D. Tech. (Logistics management, Faculty of Management Science), Vaal University of Technology / Nowadays, the business environment is characterised by faster technological development, customer satisfaction, shorter product life cycles, and more intense global competition. This new competitive landscape has forced firms to acquire new ways to achieve competitive advantage actively since a firm's competitive advantage is now dependent on operating efficiency and productivity across functional areas of the firm. The most successful manufacturers seem to be those that have carefully linked their internal processes to external suppliers and customers in unique supply chains. The manufacturing sector represents 15 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) of the South African commercial industry. Competitive challenges in the modern business environment have resulted in the need for firms to collaborate their business processes strategically across other business units within the supply chain. Supply chain network theory, dynamic capabilities theory, and the resource-based view theory are discussed to better understand the importance of firms' supply chain capabilities, supply chain agility, and firm performance. The primary objective of this research study was to investigate the association between supply chain capabilities (supply chain network design, supply chain information competency, and supply chain integration) and supply chain agility on firm performance in the manufacturing sector of the Gauteng province in South Africa. It also aimed to ascertain the kind of relationships between supply chain network with supply chain agility, supply chain network with firm performance, supply chain information competency with supply chain agility, supply chain integration with supply chain agility, supply chain integration with firm performance, and finally supply chain agility with firm performance. Structured questionnaires were distributed to various manufacturing firms in the Gauteng province. The data were collected from manufacturing firm managers and owners. SPSS 25.0 was used to analyse the data, and AMOS 25.0 used to perform the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and path analysis. The structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess the proposed model fit and to test the statistically significant relationship between the various hypotheses. The research study results revealed that supply chain technologies and supply chain vi agility positively influence firm manufacturing performance. This study contributes new knowledge to the existing literature by providing a research framework that can enhance manufacturing firms' performance and also offer practical recommendations based on the research findings for manufacturing firms and future research. Furthermore, as one of the first studies to address the association between supply chain capabilities and supply chain agility on firm performance in the Gauteng province, this study generates new insights and information, as well as outlines the strategic reasons for manufacturing firms' managers and owners to improve on their organisational relationships. Hence, the study found that firms have realised significant supply chain coordination through supply chain capabilities and supply chain agility and that firms have been able to attain strategic goals, reduce risks and improve internal and external coordination of operational processes. Keywords: supply chain network design; supply chain information competency; supply chain integration; supply chain agility; firm performance.

[pt] O processo de mobilidade global de talentos ganhou maior relevância nos últimos anos em razão da necessidade de competências específicas em diversos países, massificação da cultura corporativa em empresas subsidiárias no exterior ou por razões de desenvolvimento de competências no profissional a ser expatriado. O objetivo cerne da presente dissertação é demonstrar que um dos pilares chaves para o sucesso do profissional transferido ao exterior é a adaptação à cultura do país anfitrião. Para o atingimento deste objetivo utilizamos metodologia qualitativa, com foco exploratório descritivo, através de entrevistas semiestruturadas, que foram conduzidas com profissionais expatriados. Ao longo da presente dissertação identificamos que dificuldades no processo de adaptação podem potencializar situações de choque cultural ou até mesmo interromper a jornada internacional do funcionário transferido. Em contrapartida, os funcionários que possuem maior inteligência e agilidade cultural tendem a ser ajustar com maior sucesso à cultura do país anfitrião, mitigando potenciais efeitos em suas performances profissionais e colhendo melhores frutos em suas jornadas internacionais. O aprofundamento do presente trabalho permitirá correlação futura com os modelos de dimensões culturais existentes, que poderão funcionar como meio complementar no processo de seleção de futuros expatriados, permitindo identificar aqueles que possuem maiores competências culturais e consequentemente facilitando seu processo de adaptação à cultura do país anfitrião. / [en] The global talent mobility process has gained greater relevance in recent years due to the need for specific skills in different countries, massification of corporate culture in subsidiaries companies located abroad or for reasons related to developing individual s skills. The main objective of this work is to demonstrate that one of the key pillars for the success of the professional transferred to work abroad is the need of adapting to the host country s culture. To achieve this objective, we used a qualitative methodology, with a descriptive exploratory focus, through semi-structured interviews, which were conducted with expatriate professionals. Throughout this dissertation, we identified that difficulties in the adaptation process can enhance situations of culture shock or even interrupt the international journey of the transferred employee. On the other hand, employees who have greater intelligence and cultural agility tend to adjust more successfully to the culture of the host country, mitigating potential effects on their professional performance and reaping better results on their international journeys. Deepening the present work will allow future correlation with the models of existing cultural dimensions, which may work as complementary means in the process of selection of future expatriates, allowing the identification of those who have greater cultural competences and consequently facilitating their process of adaptation to the culture of the host country.

