Misturas de poliacetal (POM), polímero de engenharia com boas propriedades mecânicas, com poliuretano termoplástico (TPU), um polímero composto por uma fase rígida e outra flexível visam buscar alternativa de materiais a serem utilizadas em bandas externas de roldanas, visando a diminuição da emissão de ruído das roldanas quando utilizadas em sistema de movimentação de portas de armários, em contato com um trilho metálico. Neste trabalho foram avaliadas as propriedades mecânicas, físicas, térmicas e morfológica de misturas de POM/TPU nas proporções 100/0, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60 e 0/100 (m/m). As misturas foram preparadas em extrusora dupla rosca corrotante e após os corpos de prova foram injetados em injetora convencional. O aumento dos teores de TPU nas misturas promoveu o aumento da resistência ao impacto, à abrasão e diminuição na dureza do material. Houveram aumentos da temperatura de deflexão térmica das misturas com o aumento do teor de POM. Através da microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) pode ser analisada uma mistura homogênea com partículas dispersas de TPU em formato de gotículas. A avaliação de emissão de ruído mostrou que com a diminuição do módulo de elasticidade, com o aumento da quantidade TPU na mistura, ocorre a redução da emissão de ruído do mesmo, esta redução fica evidente em frequências acima de 1kHz, ocorrendo uma redução da emissão de ruído de 2-5dB. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-02-20T16:45:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Celso Roman Junior.pdf: 3205658 bytes, checksum: 028ff664a71b2d23dd502892c15b0e08 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-20T16:45:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Celso Roman Junior.pdf: 3205658 bytes, checksum: 028ff664a71b2d23dd502892c15b0e08 (MD5) / Bolsa Desenvolvimento de Tecnologia e Inovação / Polyoxymethylene (POM), an engineering polymer with good mechanical properties, blended with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a polymer composed by a flexible and a rigid phase, are an alternative of materials to be used in external bands of pulleys, aiming to reduce the noise emission of pulleys when used in system drive cabinets doors, occurring pulleys contact with a metallic rail. In this work, the mechanical, physical, thermal and morphological properties of POM/TPU blends were evaluated in the proportions of 100/0, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60 and 0/100 (w/w). The blends were prepared in a twin screw extruder and after the samples were injected in a conventional injector. The increase in the levels of TPU on the blends promoted a rise in the impact resistance, abrasion and a decrease in the material hardness. There was an increase in the deflection heat temperature of the blends with enhanced content of POM. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was observed a blend with the presence of dispersed TPU particles. The noise emission showed that with the decrease in the modulus of elasticity of the polymer occurs a reduction of noise emission. This reduction is evident in frequencies above 1 kHz, causing 2-5dB reduction of noise emission.

A estratégia de customização em massa (CM) caracteriza-se por possibilitar alta variedade e volume de produção com custos relativamente baixos. Contudo, a alta variedade causa dificuldades para planejar um mix de produção que otimize os recursos disponíveis na empresa. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo desenvolver um modelo de cálculo para mensurar quais os impactos da adoção do mix ideal de produção na estratégia de CM de uma empresa moveleira. No referencial teórico, são definidos os conceitos e níveis da CM, apresentados seus habilitadores e práticas que possibilitam o sucesso dessa estratégia; também é abordada a pesquisa operacional, tratando das ferramentas para o cálculo do mix ideal de produção. O método de pesquisa possui abordagem quantitativa; através de um estudo de caso, foram propostas dez etapas, nas quais foram considerados não mais os produtos, mas seus níveis inferiores; esses foram agrupados de acordo com sua similaridade, para posterior modelagem e otimização. Os resultados da otimização foram comparados com dados obtidos da produção real da empresa. Como resultados deste estudo, obtiveram-se um método para agrupar as partes do produto por similaridade de processo, um algoritmo para otimização do mix de produção e um modelo que mensure os impactos da adoção do mix ideal de produção na estratégia de CM. O modelo criado demonstra que, no caso estudado, a adoção do mix ideal de produção permite ampliar o valor faturado em até 44,27%. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2017-12-20T11:17:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tiago Martini Riboldi.pdf: 1772222 bytes, checksum: de0a74ababfa56107346b048068fd357 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-20T11:17:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tiago Martini Riboldi.pdf: 1772222 bytes, checksum: de0a74ababfa56107346b048068fd357 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-19 / A mass customization (MC) strategy is characterized by allowing high variety and volume of production with low costs, with a high variety of causes, difficulties in planning a production mix that optimizes the resources available in the company. This thesis aims to develop a model to measure the impacts in ideal mix of production on the MC strategy at furniture company. In the theoretical framework, the MC concepts and levels are defined, the MC enabled, the practices that enable the success of the strategy, also bring the theme of the operational research and the tools for the calculation of the ideal of production. The research method has a quantitative approach and a case study is proposed ten steps in which are taken into account not the products, but rather their lower levels, these are grouped according to their similarity to perform a modeling and optimization. Optimization results are compared with the data obtained from the actual production of the company. The main expected results are a method for analysis as parts of the product by process similarity, an algorithm for optimizing the production mix and a model that measures the impacts of adopting the ideal production mix in the MC strategy. Model created showed in the case that ideal mix production allows to increase revenue value by up to 44.27%.

