Electric vehicles (EVs) offer an exciting opportunity in China both in terms of the potential to build a domestic manufacturing base and the potential to create a strong domestic market for the product. The Chinese nation stands to benefit from both supply-side and demand-side promotion due to the economic stimulus from EV manufacturing and export, the environmental benefits of reduced air pollution and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the energy security benefits of transitioning away from foreign oil dependence. The Chinese have several advantages when it comes to stimulating EV industry development and EV deployment, including: leadership in battery technology, great potential for cost competitiveness, an enormous and emerging number of new car buyers, and high level government support. Yet a number of challenges must be taken into account as well, including: shortfalls in overall automobile R&D spending, consumer concerns about Chinese cars’ safety and reliability, enhancing the appeal of the Chinese brand, and heavy national infrastructure demands. This paper will seek to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with EV deployment in China and identify industry actions and policy measures to facilitate the process.

Sugar is intrinsically linked with the modern food system. Large sections of the U. K. food industry are dependent on its use and functional qualities. Supplies of sucrose entering the food chain have declined 25% between the 1950's and 1980's and currently stand around 37 kg/person/year. Furthermore, U. K. dietary guidelines over the past 14 years have consistently suggested caution over how much sugar is eaten, especially in manufactured foods. Dietary guidelines such as the NACNE report (1983) recommend average sugar consumption should be no more than 20 kg/person/year. Currently, two-thirds of sugar supplies are bought for use in food and drink manufacture. Continued pressures on sugar consumption and negative consumer attitudes to sugar may be reflected in lost sales of sugar-containing foods. The available information on U. K. sugar consumption is critically assessed. Although the main sources of sugar supply are identified, individual sugar consumption is shown to vary by considerable amounts. The place of sucrose is examined in relation to other sweeteners and why and where sugars and sweeteners are used in food systems. The promotion of "no added sugar" and "sugar free" products is examined since the publication of the NACNE report to the end of 1987. To further test the impact of changing patterns of sugar consumption on food and drink manufacturers a national survey of manufacturers who use sugar was carried out in early 1988. This was an attitudinal postal questionnaire and responses to the issue of sugar, diet and health were analysed. Respondents bought an estimated 650,000 tonnes of sugar in 1986, around 45% of the total industrial market. While the survey aggregate were fully supportive of sucrose, respondents reported that the majority of consumers were worried about sugar being bad for health and were actively cutting down on individual intakes. There were significant differences to the issue of sugar, diet and health dependent on company size, whether a company manufactured for a retailer's own label and if products had already been marketed at a "healthy eating" segment. However, in general, while manufacturers considered consumer attitudes to sugar to be important they had to be put in the context of other factors. So far the impact of changing patterns of sugar consumption is not reflected in the total average industrial purchases of sugar, although substantial "sugar-free" and "sugar-reduced" product niches have been established.

toc / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

In the past years supply chain integration has become focus of interest, due to the discussion in the literature, that a positive direct relationship exists between higher supply chain integration and higher performance. Additionally, the environmental and social performance of supply chains gained much interest based on the new sustainability focus in the 21st century. The production of electrical and electronic equipment is one of the fastest growing global manufacturing activities. However, due to technological advancements, the quick obsolescence of electronics result in increased generation of waste of electrical and electronic equipment. Germany is one of the leading electrical and electronic equipment markets within Europe and is strongly affected by the EU directives and regulations, which aim not only to protect human health but also to improve the environmental performance of the electrical and electronic equipment operators in particular. Therefore, the environmental and social performance of German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers is increasingly gaining importance. Respectively, the purpose of this study is to investigate what effect the depth of upstream supply chain integration has on the environmental and social performance of German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers. This study is based on the quantitative research method. The required empirical data is generated through an online questionnaire, which has been sent to German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers. An initial operationalization of upstream supply chain integration depth and environmental and social performance is used as a foundation for the questionnaire. It can be concluded that German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers seem to have a coordinative upstream supply chain integration and presumably have a Abstract 4 moderate environmental and social performance. Furthermore, it can be assumed that the upstream supply chain integration depth has an effect on the environmental and social performance of German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers.

