Syfte – Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur lagerstyrning av reservdelar inom hjälpmedelsförsörjning kan effektiviseras. Metod och genomförande – Den valda strategin för att uppfylla studiens syfte omfattades av att genomföra en fallstudie i samarbete med Hjälpmedelscentralen på Länssjukhuset Ryhov i Jönköping. Empiri från fallstudien har erhållits genom intervjuer och dokumentationsstudier. Insamlad data har analyserats gentemot det teoretiska ramverket och därmed genererat studiens resultat. Resultat – Studiens resultat visar inledningsvis på att rörlighet, volymvärde och kritiskhet är viktiga aspekter att beakta vid lagerstyrning av reservdelar inom hjälpmedelsförsörjning. Rörlighet och volymvärde har utgjort kriterier för en sortimentsövergripande ABC-klassificering, vilket resulterade i tre segment. Ett av dessa segment, kundorder, har så pass låg rörlighet att det ansågs lämpligt att endast beställa dessa reservdelar då behov uppstår. För de övriga segmenten bör lagerstyrningen utföras med beställningspunktsystem, dock med en viss skillnad när det gäller styrningens intensitet. Vidare anses det lämpligt att, för enskilda reservdelar, göra kvalitativa bedömningar avseende kritiskhet. Detta ska säkerställa att kritiska reservdelar får en mer uppmärksammad styrning för att därmed, i större utsträckning, undvika bristsituationer. Implikationer – I denna studie har det fastställts hur lagerstyrning av reservdelar inom hjälpmedelsförsörjning kan effektiviseras. För verksamheter som vill åstadkomma detta är det dock nödvändigt att identifiera de aspekter som, för verksamheten i fråga, är mest väsentliga. Vidare krävs det att tillgång till nödvändigt dataunderlag säkerställs. Begränsningar – Fallstudiedesignen utgjordes av en enfallsstudie där endast en analysenhet undersöktes. I och med att olika verksamheter har olika förutsättningar för lagerstyrning hade det varit lämpligt att inkludera fler fallverksamheter i undersökningen. Detta hade resulterat i en högre grad av generaliserbarhet. / Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate how to achieve efficient inventory management of spare parts in the health care sector. Methodology – To meet the purpose of the study a case study has been conducted in collaboration with Hjälpmedelscentralen at Länssjukhuset Ryhov in Jönköping. The empirical data have been obtained by methods such as interviews and documentation studies. By analysing empirical data in comparison with the theoretical framework the findings of the study was generated. Findings – Initially, the findings of the study implies that aspects such as usage frequency, annual dollar volume and criticality are important to consider in inventory management of spare parts in the health care sector. Usage frequency and annual dollar volume have been used as criteria for an assortment wide ABC-classification which resulted in three segments. One of these segments, customer order, has a very low usage frequency. Therefore it was considered appropriate to only order these spare parts when an actual need has occurred. The inventory management of the remaining segments should be carried out with a reorder point system. However, there is a certain difference regarding the intensity of the management between the two segments. Furthermore, it’s appropriate to conduct a classification based on criticality. This should ensure that critical spare parts get more attention and hence decreasing the risk of shortage. Implications – In this study, it has been determined how to achieve efficient inventory management of spare parts in the health care sector. For those who aim to do this it’s necessary to identify the aspects that are most important for the particular business. Furthermore, it’s important that these businesses ensure the availability of necessary data. Research limitations – The conducted case study was designed as a holistic single case study. Since businesses differ from each other it would have been appropriate to conduct a multiple case study. As a result of this, a higher degree of generalisation could have been achieved.

Partial differential equations (PDEs) are used to model various phenomena in nature and society, ranging from the motion of fluids and electromagnetic waves to the stock market and traffic jams. There are many methods for numerically approximating solutions to PDEs. Some of the most commonly used ones are the finite volume method, the finite element method, and the finite difference method. All methods have their strengths and weaknesses, and it is the problem at hand that determines which method that is suitable. In this thesis, we focus on the finite difference method which is conceptually easy to understand, has high-order accuracy, and can be efficiently implemented in computer software. We use the finite difference method on summation-by-parts (SBP) form, together with a weak implementation of the boundary conditions called the simultaneous approximation term (SAT). Together, SBP and SAT provide a technique for overcoming most of the drawbacks of the finite difference method. The SBP-SAT technique can be used to derive energy stable schemes for any linearly well-posed initial boundary value problem. The stability is not restricted by the order of accuracy, as long as the numerical scheme can be written in SBP form. The weak boundary conditions can be extended to interfaces which are used either in domain decomposition for geometric flexibility, or for coupling of different physics models. The contributions in this thesis are twofold. The first part, papers I-IV, develops stable boundary and interface procedures for computational fluid dynamics problems, in particular for problems related to the Navier-Stokes equations and conjugate heat transfer. The second part, papers V-VI, utilizes duality to construct numerical schemes which are not only energy stable, but also dual consistent. Dual consistency alone ensures superconvergence of linear integral functionals from the solutions of SBP-SAT discretizations. By simultaneously considering well-posedness of the primal and dual problems, new advanced boundary conditions can be derived. The new duality based boundary conditions are imposed by SATs, which by construction of the continuous boundary conditions ensure energy stability, dual consistency, and functional superconvergence of the SBP-SAT schemes.

