering of eliminasie van negatiewe uitwerkings, veroorsaak deur ontplooiings hindernisse en implementerings uitdagings.

Currently noise cancellation, which affects the lives of people and in the workplace is achieved through the active noise reduction. This measure is not expensive as passive or semi active measures also permits adequate air conduction in duct ventilation systems. The system control is achieved through a suitable location of the phase in the cancelling noise signal relative to the signal primary noise. Algorithms have been developed and strategies for active noise reduction and its implementation and experimental testing on duct ventilation. The actives elements used are Piezo Actuators and EAP as speakers; Individual and collective operation of the aforementioned actuators is examined. The work was evaluated as follows: Analysis of previous research on existing algorithms for active noise reduction. Study the strategies of simulation and implementation for active noise control algorithms designed.
Tesis

The department REI/EP at DaimlerChrysler Research and Technology and the Laboratory for Efficient Energy Systems at Trier University of Applied Science, are developing control functions and fuel optimal strategies for low speed conditions. The goal of this thesis project was to further develop the fuel optimal operating strategies, and implement them into a test vehicle equipped with a dSPACE environment. This was accomplished by making optimal reference signals using dynamic programming. Optimal, in this case, means signals that results in low fuel consumption, comfortable driving, and a proper distance to the preceding vehicle. These reference signals for the velocity and distance are used by an MPC controller (Model Predictive Control) to control the car. In every situation a suitable reference path is chosen, depending on the velocities of both vehicles, and the distance. The controller was able to follow another vehicle in a proper way. The distance was kept, the driving was pleasant, and it also seems like it is possible to save fuel. When accepting some deviations in distance to the preceding car, a fuel reduction of 8 % compared to the car in front can be achieved.

The context of this work in Pemba was (i) the initial reestablishment of School-Based Treatment (SBT) with praziquantel (PZQ) and albendazole (ALB) for control of urogenital schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STH), respectively, and (ii) the subsequent implementation of mass drug administration (MDA) with or without additional snail control or behavioural modification which was aimed at evaluation of the possibility of elimination of schistosomiasis. The prime focus of the work described was to use regular parasitological monitoring to evaluate and compare control strategies with regard to the effects of intervention on transmission or morbidity. Chapters 1 and 2: General Introduction and Material and Methods respectively Chapter 3: Urogenital schistosomiasis. (i) Use of single annual SBT with PZQ: By assessing urine egg output in new-entry standard (Std)-1 children, neither the intensity nor baseline prevalence of 9.5% was lowered over a two year period of intervention. However, prevalences in St-3 children who had received SBT showed lower prevalences than Std-1 children presumably reflecting PZQ-mediated worm reductions. This supports the WHO recommended use of SBT treatment once/year for areas with prevalence < 20% for morbidity control but demonstrates its lack of effect in transmission control. (ii) Use of MDA (twice/year) alone or combined with snail control or behavioural modification:. Testing of Std-3 and Std-4 children in each of 15 shehias allocated to the three different intervention arms revealed an overall reduction in the prevalence of schistosomiasis from 8.3% in 2012 to 5.4% in 2014 (impact:- behavioural control > snail control>MDA). There was a downward trend in the overall mean intensity across all interventions (from 2.71 1.83 1.71) but no consistent reduction in the proportion of heavy infections among the infected children. Recommendations: Integrated interventions are likely to be necessary for interrupting transmission of schistosomiasis and eventually leading to elimination. In poor resource areas, such as Zanzibar, it would be difficult to implement fully integrated control measures and so focusing on PC in areas with high transmission coupled with behavioural changes and strengthening of diagnostic capability of health facilities could be essential. ii Chapter 4: STH. Faecal examination of the Std-1 children, as above, for the eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm, showed a high frequency of polyparasitism. Neither SBT nor intense MDA significantly reduced prevalence of any STH worm in the communities. The worm specific prevalences were slightly reduced overall, most consistently for Trichuris. However, there were no significant changes in intensity of infection, which remained light in the majority of infected children. Recommendations: No impact of either SBT or MDA on transmission to Std-1 children was observed. Integrated approaches e.g. WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), education and PC are likely to be essential for reduction in transmission. Chapter 5: The efficiency of drug distribution and associated compliance were monitored during the MDA by individual questionnaire and reports from the community drug distributors (CDDs). Overall coverage rate was high (~80%) but variable between the districts (69.3-88.2%). Based on questionnaire, a significant proportion of individuals were non-compliant with the MDA especially regarding PZQ (10.2%) although this did not associate with knowledge about disease transmission, signs/symptoms or risk factors for schistosomiasis. Only mild adverse effects were reported. Recommendations: For any future MDA careful thought needs to be given to understanding the variation in compliance observed across the different areas of Pemba. There is a need of intensifying sensitization meetings in the communities with focus of discussion on potential side effects which may develop. Engage religious and other influential leaders during sensitization meetings. Chapter 6: Since the intensive enhanced MDA for schistosomiasis was aimed at evaluating the possibility of elimination of transmission, the role in transmission of the preschool (> 3 < 5yr) children, who were not previously included in PC in Pemba, was assessed. A substantial proportion of these children was infected (7.04%), the prevalence steadily increasing with age. By questionnaire to mothers/care-givers, contact with stream/pond water through washing and visiting with the children were significant risk factors for pre-school infection. Recommendations: In view of the preschool prevalence demonstrated, the community MDA was extended to < 3yr olds. The government should be ready to register and order paediatric formulation of PZQ once it becomes available. Diagnostic capability of the respective health facilities has to be strengthened in terms of training of laboratory personnel and purchase of essential laboratory equipment. iii Chapter 7: Implementation of snail control in Pemba prompted study of transmission of schistosomiasis by the snail intermediate host, Bulinus spp. Only ~1% of fieldcollected snails shed cercariae but 56% of tested snails were found infected by PCR. DNA sequencing confirmed the presence of B. nasutus and B. globosus, both of which transmitted schistosomes as judged by cercarial shedding and molecular techniques. Recommendations: Further studies are needed to confirm the potential role of the B. nasutus in the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis in Pemba. For monitoring of schistosomiasis transmission, it would be essential to assess the presence of infection in snail host using molecular techniques especially when elimination is achieved or targeted. Chapter 8: Increasing intensity of PZQ administration raises concerns about possible selection of drug resistance in S. haematobium and prompted studies on the efficacy of PZQ and its effects on parasite genetic diversity in Pemba. It was found that PZQ efficacy was comparable to previous trials. Miracidial samples collected from Std-1 children in 2011 showed diverse, and some novel, haplotypes of the Cox-1 gene of S. haematobium. Clustering of the different haplotypes from different areas indicated the role of internal/external migration in the spread of infection. Recommendations: Praziquantel remains effective and should still be used for the treatment of schistosomiasis at the individual, community or school level in Pemba. More studies are needed to assess susceptibility to PZQ of different S. haematobium haplotypes and of the groups (G1 and G2) with which they associate. Chapter 9: General Discussion: Overall it was concluded that S. haematobium and STH infections remain a public health problem in Pemba and that, although PC using SBT helps control parasite burdens, integrated control measures were more effective and would be required to reduce transmission to approach elimination. Valuable experience in implementation and monitoring of such measures (MDA±snail control/behavioural modification) and application of modern genetic analysis tools was gained during the work and further studies on the snail hosts and population genetics of S. haematobium proposed.

