A todo momento as organizações precisam se adaptar às constantes mudanças do macroambiente. A ampliação da unidade de processamento ou, ainda, o transplante total ou parcial dessa unidade para um outro local é uma das respostas a essas freqüentes alterações. No entanto, sabe-se que a unidade de processamento é apenas um dos elos de uma cadeia produtiva com dependência vital entre os mesmos. Nesse sentido, o remanejamento ou a instalação de uma unidade de processamento num novo local não é apenas um problema de escolha da área para a instalação dessa unidade, também não pode ser analisado desconectado dos demais elos da cadeia produtiva que participam da produção, transformação e distribuição, pois, como mostra a literatura, o bom desenvolvimento de uma cadeia produtiva depende de que várias condições a montante e a jusante se combinem. Assim, o objetivo central deste trabalho é a proposição de um método de análise de viabilidade para a implantação de uma cadeia produtiva num local completamente novo para esta cadeia. O método foi realizado a partir da revisão de autores clássicos sobre o tema, e pretende-se que sirva de ferramenta para outras cadeias produtivas interessadas em projetos dessa natureza. O método contempla as seguintes etapas: (1) Estudo de Mercado, (2) Lições da Cadeia Produtiva, (3) Tamanho e Localização, (4) Produção Agrícola e Produção Industrial, (5) Sistemas de Distribuição, (6) Análise de Investimentos, Custos Operacionais e Receitas, (7) Avaliação Financeira e Macroeconômica, (8) Arranjos Institucionais e Estrutura de Governança, (9) Diferenciação do Produto. O método proposto foi aplicado num estudo para analisar a implantação da citricultura no Pólo Petrolina-Juazeiro, localizado no Vale São Francisco. Pôde-se com essa experiência constatar que o método pode ser utilizado por qualquer cadeia produtiva interessada em analisar novas áreas para se instalar, podendo ser necessário algum ajuste ou adaptação às especificidades da empresa ou do setor. / Being adapted to all the constant changes of the macro environment is a need to all the organizations nowadays. The extension of a processing unit or its partial or total exchange to another place are examples of these common changes. Having a crucial dependency, it is known that the processing unit is one of the links in a productive chain. Considering this fact, for a relocation or installation of a new processing unit in another place, a new area must be chosen and both transformation and distribution, elements of a productive chain, must be considered as well. As it is learned in the literature, a good development of a productive chain depends of different combinations. The main purpose of this work is to suggest a method of viability analysis for the implantation of a productive chain in a new place. The method was used after a severe revision based on expert authors of this subject and intends to help any productive chain which might be interested in the same projects. The method contemplates the following stages: (1) Market Study, (2) Studies of the productive chain, (3) Size and location, (4) Industrial and Agricultural production, (5) Distribution Systems, (6) Analyze of Investments, Operational costs and incomes, (7) Macroeconomic and Financial evaluation, (8) Governance Structures, (9) Product Differentiation. The method was tested and analyzed during the implantation of citriculture in the regions of Petrolina and Juazeiro, localized in the São Francisco Valley. To conclude with, the use of this method reveled that it can be used in any productive chain willing to test new areas to install, however, some adjustments or adaptations may be necessary to attend some specification of the business.

This research was concerned with investigating “the absence of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)” at a plastic painting plant. TPM is a combination of operations and maintenance activities and is performed by operators under their own authority and is called “autonomous maintenances”. The author has tested the degree of implementation of TPM by using a sevenstep TPM implementation model this highlighted an absence of TPM in the organisation investigated. TPM is a relatively new concept in the South African automotive industry and has not been fully accepted by management as a solution to the maintenance problems in the organisation. Due to a long implementation period and the difficulty in measuring the benefits of the TPM program for the organisation TPM tends not to be implemented by companies. The research studies several maintenance philosophies each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The benefits that arise from the implementation of an effective TPM philosophy were explored. The development of an effective improved model for the implementation of TPM was investigated. Maintenance engineers and managers in any organisation can use this model to implement an effective TPM program. The seven-step TPM implementation model formed the basis for the compilation of a questionnaire. A survey was conducted to determine if an absence of TPM existed in a plastic painting plant. The results from the survey were drawn up and recommendations to further develop a model for the implementation of TPM was put forward.