The following thesis counteracts the relationship of Supply Chain Design (SCD) and web-sales[1], and concentrates on the overall aim of “How to re-design Supply Chains more effective when a web sales portal is applied?”. In order to clarify this aim, following four research objectives are set: How does e-commerce connect to Supply Chain Design in general? What is required for a successful implementation of e-commerce? What are the costs and benefits by implementing e-commerce? Which potential risk factors in correspondence of the implementation of             e-commerce may influence the whole SCD and e-commerce interaction process?  Previous studies have not discussed the interaction of e-commerce and supply chain design on operational level at all, which accounts for a large portion of interests these days. When looking at the research objectives they have been solved in three process steps. First of all the general connection of e-commerce and Supply Chain Design had been analysed through an extensive literature review in form of i.e. suitable books and research papers. Results demonstrated that e-commerce helps to support and manage supply chain activities by offering relevant information. The connection between e-commerce and SCD insists of a close gearing. E-commerce helps to support and manage supply chain activities by offering relevant information about what kind of product is demanded, what is available in warehouses, which products are in the manufacturing processes, and which products will enter the physical facilities and customer sites. Following, research objectives two to four had been identified for which a literature review has created a firm basis on the status quo of current research studies. Combined with findings of developing a web-sales implementation plan for a leading group in power and automation technologies this work-out has been used as empirical research on how a real life company is carrying out these objectives. This plan had been worked out on-side the company, data has been obtained through interviews, observations, and internal system data. Requirements for a successful implementation of e-commerce are seen in strategic and organisational planning activities, as well as specific platform conditions. Concerning costs and benefits, monitoring and evaluating improvements, increasing customer satisfaction, and reducing order-cycle times stay in contrast to incidental fixed and variable costs which had been demonstrated through a detailed break-even analysis. Potential risk factors which had been identified can be countervailed through an appropriate risk management. Thirdly, the overall research question of “How to re-design Supply Chains more effective when a web sales portal is applied?” had been solved based on intermediate results of step one and two, combined with the project work-out, providing informative and sufficient data. The result is that in a first step a clear picture of which products and spare parts will be sold has to be defined. Secondly a precisely inventory management - discussing which parts to hold in stock, where to stock them, and how much to hold in stock - needs to be worked out. And thirdly, after analysing the possible and most plausible inventory strategy, possible distribution varieties need to be analysed. The most appropriate solution for the case company is represented in an Inventory-Distribution-Matrix. This research study has created a basis for the business unit of Power Electronics to improve possible efficiency. The knowledge and implementation steps operated for this implementation plan can be used for other business units in Switzerland and can be seen as a decision maker. Therefore this work-out has generated an enormous benefit for the case company. Instead of acting instinctively, decisions are based on qualitative and quantitative methodologies, data collection methods and data analysis techniques, and therefore follow a process strategy. [1]“Web-sales” in this context is associated with selling and buying information, products, or services via computer networks (Strader & Shaw, 1997), in this research study it is identical to “E-commerce”.

The RV reducer (one tpye of cycloid reducer) which has two stage transmissions is widely used in manyfields of engineering. This project is going to design the first stage of the RV reducer, as well as therelated components. The details contain design of input shaft, planetary gears, output shaft, generalbearings and eccentric bearings. The fatigue analysis is mostly used in the calculation process becausethe fatigue failure happens frequently in such rotation machine. In the same time, the general bearingsdesign is based on SKF General Catalogue and the eccentric bearings design is supported by theChinese standard.