CAPES; CNPq / A indústria brasileira de móveis tem sofrido uma perda de competitividade no mercado externo nos últimos anos. Isso pode ser visto pelo decréscimo nas exportações de móveis que tem ocorrido ao passo que as exportações totais brasileiras têm aumentado. Contudo, o setor tem potencial para ampliar suas vendas, principalmente aproveitando a expansão do mercado externo, considerando que a maioria dos países do mercado europeu é deficitária na produção de móveis. As principais alternativas para o fortalecimento do setor moveleiro centram-se no aprimoramento do processo produtivo e do processo de desenvolvimento de produto (PDP). A melhoria do PDP é um dos fatores considerados fundamentais para aumentar a capacidade competitiva das empresas. O PDP tem sido considerado cada vez mais um processo decisivo na estratégia das empresas. Uma das maneiras para melhorar o PDP é por meio da utilização de modelos de referência adequados às necessidades e particularidades da empresa. Entretanto, os modelos de referência específicos disponíveis na literatura são ultrapassados ou muito pontuais, atendendo a uma demanda muito específica e ainda voltada às indústrias de pequeno e médio porte. Assim, o presente estudo teve por objetivo propor um modelo de referência específico para a indústria de móveis com intuito de proporcionar maiores chances de desenvolver um produto de sucesso. A elaboração da proposta foi realizada por meio de três etapas. Na primeira etapa foi realizado um levantamento dos modelos de PDP genéricos e específicos para o setor moveleiro disponíveis na literatura. Na segunda etapa, realizou-se um diagnóstico da estrutura do PDP no referido setor por meio de um questionário e observação in loco. E a terceira etapa foi a elaboração do modelo proposto. O modelo proposto é dividido em três macrofases subdivididas em 7 fases. Esse modelo ainda apresentou ainda 11 atividades de decisão, gates e gates intermediários. Essa proposta de modelo para o PDP na indústria de móveis além de apresentar uma visão ampla do processo, ainda oferece a sistematização das atividades que ocorrem em cada fase. É um modelo mais abrangente, direcionado as indústrias do setor moveleiro como um todo, não sendo direcionado para uma região característica ou para uma particularidade do setor como é o caso dos demais modelos encontrados na literatura. Esse pode ser utilizado como referência para o meio acadêmico e empresarial devido ao nível de detalhamento do processo. Vem a contribuir para melhoria do processo de PDP na indústria de móveis e a carência de pesquisas na área e pode ser utilizado como um ponto de partida para a organização do processo nas empresas. / Brazilian industry of furniture has faced a decrease of competitiveness in the export market in recent years. It can be noticed by the decrease in exports of furniture while total Brazilian exports increased. However, this sector has potential to expand their sales by taking advantage of the expansion of foreign markets, considering that most of the countries of the European market are deficient in the production of furniture. The main alternatives to strengthen the furniture sector are focused on the improvement of the production process and the product development process (PDP). The improvement of PDP is one of the main keys to increase the competitiveness of companies. PDP has increasingly been considered as a decisive process in companies’ strategies. One of the ways to improve the PDP is through the use of reference models that meet the needs and particularities of the company. However, specific reference models available in the literature are exceeded or far off and because of this they meet only very specific demands and are focuses to small and medium size industries. Thus, the present study aimed to propose a specific reference model to the furniture industry with the intent of providing greater chances of developing successful products. The elaboration of the proposal was made in three steps. In the first step it was conducted a collection in literature of PDP models generic and specific to the furniture sector in the available literature. In the second step it was performed an analysis of the structure of the PDP in sector through a questionnaire and on-site observation. Finally, in the third step was the preparation of the proposed model. The proposed model is divided into three major phases which are divided into 7 stages. This model is still made up by 11 decision activities, gates and intermediate gates. This proposed model for the PDP in the furniture industry, besides presenting an overview of the process, even offers a systematization of activities that occur in each phase. It is a more embracing model, directed to the industries in the furniture industry as a whole, not being directed to a characteristic region or for a peculiarity of the sector such as the other models found in the literature. This model can be used as a reference for the academic and business fields due to the level of detail of the process. It comes to contribute to the improvement of the PDP in the furniture industry and the lack of research in this area and can be used as a starting point for the organization of the process in companies.