Introduction: Maximum running acceleration essential components in many sports. The identification of specific training protocols to maximize sprint speed would be useful knowledge for soccer coaches and players. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a high-speed treadmill with the use of a body-weight support system in a 6-week sport acceleration program on: 40-yard sprint time, maximal isometric knee flexor and extensor strength. Methods: 32 female soccer players (age 16 ± 1.19 yrs) participated in two treatment groups and one control group. Both treatment groups participated in a 12-session sport acceleration program. The first treatment group utilized a body-weight support system while on a high-speed treadmill; the second group used a standard treadmill with no body weight support system. The control group, NT, did not participate in a sports acceleration program and did not alter their exercise routines outside of the study. Results: For each variable an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was performed. 40-yard sprint times for treatment groups were shown to improve significantly as compared to the control group (p = 0.0007 for high-speed treadmill with body-weight support system, p= < 0.0001 for standard treadmill without body-weight support system). Isometric flexor and extensor strengths did not show significant differences between treatment groups and control group. P-values for the high-speed with body-weight support system were (p = 0.53) for flexors and (p = 0.51) for extensors as compared to the control group. P-values for the standard treadmill with no body-weight support system were (p = 0.19) for extensors and (p = 0.0263) for flexors. It is noted that the extensor muscles were nearly significant for the standard treadmill with no body-weight support system. Discussion: These results can help high school coaches and athletes determine the optimal treadmill training regime. The current study shows that a high-speed treadmill with body-weight support system is just as beneficial as standard treadmill training.

Abstract  Date: 2023-05-30 Level: Master thesis in Business Administration, 15 cr  Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University  Authors: Ramak Amyari Khamneh (84/01/29), Aymen Safi (00/03/27) Title: Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Supply Chain Resilience: A Qualitative Study Comparing Scania and Volvo in the Construction Equipment Industry Supervisor: Emre Yildiz Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Supply Chain Resilience, Construction Equipment Industry, Disruptions, Agility, Redundancy Research question: How do Scania and Volvo interpret and implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance supply chain resilience and mitigate disruptions in the construction equipment industry? Purpose: The purpose of this master thesis is to investigate how Scania and Volvo interpret and implement AI technologies to enhance supply chain resilience and mitigate disruptions in the construction equipment industry. Method: Qualitative Conclusion: The conclusion of the master thesis is that Scania and Volvo have successfully implemented AI technologies to enhance supply chain resilience in the construction equipment industry, despite challenges, and see AI as a critical component for future supply chain strategies.

aus der Einleitung: ...Ziel ist es, ein wissenschaftlich fundiertes AMM (Agile Maturity Models) zu entwickeln, das jedoch auch in der Praxis anwendbar ist. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen und die Forschungsfrage zu beantworten, wird mit Hilfe des Design-Science-Research (DSR) ein AMM entwickelt. Für das konkrete Vorgehensmodell wird die DSR-Methode nach Peffers, Tuunanen, Rothenberger und Chatterjee (2007) angewandt. Zunächst werden in der Studie kurz die theoretischen Grundlagen zur Agilität und Reifegradmessung vorgestellt. Der folgende Abschnitt beschäftigt sich mit der DSR-Methode und der iterativen AMM-Entwicklung. Es folgen ein Pre-Test sowie eine Evaluierung des AMM. Abschließend rundet ein Fazit den Beitrag dieser Studie mit Vorschlägen für zukünftige Forschung ab.

