Techn. Univ., Diss.--Dresden, 2005.

This diploma thesis deals with the issue of multiple criteria decision making within the selected company. The suitable variant selection of the portable multifunctional device, intended for the logistic oriented company operating the net of distribution halls for e-shops is being made. First, theoretical background of decision making is introduced, as well as decision making models and methods. CATWOE, a tool for finding principle of the issue being solved and the SIPOC methodology, used for description of the processes within the company are both described. Graphical representation of selected business processes, using the process diagrams and the BPMN methodology are introduced afterwards. The selected company is described in the second part, as well as characteristics of the major issue which creates the subject of this thesis. Using the SuperDecisions software, originally intended for decision support making compares variants of portable multifunctional devices with usage of the AHP method. The final comparison result is a proposal of the ideal device variant accordingly to the criteria defined by the company.

Este trabalho descreve um experimento sobre o processo de decisão para priorização de projetos de melhoria em uma indústria de bens de capital. Apenas dois critérios eram aplicados na tarefa de priorizar projetos; exigências legais e complexidade técnica, então, foi proposto avaliar os projetos através de um conjunto mais amplo de critérios, incluindo imagem da marca, participação de mercado, alinhamento estratégico, tempo de lançamento de um novo produto. Para lidar com um número maior de critérios qualitativos e quantitativos, foi introduzido desde então, dois métodos multicritérios, a saber: o uso do AHP (analytical hierarchic process) e o DS-AHP (Dempster-Shafer /AHP). Os fundamentos teóricos dos dois métodos são apresentados. O primeiro método é usado para determinar as importâncias relativas das alternativas, por meio de ponderações em cada nível da estrutura hierárquica; a qualidade dos julgamentos é avaliada por um \"índice de consistência\". O segundo método também utiliza a plataforma de análise do AHP acrescentado mensuração da ignorância no processo de julgamentos por meio de probabilidades subjetivas. São comentadas as aplicações dos métodos em uma específica indústria. Foram observadas objeções dos decisores à aplicação do processo AHP, decorrentes da necessidade de numerosas re-avaliações dos julgamentos, quando o \"índice de consistência\" apresentava-se maior que os valores recomendados. Como ponto positivo foi destacada a simplicidade do método para aplicações no ambiente empresarial. Quanto ao método DS-AHP, o uso do conceito de crença nos julgamentos dos decisores, permitiu melhores aproximações às situações reais; neste caso, a alternativa eleita pôde ser claramente compreendida como a mais provável, e não classificada como provavelmente ou certamente a melhor. O DS-AHP quandocomparado ao AHP apresenta-se como um ferramental de condução mais direta para a obtenção dos resultados principalmente no que se refere ao menor número de comparações exigidas, também ajuda o decisor a identificar e corrigir as possíveis fontes de ignorância, que podem afetar a qualidade da decisão. / This study describes an experiment about the definition of portfolio of improvement projects in an industry of capital goods, which had until recently been prioritized based mainly on legislation demand and technical complexity. It was proposed to increase the criteria numbers including: market image, market share, strategic alignment, launch time to new products. To handle several criteria with focus quantitative and qualitative aspects was necessary introduced two multcriterial methods, namely, analytical hierarchic process (AHP) and Dempster-Shafer AHP process (DS-AHP). The first referred method is used to manage the relative importance of alternatives regarding the fore mentioned criteria based on weights attributed to structure hierarchical levels. The second referred method also uses AHP platform to enable ignorance measurement based on subjective probabilities. Results from direct application of the methods in this specific industry are commented. It was observed that the decision makers have some objections with respect to the AHP process, in the sense that there were judgment inconsistencies which required additional evaluation of the candidate solutions, what was seen as somewhat tiresome. The main advantages which was emphasize by decision makers refers to the ease of application in corporate environmental . As for the DS - AHP process, the possibility of considering believes in a structured way was felt as more appropriated to the real decision process, which effectively involves uncertainties. In this way, the elected alternative can be clearly understood as most probably - and not certainly - the best. Also the DS-AHP process was seen as more directly conducive to the final results in comparison with the AHP process.