CAPES; CNPq / A indústria brasileira de móveis tem sofrido uma perda de competitividade no mercado externo nos últimos anos. Isso pode ser visto pelo decréscimo nas exportações de móveis que tem ocorrido ao passo que as exportações totais brasileiras têm aumentado. Contudo, o setor tem potencial para ampliar suas vendas, principalmente aproveitando a expansão do mercado externo, considerando que a maioria dos países do mercado europeu é deficitária na produção de móveis. As principais alternativas para o fortalecimento do setor moveleiro centram-se no aprimoramento do processo produtivo e do processo de desenvolvimento de produto (PDP). A melhoria do PDP é um dos fatores considerados fundamentais para aumentar a capacidade competitiva das empresas. O PDP tem sido considerado cada vez mais um processo decisivo na estratégia das empresas. Uma das maneiras para melhorar o PDP é por meio da utilização de modelos de referência adequados às necessidades e particularidades da empresa. Entretanto, os modelos de referência específicos disponíveis na literatura são ultrapassados ou muito pontuais, atendendo a uma demanda muito específica e ainda voltada às indústrias de pequeno e médio porte. Assim, o presente estudo teve por objetivo propor um modelo de referência específico para a indústria de móveis com intuito de proporcionar maiores chances de desenvolver um produto de sucesso. A elaboração da proposta foi realizada por meio de três etapas. Na primeira etapa foi realizado um levantamento dos modelos de PDP genéricos e específicos para o setor moveleiro disponíveis na literatura. Na segunda etapa, realizou-se um diagnóstico da estrutura do PDP no referido setor por meio de um questionário e observação in loco. E a terceira etapa foi a elaboração do modelo proposto. O modelo proposto é dividido em três macrofases subdivididas em 7 fases. Esse modelo ainda apresentou ainda 11 atividades de decisão, gates e gates intermediários. Essa proposta de modelo para o PDP na indústria de móveis além de apresentar uma visão ampla do processo, ainda oferece a sistematização das atividades que ocorrem em cada fase. É um modelo mais abrangente, direcionado as indústrias do setor moveleiro como um todo, não sendo direcionado para uma região característica ou para uma particularidade do setor como é o caso dos demais modelos encontrados na literatura. Esse pode ser utilizado como referência para o meio acadêmico e empresarial devido ao nível de detalhamento do processo. Vem a contribuir para melhoria do processo de PDP na indústria de móveis e a carência de pesquisas na área e pode ser utilizado como um ponto de partida para a organização do processo nas empresas. / Brazilian industry of furniture has faced a decrease of competitiveness in the export market in recent years. It can be noticed by the decrease in exports of furniture while total Brazilian exports increased. However, this sector has potential to expand their sales by taking advantage of the expansion of foreign markets, considering that most of the countries of the European market are deficient in the production of furniture. The main alternatives to strengthen the furniture sector are focused on the improvement of the production process and the product development process (PDP). The improvement of PDP is one of the main keys to increase the competitiveness of companies. PDP has increasingly been considered as a decisive process in companies’ strategies. One of the ways to improve the PDP is through the use of reference models that meet the needs and particularities of the company. However, specific reference models available in the literature are exceeded or far off and because of this they meet only very specific demands and are focuses to small and medium size industries. Thus, the present study aimed to propose a specific reference model to the furniture industry with the intent of providing greater chances of developing successful products. The elaboration of the proposal was made in three steps. In the first step it was conducted a collection in literature of PDP models generic and specific to the furniture sector in the available literature. In the second step it was performed an analysis of the structure of the PDP in sector through a questionnaire and on-site observation. Finally, in the third step was the preparation of the proposed model. The proposed model is divided into three major phases which are divided into 7 stages. This model is still made up by 11 decision activities, gates and intermediate gates. This proposed model for the PDP in the furniture industry, besides presenting an overview of the process, even offers a systematization of activities that occur in each phase. It is a more embracing model, directed to the industries in the furniture industry as a whole, not being directed to a characteristic region or for a peculiarity of the sector such as the other models found in the literature. This model can be used as a reference for the academic and business fields due to the level of detail of the process. It comes to contribute to the improvement of the PDP in the furniture industry and the lack of research in this area and can be used as a starting point for the organization of the process in companies.

