Aktuelle ökonomische Trends, wie die zunehmende Globalisierung und die wachsende Technisierung und Individualisierung vieler Konsumgüter, führen im Hinblick auf die zur Fertigung dieser Güter eingesetzte Automatisierungstechnik zu steigender Komplexität und hohen Flexibilitätsanforderungen. Ein Konzept zur Adressierung dieser Anforderungen ist die Auslegung von automatisierten Anlagen als modulares System flexibel kombinierbarer cyber-physischer Komponenten. Die namensgebende Einheit von mechatronischem Bauteil und lokaler Rechenkapazität ermöglicht Herstellern solcher Komponenten, Softwarebausteine für typische Steuer-, Bedien- oder Diagnoseaufgaben gebrauchsfertig vorzubereiten und so den (Re-)Engineeringaufwand bei der (Um-)Gestaltung des Gesamtsystems deutlich zu reduzieren. Allerdings stellt diese Vision hohe Ansprüche an die zugrundeliegende Softwarearchitektur, die von den derzeit zur Realisierung automatisierter Systeme eingesetzten Technologien nicht vollständig erfüllt werden. Das Paradigma der Agentenorientierung ist ein tragfähiger Ansatz zur Realisierung solcher lose gekoppelten verteilten Systeme und stellt durch leistungsfähige Interaktionsmechanismen sowie die enge Integration von semantischem Wissen zusätzliche Funktionalität in Aussicht: Als Agenten ausgelegte Komponenten könnten auch die logische Vernetzung untereinander während der Inbetriebnahme, nach Umrüstungen oder in Reaktion auf Betriebsstörungen teilweise selbst übernehmen. Dadurch ergeben sich Fähigkeiten wie Selbstkonfiguration und Selbstregeneration, die in der Fachliteratur unter dem Begriff Self-X zusammengefasst werden. Die fehlende Echtzeitfähigkeit, insbesondere in Bezug auf besagte Interaktionsmechanismen, hat jedoch bisher die Einsetzbarkeit von Agentensystemen in der Automatisierung limitiert und die Ausschöpfung der genannten Potentiale behindert. Deshalb wird in dieser Dissertation eine echtzeitfähige Laufzeitumgebung für Softwareagenten entworfen und anschließend die Überarbeitung bestehenden Kommunikationsmechanismen im Hinblick auf ihre Echtzeitfähigkeit vorgenommen. In diesem Kontext wird mit dem Konzept der semantischen Adressierung eine vielfältig einsetzbare Möglichkeit geschaffen, Nachrichten an ausgewählte Gruppen von Agenten mit bestimmten, semantisch beschriebenen Eigenschaften zur verschicken. Die dabei zur Wissensrepräsentation genutzten Taxonomie-Bäume bieten ein für viele Aufgabenstellungen ausreichendes Maß an Ausdrucksstärke und erlauben zudem die Verarbeitung unter harten Echtzeitbedingungen. Abschließend werden die geschaffenen Mechanismen in einem Antwortzeitmodell abgebildet, mit dem das rechtzeitige Reagieren eines Agentensystems auf lokal oder verteilt zu behandelnde Ereignisse überprüft und nachgewiesen werden kann. Damit wird ein Hauptkritikpunkt von Agentensystemen adressiert, was zu einer nachhaltigen Steigerung der Akzeptanz des Agentenparadigmas führen könnte. Während große Teile der erarbeiten Lösung als allgemeingültige Grundlagenforschung verstanden werden können, wird bei der Formulierung von Anforderungen, der Darstellung von Beispielen und der Erläuterung von Entwurfsentscheidungen immer wieder auf automatisierungstechnische Belange Bezug genommen. Außerdem wird am Ende der Arbeit eine kritische Bewertung der Ergebnisse vor dem Hintergrund eines möglichen Einsatzes in zukünftigen Automatisierungssystemen durchgeführt und damit das Gesamtbild abgerundet.