For a tyre manufacturing company to compete nationally and internationally, the maximum utilization of their equipment is extremely important. Thus, having a maintenance system in place that will ensure this will be essential. In today’s competitive environment, the need to go further than just scheduling maintenance in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations as a method of improving productivity and product quality was quickly recognized by those companies who were committed to total quality management programmes. The objective of this study was to propose an appropriate strategy for the implementation of Total Productive Maintenance at Continental Tyre South Africa. To achieve this, the current Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programme, in the steel stock preparation division in affiliated Continental plants in Otrokovice in the Czech Republic and Puchov in the Slovak Republic was evaluated. A comprehensive literature study was performed on Total Productive Maintenance programmes. A questionnaire was designed based on the guidelines in the literature study in order to establish the effectiveness of implemented TPM programmes. The researcher used the random sampling method of selection and distributed the questionnaire to 62 potential respondents via hand-outs from each plant’s respective heads of departments. 56 completed questionnaires were returned and these were processed and analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel 2003, running on the Windows XP suite of computer packages. The opinions of the various respondents were compared with the guidelines provided in the literature survey, in order to identify how to answer two main questions the author wanted to use as part of selecting an appropriate implementation approach for TPM at Continental Tyre South Africa. These were: • How much are the employees involved and empowered to perform their TPM tasks?; and • How effective is the implemented TPM programme? The following were the main recommendations and conclusions: • The experiences gained by plants like Otrokovice and Puchov must be used as a guideline for introduction and implementation; • The employees that will be required to perform the TPM tasks must be properly trained and they should receive the necessary tools to perform their tasks; • It is essential that everyone throughout the entire manufacturing organization is involved from the start in the development, improvement and maintenance of the TPM programme and that the driving force behind it should be a combination of maintenance, production and quality; and • TPM will achieve it’s objectives if: • The equipment effectiveness can be improved; • Autonomous maintenance is achieved; • Planned maintenance is in place; • Staff are trained in relevant maintenance skills; and • Early equipment management can be achieved.

Manufacturing processes should operate at optimal levels in order to remain competitive in current economic environment. The optimal manufacturing performance can be achieved by overall equipment efficiency which is also a measurement for Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). The successful implementation of TPM has been evaluated at Faurecia Interior Systems. The research consisted out of a literature review into the elements and benefits of TPM. A questionnaire was sent to all operator level personnel at Faurecia Interior Systems to establish their views on the implementation level of TPM at the East London site. In conclusion, this research paper has also led to the development of recommendations which should improve TPM at the site.

This dissertation investigates how a productive landscape can increase the carrying capacity of the land, by analysing and responding to the existing site and a proposed post-industrial development of the site done in 2010. The aim is to effectively communicate the influence of man’s highly consumerist nature on resources and the ecology on the user group. The chosen site is located in the highdensity urban context of Pretoria West, Tshwane, South Africa. The motivation of this dissertation is for the landscape to be the synergy between the existing productive entities. The strategy was to design holistically, with the objective being to include the larger systems at play. Systemic thinking, in terms of production, increases resources and the variety of resources’ deliverability. The only way that a productive landscape can be resilient is to instil positive meaning in the user and, consequently, indefinite stewardship. To achieve resilience, biophilic urban design guidelines were followed to have a positive psychological effect on the user. This dissertation aims to re-address age-old theories, such as biophillia and the “Web of Life”, as crucial guidelines to inform interventions for the current, real time, global and African issues relating to increasing resource demands. / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Architecture / ML(Prof) / Unrestricted