A estratégia de customização em massa (CM) caracteriza-se por possibilitar alta variedade e volume de produção com custos relativamente baixos. Contudo, a alta variedade causa dificuldades para planejar um mix de produção que otimize os recursos disponíveis na empresa. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo desenvolver um modelo de cálculo para mensurar quais os impactos da adoção do mix ideal de produção na estratégia de CM de uma empresa moveleira. No referencial teórico, são definidos os conceitos e níveis da CM, apresentados seus habilitadores e práticas que possibilitam o sucesso dessa estratégia; também é abordada a pesquisa operacional, tratando das ferramentas para o cálculo do mix ideal de produção. O método de pesquisa possui abordagem quantitativa; através de um estudo de caso, foram propostas dez etapas, nas quais foram considerados não mais os produtos, mas seus níveis inferiores; esses foram agrupados de acordo com sua similaridade, para posterior modelagem e otimização. Os resultados da otimização foram comparados com dados obtidos da produção real da empresa. Como resultados deste estudo, obtiveram-se um método para agrupar as partes do produto por similaridade de processo, um algoritmo para otimização do mix de produção e um modelo que mensure os impactos da adoção do mix ideal de produção na estratégia de CM. O modelo criado demonstra que, no caso estudado, a adoção do mix ideal de produção permite ampliar o valor faturado em até 44,27%. / A mass customization (MC) strategy is characterized by allowing high variety and volume of production with low costs, with a high variety of causes, difficulties in planning a production mix that optimizes the resources available in the company. This thesis aims to develop a model to measure the impacts in ideal mix of production on the MC strategy at furniture company. In the theoretical framework, the MC concepts and levels are defined, the MC enabled, the practices that enable the success of the strategy, also bring the theme of the operational research and the tools for the calculation of the ideal of production. The research method has a quantitative approach and a case study is proposed ten steps in which are taken into account not the products, but rather their lower levels, these are grouped according to their similarity to perform a modeling and optimization. Optimization results are compared with the data obtained from the actual production of the company. The main expected results are a method for analysis as parts of the product by process similarity, an algorithm for optimizing the production mix and a model that measures the impacts of adopting the ideal production mix in the MC strategy. Model created showed in the case that ideal mix production allows to increase revenue value by up to 44.27%.

The research problem addressed in this study was an assessment of the relationship-marketing strategy that Morkels currently has in operation. This strategy focuses on membership of a club that is sold to customers when they open an account. The strategy is to keep in touch with the customer by means of the club magazine, a club card and various special events and offers that are exclusive to club members. The strategy, however, may not be entirely successful in achieving the goals and objectives as envisaged by the senior management of the company. The objective of the research was to establish what exactly relationship marketing is. Once having investigated the theory of relationship marketing, the objective of the research was to establish what the goals of the management at Morkels were and whether or not these goals were met. The methodology of the research was, firstly, to conduct a literature survey on relationship marketing. In particular the study of literature focused on the theory related to the retail market focussing essentially where similar marketing strategies had been investigated. A variety of aspects of relationship marketing and strategies that had previously been implemented were then examined. The literature survey also considered the way in which a successful strategy of relationship-marketing should be motivated, planned, implemented and followed through. Secondly the research established what the goals and objectives of the management of Morkels were by means of an investigation into the policies and manuals of the relationship-marketing department. Finally a questionnaire was disseminated to the senior management of Morkels to establish what they considered to be the needs and opinions of the customers of the Garden Route Area. A second questionnaire with similar questions was also submitted to a sample of club members. This was done to establish the opinions of both groups. The major findings of the research were that Morkels is experiencing a degree of success with its relationship-marketing strategy. The research findings also revealed that opinions of the customers and the management of Morkels do not concur on a number of issues. These differences and the most important factors were discussed and recommendations were made to management.