La autoproducción es un nuevo mecanismo de oferta en el mercado de electricidad que permite al usuario ser a la vez generador de electricidad, consumir su producción e inyectar los excedentes, haciéndose acreedor de un derecho de compensación futura. La investigación desarrolla las implicancias regulatorias que impactan a los usuarios, a las empresas generadoras, a las distribuidoras y a los usuarios, estableciendo que no representa mayor riesgo que una competencia a menor escala, que el usuario tiene derecho a autoabastecerse, sin dejar de lado su responsabilidad por la red a la que se encuentra conectado y no tomando ventajas respecto de los usuarios que no entren en el régimen del autoconsumo. Entre las ventajas de la autoproducción se identifica un ahorro por el consumo de la generación propia, la mitigación de la dependencia de las fuentes convencionales de generación, la reducción de los costos en las pérdidas por el transporte de electricidad, la promoción de energías limpias. Como desventajas se evalúa la necesidad de contar y remunerar el respaldo energético por la intermitencia de la generación eléctrica con fuentes renovables no gestionables, la posible afectación a las inversiones en las redes de distribución, los costos iniciales de inversión y de administración de las unidades de generación dispersas, el trámite y acceso a la conexión. Desde el punto de vista regulatorio, habiendo demostrado la rentabilidad del proyecto con una evaluación de costos, la medición neta, como mecanismo de para la autoproducción, puede ser desarrollada en nuestro país y en la presente investigación se plantea las reformas normativas para hacerlo viable con probabilidad de éxito, consistentes entre otros, en establecer un límite individual de capacidad efectiva (instalada), un límite acumulado de capacidad a nivel país como primera etapa, la necesidad de establecer un pago fijo por la confiabilidad y posibilidad de inyecciones de energía a la red, y un neteo de derechos energéticos a ser compensados en un periodo de doce meses, luego de lo cual, el derecho pasará a favor de la distribuidora; que junto a las reglas claras y simples de los trámites para ser autoproductor, conllevaría a un beneficio parar el sector y la sociedad en su conjunto. / Self-production is a new supply mechanism in the electricity market, through which the consumer produces his own electricity, consume it, and inject the surpluses into the grid, becoming a creditor of the right to future compensations for those surpluses. This paper explains the regulatory impacts of self-production on users and electricity companies. Net metering represents a competition on a smaller scale, where users have the right to self-supply electricity without having advantages over other users who aren't in the self-consumption regime. Among the advantages of net metering, as a mechanism for self-production, this thesis identifies savings from the consumption of own electricity, the reduction of dependence on conventional sources of power generation, the reduction of losses in the transport of electricity, the promotion of clean energy. As disadvantages, the need to count on and remunerate energy support with conventional sources due to the intermittency of electricity generation, with non-manageable renewable sources, the possible impact on distributor’s incomes, initial investment and administration costs of the dispersed generation equipment, the procedure and access to connection. We propose to establish an individual limit of effective capacity for self-generation, an accumulated limit of self-production capacity in the national system as the first stage, a fixed payment for the reliability and possibility of energy injections to the grid, and a netting of energy rights to be compensated in a period of twelve months. / Trabajo de investigación

Business Process Management, the object of this thesis, has still growing importance in the functioning of the organization, and has a positive impact on its success. In the view of a dynamic market environment, Business Process Management has an inherent importance in the strategic business development. When an organization decides to implement process control and manage its activities, it should be also able to measure its processes and evaluate them. This ability gives the organization the possibility to efficiently and effectively manage processes and identify shortcomings for creation of business strategy on a competitive market. This dissertation presents a new evaluation model of a process control in the production systems, which organizations can use as a guide for further development. This work brings a new perspective in the field of process control and its evaluation of the production systems. The main objective of this dissertation is to design the assessment of the process control levels in the production systems on the basis of theoretical research and practical experience. The proposed solution was then verified by field research in selected organizations.

