Diversos esforços vêm sendo realizados por parte do setor produtivo e da academia no sentido de estabelecer mecanismos inovadores que facilitem a incorporação da medição e comparação de desempenho ao processo de decisão das empresas de construção. Dentre estes esforços, destacamse as iniciativas internacionais para desenvolvimento de sistemas de indicadores para comparação de desempenho e clubes de benchmarking. Em particular, estes clubes podem ser considerados como arranjos colaborativos, que fornecem um meio em que organizações podem adquirir e compartilhar conhecimentos do ambiente externo visando à implementação de melhorias incrementais e inovadoras. Entretanto, ainda, são escassos os trabalhos que explicam as condições nas quais os arranjos colaborativos mostram-se eficazes, os seus efeitos em termos de implementação de melhorias e aprendizagem das empresas, e como as práticas compartilhadas ao longo do processo colaborativo são transformadas em novos conhecimentos em diferentes contextos organizacionais. O objetivo geral desta tese foi estabelecer um conjunto de diretrizes para a realização de processos de benchmarking colaborativo visando à implementação de melhorias nas empresas de construção civil. No presente trabalho, foi estudado o processo de aprendizagem colaborativa ocorrido na realização de um Clube de Benchmarking, formado um por um grupo de vinte empresas de construção. Buscou-se, através deste processo, o desenvolvimento conjunto de um sistema de medição para comparação de desempenho e, posteriormente, a troca de experiências e práticas relacionadas aos indicadores e processos gerenciais selecionados pelas empresas participantes. A estratégia de pesquisa utilizada foi a pesquisa-ação, sendo o estudo subdividido em quatro fases: preparação, estudo empírico, estudos complementares e análise final dos dados. O estudo empírico foi realizado em três etapas, sendo o foco da pesquisa refinado ao final de cada nova etapa. Os resultados foram analisados de acordo com duas unidades de análise: o Clube de Benchmarking, por meio do processo colaborativo, e as empresas, através da análise das trajetórias de colaboração e aprendizagem. Os resultados indicaram que o ambiente colaborativo cria oportunidades para as pessoas refletirem e abstraírem sobre os conhecimentos compartilhados, e que esta reflexão estimula as pessoas a implementar melhorias nas suas empresas. A implementação efetiva destas melhorias, por sua vez, depende de um conjunto de capacidades dos gerentes e das empresas participantes para absorver o conhecimento disponibilizado externamente, de modo a entender, disseminar, transformar e usar este novo conhecimento dentro da empresa. As principais contribuições desta tese estão relacionadas a: (a) proposição de uma estrutura de avaliação da eficácia do processo colaborativo em clubes de benchmarking; (b) compreensão do processo de aprendizagem nas empresas de construção induzido por um processo de benchmarking colaborativo; e (c) o estabelecimento de um conjunto de diretrizes para a realização de processos de benchmarking colaborativo, incluindo os requisitos necessários para o seu desenvolvimento, bem como as principais etapas e passos para a criação de novos grupos. / Several efforts have been developed by practitioner and academics in order to establish innovative mechanisms which facilitate the insertion of performance measurement and comparison in the construction companies decision process. One of these efforts refers to the international initiatives for the development of performance measurement benchmarking systems and benchmarking clubs. In particular, these clubs can be considered as collaborative groups, providing an environment in which companies can acquire and share knowledge from the external environment aiming to implement performance improvements. However, little is known about the conditions under which effective networking takes place and the real benefits achieved by organisations regarding to the implementation of improvements and learning. Besides this, there is a lack of understanding about how the shared practices in collaborative groups can be transformed into a new knowledge in different organizational contexts. The aim of this paper is to establish a set of guidelines for the development of a collaborative benchmarking process aiming the implementation of improvements in construction companies. Specifically, a learning collaborative process was investigated, which was developed in a Benchmarking Club, involving twenty construction companies from the State of Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil. Through this process, a performance measurement system for benchmarking was developed, and, afterwards, the exchange of experience and practice related to the measures and managerial processes, previously defined by these companies, was also developed. This study was carried out using an action research strategy, which was divided into four phased: preparation, empirical study, complementary study and final data analysis. The findings were analysed in two phases. Firstly, the three stages of the collaborative process in the Benchmarking Club were analysed, followed by the stories of collaboration and learning of four construction companies involved in the first two stages of this study. As main conclusions, this work identified that the collaborative environment created the opportunity for the construction managers to reflect and abstract about the shared knowledge. Also, this encouraged these managers to start the implementation of improvements in their companies. The level of these improvements were dependent on a set of individual and organisational abilities to absorb the shared knowledge aiming to understand, diffuse, transform and use this knowledge inside of the companies. The main contributions of this study are: (a) the proposition of a structure to evaluate the effectiveness of the collaborative process in benchmarking clubs; (b) the understanding of the learning process in the construction companies due to the collaborative process; and (c) the establishment of a set of guidelines for the development of a collaborative benchmarking process, including the necessary requirement for its development, as well as the main stages and steps to create new benchmarking groups.

