A tendência de aumento de mix e redução do ciclo de vida de produtos está se ampliando em diversos setores da economia e a imprevisibilidade de demanda resultante gera novos desafios para o gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos que deve buscar maximizar a disponibilidade dos produtos ao mesmo tempo em que a sobra é minimizada. Apesar dessa tendência ainda não estar consolidada, a relevância de setores que já enfrentam esses desafios (principalmente as indústrias relacionados à moda e à tecnologia) e a importância da adequação dos processos da empresa a esse novo ambiente para a lucratividade do negócio constituem os motivadores dessa pesquisa. Dessa forma, o principal objetivo deste trabalho é identificar quais práticas de melhoria de manufatura podem ser utilizadas para lidar com os desafios inerentes a esse ambiente. Além disso, propõe-se caracterizar tais desafios formalmente, explicitando mais detalhadamente a relação entre eles, às práticas de manufatura e alguns resultados operacionais e financeiros das empresas. Para isso são utilizadas a revisão bibliográfica e a pesquisa-ação em uma indústria de vestuário de moda como os dois principais procedimentos técnicos de pesquisa. Os resultados positivos obtidos permitem concluir que práticas de melhoria provenientes da manufatura enxuta e da manufatura ágil podem ser utilizadas em conjunto para adequar o processo de planejamento e produção aos desafios desse novo cenário, permitindo a obtenção de melhores resultados operacionais. / The trend of increased mix and shorter product life cycle is expanding in several sectors of the economy and the resulting demand unpredictability generates new challenges for the supply chain management, which needs to find new ways to maximize products availability and minimize inventory obsolescence. Despite this trend is not yet consolidated, the relevance of sectors already facing this challenges (especially industries related to fashion and technology) and the importance of processes adaptation to this new environment for business profitability are the motivators of this research. Thus, the main objective of this work is to identify which manufacturing improvement techniques can be used to deal with this environment challenges. Furthermore, it is proposed to formally characterize those challenges, explaining in more detail the relationship between them, the manufacturing practices and some operational and financial results of companies. To achieve this goal, literature review and action research in a fashion apparel industry are used as the two main research procedures. The positive results obtained indicate that improvement practices from lean manufacturing and agile manufacturing can be used together to tailor production and the planning process to this new scenario, allowing for better operational results.

A tendência de aumento de mix e redução do ciclo de vida de produtos está se ampliando em diversos setores da economia e a imprevisibilidade de demanda resultante gera novos desafios para o gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos que deve buscar maximizar a disponibilidade dos produtos ao mesmo tempo em que a sobra é minimizada. Apesar dessa tendência ainda não estar consolidada, a relevância de setores que já enfrentam esses desafios (principalmente as indústrias relacionados à moda e à tecnologia) e a importância da adequação dos processos da empresa a esse novo ambiente para a lucratividade do negócio constituem os motivadores dessa pesquisa. Dessa forma, o principal objetivo deste trabalho é identificar quais práticas de melhoria de manufatura podem ser utilizadas para lidar com os desafios inerentes a esse ambiente. Além disso, propõe-se caracterizar tais desafios formalmente, explicitando mais detalhadamente a relação entre eles, às práticas de manufatura e alguns resultados operacionais e financeiros das empresas. Para isso são utilizadas a revisão bibliográfica e a pesquisa-ação em uma indústria de vestuário de moda como os dois principais procedimentos técnicos de pesquisa. Os resultados positivos obtidos permitem concluir que práticas de melhoria provenientes da manufatura enxuta e da