The manufacturing industry stands in front of huge challenges. Negative environmental impacts must be drastically reduced and new sustainable products must be introduced at an accelerating pace. Coping with these challenges are significant in order to deal with the increasingly emerging climate crisis. To slow down the climate crisis, the approach of circularity wherein the utilization and lifetimes of resources and materials are maximised with the aim to achieve a near perpetual closed material loop has gained a significant increase in attention. However, most research within circularity has emphasised on the product, especially practices occurring after being produced. A seldomly studied perspective involves exploring the realization of circularity within the production system. A clear description is lacking regarding what circularity in production systems actually constitutes of, and how this can be realized. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to expand the knowledge regarding the realization of circularity in production systems. To fulfil the purpose, this research was initiated by a literature review and a document study, which were conducted in order to describe which circularity practices exist in production systems, both form an academic and practical point of view. Subsequently were workshops with industrial experts within production systems held in order to identify challenges with realizing circularity in production systems. The literature review, document study, and workshops laid the foundation for support development, which was the final phase in the thesis. This included supporting the longevity of production systems by adopting circularity theories to cover production system, as well as investigating how to analyse and evaluate circularity in production systems. The results from this were incorporated in a conceptual framework for circular production systems and in a tool for rapid assessment of circularity in production systems. / Tillverkningsindustrin står inför enorma utmaningar. Miljöpåverkan måste drastiskt minska och nya hållbara produkter måste introduceras i allt snabbare takt. Att hantera dessa utmaningar är betydande för att hantera den alltmer framväxande klimatkrisen. För att bromsa klimatkrisen har cirkularitet, där utnyttjandet och livslängden för resurser och material maximeras med målet att uppnå en nästan evig sluten materialslinga, fått en betydande uppmärksamhet. Hittills har forskning inom cirkularitet fokuserat på produkterna som tillverkas, framför allt under användningen av produkten. Ett sällan studerat perspektiv innebär att undersöka hur cirkularitet i produktionssystem kan uppnås. En tydlig beskrivning saknas gällande vad cirkularitet i produktionssystem egentligen innebär och hur detta kan realiseras. Därför är syftet med denna avhandling att utöka kunskapen om realiseringen av cirkularitet i produktionssystem. För att uppfylla syftet initierades denna forskning av en litteraturgenomgång och en dokumentstudie. Dessa genomfördes för att beskriva arbetssätt kopplat till realiseringen av cirkularitet inom produktionssystem, både från en akademisk och praktisk ståndpunkt. Vidare hölls även workshops med experter inom produktionssystem för att identifiera utmaningar med att uppnå cirkularitet inom produktionssystem. Litteraturgenomgången, dokumentstudien och workshops lade grunden för stödutveckling, som var den sista fasen i avhandlingen. Denna inkluderade att stödja produktionssystemens livslängd genom att anpassa existerande teorier om cirkularitet till produktionssystem, samt att undersöka hur man analyserar och utvärderar cirkularitet i produktionssystem. Resultaten från detta införlivades i ett konceptuellt ramverk för cirkulära produktionssystem och i ett verktyg för snabb utvärdering av cirkularitet i produktionssystem.

Актуальность исследования развития производственной системы зависит от конкретного контекста, в котором развивается производственное предприятие, в настоящее время к числу таких условий можно отнести значительную технологическую перестройку производственных процессов, связанных с внедрением цифровых технологий и смену производственной культуры, соответствующей подобным изменениям. В целом развитие производственных систем является важной темой в различных отраслях и секторах, поскольку она может оказать существенное влияние на эффективность, производительность и конкурентоспособность. В данном исследовании рассматриваются актуальные вопросы по управлению культурой и цифровыми компетенциями при развитии производственного предприятия и предлагается методический подход к управлению развитием производственной системы, принимающий во внимание социальные факторы внутренней среды металлургического предприятия. Цель исследования – развитие методических основ управления развитием металлургического предприятия на основе формирования и развития производственной культуры и цифровых компетенций персонала. / The relevance of the study of the development of the production system depends on the specific context in which the manufacturing enterprise develops, at present, such conditions include a significant technological restructuring of production processes associated with the introduction of digital technologies and a change in the production culture corresponding to such changes. In general, the development of production systems is an important topic in various industries and sectors, as it can have a significant impact on efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. This study discusses topical issues of managing culture and digital competencies in the development of a manufacturing enterprise and proposes a methodological approach to managing the development of a production system that takes into account the social factors of the internal environment of a metallurgical enterprise. The purpose of the study is to develop the methodological foundations for managing the development of a metallurgical enterprise based on the formation and development of a production culture and digital competencies of personnel.