Diversos esforços têm sido dirigidos à melhoria do setor da construção civil no mundo inteiro, podendo ser destacado como um dos principais focos o processo de planejamento e controle da produção (PCP). Este processo tem grande impacto no desempenho dos empreendimentos de construção, em relação aos seus custos, prazos, qualidade e segurança. Uma das principais iniciativas realizadas para a melhoria do PCP foi o desenvolvimento e disseminação do Sistema Last Planner de Controle da Produção (LPS). Esse sistema vem sendo aplicado em diversos países desde meados da década de 1990. O principal indicador do LPS é o Percentual de Planos Concluídos (PPC), que mede a eficácia do planejamento. Contrastando com o elevado número de estudos qualitativos realizados sobre a implementação do LPS, poucas análises quantitativas foram realizadas sobre o impacto de sua implementação e os fatores que afetam a sua eficácia. A partir da construção de uma grande base de dados de empreendimentos, o presente trabalho buscou avaliar o impacto da eficácia de sistemas de PCP, baseados no LPS, no desempenho de empreendimentos da construção civil quanto ao custo e ao prazo. Buscou avaliar também influência de práticas de gestão da produção na construção civil na eficácia destes sistemas de PCP. A base de dados utilizada contém indicadores de PPC, desvio de custo, desvio de prazo, boas práticas de PCP e boas práticas de canteiros de obras. Através da técnica de regressão múltipla foram realizadas diversas análises. Como principais conclusões apontam-se algumas evidências sobre a forma como o PCP influencia o desempenho dos empreendimentos e a importância das boas práticas de PCP e de canteiros de obras na eficácia do planejamento. Apesar de as análises apresentarem níveis de correlação relativamente baixos, devido a algumas limitações dos dados disponíveis, observou-se uma forte consistência nos modelos de regressão desenvolvidos. / Several efforts for improving the construction sector have been made worldwide, and one of the main focus has been the production planning and control process This process has a large impact on the performance of construction projects, in terms of cost, time, quality and safety. One of the main initiatives for improving the planning and control process has been the development and dissemination of the Last Planner System of Production Control (LPS). This system has been used in many different countries since the mid Nineties. The main performance indicator of the LPS is the Percentage of Plans Completed (PPC), which measures planning effectiveness. In contrast with the large number of qualitative studies on the implementation of LPS, very few quantitative analyses have been undertaken on the impact of its implementation and on the factors that affect its effectiveness. Based on the construction of a large project database, this research study aims to assess the impact of LPS based production planning and control systems on the performance of construction projects in terms of cost and time. This investigation has also analysed the impact of a set of production management practices on the effectiveness of those planning systems. The database contains the following indicators: PPC, cost deviation, time deviation, good production planning and control practices, and good site management practices. Several analyses were carried out using regression analysis techniques. As main conclusions, the study provided some evidences on the way production planning and control influences project performance, and the importance of good production planning and control practices, and site management practices on the effectiveness of planning and control. Despite the fact that some of the analyses indicated a fairly low correlation index, due to some limitations on the data available, the regression models produced were very consistent.

