The study had the dual objective of characterizing the present role of Virginia's wood furniture industry within Virginia's overall economy and evaluating the possible economic implications of changes in the major production factors influencing the future development of the industry. Supporting the hypothesis that the furniture industry is a major contributor to the economy of Virginia, the following factors were considered: size and number of plants, labor force, wages, and productivity of firms in Virginia. The industry 1n Virginia employed in excess of 21,000 employees in 1964. / Master of Science

Adoption of manufacturing technologies have been cited as an important competitive strategy for successful firms. This study assessed the wood household furniture industry for its current level of technology adoption, examined the impact of competitive variables on technology adoption and strategy formation, as well as, characteristics of innovators or early adopters within the industry. The results provide both insight into the technological direction of this industry and factors influencing the adoption of innovations by industrial organizations. The U.S. wood household furniture industry was surveyed concerning their recent equipment purchases, future purchase plans, and adoption of a list of 21 innovative technologies. Respondents listed recent equipment purchases within the finish machining area of the mill, particularly with automatic controls, as providing them with the most important benefits of increased efficiency and product quality. Respondents indicated that the functional areas of finish machining and the rough mill will receive the majority of new equipment over the next five years with automatic controls increasing in importance over time. A competitive-policy contingent model of technology adoption was developed and empirically tested. Innovativeness of firms was accessed by the number of technologies adopted from a set developed by industry experts. Empirical results suggest that organizational policy is dependent on the competitive conditions under which it was formed and that policy has an important effect on the innovativeness of an organization. Communication variables (signal frequency, cosmopliteness, and professionalization) were found to exhibit greater direct and indirect effects on innovation than industry structural variables with the exception of firm size. Characteristics of early adopters were contrasted with those of later adopters of technologies within the furniture industry based upon their adoption of thirteen processing technologies. Early adopters were found to differ significantly from later adopters on firm size, technological expertise, technological progressiveness, opinion leadership, information sources, and cosmopolitanism of the decision making group. The influence of technology push versus marketing pull strategies on firms was examined in an empirical study. Results of cluster analysis indicate that firms do align themselves along these strategic dimensions and can be contrasted on key characteristics; such as, demographics, company performance and environmental uncertainty. / Ph. D.

This dissertation presents export decision-making information meant to complement the array of information available to wood furniture manufacturers, relevant government agencies, and marketers. It utilizes data obtained from a literature search as well as from a national survey of 947 wood household-furniture manufacturers in the U.S. and 310 manufacturers in Malaysia. Personal interviews were also carried out to support as well as to add depth to the quantitative data. This report includes a detailed look at the global export market opportunities for wood household furniture. For U.S. manufacturers, potential markets are its NAFTA partners - Saudi Arabia, the European Union, and the Pacific Rim countries. However, U.S. companies need to focus more on exporting and not be totally dependent on the domestic markets. As for Malaysian manufacturers, the U.S. will remain as the largest market for their products. However, this may change with the competition that Malaysia faces with other Asian nations such as China, Indonesia, and Thailand. Furthermore, Malaysia, a tropical wood producing country, may lose its market share if U.S. consumers start to demand environmentally friendly wood furniture products. / Ph. D.

Submitted in full requirement for the Degree Masters in Technology: Marketing, Technikon Natal, 2000. / It has been largely accepted that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are principal driving forces in economic development (UN-ECE, 1999; Istomina, 1998; Lalkaka, 1996). However, many small, medium and micro enterprises are constrained by an array of problems such as a lack of access to finance, training services and physical infrastructure. Also, small, medium and micro enterprises are forced to operate in highly competitive environments and transition economies and this limits the ability of small, medium and micro enterprises and even large organisations to operate successfully and efficiently. Consequently, a strategy focused on inter-firm linkages and collaboration could alleviate the problems faced by small, medium and micro enterprises. Research indicates that inter-firm linkages or clustering can lead to the emergence of collective efficiency, which facilitates the industrialisation of SMMEs and has the potential of contributing to economic development (Schmitz, 1995). A cluster would involve interaction between enterprises or networks of enterprises that produce identical or similar products. These linkages create 'collective efficiency' which is critical in sustaining a competitive edge. The ability of small, medium and micro enterprises to maintain this competitive edge will ensure greater success and opportunities for specialisation and differantion. / M

The general purpose of the study was to determine, analyze, and evaluate the basic nature of the distribution processes involved in the marketing of antique furniture in Dallas, Texas. The study utilizes the marketing mix components as a framework for understanding the nature of the industry. Various aspects of the channels of distribution and physical distribution, the products themselves, pricing mechanisms, and the promotion methods, as well as the market itself and distribution problems, were examined. The primary data were gathered from 29 retail antiques dealers in the Dallas metropolitan area.