[ES] Durante las últimas décadas, múltiples retos han puesto en riesgo la sostenibilidad medioambiental, económica y social de los sistemas de producción de vacuno lechero (SPL). Esta Tesis Doctoral aborda algunos de los principales retos del sector en materia de sostenibilidad mediante el desarrollo de conceptos, metodologías y estrategias adaptadas a las necesidades particulares de un amplio abanico de SPL en Europa. Las investigaciones se centran en la evaluación de las herramientas de análisis de la sostenibilidad, el análisis de la diversidad de sistemas de producción existentes, así como en la mitigación adaptada de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) y pérdidas de nitrógeno (N) a escala de granja. Esta Tesis Doctoral presenta un marco cuantitativo que permite un análisis exhaustivo de las herramientas existentes para la determinación de la sostenibilidad a escala de granja. Los resultados muestran como las herramientas evaluadas presentan un mayor número de indicadores asociados con el pilar medioambiental que con el pilar económico y social. En adición, se facilita la identificación de vías para el desarrollo futuro de los modelos, permitiendo una más completa y detallada evaluación de la sostenibilidad. Asimismo, los resultados obtenidos en materia de análisis de la diversidad de SPL, permiten la identificación, descripción y agrupación de las regiones europeas de acuerdo con diferentes tipologías de sistemas productivos. Las 16 tipologías representativas identificadas, combinan las características estructurales, productivas, socioeconómicas y medioambientales de los SPL con la distribución de cultivos forrajeros más relevantes para la producción láctea a escala NUTS2. Al analizar y agrupar la diversidad de sistemas productivos y evaluar su nivel de integración, esta Tesis Doctoral facilita la toma de decisiones basadas en el conocimiento, el diseño y la aplicación de medidas de mitigación de emisiones específicas y adaptadas, así como la promoción de sinergias económicas y sociales positivas. En adición, esta Tesis Doctoral pone de manifiesto la gran influencia de las condiciones climáticas, las características estructurales y las prácticas de manejo sobre las emisiones de N y GEI asociadas a la fermentación entérica, los cultivos, así como a toda la cadena de gestión del estiércol. Al identificar la magnitud y fuentes de emisión de los SPL, se facilita la aplicación de medidas específicas a cada contexto. En términos de mitigación de las emisiones, la reducción de la proteína bruta en la fracción comprada de la dieta es una estrategia eficaz a la hora de mitigar tanto las emisiones de GEI como las pérdidas de N. Además, la implantación de una planta de digestión anaerobia es efectiva a la hora de reducir la intensidad de GEI en todos los SPL evaluados, aumentando únicamente las pérdidas de N en el sistema mediterráneo intensivo. El impacto del incremento de la productividad a través de un mayor uso piensos sobre las pérdidas de N y las emisiones de GEI es variable entre los sistemas examinados. A este respecto, el sistema semi-extensivo centroeuropeo muestra un mayor potencial de reducción de GEI, mientras que el semi-extensivo atlántico obtiene mejores resultados en la reducción de las pérdidas de N. Del mismo modo, el uso de la inyección de purines reduce las pérdidas de N en campo, incrementando las emisiones de GEI en el sistema mediterráneo. La sustitución de urea por nitrato amónico tiene diferentes efectos sobre los GEI y la intensidad de N, observándose un mayor potencial de mitigación en el sistema semi-extensivo atlántico. Por último, las cubiertas rígidas de purines mitigan eficazmente las pérdidas de N durante el almacenamiento, con un impacto mínimo en las emisiones totales de GEI. Así mismo, a lo largo de esta Tesis Doctoral se demuestra como la aplicación cumulativa de medidas de mitigación, deriva en sinergias positivas a la hora de reducir las emisiones globales de la explotación. / [CA] Durant les últimes dècades, múltiples reptes n'han posat en risc la sostenibilitat mediambiental, econòmica i social dels sistemes de producció de boví de llet (SPL). Aquesta Tesi Doctoral aborda alguns dels principals reptes del sector en termes de sostenibilitat mitjançant el desenvolupament de conceptes, metodologies i estratègies adaptades a les necessitats particulars d'un ampli ventall de SPL a Europa. Les investigacions se centren en l'avaluació de les eines per a la seua quantificació, l'anàlisi de la diversitat de sistemes de producció existents, així com en la mitigació adaptada de les emissions de gasos d'efecte d'hivernacle (GEH) i pèrdues de nitrogen (N) a escala de granja. Aquesta Tesi Doctoral presenta un marc quantitatiu que permet una anàlisi exhaustiu de les eines existents per a la determinació de la sostenibilitat a escala de granja. Els resultats obtinguts mostren com les eines avaluades presenten un major nombre d'indicadors associats amb el pilar mediambiental que amb el pilar econòmic i social. A més, aquest treball facilita la identificació de vies per al desenvolupament futur dels models i facilita una avaluació de la sostenibilitat més completa i detallada. Els resultats obtinguts en matèria d'anàlisi de la diversitat de SPL permeten la identificació, descripció i agrupació de les regions europees d'acord amb diferents tipologies de sistemes productius. Les 16 tipologies representatives identificades combinen les característiques estructurals, productives, socioeconòmiques i mediambientals dels SPL amb la distribució de conreus farratgers més rellevants per a la producció làctia a escala NUTS2. En addició, en analitzar i agrupar la diversitat de sistemes productius i avaluar el seu nivell d'integració, aquesta Tesi Doctoral facilita la presa de decisions basada en el coneixement, el disseny i l'aplicació de mesures de mitigació d'emissions específiques i adaptades, així com la promoció de sinergies econòmiques i socials positives. Així mateix, aquesta Tesi Doctoral indica la gran influència de les condicions climàtiques, les característiques estructurals i les pràctiques de maneig sobre les emissions de N i GEH associades a la fermentació entèrica, els conreus, així com tota la cadena de gestió del fem. A