Thesis (S.M.M.O.T.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Management of Technology Program, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-99). / History has shown, and much management research has pointed out, that the structure of industries is not static. In some cases, striking shifts in industry structure have led to value creation explosions, the entry of new firms, and dramatic shifts in the value capture capability of firms within the industry. Perhaps the most oft-cited example of this phenomenon is the dis-integration of the personal computer industry into a horizontally organized cluster of hundreds of firms, and the emergence of Intel and Microsoft as dominant value-capture powerhouses within that industry. A large and ever-growing body of research studies the structure of industries. That is, the composition and structure of products created by firms in the industry, the structure of the design processes that generate these products, and the markets in which components and design services are offered to the industry. Of great concern to research in this area are the concepts of modularity and value chain structure. Some argue that the degree of modularity inherent in both an industry's products and the design processes that produce them have a profound effect on industry structure. They argue that modularity affects the structure of design and production value chains within the industry, the markets in which components and design services are made available, on the firms that participate in those markets, and the ability of those firms to create and capture value. Motivated by the striking example of the PC industry itself and this growing body of research, this thesis studies possible shifts in industry structure in the field of microprocessors, or, more generally, very-large-scale-integrated circuits (VLSICs) for computing. High-end microprocessor design, like PC design in the early 80's, is currently vertically integrated within a few dominant firms. But a fundamental trend is at work: the rate at which transistors are becoming available exceeds the rate at which the designers and design processes of incumbent firms are able to use them. This situation creates pressures on the boundaries of design and production that may lead to shifts in value chain boundaries that have previously not been considered by the industry. Will the microprocessor industry itself dis-integrate? If these shifts were to manifest, they may consequently impact the value-capture capability of new and incumbent firms, improving some firms' profitability at the expense of others. This thesis surveys and summarizes the existing body of research on the relationship between modularity and industry structure, and applies it to the field of computing VLSICs. It analyzes the microprocessor industry using those mechanisms proposed in the body of research, suggesting scenarios for how the industry structure may evolve in the near future. It studies and suggests how firms might influence this evolution. This leads to recommendations for firms currently in the industry, and for firms considering entry. / by Michael J. Bass. / S.M.M.O.T.

Thesis (S.M.M.O.T.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Management of Technology Program, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 80). / Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) comprise a set of technologies for the micromachining and electromechanical integration of sensors and actuators. MEMS allow for the radical miniaturization of such devices, as well as for significant improvements in performance and cost over conventionally fabricated mechanical and electrical components. In this thesis, I attempt to assess the value inherent in MEMS innovations and to understand how companies have tried to capture that value. In doing so, I assess the pathways and prospects for the commercialization of MEMS-based devices. I have chosen to focus on two classes of devices: (1) micromachined accelerometers for crash sensing and subsequent air bag deployment in automobiles, and (2) microfabricated chemical sensing and analysis devices for detecting and quantifying gas phase molecules, analyzing complex molecular mixtures, and carrying out high throughput screening of chemical compounds. Accelerometers are an example of a MEMS-based sensor that has almost completely displaced existing electromechanical substitute devices. Applications of MEMS to chemical sensing and analysis, however, are less mature and widespread adoption is less assured. In both cases, I evaluate the opportunities in the new technology from several different perspectives: (1) the factors that affect the transition from innovative technologies to marketable products; (2) the economic, market, and strategic forces that influence the adoption of these products; and (3) the business models of companies that have attempted to profit from MEMS innovations. I conclude the thesis with a chapter on potential strategic market barriers to successful commercialization of MEMS-based devices. / by Gary N. Robinson. / S.M.M.O.T.

Thesis (S.M.M.O.T.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Management of Technology Program, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 104) and index. / My thesis covers the electronic procurement currently existing, mainly the nonproduction purchase part of it. Since all companies make non-production purchase, this thesis reaches different sectors of the industry. Non-production procurement includes maintenance, repair, and operation, common called MRO, as well as service and outsource purchase. This work is also recommended for those who are interested in a general e-procurement, in an integrated supply-chain management over the Internet, in a Just in Time application, in a vertical and virtual integration, and in a business-to-business e-commerce application. My main goal is to help those who are interested in using e-procurement understand what the industry is doing, what kind of technology is available, and provide a model for implementation. In order to achieve those goals this work is divided into two main parts: An Industry Analysis and an Implementation Plan. The industry analysis covers the three major software providers in the actual US market: Ariba, Commerce One, and Oracle. The work is illustrated with a case study in order to provide a better understanding of the benefits and challenges faced by those who are deploying e-procurement. The implementation plan focuses on a strategy to be followed in order to install eprocurement in the service industry. A Brazilian bank, Itau, is used as an example to develop the plan, since Itau is a large corporation with national presence in South America. / by Carlos Henrique Tiezzi Marcondes. / S.M.M.O.T.