Conventional theories and empirical studies on global production networks (GPNs) and global value chains (GVCs) have dealt with the dynamic organization of production on global, regional, national, and local scales but have given limited attention to market dynamics. In recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, a paradigmatic shift was observed in GPNs and GVCs that directed interests in market dynamics of developing country suppliers in the changing market dynamics in the Global North and the South. However, this phenomenon has not received adequate attention in the existing literature. This thesis aims to examine the firm-level market strategies of labor-intensive supplier firms in developing countries and the effects on the organization of production networks. Since the opening and reform in the late 1970s, the development of labor-intensive industries in China and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in particular, the well-known "world factory", have been significantly driven by export to advanced Western markets, such as the United States and European Union. However, in recent years, manufacturing suppliers in the PRD have changed their market orientations, leading to the considerable industrial transformation. Taking the furniture and garment industries in the PRD as a case, this thesis attempts to systematically explore the market strategies of manufacturing suppliers in different sectors and regions/sub-regions and the subsequent effects on the transformation of manufacturing industries and reorganization of production networks through three empirical case studies. First, the study examines the market strategies of export-oriented furniture supplier firms in the eastern PRD (Dongguan and Shenzhen City) and its effects on industrial transformation and reorganization of production networks. Second, to compare the market strategies of different kinds of suppliers in different sub-regions, the study explores the domestic market-oriented furniture suppliers in the western PRD (Shunde District, Foshan City). Third, for the understanding of the interaction between spatial cross-border production relocation and market strategies, this study investigates the market strategies of relocated garment supplier firms when they relocated manufacturing operations from China to Southeast Asia and explores the subsequent reorganization of production networks Based on the field investigation and particularly in-depth interviews with furniture and garment manufacturing firms in the PRD, this study identifies three types of market strategies of suppliers in the PRD and different effects on the organization of production networks. First, in the export-oriented furniture industry in the eastern PRD, most of furniture suppliers engaged in market reorientation from exporting to Western markets (e.g., the US and EU) to selling in the domestic markets of China through in-term firm partnerships with domestic chain retailers. Strategic recoupling with domestic markets of China stimulated the emergence of domestic market-oriented production networks in which supplier firms gained functional upgrading and experienced downgrading simultaneously. Second, in the domestic market-oriented furniture industry in the western PRD, domestic market-oriented suppliers who previous served for low-end segment of domestic markets of China have turned to engage in the market diversification to target different market niches. The diversified market strategies including low-end, middle-end, and high-end market strategies made furniture production networks evolve from merely relying on the domestic markets of China to co-dependence on emerging markets of China and other developing economies. In the reorganized production networks, furniture suppliers gained functional upgrading as they integrated into higher-end segments of domestic markets. Third, different from furniture suppliers, garment supplier firms engaged in the cross-border production relocation from China to the lower-cost Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, which is driven by different market strategies. Garment firms relocated from China to Southeast Asia for maintaining their strategic coupling with global brand names from advanced Western markets. Whilst, textile firms conducted production relocation to meet the requirements and strategic needs of buyers from home markets of China and host markets in Southeast Asia. There has witnessed the emergence of Western market-oriented triangular production networks coordinated by the relocated foreign-invested and Chinese garment firms, in which relocated garment firms have gained limited upgrading prospects. This thesis argues that market strategies adopted by local suppliers to change their power relations with other actors, such as global brand names and domestic retailers, have emerged as one of the most remarkable driving forces behind the transformation of manufacturing industries in China and particularly the PRD in the changing global economy. Emerging market-driven production networks have been emerged in manufacturing industries in China, with the rise of emerging markets in developing countries. In particular, China played an important role in reshaping the spatial and structural organization of global production networks and value chains. This research contributes to the literature by exploring the changing market dynamics with focus on the firm-level strategies. It also adds the literature by exploring the implications of emerging markets in the Global South for the reorganization of global production networks and value chains. In contrast to the previous industrial development pattern in developing countries that resulted from integration into Western market-led production networks, market strategies of local suppliers in the PRD has demonstrated a bias toward emerging market-driven industrial development.