més, en identificar la magnitud i fonts d'emissió dels SPL, es facilita l'aplicació de mesures específiques a cada context. En aquest sentit, la reducció de la proteina bruta en la porció comprada de la dieta és una estratègia eficaç per a mitigar tant les emissions de GEH com les de N. A més, la implantació d'una planta de digestió anaeròbia va reduir la intensitat de GEH en totes les SPL avaluades, augmentant únicament les emissions de N en el sistema mediterrani intensiu. L'impacte de l'increment de la productivitat a través d'un major use pinsos sobre les pèrdues de N i les emissions de GEH va variar entre els sistemes d'explotació examinats. Referent a això, el sistema semi-extensiu centreeuropeu va mostrar un major potencial de reducció de GEH, mentre que el semi-extensiu atlàntic va obtindre millors resultats en la reducció de les pèrdues de N. De la mateixa manera, l'ús de la injecció de purins va reduir les emissions de N a nivell de camp, incrementant les emissions de GEH en el sistema mediterrani. La substitució d'urea per nitrat d'amoni va tindre diferents efectes sobre els GEH i la intensitat de N, observant-se un major potencial de mitigació en el sistema semi-extensiu atlàntic. Finalment, les cobertes rígides de purins van reduir eficaçment les pèrdues de N durant l'emmagatzematge amb un impacte mínim en les emissions totals de GEH. Així mateix, al llarg d'aquesta Tesi Doctoral es demostra com l'aplicació cumulativa de mesures de mitigació deriva en sinergies positives a l'hora de reduir les emissions globals de l'explotació. / [EN] During the last decades, multiple challenges have put the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of dairy cattle production systems (DPS) at risk. This Ph.D. Thesis tackles some of the sector's main challenges in terms of sustainability by developing concepts, methodologies, and strategies adapted to the particular needs of a wide range of European DPS. In particular, special emphasis is placed on evaluating the tools for sustainability assessments, the analysis and clustering of the diversity of existing production systems, and the adapted mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nitrogen (N) losses at the farm scale. This Ph.D. Thesis presents a quantitative framework that comprehensively evaluates whole-farm tools and models. The obtained results show how the models considered incorporate more indicators from the environmental pillar than those related to the economic or social sphere. In addition, this work facilitates the identification of avenues for future model developments, allowing for a more complete and detailed assessment of sustainability. Furthermore, the results obtained allow for the identification, description, and clustering of European regions according to different typologies of production systems. The 16 representative typologies identified combine DPS's structural, productive, socio-economic, and environmental characteristics with the level of overlap with the most relevant fodder crops for dairy production at the NUTS2 scale. Furthermore, by analyzing and clustering the diversity of production systems and assessing their level of integration, this Ph.D. Thesis facilitates knowledge-based decision-making, the design and implementation of targeted and adapted emission mitigation measures, as well as the promotion of positive economic and social synergies. Moreover, this Ph.D. Thesis highlights the strong influence of climatic conditions, structural characteristics, and management practices on N and GHG emissions associated with enteric fermentation, fields, and manure management. In terms of emission mitigation, reducing the amount of crude protein in the purchased fraction of the diet is an effective strategy to mitigate both GHG and N emissions. Additionally, implementing an anaerobic digestion plant reduces GHG emissions in all assessed DPS but increases N losses only in the intensive Mediterranean DPS. The impact of increased productivity through larger use of concentrates on N losses and GHG emissions varied depending on the farming systems examined. In this sense, the Central European semi-extensive system shows a higher potential for GHG reduction, while the Atlantic semi-extensive system accounts for better results when lowering the N losses. Similarly, shallow slurry injection effectively decreases N losses at the field level, although it increases GHG emissions in the Mediterranean DPS. Substituting urea with ammonium nitrate has different effects on GHG and N emission intensity, with greater potential for mitigation in the Atlantic semi-extensive system. Lastly, rigid slurry covers effectively reduces N losses during storage with minimal impact on GHG emissions. Furthermore, this Ph.D. Thesis shows how the cumulative application of mitigation measures leads to positive synergies in reducing the overall emissions of the farm. / All studies conducted in the course of this Ph.D. Thesis were funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) through the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) within the framework of the project "MilKey" (grant number 2819ERA08A), funded by the joint call 2018 ERA-GAS (grant no. 696356), SusAn (grant no. 696231) and ICT-AGRI 2 (grant no. 618123) on "New technologies, solutions, and systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in animal production systems". BC3-Research is supported by the Spanish Government through María de Maeztu excellence accreditation 2018–2022 (Ref. MDM-2017-0714) and María de Maeztu excellence accreditation 2023-2026 (Ref. CEX2021-001201-M, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and by the Basque Government through the BERC 2018–2021 program. Agustin del Prado is financed through the Ramon y Cajal program by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness (RYC-2017-22143). / Díaz De Otalora Aguirre, X. (2023). Sustainability Assessment of Key European Dairy Cattle Production Systems: System Identification, Analysis, and Greenhouse Gas and Nitrogen Emission Mitigation [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/196465