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-01T23:58:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_10303_Dissertação Guilherme Ventorim Ferrão.pdf: 3962587 bytes, checksum: fd3c1e611780b3e7be85e7dbb3102c6b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-06 / A cidade de Vitória, capital do Espírito Santo, ES, possui características geotécnicas, condições climáticas e de ocupação que propiciam ocorrências de escorregamentos em encostas. Esta dissertação contempla analisar a suscetibilidade, perigo e risco de escorregamentos em encostas localizadas em áreas urbanas de Vitória, ES, incorporando técnicas de tomada de Decisão, como o Processo de Análise Hierárquica (AHP), na comparação por grau de importância na análise dos fatores condicionantes de instabilidade e na hierarquização dos setores. O estudo foi realizado no bairro Forte São João, localizado na cidade de Vitória ES, em que foram selecionadas 21 encostas para avaliar a classificação de perigo e de risco. A abordagem de perigo dos setores se diferenciaram na influência das feições de instabilidade presentes no local. Entretanto para todas as verificações realizadas 60% ou mais dos setores avaliados obtiveram classificações de perigo iguais ou mais conservadores (avaliação superestimada) do que aqueles classificados pelo Projeto Mapenco e PMRR que adotam técnicas de avaliação em campo. A metodologia incorporada possibilitou também hierarquizar os setores avaliados. Ou seja, encostas que obtiveram mesma classificação de perigo, ainda assim foram comparadas entre si com intermédio do índice de perigo e foram definidas quais delas necessitam mais de uma ação prioritária de intervenção por parte dos órgãos governamentais. Elaboraram-se também dois mapas de suscetibilidade a deslizamento de terra associando técnicas de retroanálise, método AHP em ambiente SIG (Sistema de Informações Geográficas). Os dois mapas foram desenvolvidos com base nas características dos deslizamentos de terra ocorridos no Bairro Forte São João desde 2006, tal que se diferenciam na quantidade de classes dos fatores condicionantes de instabilidade adotados. Esses mapas foram comparados com mapas locais, elaborados pelo Mapenco e PMRR com avaliações em campo, tal que se verificou uma semelhança na classificação de suscetibilidade em aproximadamente 60% da área física do local de estudo. Palavras chaves: perigo natural, deslizamento de terra, método AHP.

Nowadays the mitigation of climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gases are one of the priorities in the international affairs. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the products generated according to this request. For China, CDM brings advanced technologies in terms of energy saving and emission reduction, and driving forces for sustainable development, hereby the development of CDM projects is in full swing in China so far. However, it is not easy to decide which type of CDM projects is suitable for a certain city or region, which project contributes more to sustainable development compared with others, when it comes to several alternatives. In this case, decision-makers require a tool to help make a rational decision. As one of the approaches of assisting in making decisions, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is able to provide assistance for decision-makers to compare the contribution of discrepant CDM projects to sustainable development. Moreover, a case study is taken between two typical CDM projects: HFC23 decomposition project and small-scale hydropower project, so as to check if AHP is useable. The result of the case study indicates that HFC23 decomposition project contributes more than small-scale hydropower plant project to sustainable development, which is not in line with China’s CDM development trend for these two projects (NCCCC, 2005), due to the different represented interests of the study group and the real decision-makers. Nevertheless, the result is rational and valid since there is nothing wrong with the AHP method and its application. In addition, in order to improve the effect of assisting in decision making, AHP was tried to be improved in three respects: impairing subjectiveness, avoiding rank reversal and improving accuracy. Even though for AHP itself, DEA/AHP approach could successfully eliminate the subjectiveness, however when it comes to this very case: compare CDM projects in terms of contribution to sustainable development in China, it cannot play an effective role. Moreover, PCA/AHP method cannot eliminate the subjectiveness at the root either. The framework method provides a possibility in theory to increase objectiveness. Two expects provided a feasible way to avoid rank reversal in their article, and the two pathways of improving results accuracy mentioned in this thesis are considered inappropriate in this case. On the other side, concerning AHP application, how to covert realistic issues to AHP structure, how to get desirable initial information, and how to avoid limitation generated by considerable criteria, sub-criteria and alternatives are considered as the difficulties which should be paid attention. In future, AHP could be applied frequently and effectively concerning providing assistance in making decisions in China, if the stakeholders as many as possible are involved in decision-making process.