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Background: Three mega trends are profoundly changing today’s market dynamics; climate change, digitalization, and globalization. The increasing interconnectivity and omnipresence of digital technologies are blurring the boundaries of the physical and virtual reality, implying a shift in how digital companies create value and internationalize. Also, new policies and higher customer demand in greener and smarter technologies have created new opportunities for value creation to develop cleaner technologies that foster the growth of clean-technology firms. To be competitive and persist in a sustainable and digital economy, firms must be able to cope with changing market conditions. Strategic agility can support to avoid rigidity and benefit from change, which is fostered by strong dynamic capabilities. Knowledge gaps: The study aims to address shortcomings of digital sustainability business models and specifically characterize the emerging sector of sustainable software companies offering Cleantech-as-a-Service applications. The international potential of these ventures recognizes the need to elaborate on internationalization drivers. The globally competitive environment enforces the need to be strategically agile, whereby applying agile principles to an international context can bring a comprehensive view of internationalizing digital sustainability ventures’ critical capabilities and business model characteristics. The study will also assert the role of collaborative ecosystems in an entrepreneurial internationalization. Purpose: This study will explore the emergence of Cleantech-as-a-Service and investigate how these digital entrepreneurs achieve strategic agility in global pivoting and competitive environments. Our exploratory research aims to apply agile principles to entrepreneurial internationalization strategies, where we through six in-depth interviews will discover the role of digital cleantech firms’ dynamic business models, capabilities, and ecosystems when entering a foreign market. Theoretical framework: The conceptual frame of references is based on two major sections where the first considers the context of digital and sustainable firms and exhibits the essences of digital and sustainable business model designs and how to sustain competitiveness through the interrelation of dynamic capabilities and strategic agility. In the second section the study brings forward theory supporting the exploration of an agile internationalization for digital firms, such as virtual markets and ecosystems. The key theoretical forthcomings are summarized into a conceptual framework that combines the role and interplay of entrepreneurs, business models, as well as networks and ecosystems on the basis of strategic agility and dynamic capabilities, that jointly foster an agile and virtual internationalization. Methodology: The interpretive research used an explorative and abductive approach to perform a qualitative multiple case design. The empirical study was based on six Cleantech-as-a-Service companies where in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with the informants of significant positions. The thematic and content data analysis supported the identification of common patterns and themes through coding which guided the subsequent analysis chapter. Findings: Our study revealed characteristics and success factors of Cleantech-as-a-Service ventures operating on global volatile markets, which adopt a leagile approach. The findings supported a definition of the concept but also identified the dynamic capabilities and flexible business models leveraged to sustain international competitive agility. The key agile capabilities relate to networking, experimenting, and learning whereas business model characteristics confer resiliency, interdependency, and efficiency.

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Moderne Kraftfahrzeuge werden mit einer Vielzahl von Fahrerassistenzsystemen ausgestattet um die Sicherheit, die Traktion, die Energieeffzienz, die Agilität und den Komfort noch weiter zu verbessern. Diese Ziele können zu einem Großteil mit einer aktiven Drehmomentverteilung, auch Torque Vectoring genannt, erreicht werden. Dafür sind jedoch Getriebesysteme erforderlich, welche unabhängig vom Fahrzustand und vom Antriebsmoment eine nahezu beliebige Drehmomentverteilung ermöglichen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden zunächst Grundlagen zu Getriebesystemen, insbesondere zu Planetengetrieben, und zur Fahrzeugdynamik erläutert. Anschließend wird der Stand der Technik anhand einer Systematik zur Einteilung von aktiven Differenzialgetrieben dargelegt sowie einige Vor- und Nachteile aufgezeigt. Das folgende Kapitel stellt ein Verfahren zur Ermittlung der mechanischen Belastung des aktiven Differenzialgetriebes für beliebige Fahrzeuge und Strecken vor. Damit erfolgt eine Bewertung der bisher bekannten Systeme hinsichtlich Gesamtwirkungsgrad, konstruktiver Aufwand und regelungstechnische Eigenschaften. Im Anschluss wird ein Verfahren zur rechnergestützten Synthese neuer Getriebesysteme beschrieben. Abschließend werden die positiven Auswirkungen der aktiven Drehmomentverteilung auf die Fahrdynamik herausgestellt. Das Ergebnis der Arbeit zeigt drei neue Getriebestrukturen, welche anhand der deffinierten Vergleichskriterien besser sind als alle bekannten Systeme. / Actual passenger cars are equipped with a lot of driver assistant systems to increase safety, traction, efficiency, agility and comfort. These aims can be achieved by a controlled transmission of the engine torque to each driven wheel (active torque distribution, Torque Vectoring). Therefore special gear systems are necessary. In this document firstly the basics on gear systems (planetary gears) and vehicle dynamics are explained. Furthermore the state of the art is shown based on a classification of active differentials and the advantages and disadvantages are envinced. The next chapter describes a method for determining the mechanic load of the active differential for any car and road track. This is used for an evaluation of every differential gear system in view of efficiency, mechanic effort and control properties. The result reveals significant differences between the gear structures. Subsequent a method for a computer synthesis of new gear systems is developped and applied to the demands of a front driven vehicle application. The last chapter points out the positive effects of an active torque distribution on the driving dynamics. As a result of this work three new gear structures are shown which are much better than all existing gear systems in terms of the evaluation properties.

