The Master´s thesis is structurally divided into the theoretical and practical part. In the theoretical part, the author describes current global environmental issues and the impact of the industry on the environment. The current state of the environmental legislation in mechanical engineering, environmental management systems, and methodologies of an environmental impact assessment are described. The practical part deals with the environmental burden of the snowboard production process according to the LCA method. Life cycle inventory is performed to evaluate individual materials whose production is the most environmentally damaging. At the last stage, possible measures are proposed to reduce the environmental burden.

Product life cycle perspective, a concept emanating from sustainable product development has gradually emerged as one of the key areas in product design and development. Several studies and research have shown the direct co-relationship between product design, development and manufacturing and its impact on our environment and ecosystem. The need to take these environmental factors into consideration is fundamental and highly prioritized in organizations that seeks to minimize the environmental impact of their operations in our ecosystem and if possible redirect these operations to contribute positively to saving the natural ecosystem. In the latest revision of ISO 14001:2015 standard, the term product life cycle perspective (LCP) has now become a fundamental requirement for organizations to fulfill. The requirement specifies the need for life cycle perspectives to be a significant factor during product design and development. However, the practical challenges of continuously integrating life circle analysis in product design is enormous for companies and organizations. This thesis will look at the challenges confronting ISO 14001 certified product manufacturing companies and allied services in implementing product LCP during product development and design and also the interpretations given by auditors from certification companies concerning how companies implement product LCP in relation to the requirements in ISO 14001:2015 at the product design and development stages.

L’incertitude est présente dans toute innovation. Dans le domaine des nanotechnologies, l’incertitude qui entoure les risques sanitaires et environnementaux dont ces technologies pourraient être porteuses est si importante que la question de leur succès se pose.En partie du fait du manque de données cohérentes, il n’existe qu’une littérature empirique limitée sur les déterminants de la diffusion des nanotechnologies. Dans le cadre d’un programme de recherche sur les nanotechnologies, cette thèse a pour but d’investiguer les déterminants de l’adoption d’innovations dans une situation d’incertitude sur les risques environnementaux et sanitaires. Dans cette optique, nos travaux visent dans un premier temps à fournir une meilleure compréhension de la diffusion d’un produit qui est présent sur le marché depuis longtemps. Nous avons choisi une substance chimique très utilisée, le bisphénol A (BPA). Différentes méthodes économétriques sont appliquées afin de mieux comprendre la relation entre la consommation, la croissance économique, les nouvelles connaissances scientifiques concernant le risque et d’autres variables utilisant les données relatives au BPA. Les résultats illustrent un ensemble de facteurs qui influencent la consommation de BPA au niveau international.Dans un second temps, nous montrons dans quelle mesure cette étude permet d’éclairer la réflexion initiée sur la diffusion des nanotechnologies, notamment le nano-argent.Le comportement des différents acteurs en réponse à la production de connaissances scientifiques nouvelles sur les risques est étudié, ce qui nous permet d’aboutir à une compréhension approfondie de “développement nanoresponsable”. / Uncertainty is immanent in every innovation. Uncertainty about environmental and health risks that surround nanotechnology raises the questions of innovation success. Due in part to a lack of consistent data, there is limited empirical literature on determinants of the diffusion of nanotechnology. As part of a research program on nanotechnology, this research aims to investigate determinants of uptake of innovation in a situation of uncertainty about environmental and health risks. With this goal, as a first step, this work seeks to provide better understanding of the diffusion of a product that has been on the market for a long time. We have chosen a chemical, bisphenol A (BPA), because of the lack of historical data on nanomaterials. As a second step, we compare the results of the BPA study to nanosilver. We apply different econometric methods to gain insights into the relationship between consumption, economic growth, new scientific knowledge about risk and other variables using the data on BPA. The results illustrate a set of factors that influences the consumption of BPA at international level. The comparative study between BPA and nanosilver helps to refine the interpretation of main results and to obtain additional insights into the determinants of uptake of nanosilver. An explanatory analysis sheds light on the actions that different stakeholders undertake in response to new scientific knowledge about risk and deepens our understanding of “nanoresponsible development”.Keywords: Innovation, diffusion of innovation, product life cycle, nanotechnology, bisphenol A, risk, uncertainty, environment, health, precautionary principle, Safer by Design, responsible development