Bakgrund: Varje år utses, av Dagens Industri, cirka 1000 företag till gasellföretag vilket motsvarar färre än 0,5 % av alla svenska aktiebolag.  Dessa företag uppfyller vissa kriterier där tillväxt är den viktigaste. Gasellföretagens tillväxt är viktig för Sverige då de både bidrar ekonomiskt och står för många nya arbetstillfällen. Dock är det få företag i Sverige som har kunskapen att växa. För att ett företag ska kunna uppnå tillväxt ligger det i grunden en tillväxtstrategi som måste implementeras inom organisationen på bästa sätt. Vilka tillväxtstrategier använder gasellföretag och hur implementerar de dem? Syfte: Beskriva gasellföretagens utformning och implementering av strategier samt förklara deras tillväxt genom att identifiera tillväxtfaktorer. Genomförande: Studien är av kvalitativ art och baserad på intervjuer med fyra fallföretag. Slutsats: Vi har utifrån vår fallstudie identifierat vilka tillväxtstrategier och ekonomiska styrsystem som gasellföretag använder. Vi har även identifierat och sammanställt sju faktorer, varav sex interna och den sjunde är den externa situationen företaget befinner sig i. Tillsammans är faktorerna av högsta vikt för ett företags tillväxt. Slutsatsen presenteras i en modell framtagen av oss.
Background: Every year an average of 1000 companies, which stands for less than 0,5 % of all Swedish incorporated companies, are appointed the Gazelle reward from Dagens Industri. These companies live up to certain criteria’s where growth is the most important one and they are of great importance to Sweden since they contribute both economically and work opportunity wise. There are few businesses that possess the competence to grow. To be able to reach positive growth a company needs a strategy, which is implemented throughout the organization in a good manner. What strategies do gazelle companies use and how do they implement them? Purpose: Describe gazelle companies’ strategies and the implementation of those. Also explain their growth by identifying growth factors. Completion: This a qualitative case study based upon interviews with fourcompanies. Results: We have from our case study identified what growth strategies and management control systems gazelle companies’ use. We have also identified seven factors, of which six are internal and the seventh represent the external situation the company experiences. Together they are of great importance for a company’s growth. The results are presented in a model developed by us.

Above 90% of the current installed concentrating solar power plants are based on conventional steam-turbine cycles. The operation of steam turbines in these plants is distinctive when compared to traditional base-load power plants. The reason goes back to the intermittent nature of solar power which, in the absence of thermal energy storage or a back-up combustion boiler, forces plant operators to shut down the turbines during night time or at times of low solar radiation. Furthermore, such intermittency often leads to undesirable off-design turbine operating circumstances, either by load variations or changes on live-steam conditions.The present study examines the influence of implementing two operating strategies dealing with steam flow control as a function of incoming solar power for enhancing the thermo-economic performance of a direct steam generation solar tower power plant. The first one consists of a simultaneous high pressure turbine stage- and feed-water preheater bypass. This strategy is used during periods in which the solar radiation is higher than nominal. On these occasions, the plant is capable of generating a larger flow of steam, which allows for an increase in the power production when inserting the additional steam in the turbine bypass. On the other hand, the second operating strategy consists of using an additional feed-water preheater when the power from the field is lower than nominal. In this way, the feed water can reach a higher temperature prior entering the boiler, which is not only beneficial during times of cloud-passages, but also during the start-up process.A dynamic model of a direct steam generation solar tower power plant has been developed following design and operation specifications of an existing reference plant. The two proposed strategies were implemented to the reference model, then a whole year worth simulation was performed for both the reference and the modified models. Lastly, the thermodynamic and economic performance of both systems was measured for the purpose of comparison, by means of using KTH in-house tool DYESOPT. Results show that the implementation of the proposed strategies can enhance the economic viability of the systems by yielding a reduction of 8.7% on the levelized cost of electricity, mainly due to allowing achieving a 12% increase in the net electricity production.