This dissertation will focus on revitalizing and adapting an abandoned mining Compound on the outskirts of Cullinan. Through this journey of uncovering and understanding this lost, abandoned and deteriorating site, one starts to fall in love with the beauty of these ruins within an unrestricted landscape, where the natural has started infiltrating into all areas of this site. It starts to evoke emotions of a romantic lost time although this is not the case. This environment has lost its identity of a harsh working lifestyle where many of the workers died in extremely uncomfortable and inhuman conditions. Uncovering this intangible narrative of the past has led to the idea of contrasting these two very different conditions, the harsh past environment with the vision of a new productive landscape where there is an opportunity for healing. Healing through exposing and appreciating the past; healing the people of Cullinan by providing new skill and opportunities during this decommissioning transition and healing this abandoned and neglected land. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal desenvolver um sistema de avaliação de desempenho de clusters, capaz de analisar as vantagens potenciais que um cluster pode oferecer e concluir a respeito do aproveitamento dessas vantagens e dos aspectos que podem ser aprimorados. Para isso, o trabalho se propõe a: (i) identificar os constructos e variáveis que devem ser utilizados para representar as vantagens potenciais que um cluster industrial pode oferecer; (ii) desenvolver um sistema de avaliação do aproveitamento das vantagens potenciais de um cluster, baseado nos constructos e variáveis identificados; (iii) testar o sistema, avaliando o nível de desenvolvimento, no que tange ao aproveitamento de vantagens potenciais em que se encontra o cluster moveleiro do Oeste de Santa Catarina; e (iv) estabelecer um plano para aprimoramento das operações e consolidação do referido cluster. Esta tese está baseada numa abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa, utilizando questionário aplicado em 112 empresas, grupo focado e entrevistas. Uma das principais contribuições desta tese é a proposição de um modelo capaz de avaliar o aproveitamento das vantagens potenciais de um cluster, auxiliando na tomada de decisão dos envolvidos (poder público, instituições de classe, empresas) e melhoria da competitividade das empresas do cluster em relação às empresas externas. Outra contribuição deste trabalho é a proposição de ações que possam aumentar o aproveitamento das vantagens oferecidas às empresas pertencentes ao cluster moveleiro do oeste de Santa Catarina e à sua competitividade. / The main objective of this work is to develop a performance evaluation system of clusters, able of analyzing the potential advantages that a cluster can offer to its member companies and conclude about the use of these advantages and about the aspects which could be improved. Considering this general objective, this work intends: (i) identify the constructs and variables that should be utilized for represent the potential advantages that an industrial cluster can offer; (ii) develop an evaluation system for access the use of the potential advantages of a cluster, based on the constructs and identified variables; (iii) test the system, evaluating the development level of the west of Santa Catarina furniture cluster, regarding the use of the potential advantages, (iv) establish a plan for the improvement of operations and consolidation of the mentioned cluster. This dissertation is based on a qualitative and quantitative approach, comprising a survey involving 112 companies, focus group and interviews. One of the main contributions of this dissertation is the proposal of a model capable of evaluate the use of the potential advantages of a cluster, assisting on the decision making of the stakeholders (government, class association and companies) and competitiveness improvement of the cluster member companies compared to outside companies. Other contribution of this work is the proposal of a plan of actions that could increase the use of the advantages offered to the member companies of the west of Santa Catarina furniture cluster and their respective competitiveness.

O foco desta pesquisa é o estudo da cadeia produtiva do bambu como material construtivo, investigando atores, atividades e processos. A arquitetura do futuro necessita de novos modelos e materiais construtivos para possibilitar o desenvolvimento sustentável do planeta. A atual demanda habitacional, no Brasil e no mundo, exige do setor da construção civil maior consumo de matériasprimas e, por conseguinte, implicando na elevação da emissão de CO2 e do consumo de energia. Novos materiais que demandam uma quantidade menor de energia em sua produção e uma menor geração de resíduos estão começando a ocupar posição de destaque na cadeia produtiva da construção civil. Neste contexto, o bambu no formato roliço, entre os materiais construtivos do futuro, por suas qualidades físico-mecânicas, além das ambientais, econômicas e sociais, poderia contribuir de maneira positiva. Arquitetos e construtores, no Brasil e em outras partes do mundo, tem de forma significativa ampliado os usos do bambu, aplicando-o em residências, pavilhões, e até em grandes estruturas. Porém, ainda existe um desconhecimento bastante generalizado sobre seu uso na construção civil. Esta lacuna é ainda maior quando se procura entender a sua cadeia produtiva. A compreensão dos atores, processos e da utilização dos materiais não convencionais, como o bambu, para a concepção projetual, é fundamental para o desenvolvimento do estudante e do profissional, seja ele engenheiro ou arquiteto. O trabalho de campo, juntamente ao referencial teórico estudado, permitiu a compreensão de que a cadeia produtiva do bambu como material construtivo além de não seguir o padrão estabelecido na literatura, principalmente com relação aos atores e processos envolvidos diretamente na transformação da matéria-prima, se apresenta de forma desorganizada e frágil, com a concentração de processos em poucos atores, resultando pouca eficiência e dificultando o seu desenvolvimento. / The focus of this research is the study of the bamboo productive chain as constructive material, investigating agents, activities and its processes. The architecture of the future needs new models and constructive materials to enable the sustainable development of the planet. The actual housing demand in Brazil and in the world, require from the civil construction sector a larger consumption of raw material and therefore producing a larger emission of CO2 and energy consumption. New materials that demand a smaller amount of energy and its production and a smaller residual generator are beginning to occupy a prominent position in the productive chain of the civil construction. In this context, the bamboo in natura shape is included in the construction materials of the future, because its physical-mechanical component, also environmental, economic and social component that could contribute in a positive manner. Architects and constructors, in Brazil and in other parts of the world, have considerably increased the use of bamboo; using it in residences, warehouses and even in large structures, although there is a widespread ignorance about its use in the civil construction. This gap is even larger when one seeks to understand its productive chain. The comprehension of its agents, processes and the use of non-conventional materials, such as bamboo, for a project conception is fundamental for the student and the professional development, whether an engineer or architect. The fieldwork, along with the theoretical referential studied, allowed the comprehension of the bamboo productive chain as a constructive material, besides to not follow the established standard in the literature, mainly with the relationship between agents and its processes involved directly in the transformation of the raw material, it presents in a unorganized and frail form, with a concentration of processes within few agents, resulting in little efficiency and hindering its development.