Misturas de poliacetal (POM), polímero de engenharia com boas propriedades mecânicas, com poliuretano termoplástico (TPU), um polímero composto por uma fase rígida e outra flexível visam buscar alternativa de materiais a serem utilizadas em bandas externas de roldanas, visando a diminuição da emissão de ruído das roldanas quando utilizadas em sistema de movimentação de portas de armários, em contato com um trilho metálico. Neste trabalho foram avaliadas as propriedades mecânicas, físicas, térmicas e morfológica de misturas de POM/TPU nas proporções 100/0, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60 e 0/100 (m/m). As misturas foram preparadas em extrusora dupla rosca corrotante e após os corpos de prova foram injetados em injetora convencional. O aumento dos teores de TPU nas misturas promoveu o aumento da resistência ao impacto, à abrasão e diminuição na dureza do material. Houveram aumentos da temperatura de deflexão térmica das misturas com o aumento do teor de POM. Através da microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) pode ser analisada uma mistura homogênea com partículas dispersas de TPU em formato de gotículas. A avaliação de emissão de ruído mostrou que com a diminuição do módulo de elasticidade, com o aumento da quantidade TPU na mistura, ocorre a redução da emissão de ruído do mesmo, esta redução fica evidente em frequências acima de 1kHz, ocorrendo uma redução da emissão de ruído de 2-5dB. / Bolsa Desenvolvimento de Tecnologia e Inovação / Polyoxymethylene (POM), an engineering polymer with good mechanical properties, blended with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a polymer composed by a flexible and a rigid phase, are an alternative of materials to be used in external bands of pulleys, aiming to reduce the noise emission of pulleys when used in system drive cabinets doors, occurring pulleys contact with a metallic rail. In this work, the mechanical, physical, thermal and morphological properties of POM/TPU blends were evaluated in the proportions of 100/0, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60 and 0/100 (w/w). The blends were prepared in a twin screw extruder and after the samples were injected in a conventional injector. The increase in the levels of TPU on the blends promoted a rise in the impact resistance, abrasion and a decrease in the material hardness. There was an increase in the deflection heat temperature of the blends with enhanced content of POM. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was observed a blend with the presence of dispersed TPU particles. The noise emission showed that with the decrease in the modulus of elasticity of the polymer occurs a reduction of noise emission. This reduction is evident in frequencies above 1 kHz, causing 2-5dB reduction of noise emission.

Insufficient literature exists in the area of incremental and revolutionary change to explain and predict the convergence and reorientation phenomena happening in organizations. The process of strategic reorientation involves the internal organizational complexities of fast-paced (within two years) changes in competitive strategy as a necessary condition coupled with changes in at least two of organization structure, power distribution, and control systems. Antecedent forces believed to influence the discontinuous change process include industry sales turbulence, structural inertia/firm size, firm past financial performance, CEO turnover, top management team turnover, management team heterogeneity, management environmental awareness, and external attributions for negative financial performance. Punctuated equilibrium was the foundational theory for this study in which a strategic reorientation model published in Strategic Management Journal was reconstructed. The research question was: What seem to be the significant time-based antecedent forces or conditions that lead to strategic reorientation? The study used two hierarchical logit regression models to analyze data gathered from COMPUSTAT PC Industrial Data Base and Compact Disclosure (CD-ROM) over the years 1987-1993 from the turbulent computer software and stable furniture industries. Qualitative data were found in 10-K reports and President's Letters in Annual Reports filed with the SEC and available on Laserdisclosure. The sample, exclusive of 3 multivariate outliers, included 74 software firms and 43 furniture firms for a pooled total of 117 firms. When separate industries were analyzed using the first of the Systat logit hierarchical regressions, results showed no statistically significant effects. By contrast, when data were pooled, the second hierarchical logit regression model, which included industry turbulence and firm size, showed these one-tailed statistically significant results: strategic reorientation is positively affected by prior industry turbulence and CEO turnover, but is negatively affected by prior top management team turnover and the interaction between industry turbulence and external attributions for negative financial performance.

We consider the problem of scheduling production in a wood furniture plant. In particular, we consider the problem of selecting orders from various types of furniture products and determining their lot-sizes for production when there are sequence dependent setup times involved in the production of these items. This is termed the aggregate scheduling problem. In addition, we consider the problem of scheduling work at various production facilities in the presence of capacity constraints once the items for production and their quantities are selected. This is termed the detailed scheduling problem. The aggregate scheduling problem is formulated as a mixed integer program and solved using a dynamic programming procedure. The detailed scheduling program is a linear program and is solved using a canned linear programming package. In order to understand the state-of-the-art in the furniture industry, various furniture plants in Southwest Virginia were visited and a national survey was conducted. The results are summarized. The survey emphasized the problem addressed in this research. In order to understand the decision points better in the furniture manufacturing process, the IDEF (ICAM definition) procedure is used to describe the furniture manufacturing process. The methodology developed is applied to a real-life problem and the results are summarized. / Master of Science