Each Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) simulation model has been developed and used with many benefits. When system developers created each simulation model, focused on specific standards to fit to their own respective purposes. Consequently, there have been interoperability issues among simulation models that have many limitations. To be specific, despite various efforts to achieve and maintain complete interoperability in LVC simulation environment, substantial limiting factors have remained in technical and managerial fields. Thus, analyzing and prioritizing limiting factors in LVC simulation is the effective way to solve interoperability problems while saving budget and time. The purpose of this research is to analyze the priority of limiting factors in LVC simulation interoperability. Based on the identified limiting factors from the literature review, this study performed Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) survey to generate weights of experts* judgement for each limiting factor. Following the AHP survey targeted to LVC simulation experts, this researcher suggest the priority of limiting factors that are needed to be focused on as well as recommendations for future research.

A smart grid is different from a traditional power system in that it allows incorporation of intelligent features and functions, e.g., meter reading, adaptive demand response, integration of distributed energy sources, substation automation, etc. All these intelligent features and functions are achieved by choosing appropriate communication technologies and network structures for the smart grid appropriately. The objective of this dissertation is to develop an AHP (analytic hierarchy process) - based strategy for demand curtailment allocation that is subject to communications and cyber security limitations. Specifically, it: (1) proposes an electrical demand curtailment allocation strategy to keep the balance between supply and demand in case of the sudden supply shortage; (2) simulates the operation of the proposed demand curtailment allocation strategy considering the impact from communication network limitations and simultaneous operations of multiple smart grid applications sharing the same communication network; and (3) analyzes the performance of the proposed demand curtailment allocation strategy when selected cyber security technologies are implemented. These are explained in more details below. An AHP-based approach to electrical demand curtailment allocation management is proposed, which determines load reduction amounts at various segments of the network to maintain the balance between generation and demand. Appropriate communication technologies and the network topology are used to implement these load reduction amounts down to the end-user. In this proposed strategy, demand curtailment allocation is quantified taking into account the demand response potential and the load curtailment priority of each distribution substation. The proposed strategy helps allocate demand curtailment (MW) among distribution substations or feeders in an electric utility service area based on requirements of the central load dispatch center. To determine how rapidly the proposed demand curtailment strategy can be implemented, the capability of the communication network supporting the demand curtailment implementation needs to be evaluated. To evaluate the capability of different communication technologies, selected communication technologies are compared in terms of their latency, throughput, reliability, power consumption and implementation costs. Since a number of smart grid applications share the same communication network, the performance of this communication network is also evaluated considering simultaneous operation of popular smart grid applications. Lastly, limitations of using several cyber security technologies based on different encryption methods - 3EDS (Triple Data Encryption Standard), AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), Blowfish, etc. - in deploying the proposed demand curtailment allocation strategy are analyzed. / Ph. D. / With the rapid development of smart grid, the penetration of renewable energy resources is higher than ever and keeps growing. However, the output of such variable resources usually contains sudden and unpredictable changes. Therefore, maintaining grid operations has become a challenging task, especially with high percentage of renewable energy penetration. A smart grid is different from a traditional power system in that it allows incorporation of intelligent features and functions, e.g., meter reading, adaptive demand response, integration of distributed energy sources, substation automation, etc. On the other hand, the proper operation of smart grid requires many different smart grid applications functioning in an organized manner. Functions of all these smart grid applications are made possible by two-way communication technologies and networks. Any uncertainty or failure of the communication system will affect the operation of the power system. To analyze electric power grid operations, it is necessary to take into account the integrated communication system. To protect end-use customers’ privacy, a reliable and secure communication network is necessary. Applying cyber security technologies, such as encryption methods, to prevent adversary attacks can protect customers’ privacy and allow the smart grid to operate reliably. Nonetheless, implementing encryption methods require extra software and hardware which increase complexity of the system. In addition, the processing of encryption/decrption also extends the system latency. Especially, by using strict cyber security standards, the operation of smart grid application may be negated. However, some smart grid applications have strict demands on fast operation speed. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the limitation of using encryption methods on the smart grid operation.