Os sistemas de medição de desempenho em segurança e saúde no trabalho (SMDSST) contribuem para identificar e caracterizar os riscos de acidentes, sendo um elemento fundamental da gestão da SST em qualquer setor industrial e também uma base para a melhoria contínua. O presente trabalho propõe um conjunto de critérios para avaliar SMDSST no setor da construção civil. Os critérios desenvolvidos foram estabelecidos a partir de três tipos de requisitos: (a) consistência do SMDSST com uma filosofia de gestão da SST, denominada engenharia de resiliência; (b) conformidade dos SMDSST com requisitos gerais de sistemas de medição de desempenho, tais como o grau de definição dos indicadores, a sua incorporação na rotina organizacional e o alinhamento das medidas com as estratégias; e (c) contribuição para a identificação e monitoramento dos principais fatores causais de acidentes, classificando-os em falhas relacionadas aos subsistemas pessoal, tecnológico, organizacional e do ambiente externo. A aplicação dos critérios é ilustrada por meio de dois estudos de caso, realizados em duas construtoras. Os resultados indicaram que tais critérios contribuem para a identificação de oportunidades de melhoria nos SMDSST tradicionais no setor da construção civil, tais como o desenvolvimento de novos indicadores e adaptações naqueles já existentes. / Performance measurement systems in occupational health and safety (SMDSST) help to identify risks of accidents, and play a key role in the management of occupational health and safety in any industry, establishing a basis for continuous improvement. This research work proposes a set of criteria for assessing SMDSST in the construction industry. This set of criteria was devised by taking into account three groups of requirements: (a) consistency of the SMDSST with an occupational health and safety management philosophy, known as resilience engineering; (b) compliance of the SMDSST with general performance measurement system, such as the definition of indicators, their incorporation into the organizational routine, and alignment of measures with strategies; and (c) contribution for the identification and control the main accident causal factors, classifying them in failures related to personnel, technological, organizational and external environment subsystems. The application of criteria is illustrated in two case studies carried out in different construction companies. Results indicated that the proposed criteria help to identify opportunities for improvement in SMDSST, such as development of new indicators and improvement in the existing ones.

abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present a case study on the application of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) quality improvement methodology and tools to study the analysis and improvement of facilities management (FM) services at a healthcare organization. Research literature was reviewed concerning whether or not LSS has been applied in healthcare-based FM, but no such studies have been published. This paper aims to address the lack of an applicable methodology for LSS intervention within the context of healthcare-based FM. The Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) framework was followed to test the hypothesis that LSS can improve the service provided by an FM department responsible for the maintenance and repair of furniture and finishes at a large healthcare organization in the southwest United States of America. Quality improvement curricula and resources offered by the case study organization equipped the FM department to apply LSS over the course of a five-month period. Qualitative data were gathered from pre- and post-intervention surveys while quantitative data were gathered with the Organization’s computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software. Overall, LSS application proved to be useful for the intended purpose. The author proposes that application of LSS by other FM departments to improve their services could also be successful, which is noteworthy and deserving of continued research. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Construction 2017

abstract: Recent studies have identified that contractors in the Saudi construction industry are not the main party that cause risks as owners and other parties have the major share of causing risks. However, with the identification that risks out of contractors’ control are a leading cause of low performance, there is a lack of efficient risk mitigation practices in Saudi to manage these risks. The main aim of this dissertation is to assess the current practices applied by contractors to minimize risk out of their control and develop a risk mitigation model to manage these risks. The main objectives of the study are: investigating the risks that are out of contractors’ control, assessing the contractors’ current risk mitigation and performance measurement practices, and finally developing and validating a risk mitigation model to minimize risks out of contractors’ control and measure performance of involved project parties. To achieve the study aim, a mixed methodological approach was adopted. Theoretical approaches were utilized to review previous research and to develop a conceptual risk mitigation framework followed by a practical approach that is considered with collecting data from contractors. The quantitative method was mainly used to meet the study objectives through distributing a survey in the form of a questionnaire. As a consolidation of the study findings, the top ranked risks that are out of contractors’ control were identified. Furthermore, the results