manufatura ágil podem ser utilizadas em conjunto para adequar o processo de planejamento e produção aos desafios desse novo cenário, permitindo a obtenção de melhores resultados operacionais. / The trend of increased mix and shorter product life cycle is expanding in several sectors of the economy and the resulting demand unpredictability generates new challenges for the supply chain management, which needs to find new ways to maximize products availability and minimize inventory obsolescence. Despite this trend is not yet consolidated, the relevance of sectors already facing this challenges (especially industries related to fashion and technology) and the importance of processes adaptation to this new environment for business profitability are the motivators of this research. Thus, the main objective of this work is to identify which manufacturing improvement techniques can be used to deal with this environment challenges. Furthermore, it is proposed to formally characterize those challenges, explaining in more detail the relationship between them, the manufacturing practices and some operational and financial results of companies. To achieve this goal, literature review and action research in a fashion apparel industry are used as the two main research procedures. The positive results obtained indicate that improvement practices from lean manufacturing and agile manufacturing can be used together to tailor production and the planning process to this new scenario, allowing for better operational results.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The objective of the present study was to determine the action of gestagens and estradiol benzoate (EB) on the mechanism of premature regression of the first corpus luteum (CL) after parturition, and to develop an efficient artificial insemination system for suckling beef cows. The effect of pre-exposure to gestagens and EB on the expression of the alpha (ERα) and beta (ERß) estrogen receptors and progesterone receptor (PR) in the endometrium and CL was evaluated after the first postpartum ovulation. Thirty days after calving, ten anestrous cows were divided into a control group (AN) and a treatment group (AN+MAP). On day 0, animals of the treatment group received 250 mg medroxyprogesterone (MAP) in a vaginal device for 7 days and 5 mg EB. In both groups, the follicular wave was monitored and ovulation was induced for the formation of a CL. Luteal and endometrial tissues were collected after 7 days. The samples were submitted to the analysis of gene expression by RT-PCR and endometrial and luteal histological evaluation. Preexposure to gestagen during the first postpartum estrous cycle resulted in a higher endometrial expression of the PR (AN+MAP group; P<0.05) and inhibition of ERß expression in endometrial tissue (P<0.05). The height of the endometrial glandular epithelium and the total number of large luteal cells were higher in the AN+MAP group than in the AN group. In order to promote follicular growth compatible with the ovulatory response in postpartum cows, we analyzed the follicular dynamics to determine the best time for the application of eCG and EB in combination with MAP. The cows received MAP for 7 days and EB on day 0 or 1, followed by eCG on day 6 (B0E6 or B1E6) or 7 (B0E7 or B1E7). In two groups, the animals were not injected with eCG but received EB on day 0 (B0) or 1 (B1). All cows received a GnRH agonist 45 h after removal of the vaginal device. Animals of the B0E6 group maintained a mean follicular diameter of 8 mm until eCG application and reached a mean diameter of 13 mm at the time of GnRH agonist injection (45 h after MAP removal), showing an ovulation rate of 80%. Covariance analysis showed a difference in this curve (P=0.0001) compared to the other groups, which reached a mean final follicular diameter of 7 to 12 mm and ovulation rate of 40%. Based on these results, we investigated an ovulation and estrus reinduction for a mixed system of estrus detection and fixed-time artificial insemination (ETAI) in postpartum suckling cows. A total of 553 animals was divided into the following groups: hormonal induction (HI; day 0 = EB and MAP for 7 days, day 