The implications of introducing shift work and flexible working hours into the UK clothing industry were examined, with special reference to the effects on personnel, plant utilisation and garment costs. A total of 37 garment manufacturing establishments, within 17 companies, were visited; 91 managers (for production and economic data)and 1018 supervisors and operatives, 87% female and 13% male, (for social data) were consulted. The main points arising from the survey are:- 1 . Social (i) The average age and length of service of respondents were respectively 30.4 and 7.1 for women and 40 and 13.9 for men. Nearly three fifths were married and over half of the women had children, most of them at school or pre-school stage. (ii) Over four fifths were committed to some kind of housework; 3 to 5 hours between 17.00 and 24.00 hours were usually spent on this task but about 9% spent more than 5 hours on it. (iii) Over half would be very much bothered by the inability to carry on their individual and/or group social activities. About two thirds would also be concerned by a change in the period of and time for sleep and meal times. Nearly two fifths used public transport for the journey to work. (iv) Only 15% had worked on multiple shifts previous to their present employment and 16% left their previous job because of being on shifts or unsuitable hours. About one fifth worked currently part-time and only 13% wanted to change their existing working system so that they might gain extra convenience and leisure in their working life. (v) The unsolicited personal choice of working systems were mainly shifts (13%), flexible working hours (14%) and part-time day work (30%); working only in school hours appeared to attract the choice of about 40% of the women. (vi) From the points above, it seemed that a high proportion of married female workers, mostly with dependent children and committed to housework, would probably react against shift work. The availability of part-time work together with the normal day work habit acquired would also affect the employees' attitudes towards the acceptance of even flexible working hours. 2. Production (i) The main problems involved with introducing shift work were considered to be sharing of equipment, bonus and piece rate payment and responsibility for quality failures. Dislike of sharing machines by operatives was considered to be a severe problem in sewing section and the extent of this dislike seemed higher in traditional rather than non traditional clothing areas; the operatives' age and length of service appeared to affect their attitudes. The smaller the period of time for each job then the less the problem of sharing payment and responsibility could become. (ii) Introduction of flexible working hours could create the difficulties of shortage and/or excess of supply of work within the production flow with interdependent operations; the extent of the problem could vary with the amount of work in progress and the period of time spent by each operative on the garment and/or its parts. Economic (i) Garment cost elements are material, labour, variable and fixed overheads (survey averages 50.6%, 24.9%, 8% and 16.5%), of which labour and variable overheads would be affected by introducing multiple shifts and only fixed overheads by flexible working hours. There should be a decrease in variable overheads per garment because of sharing a fixed amount of cost between shifts, an increase in labour cost due to shift premium and an increase in fixed overheads because of longer opening hours of the plant on flexible working hours. (ii) The capital employed on plant and machinery, C, could often be divided by the number of shifts so that this could help to increase profitability by a factor of 2 or 3. (iii) General formulae were established, using the most relevant variables, for calculating the profitability and profitability ratios of different working schemes. Generally, if the number of shifts are increased then the profitability of the plant could be very greatly increased. This was well illustrated from the calculated profitability ratios of about 2 and 3 respectively, when industrial survey values were used, for 2 and 3 shift systems replacing a single shift system. Profitability of flexible working hours would, theoretically, be less than that of single shift, but there might be some economic gains, such as reduced rates of labour turnover and absenteeism (which are currently high in the garment industry), arising from the introduction of flexible working hours.