A droplet may be prevented from wetting a solid surface by the existence of a lubricating film of air, driven by theromcapillary convection, between liquid and solid surfaces. The noncontact nature and the load-carrying capability of a nonwetting droplet lead to potential engineering applications, e.g., low-friction bearings. The present research consists of two thrusts. The first is aimed at quantifying nonwetting-system failures (film and pinning) triggered by application of a mechanical load, gaining insights to failure mechanisms. Experimental results show that film failure occurs over a wide range of droplet volumes when the temperature difference between the droplet and the plate, the driving potential of the free-surface motion, is small. Interferometric observations reveal flow instability just prior to film failure, with the growth of a nonaxisymmetric disturbance on a free surface (m = 1). Pinning failure becomes more prevalent as the temperature difference is increased, stabilizing the film flow. As part of the present investigation, a system was devised, allowing an oscillating free-surface to be reconstructed from a series of interferograms. The dynamic responses of the free surface reveal mode coupling, with harmonics of the input frequency excited through nonlinearity. The second thrust of the research succeeded in levitating and translating a droplet using the mechanism of permanent nonwetting. In this scheme, the droplet is heated by a CO2 laser and is placed above a cooled glass surface in order to drive the lubricating film that supports the weight of the drop. Furthermore, the position of the droplet can be controlled by moving the heating location, which leads to an asymmetry of the flow fields, driving air from the cooler-end of the droplet and propelling it towards the heat source. These demonstrations suggest the techniques potential use as a liquid-delivery scheme in a Lab-On-a-Chip system. Modeling is carried out to estimate propulsive forces on the droplet and to explain oscillatory behavior observed when excessive heating is applied on the drop. The concept to sandwich a droplet between two plates, a necessary configuration for levitating smaller droplets (less than mm-scale), is also discussed.

This research investigates analytical models that might serve to support decisions in the early stages of designing high volume small parts order picking systems. Because the development of analytical closed-forms is challenging, a common approach is to use simulation models for detailed design performance assessment. However, simulation is not suitable for early stage design purposes; because simulation models are time-consuming (thus expensive) to construct and execute, especially when the number of alternatives to evaluate is large. If available, analytical models are computationally cheaper. They provide faster and more flexible solutions and though usually less detailed, may be adequate to support early stages of design. The challenge is to develop generic analytic models providing useful results for a class of problems. This research focuses on a class of problems in high volume small parts order picking systems with pick-to-buffer technology. This is a new technology, and not yet in widespread use. The novelty in the modeling approach is the distinct separation of item-picking and order assembly operations which permits the development of performance models for both throughput and service level. Essentially the system is modeled as a tandem queue, and the two detailed models for the picking and assembly subsystems are developed based on detailed description of the operations. Solving the model provides estimates for performance measures, such as order cycle time and system throughput, which are essential in design. The approximation method requires estimating the squared coefficient of interdeparture times from the classical GX/G/1 queuing model, and a suitable approximation is derived in this thesis. Computational tests show the model to provide reasonably accurate estimates of system performance, with minimal computational overhead. To support the proposed queuing model, new models are developed for estimating mean and squared coefficient of variation for pick and assembly operation times. These models include the variability of order contents and the picking process, along with the physical layout. Results of the estimation compare very well with that of simulation.

Research and develop (R&D) can expand scope and depth of the products for enterprises, and extend the life of products, in order to keep the growing up continuously forever of enterprises. Which factors does R&D performance come from? Through References find the research structure whose are ' Internal Service Quality ', ' Working Satisfaction ' and ' Knowledge Management '. And then design the questionnaire, investigate, analyze, and get the real example result. This research regards R&D department of M company of the vehicle curtain industry of Taiwan as the target of check, collect interviewee to above-mentioned four dimensions approval degree, use SPSS software to analyzing, the conclusion is as follows: 1) Knowledge Management is positive influence to R&D performance, but explain that strength is on the low side. It shows it is on although Knowledge Management it is real reason, it have not probing into otherly importantly really (such as patents, R&D ability). 2) Working Satisfaction is positive influence to R&D performance, but explain that strength is on the low side. Shows Working Satisfaction although real reason, have other probing into really important factor (such as marketing ability). 3) Internal Service Quality is positive influence to Working Satisfaction, it is very good to explain strength. Shows that Internal Service Quality is an important real reason, the company should improve Internal Service Quality of R&D department, could improve better Working Satisfaction. 4) Knowledge Management is positive influence to Working Satisfaction, it is good to explain strength. Shows that Knowledge Management is an important real reason, the company should improve Knowledge Management of the R&D department, could improve better Working Satisfaction. 5) Knowledge Management is positive influence to Internal Service Quality, it is good to explain strength. Shows that Knowledge Management is an important real reason, the company should improve Knowledge Management of the R&D department, could improve better Internal Service Quality. This precise inference Internal Service Quality and Knowledge Management of research, in order to influence the important factor of Working Satisfaction, and then offer a administrator to improve and propose. And R&D performance Important factor, not merely two which this research institute mentions constructs the surface (Working Satisfaction and Knowledge Management ), but case Company can is it improve Working Satisfaction and Knowledge Management because of it really to influence R&D performance to have priority, other factors can be improving via the research later on , can promote apparent R&D performance even more.