The number of computers connecting with the Internet has grown rapidly, and user numbers are burgeoning, consequently server numbers are increasing proportionately in response to this new demand for services. An increasing population of vulnerable machines has been created with numbers of so-called “malicious users” also escalating dramatically resulting in millions of Internet users now suffer from Virus and Trojan horse interference. In recent years, many security measures have been created. Firewalls are a typical as they play the role of network checkpoint, providing a secured means of regulating the outgoing and incoming information of the network’s area. An intrusion detection system (IDS) is an active process to observe attacks before a targeted system incurs fatal damages. Detecting intrusion can be categorized into two groups according to the method used: knowledge-based and behaviour-based. Knowledgebased detection techniques make use of all the knowledge pertaining to specific attacks, while behaviour-based detection is knowledgeable about normal communication, being able to detect intrusions by scrutinizing deviations sifted from expected or normal traffic. Currently, most IDS are classified as knowledge-based, with very few behaviour-based systems in use. The “Behaviour” is something associated with ’Who‘ – whose behaviour or to whom the behaviour applies; ’When‘ – when does a behaviour happen; ’What‘ – what happens when a behaviour occurs, or for what purpose, and so on. This requires a detection engine that has an unusually good knowledge of intranet infrastructure and protocols to guard against intrusions. This study attempts to develop feasible solutions and provide practical approaches to implement a behaviour-based intrusion detection, based on the Netfilter implementation. This is a default firewall framework in Linux kernel, comprising statistical anomaly detection techniques and artificial intelligence. The Linux default stateful firewall netfilter not only filters the content of each package, but summarizes connection information into states, it has already opened the possibility of a behaviour-based IDS. This research develops a proposed detection engine that improves the performance of detection compared to netfilter. The proposed IDS in this thesis first analyses audit data collected from the network data sensor, relying on netfilter in such a way that each connection is endowed with a role attribute, then performing real-time monitoring on activities that may be unusual. This analysis is performed using statistical analysis, association rule data mining, and an expert system. The engine can therefore handle protocol-based inspection, and analyse internal network users’ networking behaviours. To this end, this project has enabled a role-based network access control subsystem to be implemented into netfilter. Furthermore, three detection strategies have been proposed to apply in three different situations: weight-based statistical analysis is applied to TCP state transition analysis; association rule data mining is proposed for learning correlation of HTTP connection events; and an expert system is introduced to evaluate the behaviour of the connection, employing a knowledge base (a set of rules) to reach conclusions. All techniques are presented for gradually achieving a high level of intelligence in the detection of anomaly. This study contributes to the process of modifying the network implementation of a Linux operating system, and to its incorporation using artificial intelligence techniques into network security via a behaviour-based detection approach to an Intrusion Detection System.

Esta investigación ha identificado los instrumentos de contabilidad de gestión que los gestores de las organizaciones no lucrativas, y más concretamente de los colegios de economistas de España, utilizan y pueden utilizar como sistemas de información para el control de la gestión y para la mejora de su eficiencia, eficacia y economía.
Se han realizado tres estudios empíricos:
1. A los gestores de los colegios de economistas, para conocer situación y nivel de implantación de instrumentos de control de gestión .
2. Se ha centrado en el análisis de la situación a nivel también de instrumentos de contabilidad de gestión de determinadas asociaciones inglesas que están destinadas a profesionales que ejercen en especialidades que en España pueden realizar los economistas.
3. A usuarios de los colegios, par ver nivel de calidad de los servicios y actividades que los colegios realizan y los efectos de la profesionalidad múltiple que los caracteriza.
It presents the results of a study about management control in non-profit organizations, focusing on the particular case of the Associations of Economists in Spain. In order to do it, a revision of literature and empirical studies have taken place to find out the implementation and level development of the instruments of management accounting in non-profit organizations. The study has been completed with three empirical studies, first directed to Associations of Economists in Spain, the second to associations from the UK related to the economy and the company, and, third directed to users from an Economists'Professional Association. Moreover, interviews of managers of different Associations from the UK have been made.

The rapid increase in the demand on fresh water due the increase in the world population and scarcity of natural water puts more stress on the desalination industrial sector to install more desalination plants around the world. Among these desalination plants, multistage flash desalination process (MSF) is considered to be the most reliable technique of producing potable water from saline water. In recent years, however, the MSF process is confronting many problems to cut off the cost and increase its performance. Among these problems are the non-condensable gases (NCGs) and the accumulation of fouling which they work as heat insulation materials. As a result, the MSF pumps and the heat transfer equipment are overdesigned and consequently increase the capital cost and decrease the performance of the plants. Moreover, improved process control is a cost effective approach to energy conservation and increased process profitability. Thus, this study is motivated by the real absence of detailed kinetic fouling model and implementation of advance process control (APC). To accomplish the above tasks, commercial modelling tools can be utilized to model and simulate MSF process taking into account the NCGs and fouling effect, and optimum control strategy. In this research, gPROMS (general PROcess Modeling System) model builder has been used to develop the MSF process model. First, a dynamic mathematical model of MSF is developed based on the basic laws of mass balance, energy balance and heat transfer. Physical and thermodynamic properties of brine, distillate and water vapour are included to support the model. The model simulation results are validated against actual plant data published in the literature and good agreement with these data is obtained. Second, the design of venting system in MSF plant and the effect of NCGs on the overall heat transfer coefficient (OHTC) are studied. The release rate of NCGs is studied using Henry’s law and the locations of venting points are optimised. The results reveal that high concentration of NCGs heavily affects the OHTC. Furthermore, advance control strategy namely: generic model control (GMC) is designed and introduced to the MSF process to control and track the set points of the two most important variables in the MSF plant; namely the Top Brine Temperature (TBT) which is the output temperature of the brine heater and the Brine Level (BL) in the last stage. The results are compared to conventional Proportional Integral Derivative Controller (PID) and show that GMC controller provides better performance over conventional PID controller to handle a nonlinear system. In addition, a new control strategy called hybrid Fuzzy-GMC is developed and implemented to control the same aforementioned loops. Its results reveal that the new control outperforms the pure GMC in some areas. Finally, a dynamic fouling model is developed and incorporated into the MSF dynamic process model to predict fouling at high temperature and high velocity. The proposed dynamic model considers the attachment and removal mechanisms of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide with more relaxation of the assumptions. Since the MSF plant stages work as a series of heat exchangers, there is a continuous change of temperature, heat flux and salinity of the seawater. The proposed model predicts the behaviour of fouling based on the physical and thermal conditions of every single stage of the plant.