<p>This project searches for synergism between two binder technologies, specifically 1) low levels ofhydroentanglement energy which avoid excessive fiber loss but do not give adequate fabric strength, abrasionresistance or strain recovery, and 2) low levels of binder which do not degrade fabric aesthetics. The mainsteps were to 1) determine the fiber loss while hydroentangling, by testing three fabric weights and severalspecific energy levels for a 50% wood pulp and 50% polyester, and then 2) combine both technologies, fortwo fiber blends, at three levels of specific energy and four levels of binder add on. We found that: 1. Thecarrier screen mesh size, during hydroentanglement, was a critical factor for making the desired fabrics. 2.The fiber loss during hydroentanglement increases linearly with increasing specific energy, in the rangestudied. 3. The fabric basis weight has a very weak influence on the fiber loss during hydroentanglement. 4.Fabrics hydroentangled from one side only or on both sides lose the same amount of fibers. 5. The physicalproperties -strength, load at 5% strain, abrasion resistance- are greatly improved with an add-on of binder,while different levels of hydroentanglement energy input were found to be less significant. 6. Thehydroentangled and foam bonded fabrics are softer than those which were foam bonded only. 7. Theaddition of foam bonding up to 5% did not affect the softness of the hydroentangled fabrics. 8. The hydrogenbonding effect is shown to be significant at these levels of hydroentanglement and binder add-on. 9. Thefabric bending rigidity can be correlated with the Young's modulus of the bonded fabric for a 60% woodpulp fabric. 10. The abrasion resistance behavior is very different depending on the side tested: foam free orfoamed. <P>

<p>KUEHNEN, STEFAN ALEXANDER. Model Based Conceptual Communication Design in Coordination Systems (under the Direction of Dr. Padmini Srinivasan-Hands and Dr. Samuel C. Winchester)The purpose of this research has been to investigate the feasibility of developing a model-based method for conceptual communication design in coordination systems. Business process modeling methodologies are surveyed and the methodology of choice, Actionworkflow?, is presented. As the basis for method development Language/Action and Speech Act theories, underlying the Actionworkflow? methodology, are examined for potential concepts aiding the development of the method. Their history and surrounding philosophies are presented. Critique of the Actionworkflow? methodology is presented and discussed.The major focus of the research is the development of the model-based method to conceptually design communications in coordination systems. Its development, structure and components are presented and explained. The method is illustrated with a simple, everyday-life, application example. Applications of the method to examine web-based e-commerce sites are presented. It has been determined that the application for these environments is insightful. The examples discussed are ebay, an auction provider, e-trade, an on-line broker, and priceline.com, a purchasing service applying a unique process for the purchase of services and goods. Consequently the application of the method to establish the feasibility of designing coordination support systems for textile new product development is provided. Coordination model development and design of communications are discussed in parallel. Application results show that the method can successfully be used for conceptually designing coordination support systems, although practical issues have to be further investigated.Finally underlying assumptions are displayed and discussed, model validation provided, performance evaluation, as to the goals set forth for the research undertaken, and recommendations for future research provided. <P>

<p>MicroElectroMechanical Systems, or MEMS, is an emerging high technology that has proven to be very successful in several industries such as medical, automotive and ink jet industries. The technology philosophy is to integrate sensors, actuators and electronics onto a silicon substrate (polysilicon batch) to form as small as a square millimeter micromachine at low manufacturing cost. Such advantages prompted investigating the potential applications of MEMS in textiles.Initially, we identified possible applications of MEMS technology in spinning, weaving, knitting, fiber formation, nonwovens, testing and evaluation, and dyeing and finishing. Based on a perceived real need and large potential market for a successful device, it was decided to concentrate efforts into the development of a MEMS based detection device to monitor warp tension and end breaks in weaving. Thus replacing the abrasive and passive traditional drop wire with gentle and active device that has the potential to expand the markets for weavers. A macro prototype device (sensors, software and hardware) to monitor warp tension and break was designed and built. Descriptions of the device components along with weaving specifics are given. To demonstrate the benefits of the device, several experiments were conducted. The experiments along with their results are reported. The experiments include: Simultaneously monitor tension of eight individual warp ends in real time  Identify complex weave patterns through matching tension fingerprint with weave floats and intersections Detect yarn tension trends while weaving Quantify variations of warp tension across beam width Identify variations of warp tension at the warp sheet edges Monitor the behavior of the warp let-off mechanism Detect broken warp yarns Assess warp yarn damage caused by using drop wiresBased on the results of these experiments, it can be concluded that monitoring individual warp yarn tension could provide a useful mean for woven fabric producers as well as weaving machine manufacturers. From these findings, the micromachine, an array of piezoresistive sensors, was designed and built.<P>