Die seit Jahren anhaltende digitale Transformation erfährt durch neue, innovative Prozesse, Methoden und Technologien erneut ein atemberaubendes Wachstum in allen Bereichen. Entlang eines jeden Produktlebenszyklus werden unter den aktuellen Trends wie z.B. Systems Engineering, Industrie 4.0 und Internet of Things vielfältige Lösungen geschaffen, um vor allem die digitale Repräsentanz eines Produktes sowie der zu deren Herstellung notwendigen Produktionsmittel und der betreffenden Umgebung beim Betrieb des Produktes zu erschaffen bzw. auszubauen. Die digitale Repräsentanz, der sog. „Digitale Zwilling“ (oder auch 'Digitale Schatten') dient vor allem dazu, die Durchgängigkeit und Nachvollziehbarkeit aller produktrelevanten und -bezogenen Informationen sicherzustellen und für unterschiedlichste Szenarien und Stakeholder nutzbar zu machen. Die Informationen im Product Life-cycle Management (PLM) durchlaufen dabei unterschiedliche Reifegrade. In den Spezifikationsphasen werden die Informationen im Soll-Zustand auch gern als „Digitaler Master“ bezeichnet. [...]

Abstract The main objective of this study is to clarify the current challenges and preconditions relating to product portfolio management (PPM) and widen the PPM framework over horizontal and vertical portfolios, including a related governance model, strategic performance management and the PPM process. This study analyses comprehensively the current PPM literature and the relevant practices of 10 case companies representing business areas such as hardware (HW), software (SW) and Services. This study approaches PPM from a more comprehensive viewpoint as all product life cycle phases and product structure levels are not covered well in this context by the earlier literature. The principal results of this study involve revealing the need for a new PPM governance model including strategic targets, KPIs and the PPM process according to vertical and horizontal portfolios. The created PPM framework clarifies the strategic role of PPM in cross-functional analysis and decision making for commercial and technical portfolios. The role and the impact of strategic PPM have been further enhanced by positioning the PPM process on the level of other business processes. The created PPM framework enhances the collaboration between business and engineering teams. The managerial implications include the potential preconditions of clarifying the dynamic and active role of PPM at the level of other business processes. The findings can aid business managers in understanding PPM as an entity that has a role in managing the entire product portfolio and its renewal based on strategic performance measures over horizontal and vertical portfolios according to cross-functional governance bodies. This highlights the criticality of managing all items both in commercial and technical portfolios. The role of other business processes should be highly operational by executing product development, marketing and sales, delivery and care activities according to PPM decisions. The primary role of PPM should be active management of the entire product portfolio over product life cycle phases and product structure levels, instead of merely focusing on new product development, to ensure product portfolio renewal. / Tiivistelmä Tämä tutkimus selventää tuoteportfolion hallintaan liittyviä edellytyksiä ja haasteita, sekä laajentaa tuoteportfolion hallintamallia, suorituskyvyn johtamista ja prosessia horisontaalisesti ja vertikaalisesti. Tuoteportfolion hallintaa on lähestytty kattavasti analysoimalla nykyistä kirjallisuutta, sekä kymmenen kohdeyrityksen käytänteitä nykytila-analyysin keinoin. Kohdeyritykset edustavat useita liiketoiminta- ja tuotealueita kattaen laitteiston, ohjelmiston ja palvelut. Tämä tutkimus lähestyy tuoteportfolion hallintaa laajemmalta katsantokannalta kuin nykyinen kirjallisuus joka ei kata kaikkia tuotteen elinkaaren vaiheita ja tuoterakennetasoja. Tämän väitöstutkimuksen tärkeimmät tulokset liittyvät uuden tuoteportfolion hallintamallin tarpeellisuuden esille tuomiseen, sisältäen tuoteportfolion strategiset tavoitteet, suorituskykymittarit ja hallintaprosessin perustuen vertikaalisiin ja horisontaalisiin tuoteportfolioihin. Luotu viitekehys selkeyttää tuoteportfolion hallinnan strategista roolia organisaatiorajat ja liiketoimintaprosessit ylittävässä analyysissa ja päätöksenteossa liittyen kaupallisiin ja teknisiin tuoteportfolioihin. Strategisen tuoteportfolion hallinnan roolia ja merkitystä on erityisesti korostettu nostamalla tuoteportfolion hallintaprosessi muiden liiketoimintaprosessien tasolle. Tässä tutkimuksessa luotu tuoteportfolion hallinnan viitekehys vahvistaa yhteistyötä liiketoiminnanjohto- ja insinööritiimien välillä kaikilla organisaatiotasoilla. Työn kontribuutiot yritysjohdolle korostavat tuoteportfolion hallintaprosessin keskitettyä, dynaamista ja aktiivista roolia johtaa yrityksen kaupallisia ja teknisiä nimikkeitä horisontaalisesti ja vertikaalisesti kokonaisuutena perustuen strategisiin suorituskykymittareihin. Tuoteportfolion hallinta yli horisontaalisten ja vertikaalisten portfolioiden mahdollistaa tuoteportfolion uudistumisen yli kaikkien elinkaarivaiheiden ja tuoterakennetasojen. Muiden liiketoimintaprosessien roolin tulisi olla selkeästi operatiivinen toteuttaen tuotekehitykseen, markkinointiin, myyntiin, tilaamiseen, hankintaan, toimittamiseen ja huoltoon liittyviä tehtäviä perustuen strategisiin tuoteportfolion hallinnan tavoitteisiin ja suorituskykymittareihin.