Zur Bewältigung von Belastungsschwankungen in der industriellen Produktion – der systematischen Regelung von Kapazitätsangebot und -bedarf – existieren Methoden in der logistischen Auftragsabwicklung, deren Anwendungserfolg von den im Produktionsbereich vorhandenen Kapazitäts- und Belastungsflexibilitätsmaß abhängig ist. Die Entwicklung geeigneter Verfahren zur Messung dieser Flexibilitätstypen als auch von Ansätzen zur Nutzung der Messwerte bei der Gestaltung der logistischen Auftragsabwicklung sind die Zielsetzungen dieses Forschungsvorhabens. Vor allem Produktionsdienstleister sind aufgrund ihrer unternehmenstypspezifischen Merkmale für die Validierung der Entwicklungsarbeit sowie die spätere Verwertung der Forschungsergebnisse prädestiniert.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The brands were product identification tools and services from the fourteenth century the craft guilds. Since then, there is a greater connection of enterprises of various branches of production, the creation and protection of your brand. The Brazilian banking sector as one of the world's best, invests starkly in their corporate brand. The legal relation, brand protection is through Law 9.279 / 1996, known as the Industrial Property Law, which regulates about what can be protected as a trademark. The National Institute of Industrial Property - INPI, the body that analyzes the distinctiveness, originality and visual identity of this asset, grants the ownership of the trademark. Allocated as intangible assets has been increasing in recent years in the largest Brazilian banks. Some already appear as banks with strong brands in the current economic scenario. Thus increasing the value of their shares, directly influencing the results of these corporations. And in relations with their customers and target audience in order to keep them faithful, the banking sector is constantly investing in changes in the layout for purposes of access facilities to banks and new products, and the visual attraction is the best mechanism for that. Thus, the highlight of the value of certain benchmark creates customer satisfaction environment and greater liquidity in the financial market. The objectives of this study are to analyze the financial return of banks to protect their brands, the impact of this protection in the market competitiveness, describe the protective structures, study of the intangible asset valuation processes and their competitive potential, as well as investigate economic indicators and performance through brand association to the bank. Data analysis will be through qualitative and quantitative research of the 20 largest Brazilian banks and strong brand history in the market. Since this sample corresponds to more than 90 % of the banking market operating in the country. / As marcas eram instrumentos de identificação de produtos e serviços desde o século XIV nas corporações de ofício. Desde então, nota-se uma maior ligação das empresas dos mais variados ramos produtivos, a criação e proteção da sua marca. O setor bancário brasileiro, por ser um dos melhores do mundo, investe de forma incisiva em sua marca corporativa. No tocante jurídico, a proteção da marca se dá através Lei nº 9.279/1996, conhecida como Lei de Propriedade Industrial a qual regula sobre o que pode ser protegido como marca. A titularidade da marca é concedida pelo Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial – INPI, órgão que analisa a distintividade, originalidade e identidade visual deste ativo. Alocada como ativo intangível, vem se destacando nos últimos anos dentro dos maiores bancos brasileiros. Alguns já despontam como bancos com marcas fortes no cenário econômico atual, aumentando assim o valor de suas ações, impactando diretamente nos resultados destas corporações. E nas relações com seus clientes e público alvo, a fim de mantê-los fiéis, o setor bancário investe constantemente em mudanças no layout com fins de facilidades de acesso aos bancos e a novos produtos, sendo que a atração visual é o melhor mecanismo para isso. Dessa forma, o destaque do valor da marca de determinado banco cria ambiente de satisfação dos clientes e maior liquidez no mercado financeiro. Os objetivos do presente trabalho são analisar o retorno financeiro dos bancos que protegeram suas marcas, o impacto desta proteção na competitividade no mercado, descrever as estruturas de proteção, estudar os processos de valorização do ativo intangível e o seu potencial competitivo, bem como investigar os indicadores econômicos e de desempenho através da associação da marca ao banco. A análise dos dados ocorreu por meio de pesquisa qualitativa e quantitativa dos 20 maiores bancos brasileiros e com histórico de marca forte no mercado, sendo que essa amostra corresponde a mais de 90% do mercado de bancos em atuação no país.