<p>AbstractKonopka, Amy Elizabeth. The Effect of Anisotropy on In-Plane liquid Distribution in Nonwoven Fabrics. (Under the direction of Behnam Pourdeyhimi)Anisotropy has been shown to be an influencing factor of many nonwoven structural properties such as the bending rigidity and the tensile strength. The effect on liquid distribution (a very important property in many nonwoven applications), however, has not been determined. In this study the effect on anisotropy on a material's in-plane liquid distribution is examined. By using the new NCRC GATS device, which enables the in-plane liquid distribution and the recording of the spread to occur simultaneously, it was determined that the liquid distribution was indeed influenced by the structural anisotropy. Also determined was the effect of the testing method on the wicking rate of the material. A comparison between conventional test methods and a newly developed test method, which utilizes the NCRC GATS and a hollowed plate, were made. It was determined from the results that the new method is the only method that measures the intrinsic wicking of the material.<P>

<p> Jones, Jeremy. Abrasion Characteristics of Ring-Spun and Open-End Yarns. (Under the direction of Dr. Pam Banks-Lee and Dr. William Oxenham.) In the early 1980s, widespread claims in the knitting industry suggesting that the use of open-end yarns significantly increased the wear of mechanical components, especially knitting needles. Since then, many studies have attempted to explain this phenomenon and have yielded widely varying results. A study was conducted to compare the yarn properties of open-end yarn to ring-spun yarn. Identical yarns of varying parameters including yarn type, yarn count, and twist multiple were produced from the same raw cotton stock to eliminate variability in raw material. These yarns were tested for abrasiveness on a Lawson-Hemphill CTT (Continuous Tension Transport) tester. The device passes the yarn over a wire and records the length of yarn required to sever the wire. For this study the CTT was encoded to abrade a fixed length of yarn over the wire. The wire was then observed with both a Hitcahi ESEM (Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope) and a digital imaging microscope. The resultant images were examined for attrition and the abrasion values were evaluated using statistical analysis. It was confirmed that an increase in yarn count corresponded to a decrease in abrasion. Twist multiple had a noticeable effect on abrasion although the trends between yarn types, and yarn counts were inconsistent. Open-end yarn abrasion values were only slightly greater than their ring-spun counterparts, contradicting the claims of the knitting industry.<P>

<p>The purpose of this research has been to investigate the weaving properties of cotton yarns treated with three newly developed reactive sizing agents. N-methlyocarbamoylethyl starch, N-methlyocarbamoylethyl starch + poly vinyl alcohol (PVA), and N-methlyocarbamoylethyl starch + PVA + melamine formaldehyde have been studied as durable, non-removable sizing agents. Extensive work has been conducted to accomplish the objectives of the current research. The experimental activities have included: developing new reactive sizes; spinning a range of cotton yarns with three levels of twist multiple; preparing and applying size solution; testing mechanical and physical characteristics of sized yarns to evaluate their weavability; evaluating the stability of the sizing agents in woven structures; and performing statistical analyses to investigate the effect of size type, twist level, and solid concentration in the size bath on several yarn properties. <P>

<p>Micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) comprise a range of technologies that enable the fabrication of micron-sized, solid state devices such as sensors and actuators. MEMS manufacturing technologies enable the development of many exciting micro-scale or micro miniaturized products. This paper presents a decision model for evaluating the potential cost/benefit of different applications of MEMS for textiles. The objective is to determine the feasibility of replacing current warp tension measurement methods with MEMS. In order to accomplish this goal, a literature survey was conducted to document the current economic models and cost justification issues as well as the fundamentals of MEMS. From this survey, decision methodologies were identified and a decision model was established. To establish this model, Microsoft Excel (version Excel 2000) spreadsheet was used as a tool. The results from this model have been used to analyze the feasibility of using MEMS technology in measuring warp tension for textile applications.Finally, conclusions and recommendations for future applications have been covered.<P>