identified that the contractors’ current risk management and performance measurement practices are not effective in minimizing projects risks caused by other parties and ineffective in measuring performance of all parties. The developed model focuses on increasing accountability of project parties through mitigating project parties’ activities and risks with measuring the deviations and identifying sources of deviations. Transparency is utilized in the model through sharing weekly updates of the activities and risks combined with updated information of performance measurements of all project parties. The study results showed that project risks can be minimized and projects’ performance can be increased if contractors shift their focus using the developed model from only managing their own activities and risks to managing all project parties’ activities and risks. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Construction Management 2018

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:52:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6712.pdf: 2095829 bytes, checksum: 0fcab607bc1d879d07e91b41e95f55c5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-12 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Big data is associated with large amounts of data of different types that come from different sources in a very fast way, able to add value to business and with veracity. Nowadays, many companies are looking for ways to extract useful information from this huge amount of data. This can be attained applying analytical techniques. The application of these techniques to big data is denominated big data analytics. It can influence how managers make their decisions and manage the company businesses. This influences the use of performance measurement systems (PMSs). These systems are composed by a multidimensional set of performance measures that can support decision making and business planning. This way, performance measurement systems and big data analytics can be used to support decision making and the implementation of actions. There is evidence, in the literature, that big data analytics can be used in performance measurement systems. Following this context, this study aims at investigating how companies apply the big data analytics in using performance measurement systems. To achieve this objective, a systematic literature review was carried out for checking existing studies on the relationship between big data and performance measurement system. Then, case study method was applied. The empirical findings showed that big data analytics supports the decision making process, making it more efficient and effective. The results showed that big data analytics helps PMS identify, through analyses, how past actions can influence the future performance. Such analyses are in essence descriptive and predictive and it was applied in sales process. The empirical findings from the case studies showed that big data analytics contributes mainly to the use of PMSs related to planning and to influencing behavior. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that there is a contribution when big data analytics is used in performance measurement system. / Big data está associado a grande quantidade de dados de diferentes tipos, provindos de diversas fontes de forma acelerada, capazes de trazer valor aos negócios e com veracidade. Atualmente, muitas empresas buscam formas de extrair informações úteis deste grande volume de dados. Isso pode ser feito por meio de técnicas analíticas. A aplicação dessas técnicas ao big data é denominada big data analytics que pode influenciar a forma como os gestores tomam as suas decisões e gerenciam os negócios da empresa. Isto pode afetar os sistemas de medição de desempenho (SMDs) que são compostos por um conjunto de medidas de desempenho multidimensionais capaz de apoiar a tomada de decisões e o planejamento dos negócios. Dessa forma, os sistemas de medição de desempenho e o big data analytics podem ser utilizados para apoiar a tomada de decisão e dar suporte à realização das ações. Há evidências, na literatura pesquisada, de que o big data analytics possa ser utilizado nos sistemas de medição de desempenho. Dentro deste contexto, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo investigar como as empresas usam big data analytics nos sistemas de medição de desempenho. Para alcançar o objetivo deste trabalho, primeiramente, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura para verificar as publicações existentes a respeito da relação entre big data analytics e sistema de medição de desempenho. Em seguida, o método de pesquisa utilizado foi estudo de caso múltiplo de caráter exploratório. As análises dos dados comprovaram que o big data analytics auxilia para que o processo de tomada de decisão seja mais eficiente e efetivo. Os resultados apontaram que o big data analytics auxilia o SMD a identificar como ações passadas podem influenciar o desempenho futuro por meio das análises realizadas. Essas análises são descritivas e preditivas e contribuem nas ações de venda dos produtos. Os dados empíricos provindos dos estudos de caso mostraram que big data analytics contribui principalmente para o uso dos SMDs relacionado ao planejamento e a influenciar o comportamento. Portanto, é possível concluir que existe uma contribuição quando big data analytics é utilizado no sistema de medição de desempenho.