Costs related to inventory are usually a significant amount of the company’s total assets. Despite this, companies in general don’t pay a lot of interest in it, even if the benefits from effective inventory are obvious when it comes to less tied up capital, increased customer satisfaction and better working environment. Permobil AB, Timrå is in an intense period when it comes to revenue and growth. The production unit is aiming for an increased output of 30 % in the next two years. To make this possible the company has to improve their way to distribute and handle material,The purpose of the study is to provide useful information and concrete proposals for action, so that the company can build a strategy for an effective and sustainable solution when it comes to inventory management. Alternative methods for making forecasts are suggested, in order to reach a more nuanced perception of different articles, and how they should be managed. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used in order to give specially selected persons the chance to decide criteria for how the article should be valued. The criteria they agreed about were annual volume value, lead time, frequency rate and purchase price. The other method that was proposed was a two-dimensional model where annual volume value and frequency was the criteria that specified in which class an article should be placed. Both methods resulted in significant changes in comparison to the current solution. For the spare part inventory different forecast methods were tested and compared with the current solution. It turned out that the current forecast method performed worse than both moving average and exponential smoothing with trend. The small sample of ten random articles is not big enough to reject the current solution, but still the result is a reason enough, for the company to control the quality of the forecasts. / Kostnader kopplade till lagerverksamheten är ofta en betydande del av företagets totala omsättning. Trots detta är generella intresset för effektiv lagerstyrning lågt, trots dokumenterade fördelar som mindre bundet kapital, ökad kundservice och bättre arbetsmiljö. Permobil AB, Timrå är inne i en tillväxtfas och siktar på att öka sin produktion med mer än 30 % inom två år. För att möjliggöra detta behöver företaget förbättra sin lagerstyrning och utveckla sitt sätt att distribuera material, dels till eftermarknad och dels till sin egen montering. Syftet med studien är att bistå företaget i dess önskan att skapa en effektivare lagerstyrning med avseende på kvalitet och kostnad. Alternativa metoder att klassificera artiklar föreslogs, för att skapa en mer nyanserad bild av en artikels karaktär och hur den ska styras. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) användes för att ge utvalda nyckelpersoner en chans att bestämma kriterier för hur en artikel ska bedömas. Dessa kriterier var årligt volymvärde, ledtid, uttagsfrekvens och inköpspris. Den andra metoden som föreslogs var en tvådimensionell klassificering där årligt volymvärde och uttagsfrekvens delar in befintliga artiklar i nio klasser med olika prioritering. Båda metoder gav upphov till betydande förändringar i jämförelse med den nuvarande metoden. För reservdelslagret testades alternativa prognosmetoder, för att jämföra med den nuvarande. Det visade sig att de båda metoderna glidande medelvärde och exponentiell utjämning med trend presterade bättre än den befintliga metoden. Stickprovet på 10 slumpmässigt utvalda artiklar är för litet för att förkasta nuvarande sätt att prognosticera, men det finns skäl att upprätta rutiner för kvalitetskontroll för att säkra en hög nivå på framtida prognoser.