This master thesis was performed in collaboration with Scania Ferruform in Luleå, with the purpose to create an efficient, rational and safe workplace at the unloading station of the crossmember painting line. The mission from Ferruform was to investigate and analyse flaws, risk, and bottlenecks with regards to flows, ergonomics and material handling. The project aimed to create a vision that could guide present and future development, followed by an implementation strategy consisting of concrete measures of both layout and organisational character. The vision is: “Create a work situation that is rooted in Scania's production system and characterized by efficiency, rationality and safe working conditions, where committed individuals can be challenged and developed”   The research questions that has guided the project are: What problem is the basis for the ergonomic situation at the crossmember painting? How can an efficient and rational workplace be created at crossmember painting? What does Ferruform need to do to create a safe and sustainable work environment at the crossmember painting?   The first step was to map the current state and identify problems with regards to process and organisation. This was done by using participative observation, interviews, user participation, overview analysis and Scania’s intranet. Apart from previous studies, the main problems that the mapping identified was consequences of frequent downtimes, shifts being isolated and having unique work methods, unsafe work environment, and finally that tools and aids for reducing harmful lifts are not used.  These problems and their consequences were analysed with regards to the current research in work science, behavioural science, and by using methods such as Fault tree analysis and proximity chart. One of the most important conclusions was that downtime, apart from compromised production volumes, affected the work situation negatively. Operators compensate for downtime by working faster and unsafe to reach the weekly production goals. Additionally, a middle manager role has disappeared in favour of meeting the production goals. This has severe consequences on the organisation of work and among others, ergonomics. The proximity chart showed that placement of functions in the production system is not based on logic, resulting in safety issues, intersecting flows and inefficient handling of materials. To counter the identified problems, three different layouts were developed and evaluated using the specification of requirements. The concept with highest score was further developed and detail designed. It is called “Wing” and separates humans and forklifts, has a centralized material buffer and redundancy for downtime. The concept allows for safer work environment, and efficient flows. The required changes are arranged in three steps, each with increasing capacity. The final concept together with the implementation plan, which present recommendations on how the final concept could gradually be implemented and what organisational changes that are needed, shows that productivity and rationality can coexist with a good work environment, where both humans and the production system can flourish.

It is essential for the survival of the mining industry to look at the effective streamlining of organisations that can survive in the downturn in the gold cycle and meet the state demands placed on the industry. This study outlines challenges in South African gold mines and investigates the fit of the strategy implementation with the theory of implementing strategy on through the combined organisational design approach of looking at organisational structure, strategic and management control systems and organisational culture as well as corporate governance and strategic leadership. The research focus is on the implementation of generic strategies in South African gold mines pertaining to general industry issues such as strategies to address profitability and sustainability, dealing with the regulatory framework in terms of state intervention in the minerals sectors (SIMS), the Social and Labour Plan (SLP) and the Minerals and Petroleum Development Act of 2002, amended 2013 (MPRDA) and socio-economic concerns through the mining charter and wage demands. The purpose of the research is to explore how management perceives the implementation of strategies in general, without specific attention to the strategies developed for the organisation. The research will explore strategy implementation in South African gold mines and test the theory for the implementation of strategy. The research design is a qualitative study with individual semi-structured interviews. Participants were purposefully selected based on their experience in management roles in South African gold mines. The results of testing the developed theory-based strategy implementation against the practical application of strategy implementation shows an acceptable match in terms of corporate governance and strategic and management control systems. Gaps are identified in terms of organisational structure and culture. Strategic leadership and the strategic implementation plan show larger gaps compared to the theory, which is a concern. Though sound strategies may be in place, implementation fails. The absence of strategy implementation plans is noticeable and not linked back to strategic leadership.
MCom (Business Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine which specific resources contribute to the strategy-to-performance gap of small businesses trading in the Pietermaritzburg metropolitan area, from a resource-based perspective of strategic management. The research was prompted by a study conducted by Marakon Associates, the purpose of which was to investigate how successfully companies translate their strategies into performance and what steps they take to close the resulting strategy-to-performance gaps. The main reasons advanced for poor strategy-to-performance results are inadequate or unavailable resources. The research design in the study is quantitative and descriptive in nature. The data was collected from a structured questionnaire comprising of 18 questions emailed to the owners using LimeSurvey. The findings of the survey show that the businesses surveyed lack resources, which leads directly to strategy-to-performance gaps. The most important resources they lack are financial and human resources.
Business Management
M. Tech. (Business Administration)