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:53:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3263147 bytes, checksum: e66938172e7360c3569573f46f79527a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-10-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Lean production a rational method to manufacture products also promotes greater interaction and integration between various parts, from the processing of material to the processes between suppliers and industry. This condition is especially due to the configuration of lean tools and practices, leading to the emergence of changes in procedures and the way people work providing a decentralization in decision making. The Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) are a fundamental part of this transformation, as they facilitate the coordination and synchronization of activities and processes. However, considering the applicability of lean production in organizations, it is clear that many companies fail to achieve any return of this development potential due to lack of adequate procedures to assess the actual benefits achieved or because the actions to be taken are not explained well in the search for satisfactory results . This lack of alignment between the assessment methods (PMS) and the appropriate actions (lean practices) promotes a lack of synchronization and unsustainability of the program. Therefore, this dissertation aims to analyze the alignment between system performance measurement and lean practices in a company in the footwear sector in order to contribute to the knowledge of the factors that ensure the maintenance of this management model. To survey the lean practices and measures (indicators) semi-structured interviews were conducted subsidized on a check-list and interview scripts. For the analysis and presentation of data, adopted practices and indicators structure have been detailed and for the alignment analysis a matrix of relationships have been employed. The results showed that the strong links between the measures (indicators) and the practices occur in a timely manner which makes the alignment flawed. This display conveys that the practices were developed to meet specific needs, so that the performance of a practice does not influence the other, in addition, it was noticed that few indicators support lean practices, which opposes the essence of lean model that advocates the payment and interrelation of parts. / A produção enxuta possui características que a classificam como um método racional de se fabricar produtos. Além disso, promove uma maior interação e integração entre várias partes, desde as operações de transformação de material até os processos entre fornecedores e a indústria. Essa condição acontece especialmente devido à configuração das práticas ou ferramentas enxutas, levando ao surgimento de mudanças nos procedimentos e na forma de trabalhar das pessoas, proporcionando uma descentralização na tomada de decisão. Os Sistemas de Medição de Desempenho (SMD) são parte fundamental nessa transformação, pois os mesmos facilitam a coordenação e a sincronização de atividades e processos. Entretanto, considerando a aplicabilidade da produção enxuta nas organizações, evidencia-se que muitas empresas não conseguem atingir todo o retorno desse desenvolvimento potencial devido à falta de procedimentos adequados para avaliar os benefícios reais alcançados ou por não estarem explícitas as ações a serem tomadas na busca por resultados satisfatórios. Essa falta de alinhamento entre os métodos de avaliação (SMD) e as ações adequadas (práticas enxutas) promove uma falta de sincronização e insustentabilidade do programa. Portanto, essa dissertação tem como objetivo analisar o alinhamento entre o sistema de medição de desempenho e as práticas enxutas em uma empresa do setor de calçados, de forma a contribuir para o conhecimento dos fatores que garantem a manutenção desse modelo de gestão. Para o levantamento das práticas enxutas e das medidas (indicadores), realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas subsidiadas em um check-list e em roteiros de entrevista. Para a análise e apresentação dos dados, foram detalhadas as práticas adotadas e a estrutura dos indicadores, enquanto que, para análise do alinhamento, empregou-se uma matriz de relações. Os resultados apontaram que as fortes ligações entre as medidas (indicadores) e as práticas acontecem de maneira pontual, o que torna o alinhamento falho. Essa sinalização transmite que as práticas foram desenvolvidas para atender necessidades específicas, de forma que o desempenho de uma prática não influencia na outra. Além disso, percebeu-se que os indicadores apoiam poucas práticas enxutas, o que se opõe à essência do modelo enxuto que preconiza a integralização e inter-relação das partes.

Thesis (MTech (Business Management))--Peninsula Technikon, 2003. / This dissertation sets out to develop a Performance Management System for the Greater Stellenbosch Municipality. It is proposed for use as a unit of analysis. The system provides a framework for determining developmental priorities and identifying the appropriate resources. The system monitors progress and simultaneously serves as an instrument that maintains municipal accountability for the delivery of its core developmental functions. Internationally, an infinite number of research projects in the field of performance management and best practices for organisational performance have been undertaken for local authorities. This includes a range of terms extending from the 1950's, known as benchmarking, to the current context where the balance scorecard has been put on the performance agenda. The emphasis for increased and accountable performance of local authorities is currently on the foreground, because local authorities are now responsible for executing duties in the form of developmental outputs.