Human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) plays a crucial role in business success but is particularly vital to the furniture manufacturing industry. Unfortunately, the furniture manufacturing industry suffers from occupational injuries and illnesses resulting from ergonomically poorly designed systems. This thesis’s objective was to better understand HF/E through the furniture manufacturing industry’s managerial knowledge and opinions in order to design more productive, safer, and healthier systems. The study also aimed to raise manager awareness in the industry and introduce the potential HF/E benefits by providing current literature. Sixtyour American furniture manufacturing industry managers participated in a web-based questionnaire survey. The survey revealed that managers’ demographic properties and companies’ characteristics were some factors that affect managers’ awareness, knowledge, and opinions on HF/E. In general, managers were unfamiliar with HF/E and lacked a broad background on and knowledge of HF/E. In addition, companies, particularly small companies, lacked sufficient resources for HF/E.

As consequências geradas devido a constante deterioração do meio ambiente evidenciam a escassez de recursos naturais existentes no planeta. Desse modo, as organizações e a sociedade como um todo devem considerar os aspectos ambientais em suas ações. Em relação às organizações, estas além de cumprirem os requisitos legais de preservação do meio ambiente, devem incluir a gestão ambiental em suas estratégias organizacionais, uma vez que se tornou indispensável para investidores, bancos e seguradoras e para clientes e fornecedores. Assim, a incorporação de programas voltados à sustentabilidade nas estratégias das empresas contribui para que haja um equilíbrio entre o crescimento econômico e a utilização dos recursos naturais. Nesse contexto, o objetivo dessa dissertação foi analisar se a gestão ambiental pode ser considerada como capacidade estratégica, contribuindo positivamente para o desempenho das empresas fabricantes pertencentes ao Arranjo Produtivo Local Moveleiro da Serra Gaúcha (APLMSG). A pesquisa proposta foi de natureza aplicada, descritiva e quantitativa com utilização do método de pesquisa survey e uso de técnicas estatísticas descritivas, uni e multivariada, para análise de dados. Foram coletados dados de 162 empresas. Os resultados sugerem que a gestão ambiental pode ser considerada como uma capacidade estratégica para as empresas fabricantes de móveis pertencentes ao APLMSG, uma vez que as práticas de gestão ambiental possuem relação significativa com o desempenho organizacional. Contudo, percebe-se que muitas empresas ainda realizam práticas ambientais de maneira não certificada devido aos baixos índices de utilização de sistema de gestão ambiental (SGA), ISO 9.001 e ISO 14.001. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-04-01T16:43:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Janielen Pissolatto Deliberal.pdf: 1753901 bytes, checksum: a3326f1ddfcf89f5aef4272097b49b07 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-01T16:43:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Janielen Pissolatto Deliberal.pdf: 1753901 bytes, checksum: a3326f1ddfcf89f5aef4272097b49b07 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, CAPES. / The consequences of constant environment deterioration are showing the lack of natural resources available on the planet. Because of this, organizations and society in general must consider environmental aspects in their actions. Regarding the organizations, besides meeting all legal requirements for preserving the environment, they should include environmental management in their organizational strategies since it has become essential for investor, banks and insurance companies and also for customers and suppliers. Thus, incorporating programs aimed at sustainability into companies’ strategies helps to bring a balance in between economic growth and the use of natural resources. In this context, the aim of this paper was to analyze if environmental management could be considered as a strategic capacity, contributing positively to the performance of companies’ members of the Local Productive Furniture Arrangement from Serra Gaucha (APLMSG). The proposed research was of an applied nature, descriptive and quantitative using the survey research method and use of univariate and multivariate descriptive statistical techniques for data analysis. 162 companies’ data were collected. The results suggest that environmental management can be considered as a strategic capacity for furniture manufacturing companies’ members of the APLMSG since environmental management practices are significantly related to organizational performance. However, it is noticed that many companies still don’t perform environmental practices in a non-certified way due to low rates of usage of environmental management system (SGA), ISO 9.001 e ISO 14.001.