6 = eCG, PGF2α and temporary weaning), early weaning at 60 days, and natural breeding. No difference in pregnancy rates (85%) was observed among groups. However, at 7 months of age, calves of the HI group had reached a 38 kg higher mean weight than those weaned at 60 days. In order to adjust the eCG dose to the HI system, doses of 300, 400 or 500 IU eCG were tested. No difference in the pregnancy rates (78.7%) was observed. In conclusion, MAP and EB regulate steroid receptors in the endometrium and CL, indicating an important role for these hormones in the mechanism of premature postpartum luteolysis. In addition, steroids participate in the postpartum restructuring of the endometrium and CL and, when applied 60 days after calving together with eCG administered one day before removal of the vaginal implant, increase the reproductive efficacy of beef cows. / O objetivo do presente estudo foi de elucidar a ação dos gestágenos e benzoato de estradiol (BE) no mecanismo de regressão prematura do primeiro corpo lúteo (CL) pós-parto, e desenvolver um sistema eficaz de inseminação artificial para vacas de corte amamentando. O efeito da pré-exposição a gestágenos e BE na expressão de receptor de estrógeno alfa (REα), beta (REβ) e receptor de progesterona (RP) no endométrio e CL foi avaliado após a primeira ovulação pós-parto. Dez vacas em anestro, 30 dias após o parto, foram divididas em grupo controle (AN) e tratamento (AN+MAP). No dia 0, os animais do grupo tratamento receberam 250 mg de medroxiprogesterona (MAP) em pessário vaginal por 7 dias e 5 mg de BE. Em ambos os grupos, a onda folicular foi acompanhada e a ovulação induzida para formação de um CL. Após 7 dias, foram obtidos tecidos luteal e endometrial. As amostras foram destinadas a expressão gênica (RT-PCR) e avaliação histológica endometrial e luteínica. A pré-exposição ao gestágeno no primeiro ciclo estral pós-parto resultou em uma maior expressão endometrial do RP (grupo AN+MAP; P<0,05) e um bloqueio da expressão dos REβ no tecido endometrial (P<0,05). No grupo AN+MAP, a altura do epitélio glandular endometrial e número total de células luteais grandes foram maiores do que no grupo AN. Visando promover o crescimento folicular compatível com resposta ovulatória, em vacas pós-parto, foi avaliada a dinâmica folicular, para determinar o melhor momento de aplicação do eCG e BE em associação ao MAP. As vacas receberam MAP por 7 dias e BE no Dia 0 ou 1, seguido de eCG no Dia 6 (B0E6 ou B1E6) ou 7 (B0E7 ou B1E7). Em dois grupos, os animais não foram injetados com eCG, mas com BE no Dia 0 (B0) ou no Dia 1 (B1). Todas as fêmeas receberam agonista de GnRH 45 h após remoção do implante vaginal. Os animais do grupo B0E6 mantiveram um diâmetro folicular médio de 8 mm até a aplicação do eCG e atingiram a média de 13 mm no momento do GnRH, com taxa de ovulação de 80%. Por análise de covariança, essa curva diferiu (P=0.0001) das demais, as quais atingiram média folicular final entre 8 e 12 mm e taxa de ovulação de 40%. A partir desses resultados, foi investigado um sistema de reindução de ovulação e estro e inseminação artificial em um processo misto de observação de estro e tempo fixo (IAETF) para vacas amamentando no período pós-parto. Um total de 553 animais foi dividido em indução hormonal (IH; Dia 0= BE e MAP por 7 dias, Dia 6= eCG, PGF2α e desmame temporário), desmame precoce aos 60 dias e monta natural. Não foi observada diferença nos índices de prenhez (85,0%) entre os grupos. No entanto, os terneiros do grupo IH, aos sete meses de idade, atingiram a média de 38 kg a mais do que os desmamados aos 60 dias. Com o objetivo de adequar a dose da gonadotrofina no sistema de IH, foram utilizadas 300, 400 ou 500 UI de eCG, não havendo diferença nos índices de prenhez (78,7%). Em conclusão, o MAP e BE regulam os receptores esteróides no endométrio e CL, evidenciando uma importante participação no mecanismo de luteólise prematura pós-parto. Além disso, esses esteróides participam da reestruturação pós-parto do endométrio e CL e, aplicados aos 60 dias pós-parto, associados ao eCG um dia antes da retirada do implante vaginal, resultam em maior eficácia reprodutiva em vacas de corte.