Tese de doutoramento em Engenharia Química, apresentada ao Departamento de Engenharia Química da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra
This thesis focuses on the computational implementation aspects of Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) using first-principle-based models. NMPC performs a feedback control strategy based on the online solution of a moving horizon optimal control problem which uses a nonlinear mathematical model to predict the dynamic behavior of the system. This Advanced Process Control (APC) strategy requires the formulation of a sufficiently good plant model to allow describing the dynamic behavior of the process with enough accuracy. The development of first-principle-based models can be extremely laborious, commonly representing the majority of the time and expense of an NMPC implementation. Computer aided modeling tools can considerably lower the effort to setup and maintain these models. However, existing equation-based modeling tools require the user to either write all equations or to select them from a repository. In this work, a novel modeling framework, Daedalus, is presented that expedites the development of lumped dynamic models for chemical engineering applications by employing an automatic equation and property selection algorithm. This framework uses a phenomena-oriented modeling strategy to define higher-level concepts, such as process elements, connectors, coordinators, and equilibria, that can be combined to produce different systems of equations depending on the available model inputs and requested outputs. Control strategies that explicitly use nonlinear models require more sophisticated algorithms than linear approaches due to the extra complexity of solving nonlinear Optimal Control Problems (OCPs). Most of the computational effort in NMPC stems from numerical integrations and/or the solution of Nonlinear Programming (NLP) problems. Usually, the evaluation of model and derivative information plays a major role in the implementation feasibility of NMPC applications. Handwriting derivatives can be time-consuming and error-prone, while some automated derivative evaluation strategies can dominate the computational effort of integrators and optimizers. Therefore, Algorithmic Differentiation (AD) is employed in this thesis. AD is a family of computational techniques that automatically performs differentiation of a computer call sequence and determines exact derivatives free from truncation errors. There are two main implementation strategies in AD software tools: Source Code Transformation (SCT) and operator overloading. While the first approach can produce very efficient source code for the evaluation of differential information, the second can be applied to more complex settings. In this thesis, a new hybrid AD package, CppADCodeGen, is formulated to exploit the benefits of operator overloading and source code generation. This AD strategy is well-suited for the differentiation of models generated by Daedalus and produces highly efficient source code. This new AD strategy brings new challenges. Several procedures are applied to reduce the compilation time of the generated source code, such as the detection of equation patterns. Several other techniques are employed to improve the runtime performance, such as efficient memory use and parallelization. The Daedalus and the CppADCodeGen packages were integrated into the Plantegrity® NMPC framework. In this work, several other improvements have been made, such as the possibility of defining nonlinear models as semi-explicit Differential and Algebraic Equation (DAE) systems with any structural index, the parallelization of several methods, the implementation of the simultaneous NMPC approach, and the development of new modules and many improvements to the preexisting ones. The advanced step NMPC (asNMPC), Linear Model Predictive Control (LMPC), and Quadratic Dynamic Matrix Control (QDMC) formulations are also now available in Plantegrity®. This thesis also presents a new nonlinear optimizer, BConTR. It uses a trust-region algorithm where the Newton step is divided into the normal and tangential steps. Three matrix-free iterative methods are used, including a new method for the evaluation of the tangential step inspired by the Modified Proportioning with Reduced Gradient Projections (MPRGP) algorithm, which takes into account the linearized equality constraints and box constraints on all variables. The solver BConTR is still at the early stages of development. Several implementation and performance aspects require further research. The current version has been integrated into Plantegrity® and successfully tested with an illustrative Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) example. Finally, NMPC using CppADCodeGen to compute differential information has been successfully applied by simulation to three chemical process models developed with Daedalus: a CSTR with an exothermic zero-order reaction, a water-ethanol distillation column, and a Dividing-Wall Column (DWC) distillation for the separation of Benzene-Toluene-p-Xylene.
Nesta tese são abordados aspectos da implementação computacional de estratégias de controlo preditivo não-linear (Nonlinear Model Predictive Control – NMPC) usando modelos baseados em primeiros princípios. A metodologia NMPC é uma estratégia de controlo por realimentação baseada na solução em linha de um problema de controlo ótimo de janela deslizante que utiliza um modelo matemático não-linear para prever o comportamento dinâmico do sistema. Esta estratégia de controlo avançado requer a formulação de um modelo matemático capaz de descrever o comportamento dinâmico do processo com suficiente precisão. A formulação de um modelo baseado em primeiros princípios pode ser uma tarefa extremamente laboriosa, representando tipicamente a maioria do tempo e investimento de uma implementação de NMPC. A utilização de ferramentas de modelação auxiliada por computador podem reduzir consideravelmente o esforço de construção e manutenção destes modelos. Contudo, as ferramentas existentes de modelação que permitem formular equações necessitam que o utilizador escreva todas as equações ou as selecione de um repositório. Neste trabalho é apresentada uma nova framework de modelação, Daedalus. Esta permite um desenvolvimento mais rápido de modelos dinâmicos de parâmetros agrupados para aplicações em engenharia química através de um algoritmo de seleção automático de equações e propriedades. Esta framework baseia-se numa abordagem de modelação fenomenológica para definir conceitos de alto nível que podem ser combinados para gerar diferentes sistemas de equações de acordo com as variáveis de entrada e saída definidas. As estratégias de controlo que utlizam modelos não-lineares de forma explícita necessitam de algoritmos mais sofisticados que as estratégias de controlo baseadas em modelos lineares, devido à complexidade acrescida da solução de problemas de controlo óptimo não-lineares. A maioria do esforço computacional na resolução de um problema de NMPC provém das integrações numéricas e/ou da solução de problemas de programação não-linear. Tipicamente, a avaliação do modelo e das suas derivadas tem um papel crucial na viabilidade de implementação de projetos de NMPC. A escrita manual das expressões das derivadas pode ser demorada e propensa a erros, enquanto que algumas estratégias automatizadas de avaliação de derivadas podem dominar o esforço computacional de integradores e otimizadores. Consequentemente, a Diferenciação Algorítmica (DA) é utilizada neste trabalho. A DA é uma família de técnicas computacionais que realiza automaticamente a diferenciação de uma sequência de cálculo e determina derivadas exactas. Existem duas abordagens principais de implementação em ferramentas de DA: a transformação de código-fonte e a sobrecarga de operadores. Enquanto a primeira abordagem produz código-fonte muito eficiente para avaliação de derivadas, a segunda pode ser aplicada em configurações mais complexas. Neste trabalho, um novo pacote de DA híbrido, o CppADCodeGen, é formulado para explorar os benefícios da sobrecarga de operadores e da geração de código. Esta estratégia é adequada para a diferenciação de modelos produzidos pelo Daedalus e cria código-fonte altamente eficiente. Esta nova estratégia de DA acarreta também novos desafios. Nela são aplicados vários procedimentos para reduzir o tempo de compilação do código-fonte gerado, como a deteção de padrões de equações. São empregadas várias outras técnicas para melhorar o desempenho do tempo de execução, tal como o uso eficiente da memória e a paralelização. Os pacotes Daedalus e CppADCodeGen foram integrados na framework de NMPC Plantegrity® . Neste trabalho, foram ainda realizadas diversas melhorias adicionais, tal como a possibilidade de definir modelos não-lineares como sistemas semi-explícitos de equações diferenciais e algébricas com qualquer índice estrutural, a paralelização de vários métodos, a implementação da abordagem de NMPC simultânea, o desenvolvimento de novos módulos e diversas melhorias nos módulos preexistentes. A estratégia de NMPC de passo avançado (asNMPC), o controlo preditivo de modelos lineares e o controlo quadrático de matriz dinâmica (QDMC) foram também incorporados no Plantegrity®. Nesta tese é apresentado um novo otimizador não-linear, o BConTR. Baseia-se num algoritmo de região de confiança em que o passo de Newton é dividido no passo normal e tangencial. São utilizados três métodos iterativos, incluindo um novo método para o cálculo do passo tangencial inspirado no algoritmo MPRGP (Modified Proportioning with Reduced Gradient Projection). A sua formulação contempla as restrições de desigualdade em relação a todas as variáveis e as restrições de igualdade linearizadas. O optimizador BConTR encontra-se num estágio inicial de desenvolvimento. Há vários aspectos de implementação e desempenho que requerem ainda uma investigação mais aprofundada. A versão atual foi integrada no Plantegrity® e testada com sucesso num exemplo de um reactor químico. Finalmente, a estratégia de NMPC usando o CppADCodeGen para o cálculo de informação diferencial foi aplicada por simulação com sucesso em três modelos de processos químicos desenvolvidos com o Daedalus: um reactor perfeitamento agitado com uma reação exotérmica de ordem zero, uma coluna de destilação de água-etanol e uma colunade destilação com parede divisória para a separação de uma mistura de benzeno-tolueno-p-xileno.
Ciengis, SA

