Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, February 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-148). / Since the early 1980s numerous knowledge-dependent organizations have made diligent attempts to measure their intangible assets. In more recent years, knowledge-dependent organizations have expressed a desire to demonstrate the benefits resulting from significant investments in knowledge management assets in order to provide reassurance to senior executives, to motivate knowledge worker utilization of the asset, and to leverage further funds for knowledge management investments. A six-step methodology is prescribed in this thesis to assist organizations seeking to identify both qualitative and quantitative benefits realized from the utilization of knowledge management assets. This methodology is underpinned by take-a-ways from current intellectual capital measurement models found in literature, and the lessons learned from industry application of an immature version of the prescribed methodology in two industry case studies. Lessons learned from the practical applications of the methodology, and a detailed description of the methodology, are provided as key findings of this thesis. / (cont.) Application of the methodology in the provided industry case studies indicates significant benefits from the utilization of knowledge management assets can be demonstrated if the appropriate performance indicators are selected for measurement. / by Aaron B. Taylor. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design & Management Program, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-132). / The International Space Station has the potential to serve as a unique test platform to enable technologies for a wide array of manned and unmanned NASA missions. In order to live up to its promise, the resources required to develop and fly an experiment on the Station must be commensurate with the scientific return that will be obtained. This thesis applies the set of tools and principles known collectively as Lean Engineering to the Payload Safety Review process, one of the activities that must be satisfied by payloads prior to flying. The goal of this study is to attempt to reduce the required resources needed to fly a payload on the Station. Using the MIT Lean Aerospace Initiative Transformation to Lean roadmap, three separate payload examples of increasing degree of complexity are analyzed. Value streams are derived, and estimates for duration and labor requirements are presented based on past experience and data obtained from various stakeholders. Opportunities for waste (muda) reduction are identified. In addition, a comparative analysis is presented where the Safety Review Process is contrasted to similar issues faced by industry over the last several decades as manufacturing processes were transformed in order to increase quality while simultaneously reducing cost. Insights from these analyses, supported by stakeholder data from payload developers and the NASA Payload Safety Review Panel, are used to suggest a redesign to improve the Safety Review process. Three specific recommendations are proposed: 1) Establishment of a group outside NASA that can provide experienced, design assistance to payload developers as an integral part of their design teams; 2) Empowerment of these integrated teams through elimination of the / (cont.) monuments created by intermediary safety reviews conducted by organizations outside the control of the Payload Safety Review Panel; and 3) Preparation of a Safety Verification and Review Plan at the start of each development effort which would contain the schedule and content for all safety-related review activities and data submittals, and would pull these activities throughout the process only when necessary. The revised process reduces the number of discrete steps from a maximum of 27 to 10. Duration of the process and the amount of labor required to complete it are reduced by up to 60% and 20%, respectively. Cost savings on the order of $10 million/year, depending on the number and complexity of the payloads, are obtained. / by Javier de Luis. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-121). / The emergence of China as a rising economic power has surprised many pundits and commentators around the world. It first gained its status as one of the largest manufacturing centers in the world, creating companies from toy makers to networking gear manufacturers, which successfully used their low cost advantage to compete against firms based in developed countries. As western countries including the U.S. started to attribute China's success to the abundance of low cost labor, a few Chinese firms rose up to challenge the dominance of multinational corporations. In the high-tech industries, in particular, some firms have started to combine their low wage advantage with sophisticated end-to-end strategies by ramping up competencies in important areas in the value chain, including research and development, manufacturing and supply chain management, marketing, and strategy. This thesis examines the competitive advantage and disadvantage of Chinese high-tech industries by studying a number of firms in the information technology sectors. / (cont.) It demonstrates that the competitive advantages of those industries include low cost structures, a pool of highly skilled engineers and scientists, a sophisticated science and technology infrastructure, a growing domestic market with enormous potential, and a cluster of related high-tech industries that benefit each other. The thesis also reveals that most Chinese high-tech firms still lack financial capital, brand recognition, talents, managerial competencies, and technological capabilities. The thesis concludes by offering a set of recommendations to Chinese high-tech firms to help them become more respectable global players. In the meantime, this work also proposes a different set of strategies that US high-tech firms can use to gain the "next" innovative advantage in this extremely competitive global business environment. / by Leiming Bian. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design & Management Program, 1999. / Vita. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-81). / Several wire-less technologies and devices are in use through out the IT industry currently. An analysis of features of such devices and services is done here. Most of them are used for handling unexpected situations (crisis management) and are not well integrated with the IT project or operations management A temporal analysis of Information Technology (11) processes (projects and operations) in a sector of financial industry in the United States reveals that at least some time delays in IT projects can be eliminated or reduced by effective use of latest digital wire-less technologies in an integrated manner. Further, the author proposes framework for deploying digital wire-less communication devices as an integral part of fast paced IT. A survey of several IT project managers and other decision makers also reveals that use of such technologies when planned, communicated and executed well can bring about considerable competitive advantages. / by Vijay Ruhela. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-44). / Information technology (IT) can be a key contributor for the successful implementation of business strategies. However, companies normally find it hard to synchronize their evolving business strategies with the capabilities in IT. This thesis analyzes the key contributors to the problems in synchronizing business strategy and Information Technology and suggests both management and technical frameworks for an agile IT infrastructure that can stay in sync with the evolving business strategy. Agility in IT infrastructure means the ability for the infrastructure to accommodate evolving needs and business strategies without significant re-architecture. There is no magic bullet that could induce agility into an IT infrastructure and its management. But, this thesis studies the best practices in management and technology which are being used by industry leaders successfully. / by Biju Kalissery. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 50-51). / Innovation is a key factor for sustainable competitiveness, and idea generation in Research and Development is an essential part of it. In the present study, we focus on a specific process that intends to inhibit some dysfunctional behaviors occurring in team work schemes for idea generation - namely free ride, evaluation apprehension and production blocking. To that effect, we follow a twofold approach: a literature review of some aspects pertaining to creativity, reward systems and team work; and the application of an anonymous and asynchronous idea-generation system with incentives based on impact (IDEATION) in real-world situations of an R&D department. The outcomes of the proposed IDEATION process are analyzed and compared to the estimated results for verbal brainstorming, thus allowing conclusions about the effectiveness of the former. / by Rafael Holzhacker. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design & Management Program, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-88). / Appearance of the product is a discerning factor for the consumers purchase decisions. Time from concept to product creation is a critical factor in the competitive automotive industry. The period to develop a product is dependant on the people, content and the technology changes that constitute a large majority of expense allocation, and time invested. The greater the degree of change from something established and successful, the more difficult it becomes to incorporate the change into a product. Being successive in the automotive industry relies on the ability to maintain market presence with new and innovative products, while shortening the cycle time associated with new product design, development, and its introduction. Increasing capability to manage changes becomes more challenging as product complexity and customer demands increase and product life cycles decrease. How automotive manufacturers manage these changes during the critical product definition phase through process, tools and methods is the central discussion of this paper. The intent of this thesis is to identify the processes and key enablers that allow a rapid development process for appearance related systems, in particular the interior environment of the vehicle. Five cases that effect the interior trim environment will be reviewed to understand the methods, which allow the migration of novelty. Situations that will be studied will be introductions to aspects of: new technology, strategies, and the impact of late additions. To compare and contrast the degree of change occurring in these cases, a framework is essential to identify novelty. The ability and skills which an organization can perform changes is defined as organizational capability. This term / (cont.) describes how people within the organization manage to perform work. Specific case studies will be analyzed--reviewing the novelty introduced to the program, the organizational capability utilized, and the artifacts and processes employed to develop a final product within the division of the Sport Utility Vehicle Body on Frame, of Ford Motor Company, and contrasting comparisons to similar areas within Nissan Corporation, and Toyota Motor Corporation. Through these cases different types of novelty are revealed and its impact upon the interior trim system. It is argued that allotting more time in the preparation and early planning stages will reconcile problems that may arise later on. The approaches that these departments use: formal, informal meetings, conference calls, and written communication to manage novelty will be reviewed and compared in order to provide recommendations for improvement. / by Lara Daniv Zarewych. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design & Management Program, 2000. / "February 2000." / Includes bibliographical references (p. 137). / by Howard R. Gerwin. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design & Management Program, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 88-89). / by Paul A. Soukup. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design & Management Program, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 69). / by Edwin Elberg. / S.M.