Abstract The company for case study always dedicates to reinforce interior constitution as well as exterior competition, the major core is surrounding The Toyota Way, which it started with ¡§SEIRI and SEITON¡¨, ¡§Streamline Production¡¨ to ¡§Toyota Production System, TPS¡¨ from manufacturing fields, and then the company mind of ¡¨The Toyota Way¡¨. The development of each phase has its strategic position with different gradation. Moreover, in order to incorporate the operation for both Taiwan headquarter and China facility, divisions are segmented by operational functions for appropriate redeployment and valued-connection. The core for developing this study have had the case company to implement ¡§The Toyota Way, through meticulous discussions in order to clarify the built-up of ¡¨The Toyota Way¡¨ in the case company. First, start from ¡§manufacturing perspective¡¨ from working fields, with Streamline Production and Just-In-Time production as basic capabilities to build up the strength. Furthermore, extend it to the system of ¡¨ Product Developing Process Management¡¨, and connect with Big-Room ¡§Obeya¡¨ activity, ¡§Preparation prior to mass production¡¨, ¡§Supplier Parts Tracking Team, SPTT¡¨, and ¡§Cost Management¡¨¡C Last, through the strategic plan of company operation and functions of TPS operation with Knowledge of Philosophy from System, Method and Nature, to develop a series of deep competitions for the strength of company enhancement. Summarizations above, conclusions of the research are as following- 1. Generalized each activity and operating function with four perspectives as Company Philosophy, Elimination of Waste, Business Partners and Continuous Improvement, while the case company implemented TPS. Furthermore, described what the case company¡¦s functions of implement or concepts of application, which expect the study could be referred while related corporations try to implement them in the future. 2. Beside fully support from executive management to carry out the philosophy of The Toyota Way into organizational operation¡¦s thinking in the corporation, the most critical key-point is that it is necessary to create an environment with continuous improvement and participation of all employees in order to seed the realization into everyone¡¦s mind deeply.

Due to the trend of globalization, Auto-parts industry in Taiwan is facing the challenge of market liberalized and global car companies¡¦ tactical regroup that cause the structural readjustment. In order to maintain market competitive capacity, Auto-parts companies in Taiwan head into internationalization gradually and set up overseas subsidiaries in different investing types, creating so-called multi-national enterprises. The overseas subsidiaries will not only present their different tactical missions they should undertake that are different from their headquarter¡¦s during expanding market share, but also play different roles in monolithic value chain. Under internationalized operation, how to keep track of transcendental international knowledge-management tactics and generate innovative motivity continuously will be a great challenge to reputed traditional industry- Auto-parts in the future. Through questionnaire-inquire method, this research reports explore the connection of the knowledge management and the ability of organization innovation in Auto-parts industry. Adding the view of internationalized tactics to search the above influence of otherness in order to find out the most optimum international knowledge-management operation mode. After this research is studied and verified, the main points of it as follows: 1. The analysis of otherness: This research points out that the level of internationalization to the Auto-parts firms does not cause any notable difference in knowledge management and organization innovation. 2. Influential analysis: In the part of affection of knowledge management to organization innovation, this research notes that other variable of knowledge management to management innovation and technology innovation exists positive connection aside from knowledge management tactics. The ¡§learning culture¡¨ is the most forecasting factor to management innovation and technology innovation. Besides, both ¡§knowledge-supporting information system¡¨ and ¡§knowledge-transfer advancement¡¨ get marked forecasting to the management innovation of Auto-parts industry. ¡§Multinational-integration-knowledge innovation¡¨ has notable forecasting to technology management. Only value-chain-activity causes influence in variable to the part of knowledge management and organization innovation in internationalized tactics. The research to Auto-parts industry remarks that learning culture, knowledge-supporting information system, knowledge-transfer advancement and multinational-integration-knowledge innovation enable knowledge management to create positive affection in organization innovation. Thus, as my suggestion, enterprises have to get the effort in cultivating learning culture, establishing knowledge-supporting information system, advancing knowledge transfer and using the method of integration to create knowledge.

In this dissertation, we consider a multi-item two-echelon inventory distribution system in which the central warehouse operates with (Q, R) policy, and each local warehouse implements base-stock policy. The objective is to find the policy parameters minimizing the relevant system-wide costs subject to an aggregate mean response time constraint at each facility. We first propose an exact solution procedure based on a branch-and-price algorithm to find the relevant policy parameters of the system considered. Then, we propose four alternative heuristics to find the optimal or near-optimal policy parameters of large practical-size systems. The first heuristic, which we call the Lagrangian heuristic, is based on the simultaneous approach and relies on the integration of a column generation method and a greedy algorithm. The other three heuristics are based on the sequential approach, in which first the order quantities are determined using a batch size heuristic, then the reorder levels at the central warehouse and the basestock levels at the local warehouses are determined through the same method used for the Lagrangian heuristic. We also propose a lower bound for the system-wide cost. Later, we extend our study to compound Poisson demand. The performance of the Lagrangian heuristic is found to be extremely well and improves even further as the number of parts increases. Also the computational requirement of the heuristic is quite tolerable. This makes the heuristic very promising for large practical industry-size problems. The performance of the sequential heuristics is also satisfactory, but not as much as the Lagrangian heuristic.