It is evident that several cities in China have experienced a variety of global impacts. Beijing for instance, has become synonymous with mass-migration over the years. The immense scale of projected rural migration, the unmanageable intervention of new housing urban developments, and the high levels of air pollution in Beijing have become a global dilemma. In order to alleviate Beijing's critical ecological conditions, the introduction of "new lungs", as an urban environmental design to the city should be examined. This thesis project illustrates how urban productive landscape and bike infrastructure can be essential in urban development through the implementation of an innovative dynamic Urban Eco-Filter that would respond to the active circumstances of the city of Beijing. The enormous amount of air pollution, ground-water depletion/pollution and particularly the lack of an ecological footprint are some of the challenges the city of Beijing continually battles. As a potential solution to assist the citizens of Beijing, who continually struggle to maintain a better quality of life, this thesis project proposes a new Urban Eco-Filter approach that will serve as a green corridor incorporating environmental resources. This innovative urban infrastructure would become the exceptional and unquestionable tool to create a holistic environment including productive urban landscape, bike infrastructure and sustainable themes. As a solution this project proposes the implementation of an elevated eco-network infrastructure in the center of the city of Beijing. In addition, the proposal would focus on developing a new productive landscape connection prototype at the Guomao Bridge on the 3rd Ring Road. The procedures analyzed are: case observation, case studies, strategies of 3-D modeling, and the design and qualitative investigation through workshops. In order to further validate the proposed solution, an in depth evaluation of the research techniques is necessary. It is indispensable to analyze the existing hazardous urban conditions and consider the uncontrollable growth of metropolitan cities, while introducing new ecological bike infrastructure. With the limited environmental footprint, constant amount of air pollution and the deficiency of ground-water, the investigation of a new Urban Eco-Filter is encouraged to enhance the social and environmental fabric of the city of Beijing.

Research shows that interaction and conversation (gestures, words, expressions, and etc.) with children on a daily basis are crucial for their development. Teachers spend a lot of time with children daily, it is important that teachers plan their interactions intentionally to help children make connections and extend their learning. Observing children and interpreting their thinking processes is a significant factor in intentionally planning curriculum that emerges from children’s thinking. There is a lack of high quality training for preschool teachers in the area of observing and interpreting children’s thinking. The present study investigates the effects of a training (Cycle of Inquiry System) on observation and interpretation of children’s thinking, on teachers’ productive conversation in the Head Start Classroom. The research question guiding this study is: “Does the Cycle of Inquiry Intervention (training teachers to observe, document and interpret their observations of children at play time) increase teachers’ conversations with children?” We hypothesized that the teachers’ productive conversations with children will increase after the training. Using a multiple baseline experimental design two simultaneous studies were conducted. The participants were 6 preschool teachers which included 3 new teachers, and 3 experienced teachers. The permissions were obtained from teachers and the parents of children in their classroom, the children whose parents did not consent were not videotaped during the data collection process. The teachers were videotaped twice a week in their classrooms working with children during the free play time. Each video was 30 minutes. The videos were coded for productive and non-productive conversation, based on the checklist that was used previously in a similar study. All the videos were coded by a research assistant and 30% of videos for each teacher were coded by another research assistant. The interrater reliability was obtained before and during the study. When the first participant reached a baseline (the amount of his/her productive and non-productive conversation approximately remained the same), she went through the Cycle of Inquiry System Training (COI) by the Principle Investigator (PI). The intervention is a one-day training on observing children during the play and interpreting their thinking. The first participant was videotaped twice a week after training and her videos were coded for productive and non-productive conversation, in addition, as a part of the training the teacher received mentoring form the PI bi-weekly during the intervention phase. Meanwhile all the other teachers were being videotaped until they reach a stable baseline and the process of training was the same for every one of them. The research is still ongoing but it is expected that the data will show an increase in teachers’ productive conversation with children after the training. We are in the early phases of the intervention for two participants. Positive results from this intervention, impacting the amount of productive conversation between teachers and children, will indicate that this might be a helpful training for preschool teachers.