The main purpose of this thesis is to study why the chosen case companies, Atlas Copco, Sandvik and Alfa Laval engage in CSR activities, with a secondary purpose of investigating how the aformentioned case companies has executed their engagement in CSR and what their present focus is. Our empirical findings suggest that the case companies have similar motives and approaches to CSR engagement. Whereas their main motivation for CSR engagement derives from a concern of legitimacy to their investor community, hence the case companies foremost emphasize an economic responsibility as a motivator and driver for their CSR agenda. In addition we have observed that all case companies use CSR reporting as the base-line for their CSR implementation, which our theoretical framework indicates is a systematic approach to mitigate risk and cost, as well as strengthen their reputation. Furthermore, we have observed that the case companies’ present concern in terms of their responsibility is focused on achieving a tighter implementation between a competitive business strategy and CSR activities as well as developing a better understanding of the increased complexity of social issues and human rights questions surrounding their widespread operations.

Demands for producing small components are increasing. Such components are usually produced using large-size conventional machining tools. This results in the inadequate usage of resources, including energy, space and time. In the 1990s, the concept of a microfactory was introduced in order to achieve better usage of these resources by scaling down the size of the machine tool itself. Several industries can benefit from implementing such a concept, such as the medical, automotive and electronics industries. A novel architecture for a reconfigurable micro-manufacturing cell (RMC) is presented in this research, aiming at delivering certain manufacturing strategies such as point of use (POU) and cellular manufacturing (CM) as well as several capabilities, including modularity, reconfigurability, mobility and upgradability. Unlike conventional machine tools, the proposed design is capable of providing several machining processes within a small footprint (500 mm2), yet processing parts within a volume up to 100 mm3. In addition, it delivers a rapid structure and process reconfiguration while achieving a micromachining level of accuracy. The approach followed in developing the system is highly iterative with several feedback loops. It was deemed necessary to adopt such an approach to ensure that not only was the design relevant, but also that it progresses the state-of-the-art and takes into account the many considerations in machine design. Following this approach, several design iterations have been developed before reaching a final design that is capable of delivering the required manufacturing qualities and operational performance. A prototype has been built based on the specifications of the selected design iteration, followed by providing a detailed material and components selection process and assembly method before running a performance assessment analysis of the prototype. At this stage, a correlation between the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model and prototype has been considered, aiming at studying the level of performance of the RMC when optimising the design in the future. Then, based on the data collected during each stage of the design process, an optimisation process was suggested to improve the overall performance of the system, using computer aided design and modelling (CAD/CAM) tools to generate, analyse and optimise the design.

Sustainable innovation is becoming increasingly important for today’s society due to the existing ecological threats to the earth. Thus, companies have a special responsibility with regard to new technologies and products. One important emerging technology is artificial intelligence (AI), which can help to make processes more efficient and save resources. However, managers are usually not supported by scientists when implementing AI in their businesses, which leads to companies failing in this endeavor or achieving unintended results, especially in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Research on the combination of AI with sustainable innovation has received fairly little attention to date. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out the role of sustainable innovation for SMEs in different sectors and how they perceive a possible implementation of AI. This includes factors such as motivation, barriers, solutions, and advantages. The selected sectors are machine manufacturing and agriculture as they are highly relevant to the topic. The study also looks at possible differences and similarities between the sectors. For this purpose, an exploratory and qualitative research approach was adopted by performing a multiple case study. Four semi-structured interviews with SMEs, two from each sector, were conducted to provide insights into the research field. The results reveal that sustainable innovation plays an important role within these two sectors, as all interviewed companies have a common motivation and responsibility to save the earth’s ecosystem. However, in most aspects the sectors differ here, especially regarding barriers. The companies also reveal a lot of interest in the implementation of artificial intelligence, but barely any differences were found between the sectors, in particular concerning, barriers, solutions, and possible AI types. The study has limited generalizability, as studies with larger companies or different turnovers, in other countries and sectors, and/or with different existing technologies might generate alternative results.