Since the introduction of Toyota's Production System, the deployment of lean production systems (or lean manufacturing), and more advanced technological developments, Participatory Management Practices (PMP) have been viewed as lying at the heart of successful manufacturing workplaces. Studies on technology and PMP have concluded that the state of technology in a company unequivocally shapes PMP and can open spaces to enhance the wellbeing of workers regardless of the PMP dynamics. However, these claims are contested by studies that question the positive effects from PMP. These studies argue that workplaces are organized in such a way that workers are viewed as mere resources to be deployed in the production process, without paying attention to their human morale and agency. This research presents a case study of a food plastics packaging firm that contextualizes, describes, and analyzes: 1) PMP from a Socio-technical Systems Theory (SST) perspective to further our understanding of the role of participative dynamics in the wellbeing of workers; and 2) the dynamics of control-resistance in the workplace as a measure of dignity at work in the context of power relations. This research provides a rich exploration of a workplace that is facing and managing the challenge of automation and technological development. Using an extended case study research method (Burawoy, 2009), data are collected by observing workers' daily interactions with a combination of technologies. These observations reveal the importance of team dynamics in the production process. The observed PMP dynamics show conflictive, competitive, and cooperative behaviors that are negotiated through continuous human-machine, machine-machine, and human-human interactions in the production process. However, management is found to be indifferent to the impact that a combination of technologies and lean production approaches have on participation dynamics. This indifference inhibits managers from embracing and appreciating the value of PMP. All the identified expressions of what technology and PMP mean to workers, and their dynamics, show an ongoing negotiating process. This process comes from all types of participation in which a worker struggles for dignity. The organizational structure of the firm expects workers to display specific types of participation in team efforts, but workers are also provided with opportunities to negotiate their interests or struggle for dignity by changing their type of participation in team activities. The work processes and findings described in this dissertation generally support the theory of Hodson (2001). Further, this research develops the concept of "combination of technologies," which can be used to help observe workers' understanding of technology and participative dynamics. The research also identifies various types of participation based on the interactions of workers in the technology process and how workers manage or safeguard their dignity based on their engagement with different types of participation in team-based situations or events. Finally, this research identified how participative engagement by workers can be used as a power mechanism to retain their dignity. / Doctor of Philosophy / Modern manufacturing production is based on the increasing use of technology and workers' participation in problem solving when it comes to the production system. These types of production systems are called Lean Production Systems. These systems stem from the philosophy of doing more with less and are viewed as lying at the heart of successful manufacturing workplaces. However, studies on technology and teams have concluded that not only does technology shape the dynamics of teams, but the practices and dynamics of workers in teams can open spaces to enhance human wellbeing. Even so, some studies question the positive effects of worker participation in teams based on Participatory Management Practices (PMP). These studies argue that workplaces are organized in such a way that workers are viewed as mere resources to be deployed in the production process, without paying attention to human morale and agency. This research is a case study of a rigid food plastics packaging firm that contextualizes, describes, and analyzes: (1) the participation of workers in PMP from the perspective that workers and technology have a social relationship with deep contextual meaning; and (2) a measure of human dignity in the context of power relations and how control and resistance are met in these spaces. This research provides a rich exploration of a workplace that is facing and managing the challenge of automation and technological development. Using an extended case study research method (Bloomfield, 1994 as cited in Burawoy, 2009, p. 154), data are collected from workers' daily interactions with a combination of technologies. The importance of how people participate in teams during the production process, was observed and acknowledged to enhance workers wellbeing. A range of dynamics were observed and defined as conflictive, competitive, or cooperative behavior that are negotiated through the continuous human-machine, machine-machine, and human-human interactions that occur during the production process. However, management is indifferent to and disregards the impact that technology has on worker participation in teams and is unconcerned with contrasting meanings of technology from workers, which means they are not paying attention to how these factors impact the use of technology and participation dynamics. All expressions of what technology and worker participation means show an ongoing negotiating process in which workers struggle for dignity. This research follows Hodson (2001) categories of struggle for dignity as a measure of self-worth. This research develops concepts that can be used to help observe workers' understanding of technology and participative dynamics, as well as identifies different types of participation by observing the interactions of workers in the technology process. This research identified how workers manage or safeguard their dignity based on their engagement with different types of participation observed during team-based situations or events. Finally, the research identified how workers' ability to change their interactions in teams is used as a power mechanism to retain their dignity.