As consequências geradas devido a constante deterioração do meio ambiente evidenciam a escassez de recursos naturais existentes no planeta. Desse modo, as organizações e a sociedade como um todo devem considerar os aspectos ambientais em suas ações. Em relação às organizações, estas além de cumprirem os requisitos legais de preservação do meio ambiente, devem incluir a gestão ambiental em suas estratégias organizacionais, uma vez que se tornou indispensável para investidores, bancos e seguradoras e para clientes e fornecedores. Assim, a incorporação de programas voltados à sustentabilidade nas estratégias das empresas contribui para que haja um equilíbrio entre o crescimento econômico e a utilização dos recursos naturais. Nesse contexto, o objetivo dessa dissertação foi analisar se a gestão ambiental pode ser considerada como capacidade estratégica, contribuindo positivamente para o desempenho das empresas fabricantes pertencentes ao Arranjo Produtivo Local Moveleiro da Serra Gaúcha (APLMSG). A pesquisa proposta foi de natureza aplicada, descritiva e quantitativa com utilização do método de pesquisa survey e uso de técnicas estatísticas descritivas, uni e multivariada, para análise de dados. Foram coletados dados de 162 empresas. Os resultados sugerem que a gestão ambiental pode ser considerada como uma capacidade estratégica para as empresas fabricantes de móveis pertencentes ao APLMSG, uma vez que as práticas de gestão ambiental possuem relação significativa com o desempenho organizacional. Contudo, percebe-se que muitas empresas ainda realizam práticas ambientais de maneira não certificada devido aos baixos índices de utilização de sistema de gestão ambiental (SGA), ISO 9.001 e ISO 14.001. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, CAPES. / The consequences of constant environment deterioration are showing the lack of natural resources available on the planet. Because of this, organizations and society in general must consider environmental aspects in their actions. Regarding the organizations, besides meeting all legal requirements for preserving the environment, they should include environmental management in their organizational strategies since it has become essential for investor, banks and insurance companies and also for customers and suppliers. Thus, incorporating programs aimed at sustainability into companies’ strategies helps to bring a balance in between economic growth and the use of natural resources. In this context, the aim of this paper was to analyze if environmental management could be considered as a strategic capacity, contributing positively to the performance of companies’ members of the Local Productive Furniture Arrangement from Serra Gaucha (APLMSG). The proposed research was of an applied nature, descriptive and quantitative using the survey research method and use of univariate and multivariate descriptive statistical techniques for data analysis. 162 companies’ data were collected. The results suggest that environmental management can be considered as a strategic capacity for furniture manufacturing companies’ members of the APLMSG since environmental management practices are significantly related to organizational performance. However, it is noticed that many companies still don’t perform environmental practices in a non-certified way due to low rates of usage of environmental management system (SGA), ISO 9.001 e ISO 14.001.

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

O processo de desenvolvimento de produtos é um importante fator para aumentar a competitividade das empresas e tem se tornado cada vez mais crítico devido ao aumento da variedade e à redução do ciclo de vida dos produtos. Um processo de desenvolvimento de produto que agregue valor ao cliente por intermédio da redução do desperdicio torna-se estratégico para a competividade das empresas. Nesse contexto, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar o processo de desenvolvimento de produto em seis empresas moveleiras no polo de Bento Gonçalves. Para tanto, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa exploratória a partir de estudo de casos multiplos cujos dados foram coletados mediante entrevistas. De acordo com o referencial abordado e a análise realizada, foi utilizado como base o Sistema Toyota de Desenvolvimento de Produto, descrito por Morgan e Liker (2008), o qual discute a eliminação dos desperdícios e o valor agregado para o cliente. O propósito deste trabalho é a apresentação de um estudo para analisar o desenvolvimento de produto nas empresas moveleiras sob a ótica do Sistema Toyota de Desenvolvimento de Produto, uma vez que essas organizações atuam em mercados exigentes quanto à rapidez, variedade e preços competitivos. Dessa forma, o estudo contribui à área da Administração na medida em que sua aplicação pode trazer beneficios quanto ao entendimento do que realmente significa valor para o cliente, identificando o Sistema Toyota de Desenvolvimento de Produto como uma possibilidade factível para analisar o desenvolvimento de produto nas empresas moveleiras. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-04-25T18:52:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Adriano de Paris.pdf: 191693 bytes, checksum: 973eae607034c3ec2010be733b2f232e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-04-25T18:52:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Adriano de Paris.pdf: 191693 bytes, checksum: 973eae607034c3ec2010be733b2f232e (MD5) / The process of product development is an important factor to boost a company's competitive edge and has become increasingly critical due to the growing range and reduced lifecycle of products. A process of product development that adds value to the customer by eliminating waste becomes strategic for the competitiveness of companies. In this context, this research aims at analyzing the process of product development in six furniture companies in the Bento Gonçalves hub. Therefore, we developed an exploratory research through multiple case studies in which data was collected through interviews. According to the references and the analysis performed, we based our study on the Toyota Product Development System described by Morgan and Liker (2008), which discusses waste elimination and customer added value. The contribution of this work is the presentation of a study to analyze product development in furniture companies under the approach of the Toyota Product Development System, since these companies operate in demanding markets that require speed, range and competitive prices. Thus, the study contributes to the extent that its application can bring benefits to companies so as to help them understand what customers consider a value, identifying the Toyota Product Development System as a feasible possibility to analyze product development in the furniture companies.