Une approche avancée de la fabrication flexible consiste à déplacer des manipulateurs robotisés AGV ou robot mobile, appelé manipulateurs mobiles, entre les postes de travail. L'utilisation de manipulateurs mobiles peuvent être avantageux dans un certain nombre de situations. Cela peut entraîner des coûts économies lorsqu'un seul manipulateur mobile peut être utilisé pour remplacer plusieurs stationnaires manipulateurs. Cependant, les manipulateurs mobiles sont «une discipline relativement jeune robotique. "Une revue de la littérature approfondie de la recherche menant à la commercialisation mobile manipulateurs et robots mobiles a été réalisée. La mesure de la performance du mobile les manipulateurs, y compris une base mobile avec un bras de robot embarqué, sont pratiquement inexistants. Cependant, les manipulateurs mobiles commencent à apparaître dans la fabrication, la santé, et peut-être d'autres industries et, par conséquent, une méthode pour mesurer leur performance est essentielle pour les fabricants et les utilisateurs de ces systèmes relativement complexes. Mesures de mobile manipulateurs effectuant des tâches standard (poses et mouvements) sont également inexistants, sauf pour simplement s'assurer que la tâche a été plus ou moins complétée. La tâche choisie pour cela thèse est l'assemblage en raison de son exigence de pose de système.Les méthodes de test de performance ont pris du retard par rapport aux méthodes de test de sécurité pour les manipulateurs mobiles qui progresse vers le développement d'une nouvelle norme de sécurité aux États-Unis. Métriques pour la sécurité et la performance des manipulateurs mobiles comprennent de nombreux domaines, tels que: l'achèvement des tâches, le temps nécessaire pour accomplir la tâche, la qualité et la quantité (c.-à-d.répétabilité, respectivement) des tâches accomplies. Avant l'acceptation industrielle et les normes développement pour les manipulateurs mobiles, les utilisateurs de ces nouveaux systèmes attendront des fabricants fournir des données de performance réelles pour guider leur approvisionnement et assurer l'aptitude à tâches d'application. En raison du coût relativement élevé pour acquérir et installer des systèmes de suivi de mouvement Pour mesurer la performance des systèmes, une méthode alternative à utiliser par les fabricants et les utilisateurs est idéal. Un nouveau concept de méthode de test qui utilise un artefact, appelé mobile reconfigurable Manipulateur Artefact (RMMA), est décrit dans cette thèse et comparé à un suivi optique système qui a été utilisé comme vérité de terrain pour le RMMA et manipulateur mobile. Système de modélisation du système de manipulation mobile, des composants et des les mesures peuvent aider à améliorer la compréhension de ces systèmes relativement complexes.Systems Modelling Language (SysML) a été choisi et utilisé tout au long de cette thèse, car de SysML a des modules logiciels réutilisables pour la structure, le comportement, les exigences et parametrics sur le manipulateur mobile. Les modèles décrivent les nombreux aspects de mesurer la performance des manipulateurs mobiles également en tant que nouveau domaine de recherche.Les modèles étaient évalué à travers des expériences sur un exemple de composants manipulateurs mobiles et l'ensemble système. SysML a été utilisé pour décrire la base théorique de la performance à travers la propagation de l'incertitude lorsque les équations mathématiques sont également modélisées.Un cas d'utilisation est modélisé et décrit où les concepts recherchés pour mesurer les mobiles les performances du manipulateur sont appliquées à une implémentation de fabrication. Le simpliste la nature du processus de mesure utilisant le RMMA peut être directement appliquée à processus de fabrication, et étendu au-delà des contributions de cette recherche à d'autres des besoins de mesure encore plus complexes (...). / An advanced approach to flexible manufacturing is to move robotic manipulators, using anAGV or mobile robot, called mobile manipulators, between workstations. The use ofmobile manipulators can be advantageous in a number of situations. It can result in costsavings when a single mobile manipulator can be used to replace several stationarymanipulators. However, mobile manipulators are “a relatively young discipline withinrobotics.” An extensive literature review of the research leading to commercial mobilemanipulators and mobile robots was performed. The performance measurement of mobilemanipulators, including a mobile base with an onboard robot arm, is virtually non-existent.However, mobile manipulators are beginning to appear in manufacturing, healthcare, andpossibly other industries and therefore, a method to measure their performance is critical toboth