This study has been carried out at Geodesign Latitud 57 AB and its purpose is to present possibilities of how the company’s business model can be adapted in order to deliver additional customer value. The study presents the importance of adapting businesses according to customer needs and not having presumptions of what customers’ value in a company’s value offering. In order to conduct the study properly, the two concepts of business models and customer value were investigated thoroughly, as well as methods of how customer value can be measured and how a company’s business model can be adapted according to customers’ value preferences. Geodesign Latitud 57 AB is a Swedish company which develops and sells temporary flood barrier systems. The market for the company’s products has only just started to develop and the company’s primary customers are currently Swedish and international administrative authorities, communes and larger electrical power companies. Geodesign have been active on the market for over 20 years but it is not until recently that flood fighting has received increased attention. The difficulties of getting their products sold has created a need for the company to further understand what customers value when they purchase temporary flood barrier systems and how the company’s business model can be adapted to better suit customer needs. This study has both a qualitative and a quantitative approach. The authors of the study have taken into account previously conducted studies regarding the identification of customer value preferences and adaptation of business models. Geodesign’s business model was mapped by interviewing the company’s employees. The customers’ value preferences were identified by using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP), supported by qualitative questions in order to fully understand what customers value in a temporary barrier system offering. The study presents a model for business model adaptation according to customer value preferences, Step by step, the model specifies how to understand what customers value in a company’s offering, how to map the company’s current business model, how to analyse how the current business model is suitable for delivering the customers’ needs, and finally how to generate ideas of how the company can adapt its current business model in order to create additional customer value. The model for business model adaptation is generalizable and useful for other companies that wish to create additional customer value. The study resulted in a number of ways in which Geodesign can adapt their current business model in order to create additional customer value. The authors of the study suggest four ways in which Geodesign can adapt its current business model: Improve the usability of the temporary barrier systems Offer training and education on site in the customers’ geographical areas and make use of the company’s key resources. Emphasize valuable information in marketing channels. Introduce routines for continuous evaluation after the temporary barrier systems have been used during floods. By adapting the company’s business model in these ways, the company will improve relations to their customers and users, receive continuous input regarding what the customers and users value, and create additional value through their value offerings. / Föreliggande studie har genomförts på företaget Geodesign Latitud 57 AB och syftar till att presentera förslag på hur företagets affärsmodell kan anpassas för att leverera ytterligare kundvärde. Studien belyser vikten av att anpassa företagets verksamhet efter kundernas behov och att inte ha förutfattade meningar om vad kunderna anser vara värdefullt i företagets erbjudande. För att kunna genomföra studien undersöktes begreppen affärsmodell och kundvärde, hur kundvärde kan mätas samt hur en affärsmodell kan anpassas efter kunders värdepreferenser. Geodesign Latitud 57 AB är ett svenskt företag som arbetar med att utveckla och sälja temporära barriärsystem mot översvämningar. Marknaden för temporära barriärsystem är relativt ung och kunderna utgörs framförallt av stater, myndigheter och större elbolag såväl nationellt som internationellt. Företaget har varit verksamma i över 20 år men det är först på senare tid som översvämningar och höga vattenstånd har fått en mer betydande plats på deras kunders och potentiella kunders agenda. Svårigheterna i att få deras produkter sålda har gjort att företaget ser ett värde i att undersöka vad kunderna efterfrågar i ett erbjudande kring mobila barriärsystem och hur deras affärsmodell kan anpassas för att bättre möta kundernas behov. Studien är såväl kvantitativ som kvalitativ och genomförandet av studien har stöttats av tidigare vetenskapliga undersökningar som handlat om att kvantifiera kundvärde och anpassa företags affärsmodeller. Företagets affärsmodell kartlades genom intervjuer med företagets anställda. Kundernas värdepreferenser identifierades genom en Analytisk Hierarkiprocess (AHP) som stöttades av kvalitativa intervjufrågor för att på djupet undersöka vad kunderna ser som värdefullt i ett erbjudande med temporära barriärsystem. I studien presenteras en arbetsmodell som stegvis beskriver hur ett företags affärsmodell kan förändras utifrån marknadens kunders värdepreferenser. Arbetsmodellen är noga specificerad och beskriver tillvägagångssättet för att identifiera vad kunderna värderar i erbjudandet, kartlägga företagets nuvarande affärsmodell, analysera hur väl dagens affärsmodell uppfyller vad kunderna värderar och slutligen generera idéer för hur företaget kan anpassa sin nuvarande affärsmodell för att skapa ytterligare kundvärde. Arbetsmodellen är generaliserbar och användbar i andra branscher och för företag som vill skapa ytterligare kundvärde. Studiens resultat visar att det finns möjliga anpassningar som Geodesign kan genomföra i sin affärsmodell för att skapa ytterligare kundvärde. Studiens författare föreslår fyra sätt som Geodesign kan anpassa sin nuvarande affärsmodell på: Förbättra användarvänligheten hos barriärsystemen Erbjud träningstillfällen i kundens geografiska område och utnyttja nyckelresurser Framhäv rätt information i marknadsföringskanaler Inför rutiner för uppföljning av användningen av barriärsystemen Genom att anpassa företagets affärsmodell på dessa sätt kommer företaget att få förbättrade kundrelationer, kontinuerlig input om vad kunderna på marknaden värderar och ett ökat kundvärde i företagets värdeerbjudande.