Les durées de vie classiques des pièces en aéronautique sont de plusieurs dizaines d’années. Cependant, certaines applications en marge impliquent des durées de vie bien plus courtes, sans réparation ou récupération des pièces. Les modèles de conception classiques doivent être adaptés et la démarche du choix matériau se faire « au juste besoin », autorisant l’utilisation des matériaux aux conditions limites de leur intégrité. Afin d’estimer ces limites, la caractérisation à plus hautes températures d’alliages existants est entreprise. C’est dans cette optique que se placent les travaux de thèse présentés dans ce manuscrit. L’alliage étudié est le Ti-6Al-4V (TA6V) forgé qui possède à l’issu du traitement thermomécanique une microstructure duplex. Il est actuellement l’alliage de titane le plus couramment utilisé en aéronautique et son utilisation est généralement limitée aux environs de 350°C pour des durées de vie classiques. Dans le but d’utiliser cet alliage pendant une dizaine d’heure, l’étude menée consiste à caractériser le TA6V de 20°C à 600°C. La caractérisation se centre, dans un premier temps, sur l’état métallurgique de la matière initiale issue du galet forgé et sur sa stabilité en température. Ensuite, le comportement mécanique du TA6V est étudié de 20°C à 600°C en traction, mettant en évidence une sensibilité de la contrainte d’écoulement à la vitesse de déformation dépendant de la température. Ce comportement est mis en lien avec le phénomène de vieillissement dynamique. La caractérisation du comportement mécanique est poursuivie par une campagne étendue de fluage de 20°C à 600°C pour différents niveaux de contraintes (de 0,3 à 1 fois la limite d’élasticité en traction). Ces essais montrent différents comportements en fonction de la température. La matière déformée en traction et en fluage est analysée en microscopie électronique en transmission afin d’apporter des informations sur les mécanismes de déformation gouvernant les différents comportements de l’alliage. Les campagnes de caractérisation en traction et en fluage ont permis d’établir un modèle de comportement viscoplastique du TA6V de 20°C à 600°C validé par l’ajustement des résultats obtenus à l’issue d’essais thermomécaniques complexes avec la simulation de ces essais par éléments finis. La corrélation des résultats en traction et en fluage et la détermination des mécanismes de déformation conduit à une discussion sur le comportement viscoplastique du TA6V, pour finalement aboutir à une proposition de modélisation du fluage du TA6V de 20°C à 600°C. Le modèle permet de reproduire qualitativement des courbes de fluage à partir de la sensibilité à la vitesse de déformation mesurée au cours d’essais de traction. / Classical life time of aeronautic parts lasts several decades. However, for some special applications with short life time and without repairs or recovery of parts, material design is tailored “close to real needs”. This justifies characterization at higher temperatures of well-known alloys and not developing new alloys. The study presented in this manuscript is included within this frame of short life applications. Forged Ti-6Al-4V (Ti-64) alloy with a bimodal microstructure is the most common titanium alloy in aeronautic and is usually limited below 350°C applications during classical life time. In order to use this alloy during a ten hour application, this thesis consists in characterizing Ti-64 from 20°C to 600°C. In a first time, characterization is focused on initial metallurgical state coming from a forged billet and on its thermal stability. Then, mechanical behavior of Ti-64 is studied by tensile testing from 20°C to 600°C, highlighting strain rate sensitivity (SRS) of flow stress. SRS is depending on temperature. This dependency is usually due to dynamic strain ageing phenomenon. Mechanical behavior characterization continues with creep testing from 20°C to 600°C for several stress levels (from 0.3 to 1 time yield stress values). Different behaviors versus temperature are revealed. Deformed samples by tensile testing and creep testing are analyzed by transmission electronic microscopy to bring information about deformation mechanisms controlling the different behaviors of the alloy. Thanks to tensile and creep testing, a viscoplastic modeling of Ti-64 from 20°C to 600°C has been performed and validated by fitting results from complex thermo mechanical tests with finite elements simulations. Comparison of mechanical behavior with deformation mechanisms leads to a discussion about viscoplasticity of Ti-64, and finally results in a proposal modeling creep behavior of Ti-64 from 20°C to 600°C. The model is able to estimate qualitatively creep curves using strain rate sensitivity measured during tensile tests.