Detta arbete fokuserar på underhållets påverkan på hållbara produktionssystem. Hållbarhet har växt i betydelse och blivit ett centralt ämne globalt. Företag över hela världen arbetar med att effektivisera sina produktionssystem samtidigt som de effektiviserar sina system för att uppnå hållbarhetsmål.Underhållet av produktionsanläggningar är en kritisk faktor för att nå dessa mål och olika underhållsstrategier spelar en nyckelroll i att säkerställa produktivitet, hållbarhet och tillförlitlighet i produktionssystemet. Även om tidigare forskning har berört både underhåll och hållbarhet saknas omfattande förståelse och kunskap till sambandet mellan dessa områden. Därför är syftet med detta arbete att analysera och förstå hur olika underhållsstrategier inom företag påverkar och bidrar till hållbara produktionssystem. Genom att utforska hur dessa strategier kan främja miljövänliga och ekonomiskt hållbara produktionsmetoder får vi en djupare insikt i hur företag kan balansera hållbarhetsmål med prestanda i sin verksamhet. Frågeställningarna för arbetet formulerades följande: Hur påverkas ett produktionssystem av underhåll? och Vilken roll spelar underhållsstrategier i att främja en övergång till mer hållbara produktionssystem? Forskningen använde en deduktiv metod med en grundlig litteraturstudie som baserades på tidigare forskning och vetenskapliga artiklar. En kvalitativ metod användes också för empirisk datainsamling genom en enkät som distribuerades till företag. Genom att integrera hållbarhetsaspekter i underhållsarbetet kan företag minimera resursanvändning, utsläpp och avfall samtidigt som de optimerar effektiviteten, pålitligheten och livslängden hos sin utrustning. Detta möjliggör övergången till mer hållbara produktionsmetoder och resulterar i både ekonomiska och miljömässiga fördelar. / This study focuses on the impact of maintenance on sustainable production systems. Sustainability has grown in importance and become a central topic globally. Companies worldwide are working to streamline their production systems while striving to achieve sustainability goals. Maintenance of production facilities is a critical factor in reaching these goals, and various maintenance strategies play a key role in ensuring productivity, sustainability, and reliability in production systems. Although previous research has addressed both maintenance and sustainability, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding and knowledge about the relationship between these areas. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to analyze and understand how different maintenance strategies within companies affect and contribute to sustainable production systems. By exploring how these strategies can promote environmentally friendly and economically sustainable production methods, we gain deeper insight into how companies can balance sustainability goals with performance in their operations. The research questions formulated for this work are as follows: How is a production system affected by maintenance? and What role do maintenance strategies play in promoting a transition to more sustainable production systems?  The research utilized a deductive method with a thorough literature review based on previous research and scientific articles. A qualitative method was also used for empirical data collection through a survey distributed to companies. By integrating sustainability aspects into maintenance work, companies can minimize resource use, emissions, and waste while optimizing the efficiency, reliability, and lifespan of their equipment. This enables a transition to more sustainable production methods and results in both economic and environmental benefits.

Background: Manufacturing sectors are focusing on developing new manufacturing strategies and improving technologies since there has been a decrease in productivity in recent times. This has led to a massive growth in AM but also due to the benefits of implementing AM technologies. However, there are some challenges to overcome with AM implementation.  Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the AM implementation to achieve sustainability in manufacturing companies.   Research questions:  ·      What are the challenges in achieving sustainability with AM implementation for manufacturing companies? ·      How can manufacturing companies achieve environmental and economic sustainability with AM implementation through an industrial technology center?  Method: This study is based on a qualitative method with an abductive approach. The theoretical framework has been gathered through a literature review and the empirical data is based on interviews at the case company. The analysis is based on a thematic analysis method.  Conclusion: This thesis concluded that challenges in achieving sustainability with AM implementation are related to inaccuracies of produced parts and components and geometric complications. This was based on design complexities and printer capabilities. The other conclusion made was that there are aspects that contribute to environmental and economic sustainability through AM implementation such as enhancing process efficiency and low setup costs.