Reverse logistics is an important process that is often misunderstood. Reverse logistics can cause considerable cost, but provide numerous opportunities. Many organisations do not understand the correct processes and procedures to follow and how to manage reverse logistics efficiently. The focus of this study was on best practices in reverse logistics. A best practice framework was developed to help organisations overcome problems and manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. This study adopted a mixed method research approach with both qualitative and quantitative elements. A comprehensive literature study was conducted to develop a conceptual best practice framework in reverse logistics and a survey was conducted to seek inputs from industry in South Africa to refine the framework into a workable instrument in practice. The study concluded that the best practices identified in literature have proven to be important in practice, and applying such practices will enable organisations to manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. / Business Management / M. Com. (Logistics)

產品循環與國際貿易理論提出後， 有許多的相關報告與驗證， 但是甚少是以企業的觀點來切入探討分析。 台灣在過去數十年間快速的經濟發展， 由農業社會轉入工業社會， 對經濟的貢獻上， 也由勞力密集產業轉變為技術密集與資本密集的產業。 而這一切的改變是否有脈絡可循， 我們認為產品生命循環理論是一個非常重要的參考理論根據。 因而我們嚐試以企業的角度， 並由手機產業之實務資料與資訊的融合與分析， 套用產品生命循環的理論模型， 同時探討分析國際採購因素， 以相互對照並探討出其關聯性與脈動模式。 論文中， 我們先從行動通訊技術概論開始導入， 以了解行動通訊技術的演進概況。 並藉由全球行動終端機之產業產銷概況， 先了界該產業世界輪廓與局勢。 並對照亞洲主要手機生產國家， 如台灣、中國大陸、日本與韓國等之行動終端機產業與其產銷狀況， 及比較手機之技術領先國近年來在本產業生產的變化， 以該產業的生產國度轉移情況， 驗證產品生命循環理論與國際貿易關係， 同時探討平均國民所得因素對在手機產業之產品生命循環影響的關鍵程度。 同時， 我們也以台灣的手機相關企業為例， 探討其繼個人電腦產業之後， 成功的以技術模仿國的角色接替並取代了領先國的產品設計與生產的成功因素， 並分析技術模仿國的新產品導入時機與關鍵因素。 另外， 我們也企圖分析探討韓國及其相關的企業， 如何以技術模仿國的地位， 運用其所能掌握的優勢及不同的產品策略， 成功的開創出另類的“新產品”定位， 藉以擴大市場佔有並獲取利潤的極大化， 以探討技術模仿國的新產品導入的策略。