碩士
國立高雄應用科技大學
電機工程系博碩士班
96
This thesis proposes an optimum demand contract model considering load control strategies with minimum lose cost approach to solve the problem of economical benefit evaluation and contract selection for customer building electrical energy management system during design and planning stage. For the realization of air conditioner load real time control and management, this thesis adopts microprocessor hardware interface techniques to establish electrical energy management system which consists of energy saving controller and load controller. Besides, power meter and modbus communication protocol are applied to aid the proposed system to improve the total system performance and energy usage efficiency. This thesis is to derive customer optimum demand contract selection model associated with demand control and cycling control in order to evaluate the customer optimum demand contract while the constraints of controllable load limit are satisfied. Moreover, the proposed system mainly consists of two parts, both a energy saving controller and a load controller. The energy saving controller is implemented by 16-bit PIC microprocessor and power parameters are measured by power meter. Besides, modbus communication protocol is supported to upload data from controller to PC and to download the control scheme from PC to controller. The load controller is implemented by 8-bit PIC microprocessor and it supports the functions of executing energy saving controller command to control air conditioner loads and to detect the operation status of air conditioner loads, as well as to transmit/receive command /data from PC. The proposed system is installed on selected customer and field test is executed. The performance of peak load clipping and electricity saving can be justified by tested results and operation data.

博士
國立高雄應用科技大學
電機工程系
99
This dissertation applies mathematical optimization techniques of relaxed dynamic programming（RDP）algorithm to solve the daily optimal air conditioner loads（ACL） control schedule, and discusses regular control strategies based on different requirements in various situations. The first proposed control scheme is called regular control mode which supports the three skills: demand control, cycling control and timer control. These help customers save money by reducing electricity cost. The other one is called optimum load control scheme which supports any combinations of these three control skills to optimally save the customer’s electrical fee in a specific period of time. We also propose an optimum demand contract model considering load control strategies with minimum loss cost approach to solve the problem of economical benefit evaluation and demand contract selection for customer building electrical energy management system during design and planning stage. For the realization of air conditioner load real time control and management, this dissertation adopts microprocessor hardware interface techniques to establish electrical energy management system which consists of energy saving controller and load controller. Besides, power meter and MODBus communication protocol are applied to aid the proposed system to improve the total system performance and energy usage efficiency. The proposed system is installed on selected customers and field tests are executed. The effectiveness and practicality of peak load clipping and electricity saving can be justified by tested results and operation data.