The main objective of this thesis is to examine the trade-offs between security and efficiency within symmetric ciphers. This includes the influence that block ciphers have on the new generation of word-based stream ciphers. By incorporating block-cipher like components into their designs, word-based stream ciphers have experienced hundreds-fold improvement in speed over bit-based stream ciphers, without any observable security degradation. The thesis also emphasizes the importance of keying issues in block and stream ciphers, showing that by reusing components of the principal cipher algorithm in the keying algorithm, security can be enhanced without loss of key-agility or expanding footprint in software memory. Firstly, modern block ciphers from four recent cipher competitions are surveyed and categorized according to criteria that includes the high-level structure of the block cipher, the method in which non-linearity is instilled into each round, and the strength of the key schedule. In assessing the last criterion, a classification by Carter [45] is adopted and modified to improve its consistency. The classification is used to demonstrate that the key schedule of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) [62] is surprisingly flimsy for a national standard. The claim is supported with statistical evidence that shows the key schedule suffers from bit leakage and lacks sufficient diffusion. The thesis contains a replacement key schedule that reuses components from the cipher algorithm, leveraging existing analysis to improve security, and reducing the cipher's implementation footprint while maintaining key agility. The key schedule is analyzed from the perspective of an efficiency-security tradeoff, showing that the new schedule rectifies an imbalance towards e±ciency present in the original. The thesis contains a discussion of the evolution of stream ciphers, focusing on the migration from bit-based to word-based stream ciphers, from which follows a commensurate improvement in design flexibility and software performance. It examines the influence that block ciphers, and in particular the AES, have had upon the development of word-based stream ciphers. The thesis includes a concise literature review of recent styles of cryptanalytic attack upon stream ciphers. Also, claims are refuted that one prominent word-based stream cipher, RC4, suffers from a bias in the first byte of each keystream. The thesis presents a divide and conquer attack against Alpha1, an irregularly clocked bit-based stream cipher with a 128-bit state. The dominating aspect of the divide and conquer attack is a correlation attack on the longest register. The internal state of the remaining registers is determined by utilizing biases in the clocking taps and launching a guess and determine attack. The overall complexity of the attack is 261 operations with text requirements of 35,000 bits and memory requirements of 2 29.8 bits. MUGI is a 64-bit word-based cipher with a large Non-linear Feedback Shift Register (NLFSR) and an additional non-linear state. In standard benchmarks, MUGI appears to su®er from poor key agility because it is implemented on an architecture for which it is not designed, and because its NLFSR is too large relative to the size of its master key. An unusual feature of its key initialization algorithm is described. A variant of MUGI, entitled MUGI-M, is proposed to enhance key agility, ostensibly without any loss of security. The thesis presents a new word-based stream cipher called Dragon. This cipher uses a large internal NLFSR in conjunction with a non-linear filter to produce 64 bits of keystream in one round. The non-linear filter looks very much like the round function of a typical modern block cipher. Dragon has a native word size of 32 bits, and uses very simple operations, including addition, exclusive-or and s-boxes. Together these ensure high performance on modern day processors such as the Intel Pentium family. Finally, a set of guidelines is provided for designing and implementing symmetric ciphers on modern processors, using the Intel Pentium 4 as a case study. Particular attention is given to understanding the architecture of the processor, including features such as its register set and size, the throughput and latencies of its instruction set, and the memory layouts and speeds. General optimization rules are given, including how to choose fast primitives for use within the cipher. The thesis describes design decisions that were made for the Dragon cipher with respect to implementation on the Intel Pentium 4. Block Ciphers, Word-based Stream Ciphers, Cipher Design, Cipher Implementa- tion, -