近年來因雲端運算(Cloud Computing)、智慧型行動載具(Smart handheld Device)等資訊與通訊技術的整合與匯流，再加上金融證券產業政策開放、國際化與自由化、證劵業在中國大陸發展的限制逐步鬆綁等諸多因素，原本各有自己領域的資訊服務廠商都開始磨拳擦掌，紛紛在手持式裝置上推出各種證券服務商品，這對過往在Ｂ２Ｃ領域獨佔鰲頭的E公司無異是最大的衝擊。 本研究將藉由探討E公司現行定位、分析因智慧型行動載具之演進，對金融資訊服務廠商所產生的市場改變、衝擊與競爭，進而找出新的市場商機、訂定新的市場定位與策略，期盼能為該公司發展再造藍海市場商機。 主要結論為：金融證券資訊服務產業已經是一紅海市場。為解決E公司面臨的產業困境，思考E公司未來發展走向，重新定位E公司的核心競爭力(Core Competence)，如何利用現有智慧型行動載具的特性化阻力為助力，在金融證券資訊服務產業這一片紅海中開闢新藍海。本研究將依據波特(Michael E. Porter)的五力分析及競爭論(On Competition)與洪順慶教授之新產品開發流程，提出新舊產品策略及商業模式(Business Model與Go-To-Market Model)的建議：  舊產品:運用該公司在證券資訊市場的領先地位，作業流程核心管理能力，通路優勢與客戶特性，為進入衰退期的既有產品(專業股票機)發展社群服務，增加老客戶黏著度，並搶食競爭對手市場，以延續該產品生命週期。  新產品:善用既有的雲端優勢及智慧型手持式裝置資通訊整合匯流與Web2.0的新技術，開發客製化(Tailor-Made)、主動揭露(Event Push、Calendar Push)，推出智慧的(Smart)、簡易的(Simple)、方便的(Convenience)的理財生活管家服務，開闢新藍海。 / During the past few years, the information service industry of the securities market has change hugely and the competition becomes more and more intensely, due to the opening and internationalization of the government industry policy and the rapid development of the ICT technology--includes cloud computing, evolution of mobile communication and smart handheld device, and ICT convergence…. Because of these changes, the information service vendors of the securities market have started penetrating their services into mobile device with low-price or price-free strategy. The impact to the E-Corp, the leading company with the B2C business model, is most fiercely. First, the study will analysize the change, impact and competition of the information service industry of the securities market, and will apply E-Corp as the case-study-company and probe the current positioning of E-Corp. Finally, the study will try to find out the new business opportunities for vendors, and will make suggestions on marketing repositioning and product development and business strategy to E-Corp. Exectuctive summary:The information service industry of securities market is a red ocean market. The study will utilzie the theories of Five-Force-Analysis (Michael E. Porter), Product Life Cycle (SC Horng, NCCU Taiwan), Core Competence (Gary Hamel & C.K. Parhalad), and will also think how to apply new technologies, such as cloud computing, smart handheld device, Web2.0,…to solve E-Corp dilemma and to help E-Corp to creat new blue ocean business and market. The suggestions are:  For current product: To extend the product life cycle. First, to apply the strength of the leading position in industry, channel strength and procedure management core competence to develop community network service to increase customers’ loyalty and to low down the rate of loss. Second, to seize the competitors’ customers.  For new product:Apply the strength of cloud computing the E-Corp has, and utilize ICT convergence and smart handheld devices, Web2.0 technologies to extend the service from securities to financial/wealth management service with the functional characters of event push/calendar driven, and smart/simple/convenience.