碩士
國立交通大學
電機與控制工程系
88
Due to the increasing need of environmental protection, electric vehicles have become an important target of vehicular technology development. Among the vehicle industry in Taiwan, the motorcycle owns the highest percentage of domestic manufactured parts. Meanwhile, the popularity of motorcycle has made itself a major pollution source in this country. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the electric motorcycle technology both from the industrial policy as well as the environmental viewpoint. The key technologies of an electric motorcycle encompass battery, motor, and controller. The controller, as the heart of the system,is responsible of driving the motor efficiently and controlling the motion. It consists of a control signal module and a power module. The purpose of this project is to design and implement the hardware of both modules based upon a digital signal processor. At the same time, flux weakening driving strategies are designed and experimented to access their improvement of torque and efficiency.

碩士
遠東科技大學
電機工程研究所
101
This thesis is implementation of single–phase and three–phase grid connected control strategies for renewable energy application. In this thesis, by using auto-transformers and diodes rectifiers, changes in voltage are generated to simulate an independent renewable energy power supply. The hardware circuits proposed consist of voltage feedback circuit, current feedback circuit, a power converter circuit and pulse width modulation （PWM） circuit. The PC's Matlab / simulink software program are utilized to complete the single-phase and three-phase grid connected control strategies. Therefore, this program is easy to implement and give the theoretical verification. In this thesis, making use of small AC voltage transformer feedback can reduce costs. By using hardware integrator circuit, single-phase mains voltage feedback signal can be easily obtained such that peak voltage and angular position in the single-phase mains side are calculated. While in three-phase mains side, we also calculate the waveform peak voltage and angular position. The system use them with the current command to generate waveforms and construct the current closed-loop control to implement the grid connected control.

碩士
國立臺灣大學
護理學研究所
105
Background: After birth, preterm infants must be intensively observed and treated with a large number of invasive procedures for their immature organs, nurses in addition to maintaining the stability of their vital signs, but also to avoid the adverse effects from procedure pain. In recent years, pain control issues in preterm infants are becoming more important, but although numerous of references can be referred to, pain control for premature is still not ideal in clinical. Subjects: The purpose of this study was to investigate nurses in neonatal centers or neonatal intensive care units how to select the pain control strategies when they provide the invasive procedures in preterm infants, and use the Health Belief Model to analyze the related factors between nurses’ perceived seriousness, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefit, perceived barriers, cues to action and implementation of pain control strategies. Method: We included 159 nurses who met the inclusion criteria from four neonatal centers or neonatal intensive care units in Taiwan medical center. A structured questionnaire developed by researchers was utilized including Staff Basic Information and Nursing Unit Characteristics, Health Belief Scale of Pain Control, Prevalence of Pain Control. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistic and inferential statistics including t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson product-moment correlation, Linear regression and Multilevel linear models. Results: The results showed that (1) nurses’ perceived susceptibility of pain was moderate to severe (total score were 0-10 points, Mean  SD = 5.0 ± 2.3-9.0  1.7); (2) the degree of perceived seriousness in the procedure of preterm infants affected by the impact of short-term impact; (3) the percentage of implementation of pain control strategies in preterm infants of the environmental control project was over 70%, pharmacological pain control exacutive rate was close to 60%, and nonpharmacological pain control was about 50%, and (4) from the Multilevel linear models of the results, the action cues have a marked impact on environmental control (P≤0.01), the hospital/unit class (P≤0.01) and perceived seriousness were highly affected with nonpharmacological pain control, and perceived seriousness (P≤0.01) , perceived barriers (p <0.05) affect the pharmacological pain control measures. Conclusion: This study shows that nurses can implementate environmental controls well and at least one of the above nonpharmacological pain controls when performing examinations or treatment of preterm infants, but only 50% of the pharmacological pain controls. In addition to the age, unit, nurese-to-patient ratio, nurses’ perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness and cues to action also play an important role in the nurses to carry out of the preterm infants’ pain control factors. We can see the impact of nurses on the cognitive impact of premature infants and the relevant resources provided by the unit will affect the quality of their pain control behavior. It should be added cues to action in hospitals, including hold the relevant pain course in order to increase the awareness of the conscious, establish routine about the administration of drug, and set additional responsibility Nurse Practitioner for pain control field, consciously serious care of the nurses, expect the implementation of pain control in preterm infants more perfect.

碩士
國立高雄應用科技大學
電機工程系碩士班
93
This thesis applies optimization mathematical techniques of dynamic programming（DP）algorithm to solve the daily optimal air conditioner loads（ACL） control schedule, and discusses regular control strategies based on different requirements in varied situations . The first proposed control scheme is called regular control mode which supports three control skills of demand control, cycling control and timer control to assist customer to save the electrical fee. The other one is called optimum load control scheme which supports any combinations of these three control skills to optimally save the customer’s electric fee in a specific period of time. In order to cope with the flexibility and uncertaineties associated with constraints on the on/off duration of the ACL, and the uncomfortableness felt by the customers due to the temperature variation, the interrupted capacities of the ACL are regarded as condition variables. Besides, in order to concretely realize the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed controlling strategies, the techniques of microprocessor hardware interface is applied in this thesis. For the ACL customers, the prototype of load controller is developed and implemented to enhance energy efficiency, and to clip the system peak load, and then to save the electrical fee. Visual C++ 6.0 language is adopted as the developing tool to carry out the proposed work. The daily scheduling result will be loaded into energy saving controller as the strategic decision via the RS-232 communication port. The field test of controlling the air conditioner located in the campus is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed load controller.