Abstract This study examines the formation of brand loyalty and disloyalty behaviours among consumers of short life-cycle technology products. Today, the life cycle of technology products have become shortened due to rapid pace of innovation leading to introduction of new and innovative products at shortened intervals. Such technological changes create a dynamic market, induce uncertainties among the consumers in the usage leading to stress and anxiety and development of coping strategies to deal with such situations. This study attempts at an understanding of the formation of brand loyalty and brand disloyalty behaviours from the consumer’s lived consumption experiences. The importance of loyalty and disloyalty have long been recognized in marketing, by academic and practitioners alike and assumes even more salience in today’s highly dynamic and competitive market environment. This study adopts the qualitative approach based on a constructivist and interpretive perspective using narrative strategy of inquiry through semi-structured and open-ended interviews to bring forth the experiences and meanings emanating from the consumption narratives. A theoretical framework was developed and employed to aid in the analysis of the empirical data. Based on the lines of the theoretical framework, three different phases of consumption, pre-adoption, adoption and post-adoption were examined which brought forth rich details of consumption experiences and outcomes during each consumption phase. This study interestingly finds consumers to be more brand loyal than disloyal. This supports a school of thought which endorses the existence of brand loyalty and contradicts another school of thought which profess the decline of brand loyalty. The study also reveals the factors which cause brand loyalty, brand disloyalty, divided brand loyalty and no brand loyalty tendencies in the context of short life-cycle technology products providing insights to both practitioners and academics. And more interestingly, this study finds short life-cycle products influencing the brand disloyalty and divided brand loyalty tendencies significantly, if not most significantly. This is important in view of today’s highly changed, dynamic and competitive marketplace and in the context of short life-cycle technology products. / Tiivistelmä Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan brändilojaaliuden ja -epälojaaliuden kehittymistä teknologiaintensiivisten kuluttajatuotteiden käyttäjien keskuudessa. Sellaisten tuotteiden käyttöikä on lyhentynyt uusien tuoteinnovaatioiden ja -ratkaisujen tullessa markkinoille yhä nopeammalla tahdilla. Teknologiamuutokset johtavat dynaamisiin markkinoihin ja samalla kuluttajien huoli ja pyrkimykset hoitaa tuotteiden valinta- ja käyttötilanteita kasvavat. Tutkimuksessa pyritään ymmärtämään ja tulkitsemaan brändilojaaliuden ja -epälojaaliuden muodostumiseen liittyviä tekijöitä. Se on yhä tärkeämpää paitsi tutkijoille, myös liiketoiminnan harjoittajille. Tutkimukseen otetaan konstruktiivinen mutta tulkitseva ote, perustuen kuluttajien kertomiin kokemuksiin, joita kerättiin sekä avoimilla että puoliavoimilla haastatteluilla. Hankittu narratiivinen tutkimusaineisto analysoitiin aiempien tutkimusten perusteella muodostetun teoreettisen viitekehyksen avulla niin, että tuotteen valinta, hankinta ja käyttö jaettiin kolmeen periaatteelliseen vaiheeseen. Ne ovat käyttöön omaksumista edeltävä, käytön omaksumisen ja käyttöön omaksumisen jälkeinen vaihe. Tutkimusaineistosta saatiin kehikon avulla analysoituna esille rikas tuotteen valintaan ja käyttöön liittyvä kulutuskokemusten joukko koskien brändilojaaliutta ja -epälojaaliutta. Tutkimuksen mielenkiintoinen tulos on, että kuluttajien brändilojaalius on suurempi kuin epälojaalius. Se vahvistaa näkemyksen, että brändilojaaliuden merkitys ei ole vähentynyt eikä etenkään loppunut. Tutkimuksesta tulee silti esiin myös tekijöitä, jotka vaikuttavat lojaaliuden ohella jakaantuneeseen lojaaliuteen tai lojaaliuden puuttumiseen lyhytikäisten kuluttajatuotteiden tapauksessa. Kaiken kaikkiaan tekijöiden jäsentäminen, näkyväksi tekeminen ja analysointi tarjoavat kiinnostavia näkemyksiä tutkijoille, liiketoiminnan harjoittajille ja muille tahoille. Erityisesti jakaantuneeseen lojaaliuteen ja epälojaaliuteen vaikuttavat tekijät ovat tärkeitä lyhytikäisille teknologiaintensiivisille kuluttajatuotteille, joiden markkinat ovat erittäin dynaamiset ja kilpaillut.

The master´s thesis deals with the influence of short-term reconstruction on the p rice of real estate. There are discussed the basic concepts, which are necessary for understanding problems, and commonly used methods for valuing property according to the purpose of valuation in the theoretical part. There are analysed these methods for particular house in the practical part – method of valuation, comparative public notice, revenues method, comparative non-promulgation method. They are investigated due to the influence of imitated reconstruction. In conclusion the influences of reconstruction methods are compared each other.