Due to globalization corporations have been forced, regardless line of business and geographical position, to differentiate themselves from their competitors and act upon new conditions. These conditions cause increased stress on internal functions because while corporations reduce costs, they must also increase profitability and meet customer demands. Corporations should consider the possibilities of streamlining internal functions. One possible way to do that is to select the right ERP-system.The purpose of this thesis is to identify the most crucial factors in the selection of ERP systems in manufacturing companies in China, and the problems surrounding the practice and implementation. The purpose also includes designing a framework that facilitates decision-making regarding ERP-systems for manufacturing companies in China.The purpose is achieved throughout observations of Company A's ERP department and semi-structured interviews with four employees. Collected data is combined with the theory in order to be analysed and illustrate the similarities with prior research.The result demonstrates many similarities with the theory. Indications suggest that the decisive factor in the selection of ERP systems has been to, China as a country advocating the advancement in technology. There is confusion and problems surrounding the use of the system due to it being mismatched, despite ten years after implementation, the ERP-system is still not fully operational in all of the company's functions. Furthermore, on the basis of the studied company result it is possible to imply that there is a lack of communication both vertically and horizontally.The conclusions of this thesis are, that the selection of ERP systems has not been carefully thought out. The main characteristics have been identified as basic functions. Because the ERP-system is mismatched it still has not met the requirements of Company A. Education and training from the ERP-supplier is fundamental for the ERP-system's final performance. A self-designed framework has been designed to facilitate decision-making concerning the selection of ERP-system. / Globaliseringen har tvingat företag, oavsett bransch och geografisk position, till att differentiera sig från sina konkurrenter och agera efter nya förutsättningar. Dessa förutsättningar medför ökad påfrestning på interna funktioner eftersom samtidigt som företagen reducerar kostnader, måste de även öka lönsamheten och tillgodose kundens behov. Företag bör ta ställning till huruvida effektiviseringen av interna funktioner bör gå till. Ett sätt att göra detta på är att välja rätt ERP-system. Syftet med detta arbete är att identifiera de mest avgörande faktorerna vid valet av ERP-system hos tillverkade företag i Kina samt problematiken kring användandet och implementeringen. I syftet ingår också att utforma ett ramverk som underlättar beslutsfattandet kring ERP-system för tillverkande företag i Kina. Arbetets syfte uppfylls genom observationer på företag A’s ERP-avdelning och semistrukturerade intervjuer med fyra anställda. Insamlad data sammankopplas med teorin för att på så vis analyseras och belysa likheter med tidigare forskning. Resultatet påvisar många likheter med teorin. Indikationer tyder på att den avgörande faktorn för valet av ERP-system har varit att Kina som land förespråkar avancemang inom teknologi. Det råder förvirring och problem kring användandet av systemet då det är missanpassat, detta trots tio år efter implementering, är ERP-systemet fortfarande inte är fullt operativt i företagets alla funktioner. Vidare utifrån det studerade företagets resultat går det att tyda att det råder bristande kommunikation både vertikalt och horisontellt. Slutsatserna av detta arbete är att valet av ERP-system inte varit noga genomtänkt. De viktigaste egenskaperna har identifierats som basala funktioner. På grund av att ERP-systemet är missanpassat har systemets passform ej mött de behov som företag A kräver. Utbildning och träning från ERP-leverantören är essentiellt för ERP-systemets slutgiltiga prestation i företaget. Ett egendesignat ramverket har konstruerats för att underlätta beslutsfattandet kring valet av ERP-system.