The contextual factors that affect effective Mathematics learner engagement patterns are due to lack of self-regulated learning and enthusiastic volitional use. An active role for Mathematics learners incorporates use of volitional strategies towards knowledge construction. Self-regulated learning is an important factor for effective learning. However the PISA (2004) survey noted the problem of deficits in cross-curricular academic competencies, which included general self-regulatory strategies. The continued poor performance of learners in mathematics in South Africa at different school levels, especially grade 9 calls for different approach to learning. This research argues that enhanced application of volitional strategies is possible and, in fact desirable if learning situations have to promote mathematics achievement in areas with a presence of traditional teaching style. The purpose of this study is to construct volition enhancing self-regulation model to improve grade 9 mathematics learner performance in rural community schools. The model suggests combining precepts from activity theory and constructivist views as basis. The cyclic learning states of pre-action, action or volition control, and pro-action phases emanating from self-regulation sequence of self-monitoring, self-evaluation and self-reflections form the key concept of the volition model. However the sustained view maintains the education system model as proposed by Howe (2004:153) that includes input, processes and output contributing towards mathematics achievement. Hence the volition model considers the characteristics of teacher, implemented curriculum, teaching and instruction among its components to advance an understanding of their influence in mathematics performance. A mixed method research design, in which quantitative and qualitative are combined to achieve the outcomes of the research problem, is chosen for this research study project to provide a purposeful research framework. The finding revealed that the overall Volition Component Inventory (VCI) in pre - / post - and retention tests displayed good reliability, acceptable communality and acceptable construct validity for the VCI questionnaire. The post-test findings using the Univariate Tests of Significance, Effect Sizes, and Powers with partial eta2 values comparing experimental and control groups indicate the intervention effect of high statistical significance suggesting that the educational intervention enhanced mathematics performance. Another findings on how the experimental and control groups compared on learner VCI fields for in pre - / post - and retention tests using Least Square means crossover design model indicate that the enhanced intervention for volition self-efficacy, emotion control, failure control and self-control pressure, energy usage, planning and initiating ability and attention control was of significant main effect. Also the findings between control and experimental group using a three way and nested ANOVA on both learner use of volition strategy use in pre - / post – and retention test indicate pre-test to post-test, a sharp increasing effect of intervention. Hence the results revealed that it is possible to support volition mode of self-regulation competencies and mathematical achievement by self-regulation intervention within regular mathematics lessons of grade 9 learners. Furthermore the findings from the quantitative and qualitative data-analysis and interpretations, and literature review, guided the researcher in proposing a construct for volition enhancement self-regulation model to improve mathematics learner performance in grade 9 rural community schools. In this context, our study adds to research as it realizes that mathematics learning can be directly influenced by combining mathematics related strategies with cross-curricular self-regulation strategies in order to improve learner performance.
PhD (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

碩士
中華大學
行政管理學系
105
Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore the implementation of the policies and strategies for enterovirus disease control, in order to prevent the spreading from cluster infection of enterovirus, The New Taipei City announced the " New Taipei City Public and Private Schools and kindergarten enterovirus notification and suspension of operating requirements (March 30, 2017 amendment.) The implementation to the suspension measures of the policy often cause a great distress to the kindergarten and parents, some kindergartens have hidden the cases of enterovirus, it resulting in the communication problems and conflicts between the parents and kindergartens, while suspension also caused the loss of social costs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the dilemma of the implementation of policies and strategies for enterovirus disease control to grassroots executive staffs of public and private kindergarten in New Taipei city, and to explore the factors to obey the polity of grassroots executive staffs and parents of public and private kindergarten in New Taipei City. The study using the qualitative research, using the document analysis and the in-depth interview to explore "The implementation of policy", "To control the implementation of policy", "The impact of the key factors to control the implementation of policy ", "Policy obedience" and other related document as the theoretical basis. According to the document analysis an interview outline was conducted. To understand the implementation of policies and strategies for enterovirus disease control, and obedience factors, a total of 18 objects were in-depth interviewed by the president, director, nurse, teacher and parent of the four public and private kindergartens in the Shulin Dist. According to analysis of the interview data as follows: First, the dilemma of the implementation of policies and strategies for enterovirus disease control to kindergarten. 1. Have clear and Clear policy objectives and standards but lack of the suspension of supporting measures and policy resources. 2. Communication, coordination and integration between kindergartens and external organizations. Second, the impact of kindergarten parents on the enterovirus disease control policy of obedience factors 1. On rational considerations, parents selective to inform the child's condition. 2. To face the suspension measures, resulting in the increase in the cost of placement of young children and family income decreased. 3. Based on the consideration of rational and interest, to agree whether suspension is fall into a dilemma. Third, the impact of kindergarten grassroots executive officers on the enterovirus disease control policy of obedience factors. 1. Public and private kindergarten organs of different properties, the implementation of the notice and the intention difference. 2. The impact of public and private kindergartens to implement notification and suspension measures of the key factors: environmental factors ,early experience, professional norms and interest groups. 3. The impact of poor policy implementation of the population background: double-paid families, single-parent families difficult to implement the enterovirus suspension. Summary, the finding of this study, summed up the proposed kindergarten operation and government policy direction of the proposal. Keywords: enterovirus cluster infection, disease control policy, policy implementation, policy obedience.

This study investigated and examined the effectiveness and implementation of the existing internal controls designed specifically for exempted micro-enterprises (EMEs) contracting with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), in order to minimise the risk of possible tax evasion within the supply-chain management (SCM) processes. The research was completed by conducting a document review and face-to-face interviews with SASSA‟s SCM practitioners, risk manager, fraud and corruption manager, internal-control manager and internal auditor in order to identify risks of possible tax evasion within the SCM processes. It was concluded that there is a risk of possible tax evasion within the SCM processes due to the ineffectiveness and inconsistent implementation of internal controls designed for EMEs contracting with SASSA. This risk could be minimised by incorporating possible anti-tax-evasion procedures in the risk-assessment process, and ultimately in SASSA‟s broader fraud and corruption strategies. Such procedures should then help minimise funds being lost to the fiscus due to tax evasion in the SCM processes.
Taxation
M. Phil. (Accounting Sciences)