Bakgrund och problem: Bostadsmarknaden är en viktig del av samhället där ökad bebyggelse är en förutsättning för att säkerställa framtida bostäder. Dessvärre tenderar befolkningstillväxten att öka i en snabbare takt gentemot antalet bostäder som byggs. Vidare är det inte alltid enkelt att motivera ett byggprojekt då det sträcker sig över en lång tid, kräver stort kapital och således innebär risker. Kapitalkrävande projekt kräver därför eftertänksamhet då det kan påverka kassaflödet negativt. Då studier saknas på hur kapitalbehovet och kassaflödet förhåller sig till affärsprocessen för byggföretag och hustillverkare vill vi tillsammans med vårt fallföretag titta närmare på detta. Ett stabilt kassaflöde är viktigt för framtida överlevnad och därmed också för framtida bebyggelse. Syfte: Syftet med detta arbete är att kartlägga vårt fallföretags affärsprocess och kartlägga kapitalbehovet genom hela affärsprocessen. Vidare syftar studien till att utifrån kartläggningen ge förslag på hur företaget kan styra och effektivisera kassaflödet genom affärsprocessen. Studien syftar också till att bidra med kunskap om hur hustillverkare och byggföretag kan styra och effektivisera sina kassaflöden genom hela affärsprocessen. Metod: Under denna studie har fallstudien som metod legat till grund för den forskning som bedrivits. Det empiriska underlaget har inhämtats med hjälp av ostrukturerade och semistrukturerade intervjuer. Vidare har även observationer och dokument utgjort delar av det empiriska underlaget.<img src="file:///page3image13768" /> Slutsats: Att planera för när projekt antas är viktigt att beakta för att styra kassaflödet mellan olika årscykler. En god planering kan således påverka vilken produktmix företaget kan klara av samtidigt som en god planering kan resultera i vägval för när projekt ska antas. Vidare är det viktigt att granska genomloppstiden genom företagets processer, detta då en snabbare genomloppstid kan resultera i lägre kapitalbindning men också i snabbare inbetalningar. Genom en detaljerad processkartläggning kan företaget också visualisera kapitalbehovet genom affärsprocessen, vilket således kan agera som verktyg för att påverka betalningsströmmarna men också för hur och när fakturor ska skickas samt betalas. / Background: The housing market is an important part of society, where increased housing is a prerequisite for ensuring future housing. Unfortunately, population growth tends to increase at a faster pace compared to the number of homes being built. Furthermore, it is not always easy to justify a construction project as it extends over a long time, requires large capital and thus involves risks. Capital intensive projects therefore require thoughtfulness as it may tend to affect cash flow negatively. As studies are lacking in how the capital requirements and cash flow relate to the business process for construction companies and house manufacturers, we want to look closer with our business case. A stable cash flow is important for future survival and therefore also for future housing. Purpose: The purpose of this work is to map the business process of our business case and map the capital requirement throughout the business process. Furthermore, the purpose of this study is to provide on the basis of the survey, suggestions on how the company can control and streamline the cash flow through the business process. This study also aims to provide knowledge about how house manufacturers and construction companies can control and streamline their cash flows throughout the business process. Method: During this study, case study has been the basis of the research conducted as a method. The empirical basis has been obtained through unstructured and semi- structured interviews. Furthermore, observations and documents have also been part of the empirical basis.<img src="file:///page5image16360" /> Conclusion: Planning for when projects are assumed is important to take into consideration for managing cash flow between different annual cycles. Good planning can thus affect which product mix the company can handle and at the same time good planning can also result in the choice of when projects are to be assumed. Furthermore, it is important to review the throughput through the company's processes, as a faster throughput can result in less capital tied up but also faster payments. Through a detailed process mapping, the company can also visualize capital needs through the business process, thus acting as a tool for affecting payment flows, but also for how and when invoices are to be sent and paid.

Zur Bewältigung von Belastungsschwankungen in der industriellen Produktion – der systematischen Regelung von Kapazitätsangebot und -bedarf – existieren Methoden in der logistischen Auftragsabwicklung, deren Anwendungserfolg von den im Produktionsbereich vorhandenen Kapazitäts- und Belastungsflexibilitätsmaß abhängig ist. Die Entwicklung geeigneter Verfahren zur Messung dieser Flexibilitätstypen als auch von Ansätzen zur Nutzung der Messwerte bei der Gestaltung der logistischen Auftragsabwicklung sind die Zielsetzungen dieses Forschungsvorhabens. Vor allem Produktionsdienstleister sind aufgrund ihrer unternehmenstypspezifischen Merkmale für die Validierung der Entwicklungsarbeit sowie die spätere Verwertung der Forschungsergebnisse prädestiniert.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / The objective of this research is to investigate the factors at plant level which impact on the diffusion of Japanese Manufacturing Techniques to enterprises in developing countries generally, and South Africa specifically. This informs the development of meaningful supply-side measures to improve the competitiveness of South African manufacturers. This has been achieved through both a thorough examination of the literature and through field research. The field research documents the implementation experiences in fifteen South African plants which participated in the Shopfloor Best Practice workshops of the Manufacturing Roundtable (MRT). I chose to examine these examples of transfer as I was a participant researcher, attached to the MRT. The central question which guided my research is what are the factors which affect the depth of systemic adoption of Japanese Manufacturing Techniques on the shopfloor in South Africa, and what this indicates for the breadth of diffusion of the techniques across the manufacturing sector as a whole. The research argument is that for sustainable adoption both social and technical aspects of Japanese Manufacturing Techniques need to be addressed. Focusing on the technical aspects only and presenting a universally applicable model obscures the realities of transfer, as the embeddedness of the techniques in the social and institutional context is ignored. The point of departure for analysis in this thesis is thus real examples of transfer, as opposed to a universally defined and abstracted model. The experience and opinions of the workshop participants, and those of managers in their plants, have been gathered through individual in-depth interviews and site visits. The evidence indicates that there are many factors both internal and external to the firm which are likely to constrain significantly the ability of some firms to move in the systemic direction. These include the poor primary education of much of the workforce, poor management skills, wage and social inequality and a lack of participation in the workplace. It becomes apparent that the process of diffusion amongst South African manufacturers is not likely to be rapid or steady, and that the most likely path is one of uneven diffusion.