Background: Changing market conditions and increasing competition drive companies to increase their collaboration along the supply chain. Technological innovations enable businesses to increase their integration tremendously. The fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) enables the integration of information technology with industrial technology. The adoption of Industry 4.0 includes many complex technologies that come with challenges for many organizations. Previous research suggests that conventional manufacturing might have to be adjusted to Industry 4.0. Purpose: This thesis identifies and analyzes potential challenges of Industry 4.0 adoption for electronics manufacturers and machine manufacturers and analyzes how processes in manufacturing need to be adjusted to successfully implement Industry 4.0. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to successful Industry 4.0 adoption in the manufacturing process and therefore to contribute to technological advancement. Method: This thesis conducts a multiple case study and gathers qualitative data by conducting semi-structured interviews. Findings & conclusion: Challenges identified for most companies are standardization, management support, skills and costs. Most companies face data and compatibility challenges. Some companies face the challenge of complexity, information security, scalability and network externalities. Companies with higher levels of maturity are less likely to face environmental challenges.Lean Management was identified as a prerequisite for Industry 4.0 adoption. The adoption of Industry 4.0 is likely to lead to a paperless factory. Furthermore, changes concerning the infrastructure are a main finding. Moreover, it was found that Industry 4.0 does not require major changes from conventional manufacturing processes.

This thesis studies the brushless permanent magnet synchronous (BLPM) machine design for electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) application. Different rotor topologies design, winding design, and multiphase designs are investigated and discussed. The Nissan Leaf interior permanent magnet (IPM) traction machine has been widely analyzed and there is much public domain data available for the machine. Hence, this machine is chosen as a representative benchmark design. First, the Nissan Leaf machine is analyzed via finite element analysis (FEA) and the results confirmed via published experimental test data. The procedure is then applied to all the following machine designs and results compared. Then the Nissan Leaf machine rotor is redesigned to satisfy the performance specification with sinusoidal phase current in the full range for the same performance specification and permanent magnet material. Afterword, a comparative study assessing the design and performance attributes of the Nissan Leaf IPM machine, when compared to a surface permanent magnet (SPM) machine designed within the main Nissan Leaf machine dimensional constraints. The study illustrates and concludes that both the IPM and SPM topologies have very similar capabilities with only subtle differences between the design options. The results highlight interesting manufacturing options and materials usage. The grain boundary diffusion processed (GBDP) magnets are proposed to reduce the rare earth material content in the permanent magnet machines, especially subject to high load and high temperature operating scenarios by preventing or reducing the onset of demagnetization. The design and analysis procedure of BLPM machine with GBDP magnets are put forward. In the end, the Nissan Leaf IPM machine is taken as an example to verify the analysis procedure. and the results illustrates that IPM machines with GBDP magnets can realize torque and maintain efficiency at high loads while being less prone to demagnetization. A new multi-phase synchronous reluctance machine (SRM) with good torque performance and conventional voltage source inverter is introduced for traction machine applications. Although the torque density is low compared with BLPM machine, the SRM machine gets rid of permanent magnets and achieve low torque ripple compared with switched reluctance machine when the asymmetric inverter is replaced with conventional voltage source inverter. The concentrated windings are designed and studied with both IPM and SPM rotor according to the Nissan Leaf machine requirements of performance and dimension to investigate how the concentrated windings affect the machine performance and manufacturability and cost. 9-, 12-, 15- slot concentrated windings’ stator share the same slot area with the Nissan Leaf machine distributed winding and the performance are evaluated and compared. Multi-phase concentrated windings machines with IPM and SPM rotor are designed and analyzed based on the Nissan Leaf machine specification and dimension constraints. The performance of 23-phase, 5-phase, 9-phase machine at low speed and top speed are studied and the advantages and disadvantages are compared in terms of torque quality, efficiency, and power electronic requirements. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)