Sustainability has been the focus of intense discussions over the past two decades, with topics around the entire product life cycle. In the manufacturing phase, research has been focused solely on environmental impact assessment or environmental impact and cost analysis in its assessment of sustainability. However, few efforts have investigated sustainable production decision making, where engineers are required to concurrently consider economic, environmental, and social impacts. An approach is developed to assess broader sustainability impacts by conducting economic assessment, environmental impact assessment, and social impact assessment at the work cell level. The results from the assessments are then integrated into a sustainable manufacturing assessment framework, along with a modified weighting method based on pairwise comparison and an outranking decision making method. The approach is illustrated for a representative machining work cell producing stainless steel knives. Economic, environmental, and social impact results are compared for three production scenarios by applying the sustainable manufacturing assessment framework. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to study the robustness of the results. For future research, it is desired that a tool which integrates manufacturing information system information and the sustainable manufacturing assessment approach can be built to assist production engineers in considering sustainability performance when making decisions. / Graduation date: 2012

Die Nachhaltige Ersatzteilversorgung mit Elektronikkomponenten stellt die Hersteller vieler technischer Systeme vor neue Herausforderungen. Der technologische Wandel im Halbleitermarkt ist so schnelllebig, dass sich die elektronischen Bauelemente oftmals schon beim Start der Serienproduktion des Gesamtsystems im Serienauslauf befinden. Die Automobilindustrie ist von dieser Problematik besonders betroffen, weil sie Fahrzeuge in großen Serien über vergleichsweise lange Zeiträume mit harten Kostenzielen und hohen Qualitätsmaßstäben fertigt und auch nach Serienende mit Ersatzteilen versorgen muss. Die einzelnen Kfz-Elektronikkomponenten durchlaufen dazu im Vorfeld eines Fahrzeugeinsatzes umfangreiche Freigabeuntersuchungen. Die Konfiguration eines Kraftfahrzeugs wird außerdem einer gesetzlichen Typprüfung unterzogen, so dass eine spätere Abwandlung der ursprünglichen Komponenten nicht ohne weiteres zulässig ist. Änderungen an der einzelnen Komponente sind demnach nur noch mit erheblichem Aufwand möglich. Diese Situation zwingt die Automobilhersteller und ihre Zulieferer für Kfz-Elektronik zu neuen Konzepten im Management ihrer Ersatzteilspektren. Die vorliegende Arbeit entwickelt ein Management-Support-System für das herstellerseitige Ersatzteilmanagement von Kfz-Elektronikkomponenten auf Basis eines integrierten Methoden-, Daten- und Prozessmodells. Ferner werden Fragen der Systemintegration innerhalb eines Unternehmens und entlang der Wertschöpfungskette untersucht. Ersatzteilmanagement wird dazu als Strukturprozess innerhalb des Ersatzteilwesens betrachtet, der die Abwicklungsprozesse der Ersatzteilversorgung gestaltet und die Versorgungsstrategien zur einzelnen Kfz-Elektronikkomponente festlegt. Auf dem Wege der Lösungsfindung werden unterschiedliche Sichtweisen auf die Problematik gewählt. Vorherrschend ist dabei ein systemtechnischer Modellierungsansatz. Als konkrete Modellierungstechnik für das Ersatzteilmanagement-Support-System wird die Unified Modelling Language (UML) in Kombination mit dem ARIS-Unternehmensmodell nach Scheer eingesetzt. Die Praxisrelevanz wird an einem durchgängigem Fallbeispiel nachgewiesen.