manufacturers and users of these relatively complex systems. Measurements of mobilemanipulators performing standard tasks (poses and motions) are also non-existent except forsimply ensuring that the task has been more or less completed. The task chosen for thisthesis is assembly due to its requirement for relatively precise system posing.Performance test methods have lagged behind safety test methods for mobile manipulatorswhich is progressing towards development of a new safety standard in the US. Metrics forsafety and performance of mobile manipulators include many areas, such as: safe operation,task completion, time to complete the task, quality, and quantity (i.e., accuracy andrepeatability, respectively) of tasks completed. Prior to industrial acceptance and standardsdevelopment for mobile manipulators, users of these new systems will expect manufacturersto provide real performance data to guide their procurement and assure suitability for givenapplication tasks. Due to the relatively high cost to procure and setup motion tracking systemsto measure systems performance, an alternative method for use by manufacturers and users isideal. A new test method concept that uses an artifact, called the Reconfigurable MobileManipulator Artifact (RMMA), is described in this thesis and compared to an optical trackingsystem that was used as ground truth for the RMMA and mobile manipulator.System modeling the mobile manipulator system, components, and the associatedmeasurements can help to improve the understanding of these relatively complex systems.Systems Modeling Language (SysML) was chosen and used throughout this thesis becauseof SysML has reusable software modules for structure, behavior, requirements andparametrics off the mobile manipulator. The models describe the many aspects ofmeasuring mobile manipulator performance also as new research area. The models wereevaluated through experiments on an example mobile manipulator components and the entiresystem. SysML was used to describe the theoretical basis of the performance throughpropagation of uncertainty where mathematical equations are also modeled.A use case is modeled and described where the concepts researched to measure mobilemanipulator performance are applied to a manufacturing implementation. The simplisticnature of the measurement process using the RMMA can be directly applied to today’smanufacturing processes, and extended beyond the contributions of this research to othereven more complex measurement needs. The research is also discussed to even apply tocross-industry test methods for exoskeletons worn by humans.

Purpose of the article: In the past, annual reports only included financial measures. More recently, this shareholder value approach has been criticized of leading to a strategic short-term orientation. Consequently, the use of strategic performance measurement systems (SPMSs), namely the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), is proposed to communicate non-financial measures to investors and stakeholders. Besides the distribution of critical information, the disclosure of non-financial measures should strengthen the employees' commitment to the long-term strategy. The purpose of the article is thus to reveal whether Austrian companies disclose their strategic performance measures in their annual reports. Methodology/methods: Two observation points, 2002 and 2012, were chosen to analyse the annual reports of companies listed on the ATX. This period of time allows to observe changes as well as new trends. The annual reports have been downloaded from the companies' homepages or received via email or post. A document and content analysis, followed by a frequency analysis, has been applied to identify several non-financial measures with regard to the following BSC-derived perspectives: Customer perspective, internal business perspective and innovation and learning perspective. Scientific aim: The scientific aim of the following study is to examine the extent to which non-financial performance measures are displayed in annual reports. Findings: The analysis of the annual reports showed a tremendous increase in non-financial measures in the time period between 2002 and 2012, which solely arose from the augmented disclosure activities of the innovation and learning perspective. On the other hand, the customer and internal perspectives decreased in importance. Moreover, the top ten measures in 2002 have changed and are dominated by diversity and environmental issues in the year 2012. Conclusions: Similar findings in the literature as well as the influence of legal disclosure requirements are discussed. Possible limitations are the sole use of the Balanced Scorecard as a SPMS or the chosen time period of ten years.