Cette thèse porte sur l’étude des impacts environnementaux de systèmes de production de bovins. Le premier objectif était d’analyser et de comparer les impacts environnementaux de systèmes de production de viande et de lait par analyse de cycle de vie (ACV) attributionnelle. Les effets de pratiques d’atténuation de ces impacts ont été évalués pour les systèmes de production de viande. Le second objectif était un développement méthodologique afin d’explorer les conséquences possibles d’une préférence accrue pour un lait produit à base d’herbe, par ACV conséquentielle. Dans un système de production de viande par le troupeau allaitant, le méthane entérique a été le principal contributeur à l’impact changement climatique, et la production de l’herbe a été la principale contributrice aux autres impacts (demande énergétique cumulée, eutrophisation, acidification, occupation du sol). L’atelier naisseur (vaches allaitantes et leurs veaux, génisses) a contribué de manière majeure aux impacts du système allaitant dans son ensemble. La pratique d’atténuation la plus efficace pour le système a été la diminution de l’âge au vêlage de 3 à 2 ans. L’utilisation de lipides riches en acides gras oméga-3 dans le régime a très peu affecté les impacts du système. L’application simultanée de plusieurs pratiques d’atténuation compatibles entre elles réduit sensiblement les impacts. L’application de pratiques telles que la réduction du gaspillage d’herbe, l’engraissement des génisses non utilisées pour le renouvellement et la diminution de l’âge au vêlage réduisent l’occupation du sol. Un usage alternatif des terres libérées tel que la plantation de forêt pour séquestrer du carbone dans la biomasse semble prometteur. L’étude de systèmes de production de lait a été centrée sur les comparaisons de systèmes à base d’herbe ou d’ensilage de maïs, d’une race spécialisée (Holstein) ou mixte (Normande) et sur l’effet du niveau de production laitière par ACV attributionnelle. Quelle que soit la méthode d’attribution des impacts aux co-produits, les impacts par kg de lait ont été plus faibles pour les systèmes à base d’ensilage de maïs et pour les Holstein, sauf pour l’eutrophisation. L’accroissement de la production de lait par vache grâce à une consommation d’énergie accrue et au vêlage à 2 ans a permis de réduire les impacts du lait et de son co-produit viande. Les conséquences de la conversion d’une exploitation laitière utilisant beaucoup de maïs ensilage vers une exploitation utilisant de l’herbe comme unique source de fourrage pour répondre à une demande de lait produit à base d’herbe en France ont été évaluées par ACV conséquentielle. Cette conversion entraîne des changements notables de l’utilisation des sols en dehors de l’exploitation, et donc un fort accroissement des impacts du système dans son ensemble et du lait produit. / This thesis addresses the environmental impacts of cattle production systems. The first objective of this thesis was to analyse and compare the environmental impacts of suckler-beef and dairy production systems using attributional life cycle assessment (ALCA). Subsequently, the effects of mitigation practices for suckler-beef production systems were assessed. The second objective addressed methodology development by exploring possible consequences due to an increase in preference for grass-based milk using consequential LCA (CLCA).For a suckler-beef production system, enteric methane fermentation was the main contributor to the climate change impact, and grassland production contributed most to other impacts (cumulative energy demand, eutrophication, acidification and land occupation). The suckler cow-calf herd substantially contributed to the impacts of the suckler-beef system. The most effective mitigation practice for the suckler-beef production system was decreasing calving age from 3 to 2 years. The use of lipids rich in omega-3 fatty acids in ruminant diets did not substantially affect the impacts of the suckler-beef production system. Simultaneous application of several compatible practices can substantially mitigate the impacts of the suckler-beef production system. The application of certain practices (e.g. reducing ungrazed grass losses, fattening heifers not used for replacement and reducing calving age) reduced land occupation. Alternative uses for the “released land”, e.g. the introduction of forest to sequester C into biomass, seems promising. For dairy production systems, the assessment focused on a grass-based vs. maize-silage-based system, dual-purpose breed (Normande) vs. specialised breed (Holstein) and the effect of increasing milk yield per cow, using the ALCA approach. Independent of co-product handling methods, the impacts per kg of milk were lower with the maize-silage-based system and with Holstein cows (except for eutrophication). Increasing milk yield per cow by increasing feed energy intake and applying more intensive management (first calving at 2 years) decreased the impacts of milk and its beef co-product. The consequences of converting a maize-silage-based to a grass-based dairy farm in France to meet the increased domestic preference for grass-based milk were assessed using the CLCA approach. This farm conversion caused land-use change outside the dairy farm and thus substantially increased the impacts of the whole production system and the milk it produced.